Department Resources

Related Resources

Foster Family News – Current Issue

Welcome to the 2026 October 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

County Podcast Explores Families Raising Relatives’ Children

Our very own Maggie Moreland, the supervisor of the Kinship Unit within DFS Foster Care Resource and Support, stopped by the County Conversation podcast to chat with host Jim Person. They discussed:

What it’s like for a relative to step in and care for a child when their birthparent is unable to care for them.
How kinship families can access county and community supports to help them with their added responsibilities.
Different types of kinship care arrangements and how to be a good neighbor to a kinship family.

Hunger and Food Insecurity Are Growing

September was Hunger Action Month, and it was a reminder that experiencing hunger or food insecurity can look different across each household. The inaugural Virginia Hunger Study engaged more than 5,600 Virginians revealing that 51% of families with kids were food insecure. The number was slightly lower at 43% for families with children in Northern Virginia counties. Here in Fairfax County you may have neighbors who are:

Parents or caregivers skipping dinner so their children have enough to eat. (This is more common than you might think!)
An older adult on a fixed income struggling to balance food, housing, and medical costs after becoming a kinship caregiver for a grandchild.
A young adult who has just lost their job or who is starting out on their own after foster care and having to choose between steady transportation, utilities, rent, or food?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) often helps thousands of households afford nutritious food at various retailers and farmers markets across the county, but too often folks aren’t aware or believe that they don’t qualify. In Fairfax County, over 48,000 residents across more than 25,000 households participate in SNAP, but even more are eligible. Find out who is eligible.

Connecting Beyond Borders, a Foster Care Unit Success Story

When a mother suffered a mental health crisis, her young daughter had no one to step in and provide care. Nearly 2,000 miles from any of her loved ones, DFS provided a temporary foster home for her while working to build a relationship with her father through lengthy video visits. The wonder of online communication, and her father’s persistence in searching for her made it possible for them to be reunified. Learn more!

5 Things to Know from the 2025-2026 Youth Survey

Each year, Fairfax County and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) conduct the voluntary Fairfax County Youth Survey to better understand the health, well-being, and experiences of our young people. Here are some encouraging and enlightening facts about this survey:

Over 39,000 FCPS students in grades 6, 8,10 and 12 completed the 2025-2026 survey.
Most students reported strong support at home, school and in the community.
Mental health among students has improved since 2021.
Most students reported no substance use in the past month and substance use was lower than national averages.
Some students spent over three hours per day using social media or playing video games

EVENTS CENTRAL

Monthly Foster Care Information Meeting
Tuesday, October 13
5:30-7 p.m.
12022 Government Center Parkway (Room 200)
Fairfax, VA 22035
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.

Foster Care 101
Saturday, October 24, 2026
2 – 3 p.m.
John Marshall Library (Meeting Room 1&2)
6209 Rose Hill Drive
Alexandria, VA, 22310-6299
Are you interested in adoption or would like to learn more about the foster care system? Join DFS staff for an informative session on foster care and the vital role that foster families play. Come and learn more about the process, who can foster, and community support! Register online beginning Oct. 10

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.

Thursday, Oct. 1, 7-8:30 p.m. – C.A.S.E. Adult Adoptee Support Group fosters an environment where participants will be able to voice some of the challenges, triumphs, and identity work unique to adult adoptees.

Sunday, Oct. 4, 7:30-9 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.

Monday, Oct. 5 & 26, 6:30-8 p.m. – Community Caring & Learning: A Support Group for Fairfax County Resource Parents. CCL Groups are an in-person supportive community for foster, adoptive and kinship parents offering an environment of camaraderie, a space to discuss topics related to foster care and adoption as well as learn tips and skills from other resource parents. All sessions are facilitated by seasoned resource parents. Register for childcare. In-service training hours will be provided.

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 7:30-8:30 p.m. – C.A.S.E. Ask An Adoptee Support Group fosters meaningful dialogue and connection for individuals impacted by adoption, foster care, and kinship care. Certain months will focus on specific audiences — including adoptees, those with foster care or kinship care experience, adoptive parents, and partners of adoptees creating supportive spaces to connect, learn, and grow together. Meets monthly on the first Tuesday.

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

What is the Foster Parent Support Line and how and when do I access it?

Answer: The Foster Parent Support Line is an answering service available to Fairfax County foster parents, residential facilities, and group homes after-hours emergencies seven days a week. The phone number, 703-257-3974, is written on the Foster Parent Code of Ethics. Families can also obtain the number from their resource specialist, foster care and adoption specialist, or placement coordinator. The Foster Parent Support Line is always monitored by a live person. Once a call is received, the individual from the support line will either patch the foster parent directly through to the resource specialist or placement coordinator on call, or take a message so the family can be called back. The Foster Parent Support Line is a conduit for the foster parent to pass on important information about the children in their home regarding a medical need or emergency, behavior challenges or changes, or to seek advice and reassurance.

The Child Protective Services (CPS) Hotline is a number used by a caller concerning the maltreatment of a child. Foster parents, along with other community members, are mandated reporters. The CPS Hotline is a 24-hour hotline. During business hours Monday through Friday, callers may call the Fairfax County CPS Hotline at 703-324-7400. After business hours and on the weekends, calls are rolled over to the Virginia Department of Social Services hotline in Richmond, Virginia.

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

Foster Care Facts That Might Surprise You

Fact: Did you know? Fostering teens gives you a chance to help them grow up, learn life skills, and step into independence.

What it looks like to foster teens:
Foster parents receive training to gain the tools to support teens:

Teaching driving, basic chores, and budgeting.
Helping them master daily routines.
Supporting their confidence and decision making.

The Impact on Teens
Teens have a better shot at long term stability through:

Developing a support system.
Strengthening their character.
Forming lasting bonds with trusted adults.

TRAININGS AND CONFERENCES

For Youth in Fairfax County Foster Care or Fostering Futures

ECMC College Nights
In-person Tuesday, October 15, 2026
5-7:30 p.m.
or
Virtually on Zoom Wednesday, October 21, 2026
5-6:30 p.m.
An Independent Living workshop for current and former youth in care ages 14 and older. Get your college-related questions answered! Contact us to register in advance.

Why should I go to college?
What type of college is right for me?
How can I pay for college?
How do I prepare for college?

For Parents/Caregivers

The 2026 Families Rising Adoption & Foster Care Conference
October 21-22, 2026
Calling all kinship families, youth advocates, and foster and adoptive parents! Also, welcoming caseworkers, family support specialists, kinship navigators, and child therapists to join this virtual conference focused on helping children and families in US and Canadian communities thrive. Register online.

Training for Fairfax County Licensed Resource Parents

Talk. They Hear You® presented by Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board
Wednesday October 14, 2026
6-7:30 p.m.
Virtually via Zoom
Talk. They Hear You® aims to reduce underage drinking and other substance use among young people by providing parents and caregivers with information and resources they need to address these issues with their children early and often. You will learn how to build trust with the young people in your life and become comfortable talking early and often about alcohol and other drugs and the risks associated with underage use. Register online by October 9, 2026.

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