Welcome to the 2021 June issue of Foster Family News, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Fairfax County foster parents.
| Table of Contents | |
|---|---|
|
|
We're happy to announce that the Kokotajlos have been recognized as the 2021 Fairfax County Foster Parents of the Year by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Get to know Scott and Marie Kokotajlo and how they developed supportive, trusting relationships in which children felt safe and nurtured, and the children’s biological family felt at ease.
As they moved toward family reunification, the Kokotajlos came alongside the children’s mother and shared parenting strategies they’d found to work well with each child. The children returned home to their mother more than a year ago and both families remain in touch giving further evidence of the strong, caring relationships the Kokotajlos have built with the whole family. Check out the video on YouTube or Facebook. Learn more about the MWCOG’s recognition of foster parents across the region.
Check out the special edition of the Children’s Bureau Express focusing on Reunification Month, a time to explore ways that child welfare agencies and partners can work to strengthen and support families and promote safe reunification. Featured articles promote the importance of recognizing family in trying times; lessons from 10 years of National Reunification Month; understanding what keeps families together and more.
Casey Family Programs is hosting an audio series to provide insights on ideas of how to keep children safe, support families, and strengthen communities. One of these stories focuses on the movement, sometimes led by birth and foster parents themselves, to shift thinking and promote a practice change within child welfare to encourage relationship-building and co-parenting.
Podcast with Corey Best and Amanda Williams
Birth parent Corey Best and foster parent Amanda Williams speak about the importance of strong birth and foster parent relationships, strategies to help birth and foster parents work together toward reunification, and how to generate support in the field for this innovative approach. There is also a discussion of prevention and the need for proactive programs to support families before they become involved with the child welfare system.
On Saturday, April 10, a group of newly approved foster parents, gathered virtually with staff to discuss frequently asked questions. In addition, families had the opportunity to start building a community and support system with other foster parents. It can be very significant to have a connection with others who understand the unique challenges and experiences that foster families encounter.
We encourage all our new families to participate in an FAQ breakfast. As COVID-19 restrictions loosen, we are moving to more in-person breakfasts. Save the date for the next breakfast on Saturday, Sept. 11 and keep an eye out in the coming months for the invitation.
As a person in recovery, Amar Mawusi faced overwhelming odds to regain custody of his children. He credits the Father Engagement Program with giving him the clear roadmap he needed to follow to put his life back together and maintain a safe, nurturing home for his children when they needed him most. Recently reunified with his children when this was filmed, this powerful story demonstrates how individuals working with Children, Youth and Families came together to support this father as he overcame the odds. Check out this video for more information.
Raising a relative’s child can be incredibly rewarding and have many benefits. Children in kinship placements (rather than non-relative placements) tend to experience more stability, fewer disruptions, and experience a sense of belonging from their continued connectedness to family and culture. Many youth have experienced trauma, and they may be unable to give voice to their difficult emotions. As a result, kinship caregivers can benefit from these DFS virtual training and support groups, including a new ARC Reflections class offered virtually beginning Wednesday, June 16, 6-8 p.m. In addition, Kids, Kin ‘N Caregivers, Inc sponsors a virtual Coffee and Conversation group twice a month.
Looking for summer camp options? Some localities are still developing their programs for the summer, but our friends at Formed Families Forward have compiled a Summer Camp Guide to get you started on your research. It includes links to summer camps and other programming for children, including children with special needs through therapeutic recreation and other adaptive offerings. Check out more information from Formed Families Forward.
Adoptive Parent Peer Support Group hosted by Northern Post Adoption Consortium
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 22, 2021 8-9 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Join adoptive parent peers for a parent-led virtual support group. Groups are offered twice a month and will provide opportunities to explore adoption focused psychoeducation, as well as practical advice and support from parents with the first-hand experience of adoption. All events are free and open to adoptive parents from the Northern region of Virginia; however, space is limited and registration is required. Register online.
Virtual NPAC Respite: The Magic in Me hosted by Children's Home Society (CHS) of Virginia
Thursday, June 10, 2021 1-3 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Adopted youth ages 5 to 18 are invited to join the PAC (Post Adoption Club) virtually! During this two-hour day respite program, youth in the service region of the Northern Post Adoption Consortium (NPAC) are invited to join CHS adoption-competent social workers for a fun-filled virtual magic show! This activity is free to join, but registration is required. For more information, contact CHS Post Adoption Social Worker, Anna Yates. Register online.
Foster Care Family Appreciation hosted by Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption, Grace Covenant Church, and Foster the Family DC
Saturday, June 12, 2021 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Grace Covenant Church, 4600 Brookfield Corporate Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151
Calling all foster families certified through Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption! We are partnering with the generous community at Grace Covenant Church to hold a drive-thru appreciation event for all of our families. We greatly appreciate all that you do for the children in your care. We hope that you will come out and let us show you just how much you are loved. We can’t wait to see you face to face and hand out gift baskets to each family as a token of our care for each of you. Please register to let our event sponsors know that you are coming.
Your Child’s Sensory World hosted by Children's Home Society of Virginia, Northern Post Adoption Consortium, and the Virginia Department of Social Services
Thursday, June 17, 2021 5-7 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Through this workshop, explore the sensory needs of your child and how to promote behavioral and emotional growth by focusing on and supporting sensory needs. This will also be a chance for support from your adoptive parent peers. This virtual workshop is free for adoptive parents in the Northern region of Virginia. Register online. Visit the Northern Post Adoption Consortium for other upcoming free events for adoptive parents and children in the northern region.
NPAC Respite: Virtual Paint Party
Saturday, June 19, 2021 1-3 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Adopted youth, ages 5 to 18 years old are invited to join the PAC (Post Adoption Club) virtually! Express yourself and engage with other youth during this fun, acrylic pouring paint party led by artist (and adoption social worker), Chiara Jones!! During this two-hour day respite program, youth in the service region of the Northern Post Adoption Consortium (NPAC) will engage in creative thinking, hands-on painting, all while engaging with other adopted youth. This activity is free to join, but registration is required. Paint kits will be delivered to each participant prior to the event. Register online.
The county is offering some in-person events 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 between 3-6 p.m. at bit.ly/ncsconnects.
Fairfax County Park Authority offers programs and classes for all ages. 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 programs at Parktakes online.
Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL)
In-person library programming, hosted indoors or outdoors has resumed as of June 5. FCPL will continue to offer robust virtual programming for all ages, which can be found on the FCPL online calendar, YouTube channel and Facebook page. Learn about the top 10 ways to access FCPL resources at home. Get more information.
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: When do we engage relatives in the foster care process?
What do you want to see in Foster Family News?