Welcome to the 2024 December issue of Foster Family News, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Fairfax County foster parents. Our monthly newsletter shares resources, news, tips, events, and trainings relevant to foster and adoptive parents, children in care, and the resource workers who support them.
| Table of Contents |
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| Feature Articles |
| Events Central |
| Support Groups |
| FAQs, Story in Stats & Foster Care Facts |
| Trainings and Conferences |
Meet Don and Emily, who became Fairfax County foster parents in 2018. After providing respite care for a couple of children, they welcomed 15-month-old Angel into their home in 2021 and recently adopted him. Don and Emily developed a close relationship with Angel’s biological family along the way, which has been a blessing to everyone. Angel, who is now an active 4-year-old, is receiving the care and support he needs from the whole family and he is thriving. Check out the video to learn more about this family and how their choice to foster has led to such joy.
A joyful Adoption Recognition Event honored all the amazing families who have chosen to adopt children from foster care locally in the last few years. The Department of Family Services and Fairfax County Circuit Court partnered to host this event at the courthouse on Saturday, November 16. Friends and loved ones, staff and dignitaries, as well as others in the local child welfare community were there to celebrate. Guests were treated to the proclamation of November as Adoption Awareness Month, an adoption finalization ceremony, speakers, and a musical performance, followed by lunch, activities, games and raffles. Learn more.
Foster care is full of ups and downs. For foster parents, supporting the primary goal of reunification with the biological family requires a lot of patience and flexibility. In this family’s case, it led to a strong bond between the foster parents and the biological relatives of the child that continues to this day. Learn about their story and how foster care workers supported them in growing that lasting relationship.
It’s important for children in foster care to have normal experiences and grow up doing positive activities just like any other child. Foster parents can rely on their state’s reasonable and prudent parenting standards for guidance on how to encourage normalcy. Here are some resources from the Virginia Department of Social Services to help with encouraging normalcy for children in care.
- Providing Normalcy for Youth in Foster Care
- Normalcy Decision Tree
- Online Training: CWSE3030: Normalcy for Youth in Foster Care
Thursday, December 5, 2024, 5-7 p.m. Healthy Holidays: Snacks & Sides: An Independent Living workshop for youth ages 14 and older in Fairfax County Foster Care or Fostering Futures. Join us as we learn about healthy cooking skills while making delicious snacks and sides! Dinner and prizes for all who participate! Contact us to register in advance!
The Department of Family Services supports families and county residents of all ages and stages of life – and that definitely includes foster parents and families! Like and Follow @FairfaxCountyFamilyServices for news, events, tips, stories, training opportunities and more.
A variety of organizations offer support to adoptive, foster, and kinship care families in our region. Register online for a preferred support group.
Thursday, Dec. 5, 6:30-8 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Fairfax Kinship Support Group for caregivers to safely share their experiences, concerns, and frustrations with their peers. In partnership with Fairfax County Government.
December Support Groups – Holiday Parties hosted by Foster the Family D.C.
Holiday Support Group parties for foster, adoptive, and kinship care moms are here! Join this time of community and holiday cheer. Please note that childcare is only available at the Montgomery Support Group Party and will be limited to single moms.
• Monday, Dec. 9: Manassas Support Group Holiday Party at Olive Garden - To RSVP, email Mandi.Brown@fosterthefamily.org
• Monday, Dec. 9: Fairfax Support Group Holiday Party, Register Here
• Monday, Dec. 9: Montgomery Support Group Holiday Party, Register Here
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7-8:30 p.m. – Formed Families Forward in-Person Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Each newsletter will include this section to help answer questions, spotlight the people who support foster families, highlight the donors and sponsors who generously give to foster care programs and activities and friendly reminders for foster families to sign-up for trainings.
What are the expectations between the Department and Foster parents regarding communication and response time?
Answer: Foster parents can expect a response from our specialists within 1 business day, but no more than 2 days. Please contact the supervisor if you, the foster parent, do not receive a response within this time frame. If you do not hear from the supervisor within 2 business days, please contact the case carrying program manager, Kamonya Omatete, at 703-324-7652. If you have questions regarding the resource specialists, contact Julie Bowman Resource & Support program manager at 703-324-7131.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
What do you want to see in Foster Family News?