Welcome to the 2020 December issue of Foster Family News, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Fairfax County foster parents.
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"Whether you’re just starting out on your foster care journey, or you’ve been doing this for years, a strong support system is vital for your personal well-being. Unfortunately, during these times of social distancing and limited gatherings, maintaining those connections can be really challenging.
With or without a pandemic, foster care and adoption can be lonely. Sometimes, even the most well-intentioned family and friends can have trouble relating to your experience and the daily challenges (and, of course, joys!) that go along with it–from both physical and mental standpoints." Check out the rest of Bethany's message.
Tela Jones, Foster Care and Adoption Specialist with DFS Foster Care and Adoption was a guest on the County Conversation podcast in November to discuss adoption and her experiences as a social worker with the department as well as her personal experience as an adoptive parent. Get to know Tela and her motivation and passion for the work. Also learn about how the Department of Family services supports families throughout the process of adoption and afterward. Check out the podcast!
We want to extend our deepest thanks to all the foster families who are deep in the trenches, doing a good job throughout COVID-19, and still are motivated to keep going! Check out some of the ways we have been extending support to our foster families, hear feedback from families and learn about some opportunities for you to provide feedback if you missed it the first time. We would like to hear from all voices. Learn more about how you can provide feedback and what FC&A is doing to provide support.
The Foster Care and Adoption program is excited to share our Annual Adoption Story video. Meet Emma, Diego, Santiago, Thiago, Arturo and Ricardo who became a permanent family through adoption earlier this year. After being foster parents to all four boys, Emma and Diego were ready to adopt the siblings when it became clear that they would not be able to return to their birth family. Learn more about their story and what motivated them to take the steps to foster to adopt.
The Fairfax County Department of Family Services, and other local departments of social services (LDSS), are responsible for processing and investigating reports of child abuse and neglect. To support this work, the Virginia Department of Social Services’ (VDSS) Division of Family Services has released a new Mandated Reporter Portal, which provides a secure, fast, and convenient way for mandated reporters in Virginia to submit reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. As a reminder, foster, kinship foster, and adoptive parents, and respite providers are considered mandated reporters due to an association with a public organization that is responsible for the care and custody of children. Learn more about the portal.
Foster Care and Adoption staff and Youth Advocates recently held the first Healthy Minds Foster Futures Virtual 5K Walk to raise awareness about the impact of mental health in the foster care community. Check out these photos from some of the 5K walkers, and learn more about this issue and what can be done to support the estimated 80% of children in foster care who are impacted. Couldn't make it to this event? Tune in to the Facebook Live video to hear inspirational Keynote Speaker, Cordelia Cranshaw, and learn more about what participants experienced.
Get to know the staff in our Adoption Unit. Their goal is helping children in the foster care system achieve permanency through adoption when reunification with their birth parents is not possible. They also help prepare our adoptive families to launch from the Department’s involvement, so that they can have normal life experiences and be prepared to manage whatever may arise in the future of their child’s life. Supervisor Michelle Cover answers a few questions about the unit. Learn more about the Adoption Unit.
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.
Neighborhood and Community Resources
NCS Connects: After School is a virtual program for youth to explore areas of interest to them Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m. at bit.ly/ncsconnects.
Fairfax County Park Authority programs and classes have resumed! All classes are 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.
- You can get details about dates, times, and fees or register for an outdoor program at Parktakes Online or check out the calendar of events.
- 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 Limited Opening Status.
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.
- Check out the calendar of upcoming Digital Programs and Events.
- Read about Library Services Available During Limited Opening Status.
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.
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 I set up daycare?
Answer: At the time of a referral, placement staff will ask foster parents if they need daycare and make a referral for child care assistance at that time. Foster parents will be asked if they have flexibility to remain at home until daycare is arranged. If daycare is necessary during a placement, a foster parent can request assistance from the foster care and adoption specialist or resource specialist.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
Mental Health Issues in Foster Care
It is estimated that 80% of children in foster care in America suffer from a significant mental health issue. That is nearly 4 to 5 times the incidence found within the general population. There is a very real opportunity to address the mental health needs of children in foster care, and the earlier an intervention occurs, the more likely it will have a lifelong impact (SAFY).
Mental and behavioral health requires the presence of at least one nurturing, responsive caregiver who is stable in the child’s or teen’s life over time (AAP).
Foster parents have an opportunity to be that one person who can help support a child striving to overcome a mental health diagnosis.
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 accessing FPC, 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.