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Foster Family News – Current Issue

Welcome to the 2026 November 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
Feature Articles
Events Central
Support Groups
FAQs, Story in Stats & Foster Care Facts
Trainings and Conferences

November is Adoption Awareness Month

In Fairfax County, the theme for Adoption Awareness Month, “Families, Handcrafted with Love,” recognizes the special way adoptive families are formed. When children in foster care are unable to return safely to their biological families, adoptive parents provide a permanent, loving home.

Please take some time this month to learn more about foster care and adoption and how to support foster families and children in care or download messages and images from our toolkit. Then spread the word on your social media, website, or blog.

Adopt-A-Family for the Holiday Season

Looking for a way to make an impact during this season of giving for children and families who are involved with the Department of Family Services. Individuals and organizations can sign up now to make holiday wishes come true for one or more families in our community. To become a donor and be part of an annual campaign that brought joy to more than 1,000 families last year, visit the Adopt-A-Family website. New families are being added online through November 20. Gifts can be delivered to the social worker at an arranged time between Monday, Nov. 30 and Friday, Dec. 11, 2026.

Honoring Hispanic Heritage at Fiesta Fairfax

October 3 was the 4th Annual Fiesta Fairfax event in Fairfax City. It was an opportunity to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the many contributions that have been made in this country and in Fairfax City. Foster parent recruiter, Maya Mohindroo, and foster parent ambassador, Adam Suppes greeted the public and spread the word about the need for more foster parents in Fairfax County while enjoying an afternoon of music, dancing, food and fun. Assistant division director, Children, Youth and Families Division Sandra Slappey Brown is also pictured.

EVENTS CENTRAL

Monthly Foster Care Information Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 10
6:45-8 p.m.
Virtually via Zoom
Are you curious about becoming a foster parent? Are you or someone close to you ready for the next step to help children that need a temporary home? We need more foster parents, and information meetings are one of the ways we get to know prospective parents. To attend the meeting first complete a short interest form to help us get to know you better, and you will be contacted promptly by one of our specialists. The full annual meeting schedule and additional information are available online. Check it out and share it with others who might be interested.

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.

SUPPORT GROUPS

A variety of organizations offer support to adoptive, foster, and kinship care families in our region. Register online for a preferred support group.

Various dates, 6:30-8 p.m. – Foster the Family Support Groups for foster, kinship, and adoptive moms throughout the region. Support group attendance may count towards training and recertification hours. Child care registration is limited. Learn more about changes to their services in the DC area. Maryland Support Groups.

Monday, Nov. 2, 6:30-8 p.m. – Community Caring & Learning: A Virtual Support Group for Fairfax County Resource Parents. Foster, adoptive, and kinship parents can join this space to discuss topics related to foster care and adoption as well as learn tips and skills from other resource parents. Led by seasoned resource parents. Register for childcare. In-service training hours will be provided.

Thursday, Nov. 5, 7-8:30 p.m. – C.A.S.E. Adult Adoptee Virtual Support Group fosters an environment where participants will be able to voice some of the challenges, triumphs, and identity work unique to adult adoptees.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 7-8:30 p.m. – C.A.S.E. Kinship Caregiver Virtual Support Group. Find connections and new ideas, share resources, and build community with those who understand your unique family dynamics. Led by professionals with extensive lived experience as adoptive and foster parents and kinship caregivers.

Sunday, Dec. 6, 7:30-9 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual 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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I identify a medical provider for a child placed in my home?

Answer: First, speak with their foster care specialist about previous medical providers the child has had. When possible, try to maintain the relationship your child has had with previous medical providers.

If, however, your child does not have a primary doctor or maintaining that provider is not realistic, medical providers should be located through the Medicaid directory. Please speak with your foster care specialist when exploring new providers, because they may already have knowledge of medical/dental providers that accept new patients and Medicaid. They may also want you to choose a provider close to the birth family or relative home, if reunification is the plan. This helps ensure continuity of medical care for a child when they leave foster care.

For youth who are undocumented, foster parents in conjunction with the child’s specialist can select a provider and the Department is responsible for medical costs.

Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.

Foster Care Facts That Might Surprise You

Fact: Did you know? Fostering teens is not just about what you give. It’s also about what they contribute.

Explanation: Teens bring strengths to their relationships. Many are deep thinkers and great to talk with. They can share interests in music, art or culture, etc. They can help around the house and support family routines. You can be a part of their milestones: first dance, first date, getting their license, and more. You may become their “Auntie” or “Uncle” for life.

TRAININGS AND CONFERENCES

For Youth in Fairfax County Foster Care or Fostering Futures

Financial Literacy 101
Thursday, November 5, 2026
5-6 p.m.
Virtually via Zoom
Interested in taking control of your money, future and freedom? Join this workshop to:

Meet experienced mentors.
Participate in interactive activities and simulations.
Gain exclusive access to BudgetbudyHQ, an app that turns learning into a game!

An Independent Living workshop for current and former youth in care ages 14 and older. Contact us to register in advance.

Friendsgiving, the Baking Edition
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
5–7 p.m.
Get ready to stir up some fall fun! This year’s Friendsgiving: Baking Edition is all about decorating festive sugar cookies with a professional baker. Come create cozy, colorful designs and enjoy a sweet start to the season with friends! All materials and a meal are provided for free. An Independent Living Workshop for current and former youth in care ages 14 and older. Don’t miss it! Transportation, language interpreters, and childcare may be provided upon request. Contact us to register in advance.

For Parents/Caregivers

Virtual Parent Café: Talk. They Hear You® hosted by the Parenting Education Programs
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026
6:30-8 p.m.
Virtually via Zoom
This free virtual presentation by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board is for parents and anyone else who has young people in their lives. “Talk. They Hear You.” is a national substance use prevention campaign that encourages talking to children early on about alcohol and other drugs. This presentation will provide information and resources to help you have these important conversations early and often. Register online.

Training for Fairfax County Licensed Resource Parents

Executive Functioning: How Focus, Emotion, and Follow Through are Affected by Trauma, Mental Health, and Neurodiversity
December 8, 2026
6-8 p.m.
Virtual Via Zoom
Understand executive functioning and its effect on a young person’s ability to manage daily tasks like getting started, following through, managing time, emotions, routines, and expectations. We'll also cover how mental health issues and neurodivergence can disrupt these skills. understand common behaviors and what they signal. Register online by December 4, 2026. Participants receive 2 in-service training hours. For more information, email Patricia Aviles-Cubillos, Psy.D. or call 703-324-7919.

Parent Opportunities to Build Your Knowledge & Understanding
Each year, our partner the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, provides thousands of hours of skill-building sessions and trainings to foster, kinship, adoptive, and guardianship caregivers. They are hosted by their programmatic staff, primarily The Institute for Child Welfare Innovation. Sessions are free, and most are held virtually. Some upcoming topics include Mental Health Considerations, Know Your Rights, Know Your Role, The Importance of Sibling Bonds, Separation, Loss & Grief, and many more. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the meeting link and a follow-up email with information about joining the meeting and obtaining training materials. Please note that some sessions do not count for training credit hours, so email Jennifer Woods and Neda Ghodsi with questions regarding whether in-service credit may be provided for attending.

Foster Parent College Available for Online In-Service Training!
Recently, the Virginia Department of Social Services renewed its contract with Foster Parent College which offers training on a variety of key topics. FPC is self-paced and can be accessed online from anywhere at your convenience 24/7. You may choose to take any class you believe will be helpful for your own personal growth and development. All classes are free to approved foster parents with Fairfax County, and you will receive in-service training hours for completing FPC courses.

If you would like to receive a list of courses for review or if you have any questions about registering or assistance with login, please reach out to one of the in-service trainers; Neda Ghodsi and Jennifer Woods.

Volunteer with DFS
We need dedicated volunteer classroom facilitators and mentors. Apply today with Body Safety to help empower children and prevent or interrupt abuse. Volunteer with the Parenting Education and BeFriend-a-Child programs to help encourage children and build stronger families.

SUGGESTIONS

What do you want to see in Foster Family News?

Submit your suggestions to Angela Morlu.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Check out past issues of Foster Family News

Department of Family Services – Children, Youth and Families

Department of Family Services Alert:

Department Resources

Related Resources

Foster Family News – Current Issue

For Youth in Fairfax County Foster Care or Fostering Futures

For Parents/Caregivers

Training for Fairfax County Licensed Resource Parents

Recent Interactions

Ask Fairfax

Related Resources