Department of Family Services – Children, Youth and Families

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
703-324-7500 TTY 711
12011 Government Center Parkway, Pennino Building
Fairfax, VA 22035
Oriane Eriksen
Director

Foster Family News – 2021 August

Foster Family Newsletter banner

Welcome to the 2021 August issue of Foster Family News, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Fairfax County foster parents.

Table of Contents
  • Become a Foster Care Ambassador
  • Training – It's Essential!
  • Unit Success Stories: Saying "Yes" Without Hesitation
  • Foster Care Family Appreciation
  • Children Awaiting Adoption
  • Positive Placements for Siblings
  • Events Central
  • Frequently Asked Question: How much can I spend on clothing for children placed in my home?
  • Story in Statistics: High School Graduates in Foster Care
  • Foster Care Myths: Children in foster care can't do normal things.
  • Trainings and Conferences

 

Become a Foster Care Ambassador

Marissa and Randy and two girlsLooking for a way to share your love for foster parenting? Eager to help provide a realistic view of foster parenting to the community? Want to be a part of the Foster Care and Adoption Recruitment Team? Foster care ambassadors help at trainings and community events, including those at the schools or farmers’ markets, to help get the word out about foster parenting. Meet some of our ambassadors and learn how to become an ambassador!

Training – It's Essential!

adults in classroom learningCOVID-19 led our Foster Care and Adoption training and recruitment staff to be flexible and adaptable. Trainings and Info Meetings that previously were held in-person shifted to virtual. This was no mean feat to accomplish, and it made it as easy as the click of a button to participate. As a result, you‘d expect our training numbers to be at an all-time high, but that is not the case. So, for foster parents in need of training hours, learn about your options.

Unit Success Stories: Saying "Yes" Without Hesitation

Placement and Resource Unit collage of memojisCheck out this story of how one of our foster parents has worked as an integral part of the foster care team, putting the needs of the youth and the youth’s biological family at the forefront.

Staff in the Foster Care Placement and Resource Unit are ecstatic that after several months with his foster family, the youth has grown accustomed to having a brother and a resource father who respect and embrace his identity and his customs, and he has made positive changes for the better.

Foster Care Family Appreciation

group of seven people standing in parking for photoFoster Care and Adoption (FC&A) staff joined with community volunteers and partners from Foster the Family DC and Grace Covenant Church in Chantilly for a Foster Care Family Appreciation. All foster families certified through Fairfax County FC&A were invited to this celebratory drive-thru event! Check out the video created by the event’s sponsors to see more about how the day went.

 

 

Children Awaiting Adoption

AdameGet to know some of the wonderful children waiting for adoption through the Department of Family Services. Check out their profiles for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

Positive Placements for Siblings

twins outside hugging and smilingOne of the greatest needs in Foster Care and Adoption here in Fairfax is families willing to take sibling placements. Siblings can be a consistent source of comfort, support, and strength, and, in many cases, are the longest-lasting relationships we will ever experience. Learn more about the importance of the sibling bond in this article from CASA.

 

 

Events Central

generic calendar graphicNorthern Virginia Parent Peer Support Group hosted by Northern Post Adoption Consortium, and Formed Families Forward.

Virtual Groups Meet via Zoom
First Sunday of every month.
Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7, Dec. 5
7:30-9 p.m.

In-Person Groups Meet in Fairfax City
Third Wednesday of every month.
Aug. 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15
7-8:30 p.m.

This free ongoing parent support group is led by trained peer leaders with personal and professional experience for families residing in Northern Virginia. Participants will experience a safe space for foster and adoptive parents and kinship caregivers to share experiences, concerns, frustrations and resources. Register online.


Formed Families Back Together Summer Picnic hosted by Formed Families Forward and Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption Association
Friday, Aug. 6, 2021 5 -7:30 p.m.
Van Dyck Park 3720 Old Lee Highway Fairfax, 22030

This free summer fun family event is a chance for all foster, adoptive and kinship families from any jurisdiction to reconnect in person, help others through service, eat, play, relax and have fun! It kicks off with a brief community service activity for the whole family. Then, all will enjoy a picnic dinner in a pavilion. Main dishes and drinks will be provided; we ask families to bring individually-wrapped side or dessert items to share. Following dinner, children can participate in activities and games, supervised by GMU volunteers! RSVP and find more information online or call 703-539-2904.


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 is excited to bring you a variety of camp options taking place in person this summer! Registration is now open for 2021 NCS Summer Camps, which run from June through August 2021. Find out more specific information on each camp.

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)
FCPL continues to offer robust in-person and virtual programming for all ages, which can be found on the FCPL online calendar, YouTube and Facebook. Learn about the top 10 ways to access FCPL resources at home. Get more information.

Department of Family Services graphic logoThe 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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

question marksQuestion: How much can I spend on clothing for children placed in my home?

Answer: The Virginia Department of Social Services administers a yearly clothing allowance to all children in foster care. The amount depends on the age of the child and is listed on the Financial Agreement foster parents sign at the time a child joins their family. Clothing, socks, shoes, coats, scarves, hats, gloves, and undergarments are reimbursable. Individualized receipts are required for each child. If upon a child’s arrival, it is necessary to buy clothes, foster parents should spend no more than $100 until the 5-Day Hearing. Any amount of money spent in the first few days of a child’s arrival is applied to the yearly amount. The monthly maintenance also provides money for additional clothing expenditures, and this amount varies based on the age of the child. This amount is given in addition to the annual clothing allowance, and it does not require receipts. 

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

STORY IN STATISTICS

Nationally, 55% of children in foster care graduate from high school, and the number of college graduates is significantly lower. 

High School Graduates in Foster Care

  • 7% by age 17
  • 54% by age 19 
  • 69% by age 21

National High School Graduation Rates, Ages of Children in Foster Care - 7% by age 17; 54% by age 19; 69% by age 21

FOSTER CARE MYTHS

There are a lot of misconceptions about foster care, foster parents, and the children and families involved. This section aims to dispel some of those notions and provide clarity for those interested in supporting foster care.

Myth: Children in foster care can't do normal things.

Fact: With training (and in some cases) collaboration with social workers, foster parents can make decisions related to vacations, babysitters, playing sports, allowing teens to work part-time or get a driver’s license.

Check out other myths from past issues.

TRAININGS AND CONFERENCES (For Fairfax County Foster Parents Only)

orange mechanical gearsCultural Awareness
Note: There are two (2) sessions in this class. Both must be attended to receive a certificate of completion.
Saturday, Aug. 7 and 14, 2021 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Virtual

Join the Fairfax County Department of Family Services, in partnership with Cheryl Cook, to learn about the influence of culture on identity formation in children and youth. In this training we will discuss the value of diversity, while learning tips and best practices for applying positive parenting strategies in a multi- cultural context. RSVP to Zachary Landau by Monday, Aug. 2, 2021.


Reunification: Prepare, Participate and Process
Tuesday, Aug. 17 and Thursday, Aug. 19 6-8 p.m.
Virtual

Join us for an interactive discussion with foster parents around the facets of reunification including reunification policy, and permanency goals (particularly return to home); Bridging the Gap; foster parent roles; transitions; foster family’s role as grief/loss managers and; moving on after children return home. RSVP to Zachary Landau by Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021.


What is an IEP?
Monday, Oct. 4, 2021 6:30-9 p.m.
Virtual

Join the Fairfax County Department of Family Services, in partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), to learn about Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in Fairfax County. The training includes information about the process to determine eligibility for special education services and the purpose of the eligibility meeting. We will discuss what to expect during an IEP meeting for students of all ages and grade levels (i.e. preschool, elementary, and secondary), as well as accessing education services in the least restrictive environment. RSVP to Zachary Landau  by Monday, Sept. 27, 2021.


Foster to Adopt
Thursday, Oct. 14 and 21, 2021 6:30-8:30pm
Virtual

Come learn about the transition from fostering to adopting and meet other families considering the same process. The training will cover issues such as transracial adoption and cultural sensitivity; the impact of adoption on child development; ongoing birth family and sibling contact; Adoption Assistance and resources. RSVP to Zachary Landau by Friday, Oct. 8, 2021.


Foster Parent College Training Highlight (August 2021)
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. You may choose to take any class you believe will be helpful for your own personal growth and development.

Children Entering Care: Physical Health Issues
As many as 80% of children coming into care have a medical condition and many have not experienced regular health care. This course explores common physical health issues for children entering care, and how parents can collaborate with health care and community providers to support their children's medical needs.

*The training will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete and fulfills 2.0 hours of on-line in-service training. You may take the class at your own pace.

Register Online

  • Log In with your log in credentials.
  • Scroll and select the course titled – Children Entering Care: Physical Health Issues (under the Behavior Management tab).
  • Select Enroll to begin the course.

If you have questions or need additional support, please reach out to one of the in-service trainers; Terri Williams-Henderson or Palinda Belcher. You may also contact FPC at (541) 343-6636 or toll free at 1-800-777-6636, (PT) 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.

SUGGESTIONS

envelopeWhat do you want to see in Foster Family News?

Submit your suggestions to Angela Morlu.

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Check out past issues of Foster Family News.

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