Welcome to the 2020 September issue of Foster Family News, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Fairfax County foster parents.

Finding Thankfulness in the New Rhythm

"As I started thinking about this article, I went back in the archives and re-read the one I had written during this same season last year – and all can think is, wow, how things have changed. Last year, I was looking forward to the fall and getting back into a normal family routine. This year, it’s easy to forget what a routine even looks like; and it’s hard not to wonder if we’ll ever have a “normal” routine again.

I want to encourage you – and I need this encouragement just as much for myself – that, yes, we will find our new routine. And if we really think about it, in many ways we probably already have. Yes, it’s a different routine – but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all bad. And, in spite of the very real struggles, we can find positivity and thankfulness in some of the seemingly small things that have resulted from this new norm." Check out the rest of Bethany's message.

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COVID-19 has turned everyone’s lives upside down. The isolation has caused many families to lose their support networks, which has been especially stressful for families with children. As a result, some children may be at higher risk of harm. Others may not be safe because there isn’t a responsible adult who can watch or take care of them.

Calls to the Fairfax County Child Protective Services’ (CPS) Hotline have dropped 62% from 498 during the first week of March to only 192 the last week of June.

The drop in calls to the hotline began as soon as children had limited contact with teachers, counselors, school social workers, child care providers and others who normally keep an eye out for signs of abuse and neglect.

DFS has launched an effort to engage community partners like you to help keep eyes on children who may be experiencing abuse or neglect. The message is being distributed through Fairfax County Public Schools, a variety of Fairfax County Government agencies, on Channel 16 and through media partners.

Please read the full article with resources about what to consider if you suspect child abuse, how to make a report and resources to help, now available in multiple languages.

Help us spread the word about how CYF can help families with this easy-to-use community engagement toolkit - talking points, social media graphics and messages, and articles.

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On Friday, Aug. 14, Fairfax County announced the new Supporting Return to School (SRS) program developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and this year’s virtual return to school. SRS will provide full-day programming to support children’s active and engaged learning during the FCPS virtual academic day and will provide opportunities for children to explore, engage, relax and enjoy activities based on the program curriculum, The Great Outdoors: Road Trips Through the Americas.

The SRS program, located in 37 Fairfax County Public Schools, will serve children of families residing in Fairfax County or the City of Fairfax. A sliding fee scale will be available for income eligible families. Each classroom will have a group of no more than 10 children who will stay together each day, along with consistent staff to support their online learning and in-person connections. Current CDC health and safety guidelines will be implemented.

Enrollment for the SRS program begins August 24, 2020. Space is limited. As foster parents for children in Fairfax County DFS custody, you have full access to this service at no cost. If you would like more information or to enroll your child in this program, please contact your child’s Specialist or your family’s Resource Worker for assistance.

Get more program information.

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The start of school will be very different for many families this year as learning through Fairfax County Public Schools and many other institutions will be all virtual. This paradigm will create new and different demands on family time. After a lengthy summer break, getting kids back into a healthy routine is likely to be a challenge.

The Parenting Education Programs' staff is here to help! This Back to School Routines series has tips for:

• Improving communication in families and establishing expectations to get the school year off to a good start.
• Ways to establish a routine for dinner time.
• Having a regular bedtime routine that makes it easier for children to sleep.
• How to have easier mornings.

We may not be able to restore everything to normal, but we can offer families some tools to make the transition to a more productive schedule that can support academic success.

In addition, FCPS is offering families some tips for managing online learning success.

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Join the Parenting Education Programs' for Virtual Parent Cafés. Virtual Parent Cafés are a great way for parents with children of all ages to learn from each other as they grow in their parenting skills. Virtual Parent Cafés also meet on Mondays for English-speaking families and Wednesdays for Spanish-speaking families. A new African American Culturally Focused Virtual Parent Café starts Thursday, Sept. 10. Please register at least one business day before the Parent Café. Learn more now and get signed up for later!

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September is Kinship Care Awareness Month, a time to recognize Kinship Caregivers, relatives or close personal friends, who raise a child when a parent is unable to do so.

Nearly 3 million children in the United States and 5,000 children in Fairfax County are being raised in kinship care by grandparents, aunts and uncles, other relatives, and close family friends, when the parents are unable to do so due to challenging family situations. Fairfax County is committed to supporting kinship families who are raising a relative’s or close family friend’s child on their own or with child welfare support. Learn more about Kinship resources offered by the Department of Family Services.

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The county has expanded registration for some in-person events being offered at county facilities. In addition, our partners at Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services, Fairfax County Public Library, and the Fairfax County Park Authority continue providing exploration and fun through online resources.

Healthy Minds Foster Futures – Virtual 5K Walk
Saturday, Oct. 24
9 a.m.
Inspiring youth impacted by mental health in the foster care community. Featuring keynote speaker Miss DC 2019 Cordelia Cranshaw and followed by an independent 5K walk. Register online or for more information, send an email to Marilyn Morales or call 703-324-7570.

NCS Connects – a virtual program for youth and teens: continues to offer weekday activities for grades 1 to 6 and  7 to 12 via the website.

Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce that after a months-long, pandemic-related hiatus, Parktakes programs and classes are scheduled to resume this fall! All classes will be conducted according to Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention safety guidelines. Outdoor, indoor and virtual class options are available in a wide range of interest areas including:

• Outdoor and indoor fitness classes
• Learn to swim lessons
• Children’s and Adult classes
• Golf lessons
• Family / private group nature tours and programs
• Gardening
• Field Trips for All - Family programs that focus on FCPS essential standards
• New!  Virtual Classes – Fitness, nature, music, drama, coding
• You can get details about dates, times, and fees or register for an outdoor program at Parktakes Online.

Check out information about the schedule at other park facilities and amenities and visit the Virtual Exploration Center – a collection of resources to help you stay healthy, connected and engaged.

While COVID-19 has Fairfax County Public Library’s physical locations operating under "Express Services" conditions, library staff is busy creating and providing many programs, events and services families can participate in from home.

• View the calendar of upcoming Digital Programs and Events.
• Read about Library Services Available During Closure.

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.

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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: How do we apply for free/reduced lunch for school-age kids?

Answer: Please contact your foster care specialist. They will apply for free/reduced lunch for the child. 

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

Kinship in Fairfax
The 2019 American Community Survey indicates that over 3,082 grandparents in Fairfax County are responsible for raising their grandchildren or the children of close personal friends.

 CWLA 2020 VIRTUAL SUMMIT
Advancing Racial Justice, Equity and Inclusion for Children and Families
Tuesday, Oct. 6, Wednesday, Oct. 7, and Thursday, Oct. 8, Noon-4:30 p.m.
Explore the evolution of child welfare services; highlighting learning and innovations developed during these challenging times; discussing solutions and goals to achieve racial justice, equity, and inclusion; highlighting collaborative approaches for cross-system, cross-sector, and community engagement; and identifying system, policy, and funding changes needed for improved progress on family strengthening and child well-being. Learn more information. Interested? DFS will sponsor families who wish to participate. Contact your Resource Worker or send an email to Terri Williams-Henderson or call 703-324-7481 for sponsorship. Space is limited.

Foster Parent College (FPC) is a great way to obtain training on key topics from the safety and comfort of your home. FPC provides newly approved and seasoned foster parents with a curriculum designed to build new skills and reinforce information acquired from New Generation PRIDE (formerly PRIDE). As approved foster parents with Fairfax County, all classes are free and available to you 24/7. We plan to email you weekly with in-service training suggestions; however, you may choose to take any class you believe will be helpful for your own personal growth and development.

If you have questions or need support, please reach out to one of the in-service trainers: Palinda Belcher or Terri Williams-Henderson. You may also contact FPC on 541-343-6636 or toll free on 1-800-777-6636 for technical difficulties. As always, once a class is completed, please email the certificate to either Palinda Belcher (if your last name begins with A-J) or Terri Williams-Henderson (if your last name begins with K-Z).

Orientation
Inservice (For certified Fairfax County foster parents. Registration required.)
Learn more and save the dates for upcoming trainings and conferences.

What do you want to see in Foster Family News?

Submit your suggestions to Angela Morlu.

Check out past issues of Foster Family News.

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