Welcome to the 2025 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 |
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| Feature Articles |
| Events Central |
| Support Groups |
| FAQs, Story in Stats & Foster Care Facts |
| Trainings and Conferences |
November is Adoption Awareness Month, a time for raising awareness about the urgent need for permanent homes for many children in foster care and celebrating the way that Love Grows through Adoption. Across the nation more than 45,000 children are legally free for adoption and more than 1,000 of those children are waiting for adoptive families in Virginia. Learn more about the way Fairfax County is recognizing Adoption Month this year, how the county supports foster-to-adoptive families, and the challenges facing youth leaving foster care without being adopted. Help us spread the word!
November 12, 2025, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. — This webinar celebrates the importance of family in all its forms. Join a panel including our Social Services Specialist Natalie Sposato, Kerry Graeber with Shineforth, and Faith Spencer the adoptive mother as they share a powerful kinship adoption story. It emphasizes the importance of continuing to explore and re-explore kinship options until permanency is achieved and how adoption and kinship care provide opportunities to reconnect children with love, stability, and belonging. It highlights the resilience of families and the enduring power of relationships to create a foundation where youth can thrive. Register here to reserve your spot!
Adame entered foster care in November 2013 when he was just 4 years old. Efforts to find a permanent home for him took time and dedication. Ultimately family proved to be the best source of stability and support for him. Learn about Adame’s long path to permanency which culminated in adoption this July.
Meet some of the wonderful children awaiting adoption through the Department of Family Services, or check out the state listing of children awaiting adoption throughout Virginia. There are many older children and youth or sibling groups who can benefit from the support of loving families to help them succeed in life. Please share their profiles and videos to help them find permanent families.
Our amazing Foster Parent Recruiter, Maya Mohindroo, joined by one of our foster parent ambassadors, Vicky Ikonomidou had a blast meeting so many wonderful members of the community at outreach events hosted by the City of Fairfax Government, during October!
The Fiesta Fairfax, a vibrant celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, brought together our Foster Care & Adoption Program, Fairfax County Public Library, and the Department of Human Resources. The following weekend, the Fall Festival offered fun for all ages. We appreciate everyone who stopped by to say hello and learn about opportunities to support foster care. It was a delight! Learn more about fostering.
School can come with its own set of unique challenges and opportunities for adoptees and their families. The National Council for Adoption offers many free online resources to help parents, educators, and other caring professionals to support adopted youth. Check out these tips on advocacy, working with teachers, common school-related challenges and more to create a positive and inclusive school experience. Learn more.
Monthly Foster Care Information Meeting
Thursday, November 6
6:45-8:30 p.m.
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. Information meetings for prospective parents are by invitation only. 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 2025 meeting schedule and additional information are available online. Check it out and share it with others who might be interested.
A Season of Thanks hosted by Formed Families Forward
Friday, November 14
5 - 7 p.m.
10304 Eaton Place
Fairfax, VA 22030
Foster, adoptive and kinship families, and all those who support formed families, are invited to a special in-person celebration. Join us as we share in the gratitude of the season and honor families who work hard to raise healthy, regulated and connected children, youth and young adults. The free evening gathering includes activities for the kids, light dinner, raffle prizes, games for all, and an opportunity to connect and celebrate. Learn more and RSVP.
Adoption Month Proclamation
Tuesday, November 18
9:30 a.m.
12000 Fairfax County Government Center, BOS Auditorium
Fairfax, VA 22035
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will proclaim November as Adoption Awareness Month during their meeting. This is a special time to recognize the powerful love families show when they adopt a child through foster care, and to raise awareness about the ways that the county continues to support families post adoption. Join us in person or watch on Channel 16.
Kids Day Out (Previously known as Respite Nights) hosted by Foster the Family D.C.
Occasional Kids Day Out events offered on Saturday evenings in three counties in the DMV area. During a Kids Day Out, we provide 3 hours of free child care in a safe, fun, trauma informed space. These events are for any children, ages up to 12 years old in the home of local foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Spots are limited and first come, first serve. Registration will close the Monday before the Kids Day Out.
- November 8 in Alexandria, VA: Register Here
- November 15 in Rockville, MD: Register Here
- November 22 in Fairfax, VA: Register Here
- November 22 in Prince William/Manassas, VA: Register Here
Save the Date - Winter Wonderland 2025, hosted by Foster the Family D.C.
Saturday, December 6
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
3901 Rugby Rd
Fairfax, VA 22033
The annual holiday celebration is coming back! Save the Date for a festive holiday event for the whole family. Registration will open in early November!
Arlington-Fairfax Chapter, Inc., IWLA Annual Children’s Holiday Party hosted with Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption
Saturday, December 13
11 a.m.–3 p.m.
14708 Mount Olive Road
Centreville, VA 20121
Join us for a magical afternoon of joy and laughter as we celebrate the holiday season with fun activities, delicious treats, and special surprises! Activities will include games and prizes, gifts with Santa, and a buffet style meal. For children ages 4–14 years old and their resource parents (Fairfax County). RSVP online by Friday, November 7, 2025.
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.
Sunday, Nov. 2, 7:30-9 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Thursday, Nov. 6, 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.
Monday, November 10, 6-7:30 p.m. – Holiday 2025 Parent Support Group (online) hosted by C.A.S.E.
Parents of adoptees and foster parents can connect and explore practical strategies to navigate both the joys and challenges that can arise during the holiday season for themselves and their children. Online Via Zoom.
Monday, Nov. 10, 6:30-8 p.m. – Foster the Family D.C. Support Groups for foster, kinship, and adoptive moms throughout the region. Support group attendance may count towards training and recertification hours. Childcare registration is limited and will close by Friday, Nov. 7.
- Prince William County, Register Here
- Fairfax County, Register Here
- Montgomery County, Register Here
- DC on November 18: Register Here (*No childcare available!)
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7-8:30 p.m. – Formed Families Forward in-Person Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Thursday, Nov. 20, 6:30-8 p.m. – Formed Families Forward In-Person Fairfax Kinship Support Group for caregivers to safely share their experiences, concerns, and frustrations with their peers. In partnership with Fairfax County Government.
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 should I do if a child damages property in my home?
Answer: Follow these steps if a child in your home damages property:
- As soon as damage is discovered, contact your foster care or resource specialist.
- The foster care specialist must review the damage in the home within 30 days of damage occurring.
- Within 7 days of the report to the foster care or resource specialist, the foster parents should file a claim with their own insurance for damages totaling $3,000 or more. All damages of $1,000 or more require a second estimate.
- For claims involving destruction, damage, or theft of property, the foster parent must produce evidence the items stolen or damaged were in their possession (pictures showing proof of damages, proof of purchase, etc.).
- An original signed estimate is required for claims involving repair or replacement of damaged property. A statement regarding the feasibility of repair, versus replacement, should be included. Additional estimates may be requested at the discretion of the Local Department of Social Services or Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS).
- A completed claim should contain the following: Foster Care Contingency Fund Claim Form, VDSS W-9 Form and all supporting documentation, to include a picture of the damage. These must be submitted to VDSS within 45 days of the discovery of the loss or damage.
- All damage or destruction of property claims are reviewed and approved by the Virginia Department of Social Services Regional Consultant.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
For Youth in Fairfax County Foster Care or Fostering Futures
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