Welcome to the 2020 April issue of Foster Family News, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Fairfax County foster parents.
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At any given time, the home of Shelley and Scott Daniel is bustling with the activity that comes with having children ranging from 2 ½ to 14 years old, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. The couple took a few minutes to chat with us about the rewards and challenges of foster care.
During this trying time, the Foster Care and Adoption program managers recorded this video check-in to keep foster parents informed about how virtual technology is being used to facilitate meetings and visitations during this period of social distancing.
In Fairfax County, last year 3,031 children were involved with Child Protective Services – that would fill 56 school buses! Child abuse and neglect cuts across all demographic areas and impacts our entire community. We know through research that adverse childhood experiences like child abuse result in long term health impacts and increased costs to society. Child abuse and neglect affects us all.
Visit the 2020 Child Abuse Prevention Month website for resources related to the theme Building Stronger Families: The Teen Years. Nearly 50% of children in foster care in Fairfax County during FY 2019 were above 14 years old. Nationally, children almost always come into foster care because their parents are unable to care for them safely, with 62% of cases resulting from child neglect. During Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, join the conversation about Child Abuse Prevention Month with our community engagement toolkit.
On Saturday, Feb. 29, the Foster Care program hosted a breakfast to welcome and initiate a group of new foster parents. This was an opportunity for these newcomers to hear answers to frequently asked questions while enjoying breakfast and getting to know others also just starting out on the journey of fostering. The program’s goal for this event was to provide foster parents with an opportunity to start building a community and support system.
Foster Care and Adoption Supervisors Sheila Donaldson and Kamonya Omatete provided comments outlining appreciation and support for the parents in attendance. “We are so grateful for the commitment these new foster parents are showing to our children, and we look forward to future opportunities to connect with them,” said Donaldson.
The Fairfax County Department of Family Services is excited that we're growing our social media presence through articles, videos, and other online resources on our agency Facebook page: @FairfaxCountyFamilyServices. "Like" our page to keep up with what's new in our department and get content that can enhance and support you in your journey as foster parents.
Connect with us for news and events, useful tips, engaging stories and information about upcoming growth opportunities. Facebook is another avenue to learn about services that we offer the community and understand how we support county residents in all ages and stages of life. Join our online community and engage with us through social media.
The Annandale Foster Care Unit is working each day toward the reunification of families and achieving permanency for youth who enter foster care. Supervisor Penny Talley shared with us a little bit about who they are, what they do and why they do it.
On Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, Foster Care hosted a training on Individual Education Plans (IEPs) with Andrew Guillen, Jr., M.Ed., a Program Manager for the Department of Special Services with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). As part of his presentation he provided guidance on services available, how to determine when an IEP should be considered, and the process for implementing an IEP. Guillen also provided some tips for foster parents when preparing for their student’s IEPs:
- Make sure parents receive prior notice via email or US mail confirming the date and time of the meeting.
- Request draft copies of the IEP goals 3-5 days prior to the meeting. This will give parents time to review the goals and prepare questions to address at the meeting.
- Once the IEP proposal has been completed, take the IEP home to review and consider consent options.
- For questions, call FCPS Due Process and Eligibility at 571-423-4470.
Learn more about this topic at FCPS.
We regret that due to the current COVID-19 health crisis and Governor Northam's Stay at Home Order, community gatherings have been canceled. This includes the Foster Parent Appreciation Lunch and the Foster Care & Foster Family Proclamation. We are disappointed that we are not able to hold these events, as we value you all so very much and appreciate everything you do as foster parents. We look forward to other opportunities in the future where we may gather to support and honor you all for the commitment and care you show toward the children in your care daily. For more information, contact Patricia Aviles-Cubillos or 703-324-7919.
The National Foster Parent Association's Board of Directors has announced the cancellation of this year's NFPA Annual Education Conference scheduled for June 18-21, 2020, due to the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic. The NFPA has already scheduled its 2021 50th Education Conference to be held at the Reston Hyatt Regency Hotel, Reston, Virginia, from June 24-27, 2021. The conference is the largest gathering of foster, kinship, and adoptive parents and child welfare professionals from around the country. Learn more about NFPA.
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.
Question: What are the specific roles of the foster care specialist, resource specialist, adoption specialist, home study specialist and post adoption specialist?
What do you want to see in Foster Family News?