Welcome to the 2024 September 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 |
During Reunification Month in June, the Department of Family Services and Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court hosted the Third Annual Reunification Celebration for families that were reunited between June 1, 2023-May 31, 2024. The highlight was a moving speech by a parent about the support her family received while she and her children were separated. Check out more details of this heartwarming ceremony and this amazing parent’s journey to be the best mom she can be for her kids. Thank you to Fairfax Community Church and Olive Garden for your sponsorship.
Meet Dana. After a lengthy career as a social worker in some far-flung places around the globe, she has spent the last eight years here in Fairfax County in a variety of child welfare roles. Now, Dana is settling into a new position as the supervisor of the Foster Care and Adoption Placement and Resource Unit which supports foster families and children and youth in care. Learn more about Dana and her motivation for doing this meaningful work.
Check out this example of how a foster parent, a home-based worker, and a child’s extended biological family can form a community of support that enables a parent to be reunified with their child. This story also illustrates the power of resilience and the importance of a parent’s unwavering determination.
In April the federal government passed a rule requiring Title IV-E and IV-B agencies to designate safe and affirming homes for LGBTQI+ youth in foster care. The rule will require agencies to put specific plans and processes in place to ensure that LGBTQI+ children and youth in foster care will be placed with providers who are "trained to meet their specific needs related to their sexual orientation and gender identity and who would facilitate access to age-appropriate services to support their health and well-being." Learn more.
Thank you to FYI, Foster Youth Innovation, and its inspirational young founder, Harlee Chapman who is on a mission to make a difference for youth in foster care, to support them, encourage their success, and educate local communities. FYI recently hosted a couple of donation drives benefitting youth in foster care in Fairfax County and beyond. The Fairfax County Department of Family Services is grateful for Harlee’s support and wishes her and FYI continued success! Read more.
Respite Nights (in Fairfax or Rockville) hosted by Foster the Future D.C.
Saturday, September 28, 2024
4-7 p.m.
Foster the Future D.C. offers local foster, adoptive, and kinship families regular Respite Nights in several localities in the DMV area. During a Respite Night, they provide three hours of free child care with fun activities, including outside time (weather permitting), dinner, and a movie in a safe, fun, trauma-informed space. Respite Nights are for ANY & ALL CHILDREN (ages 0-12) in the home of local foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Registration is REQUIRED by Monday, September 23, 2024.
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.
Thursday, Sept. 5, 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, Sept. 8, 7:30-9 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families to support and encourage each other.
Monday, Sept. 9, 6-8 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. Childcare is limited and will close by Friday, September 6.
- Prince William County, Register Here
- Fairfax County, Register Here
- Montgomery County, Register Here
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7-8:30 p.m. – Formed Families Forward in-Person Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 6:30-8 p.m. – Stronger Together Youth and Young Adult Peer Support Group introduces teens and young adults (age 14 – 22) to skills to help navigate everyday challenges.
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 do I do if my child gets sick?
Answer: The Medical Authorization form, which is given to foster parents at the time of the child’s arrival, explains explicitly what to do in a medical emergency. If a child has a fever or illness afterhours, foster parents can take them to the emergency room or any medical facility that accepts that child’s insurance. Foster parents are asked to call the Foster Parent Support Line at 703-257-3974 to inform the on-call person that the child will be taken to the emergency room. Foster parents should take the Medical Authorization form and Provider Agreement with them in case the facility asks for it.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
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