Welcome to the 2026 January 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 |
Today, more than 230 Fairfax County children are in foster care. The Department of Family Services' Foster Care and Adoption Program offers temporary foster homes for these children, and services to help their families. Check out a typical day for our foster parent, Carl Underwood! It’s all about showing up consistently! Thank you, Carl! Watch video.
Foster Care and Adoption received a thoughtful donation from Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. Their Women of Works (WOW) group provided care packages that will benefit older youth in foster care. These donations will help to make for a smoother transition for older youth in our Fostering Futures program as they move into living more independently. Learn how you can support the Fostering Futures program.
We are so glad that so many of our foster families decided to spend the afternoon with us at the Arlington-Fairfax Chapter, Inc., IWLA’ Annual Children’s Holiday Party on December 13. This special event was a lovely opportunity for the community to show their appreciation for all that our foster parents do. Learn more.
In response to Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order 43 (EO-43), the Virginia Department of Social Services in collaboration with the Office of Children's Services, launched two new mandatory eLearnings related to Social Media and Youth Mental Health. EO-43 mandates that all current Family Services Specialists (FSS), resource parents, Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) members, and youth in foster care age 14-18 in Virginia complete training on safety and the use of social media.
The target completion date for the training was December 5, 2025. So, please complete it as soon as possible. Each 45-minute training is available on the VDSS website:
- Foster parents and FAPT members’ eLearning: Digital Safety & Connection: Supporting Youth in Safe Social Media Use.
- Youth access the eLearning: You and Social Media: Create, Connect, Protect.
If you have any questions, your foster care practitioner can support you. Once you complete the course and complete a brief survey to receive a certificate of completion, share the certificate with your foster care practitioner.
It can feel challenging to support your child through behaviors or emotions shaped by early trauma or loss. Finalizing an adoption doesn’t wave a magic wand and make those experiences all disappear. The good news is that parents don't have to do it alone or have every answer. There are resources and supports to help you. Check out this article from Adopt US Kids for meaningful steps you can take to support your child’s wellbeing so they can thrive.
Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) is looking for motivated students ages 16+, college students or young adults looking to jump into real-world experience through our new Work Student Program launching January 2026. Older youth can build your skills while making a meaningful impact in Fairfax County. Under the guidance of staff from the assigned department, work students will complete entry-level tasks that give them hands-on experience, career exploration opportunities and exposure to the field – all supported through mentorship. Students may work up to 900 part-time hours in 2026. Hours are flexible to fit around school schedules, and jobs are located throughout Fairfax County. To learn more about work student positions, visit NCS Internships.
Monthly Foster Care Information Meeting
Tuesday, January 13
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.
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.
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. Childcare registration is limited. Learn more about changes to their services in the DC area. Maryland County Support Groups.
Thursday, Jan. 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, Jan. 4, 7:30-9 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Thursday, Jan. 15, 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.
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 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.
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.
For Youth in Fairfax County Foster Care or Fostering Futures
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