Welcome to the 2024 July 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 |
Parents and other caregivers are pivotal in helping the next generation of citizens develop healthy attitudes toward relationships. Being able to communicate openly about dating and relationships can empower youth to make informed decisions in their relationships and be on alert for warning signs. Learn more.
Meet Jennifer. After five years with Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption supporting families and children, Jennifer was recently promoted to a new role as the Supervisor of the Foster Parent Recruitment and Home Study Team. She supervises five foster care specialists whose duties involve community engagement, recruitment and training of new foster parents who are aligned with the department’s priorities of family reunification first. Learn more about Jennifer and her work.
Most foster parents would say that it is a journey filled with many ups and downs, and no one can predict the length of the journey or the ways it will change you. For one couple, opening their hearts and home to a child through foster care has led to a lifetime commitment and expanded their family in ways they never imagined. Read more.
Youth in foster care face unique educational obstacles. They experience frequent changes in schools, have less involvement in extracurriculars, and often have less stable and supportive relationships with teachers and other students, which results in less of a sense of stability and belonging. It should come as no surprise that these students struggle to graduate at the same rate as their peers. Nationally, by age 21 about 70% of children in foster care have graduated from high school (Child Welfare and Foster Care Statistics - The Annie E. Casey Foundation (aecf.org)) compared to 87% for all US High School Students (COE - High School Graduation Rates (ed.gov)).
This year foster care has 13 youth who have graduated from high school and college! Many of these kids have overcome great struggles that other teenagers do not face. Please join us in celebrating their successes and let them know how proud we are of their amazing accomplishments by donating items on their wish lists or considering one of these ways to support older youth in foster care.
Thank you to the Reston Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. They generously provided some donations to make life easier for kids involved with Foster Care and Adoption. Jack and Jill members collected and donated items to outfit our six family visitation rooms in county offices around Fairfax. They also delivered dozens of comfort cases to help children ease their transition to a foster home.
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2-19 years old, dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. Today, Jack and Jill boasts 262 chapters nationwide, representing more than 50,000 family members. The Reston Chapter was founded in 1973, and it has a proud family- and community-focused history exemplified by service projects, scholarships, and donations to worthy causes.
Family Gathering in Potomac, MD hosted by Foster the Family D.C.
Saturday, July 6
10 a.m.-noon
Falls Road Park.
12600 Falls Rd
Potomac, MD 20854
Enjoy a fun family day and potluck lunch. Register here.
The Hub's 2nd Birthday Pool & Pizza Party hosted by Foster the Family D.C.
Saturday, July 13
4-7 p.m.
8030 Urbanna Road
Manassas, VA 20109
Celebrate two years of Foster the Family in Manassas at Urbana Swim Club. Foster the Family will cover the cost of admission for any families that are not already members. Thanks to a generous sponsor, pizza, dessert, and snacks will be provided for the entire family! Register here.
Family Skate and Dance Night: Hawaiian Luau and Caribbean Night
Saturday, July 20
6-9 p.m.
Franconia Rec Center
6601 Telegraph Rd
Alexandria, VA
Channel tropical vibes as you take a lap around the gym floor at Franconia Rec Center on your skates and dance the night away with your nearest and dearest. Have an evening of fun and enjoy music by the live DJ, refreshments and fun decorations. $10 for everyone. Register online.
Graduation Party for the Class of 2024
Friday, July 26
Noon-3 p.m.
SAVE THE DATE: Graduates, please join us for a free, fun-filled afternoon focusing on the amazing accomplishments of those who graduated from high school, college, or trade school or earned a GED in 2024. The 2024 graduates are welcome to celebrate along with their friends and supporters at this private arcade with catered food and beverages and all you can play video and arcade games. Invitations will be going out to the Graduates of 2024 and will have additional information and RSVP instructions.
Family Gathering in Washington DC hosted by Foster the Family D.C.
Saturday, August 3:
Save the Date - More Details to Come!
Family Gathering in Woodbridge, VA hosted by Foster the Family D.C.
Saturday, August 11
4-7 p.m.
Grace Baptist
14242 Spriggs Rd.
Woodbridge, VA 22193
Enjoy a family picnic generously provided by Grace Baptist. Register here.
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.
Monday, July 8, 6:30-8 p.m. – Foster the Family D.C. Support Groups for foster, kinship, and adoptive moms throughout the region. As of Jan. 2024, support group attendance may count towards training and recertification hours. Pre-register by July 5.
Thursday, August 1, 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.
Sunday, August 4, 7:30-9 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families to support and encourage each other.
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 does DFS pay for college and/or training costs?
Answer: Education and Training Vouchers (ETV) for Youth (Ages 16-26) in Postsecondary Education
ETV funds are available to help pay necessary costs of attending college or vocational training degree or certificate programs, such as: tuition, grants, transportation, computers, and room and board. ETV may pay up to $5,000 a year of expenses that are not paid by grants, and should be utilized prior to Independent Living Funds, when available.
High School Diploma or GED is required. Applications must be processed and approved prior to funds being available. Contact DFSIndependentLiving@FairfaxCounty.Gov to work with a Fostering Futures Specialist to begin the process.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
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