Welcome to the 2024 April 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 & Myths |
| Trainings and Conferences |
Historically Virginia has not engaged relatives of youth in foster care like we should; however, changes in legislation have opened the door for improvements in child welfare practice in the state of Virginia this past year. In the Fairfax County Department of Family Services, it has been about a year since we started offering kinship navigation in the Foster Care Permanency Unit. Check out some of the highlights from the last year.
Parenting a child with ADHD can be challenging and even overwhelming at times. There is a lot of pressure on parents and caregivers to help your child complete tasks and maintain focus in the classroom or similar settings. Find out how to restore hope in your situation with the Parenting Education Programs’ tips and brain tricks for managing ADHD symptoms. Learn more.
A child who entered foster care due to repeated neglect demonstrated significant behavioral challenges, but he had relatives who believed in him. They sought custody of him to give him an opportunity to be successful. Through the support of Fairfax County foster care specialists, this family had the opportunity to try to make a difference for their young relative. Learn more.
Hair in Black communities can be an intense source of pride and beauty. So, we developed this video to help foster and adoptive parents to provide the proper care for children of color’s textured hair. In only 15 minutes, it covers basic information about the types of hair products and routines for caring for your child’s hair. Learning natural haircare basics will help you and your children have confidence in caring for and wearing natural hair.
Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing, and stable environment. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has recognized Child Abuse Prevention Month in Fairfax this April with a proclamation. We encourage support by participating in Wear Blue Day on Friday, April 5, planting a garden of pinwheels (the national symbol for child abuse prevention), joining the conversation on social media, or other ways. Check out our resources and learn about the theme Family Matters online.
Spring Forward Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Family Fun Day
Saturday, April 13, 2024
8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus
Manassas, VA
National trauma and resiliency expert and author Jessica Sinarski, LPCMH, will kick off the day for parents, caregivers and professionals. Following the keynote, adults can visit exhibitors and then choose from a variety of great breakout sessions led by education, mental health and other experts. Designed just for formed families and professionals who work with them. Learn more.
Respite Nights hosted by Foster the Future D.C.
Saturday, April 13, 2024
4-7 p.m.
Foster the Future D.C. offers respite nights in three local counties, including three hours of free child care with fun activities, for ANY & ALL CHILDREN (ages 0-12) in the home of local foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Register online.
Foster Parent Night Out! for Fairfax County Licensed Foster and Adoptive Parents
Saturday, May 4, 2024
4-7 p.m.
Meet other foster parents, enjoy dinner and a presentation by Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board on Building Resilient Communities and Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences. It will explore the impact of childhood adversity and trauma on individuals and population health, as well as strategies to improve health and well-being. Child care and dinner provided for children. For more information, contact Rosario Phelps.
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.
Sundays, Apr. 7 and May 5, 7:30-9 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families to support and encourage each other.
Thursdays, Apr. 4 and May 2, 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.
Dates Coming Soon, 8-9:30 a.m. – Foster the Family D.C. Dad’s Breakfast for foster, kinship, and adoptive dads throughout the region. As of Jan. 2024, support group attendance counts towards training and recertification hours.
Mondays, Apr. 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 April 4.
Wednesday, Apr. 17, 7-8:30 p.m. – Formed Families Forward in-Person Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Thursday, Apr. 18, 6:15-8 p.m. – Formed Families Forward In-Person Fairfax Kinship Support Group for caregivers to safely share their experiences, concerns, and frustrations with their peers. Dinner and child care provided. 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 is the difference between foster care and adoption?
Answer: Foster care is meant to be temporary. The goal of foster care is to work with the birth parents and relatives so that a child in foster care can successfully return home or be placed with relatives. Foster care has a permanency timeline of one year to work towards achieving reunification. However, this time can be extended if significant progress is being made towards achieving the goals, but outside circumstances prohibit success within the specified timeframe. An example of this might be substance abuse services, mental health treatment or a relative obtaining a mutual family assessment and completion of foster parent training.
Adoption is meant to be permanent. The purpose of adoption is to help children, whose parents are unable to continue with their parental responsibilities, become legally part of a permanent family. The goal of adoption is considered either with relatives or nonrelatives, in order to provide children with permanent family connections. Adoption has a permanency timeline, of twenty-four months, from the time a child enters foster care in which to finalize an adoption.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
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