Welcome to the 2021 November issue of Foster Family News, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Fairfax County foster parents.
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After entering foster care at 12-years-old, Monica and her younger sister benefitted from being placed with foster parents who made efforts to partner with the children’s biological parents. As a result, Monica’s strong relationship with both families has been a positive factor in her life. Check out how the Thompson Family wrapped around Monica and her sister in this story.
Connection and belonging are human needs. During Adoption Awareness Month, we bring attention to more than 122,000 children across the nation and over 700 foster children in the Commonwealth of Virginia who are legally free for adoption and waiting on adoptive homes. We also celebrate the adoptive families who have been Woven Together by Love. Check out the compilation of resources, adoption stories, podcasts, videos and more, and keep checking back as more content is updated throughout the month. Help us raise awareness by downloading graphics and messages to share online.
We're shining a spotlight on the work of the Adoption unit, helping families to overcome their doubts and fears and lean into their abilities to make a difference in the lives of children in need of permanent, secure, stable families. This inspiring story is full of hope and promise for the future.
Adame is an adventurous, funny, creative, and curious 12-year-old boy whose smile lights up the room. Like so many other kids his age, he loves to be active! He loves hiking and exploring the great outdoors. Adame is also incredibly caring and wants to connect with a family that will adopt him. Learn more about what makes Adame so unique or contact Natalie Sposato by email or phone 703-324-7588.
Children are growing with technology at their fingertips at any time of the day. This constant connection can have a significant impact on children’s health, particularly their quality of sleep, and a lack of quality sleep is associated with lower productivity, lack of energy, and lower school performance, negative behaviors and more. Help children improve their technology and sleep habits with these helpful tips.
You have a plan, packed an emergency supply kit, now it’s time to teach your children and the youth in your life to prepare for disasters.
Everyone in your family from young children to teens can take part in helping to prepare for emergencies. Include them in the preparedness process by practicing your evacuation plan, memorizing important contact information, and knowing when and how to call 911.
Disaster preparedness doesn’t have to be scary. Show kids how to help before, during, and after disasters through fun and engaging games about preparedness and preparing as a family.
Annual National Adoption Awareness Month Celebration hosted by Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption
Virtual
Saturday, Nov. 6
1-2:30 p.m.
Featuring fun interactive experiences like a Nailed It: Adoption Edition Baking Challenge for the whole family that you won’t want to miss! Contact Anne Goldberg by email or call 703-324-7153 for more information or to RSVP.
Formed Families Forward Support Groups for foster and adoptive parents and kinship caregivers meet monthly: an in-person group in Fairfax on third Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30 pm. and a virtual group on 1st Sunday evenings of the month 7:30-9 p.m. Register online.
Formed Families Forward Stronger Together Peer Support Group for teens and young adults (ages 14-22) meets twice monthly in person on Tuesday nights from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Fairfax City. Register online.
Virtual Kinship Cafés hosted by the Department of Family Services’ Parenting Education Programs
Virtual Groups Meet via Zoom on the first Wednesday and third Thursday of each month from 6:30-8 p.m.
Kinship caregivers can talk with others who understand how difficult and joyful it can be raising a child for a family member or friend. Join us to discuss topics such as discipline, self-care, and family rules. You can also find out about community resources that you may not have known existed. Sign up for a Kinship Café by sending an email or calling 703-324-7720 at least one business day before the Kinship Café. We look forward to you joining us!
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.
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: What is the Foster Parent Support Line and how and when do I access it? What is the Child Protective Services Hotline and how and when do I access it?
Answer: The Foster Parent Support Line is an answering service available to Fairfax County foster parents, residential facilities, and group homes after-hours emergencies seven days a week. The phone number, 703-257-3974, is written on the Foster Parent Code of Ethics. Families can also obtain the number from their resource specialist, foster care and adoption specialist, or placement coordinator. The Foster Parent Support Line is always monitored by a live person. Once a call is received, the individual from the support line will either patch the foster parent directly through to the resource specialist or placement coordinator on call, or take a message so the family can be called back. The Foster Parent Support Line is a conduit for the foster parent to pass on important information about the children in their home regarding a medical need or emergency, behavior challenges or changes, or to seek advice and reassurance.
The Child Protective Services (CPS) Hotline is a number used by a caller concerning the maltreatment of a child. Foster parents, along with other community members, are mandated reporters. The CPS Hotline is a 24-hour hotline. During business hours Monday through Friday, callers may call the Fairfax County CPS Hotline at 703-324-7400. After business hours and on the weekends, calls are rolled over to the Virginia Department of Social Services hotline in Richmond, Virginia.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
STORY IN STATISTICS
Finalized Adoptions
Between Oct. 1, 2020 and Oct. 1, 2021, 23 adoptions were finalized in Fairfax County.
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: You must be a parent.
Fact: Many foster parents do not have children. Regardless of your parenting experience, caring for children who have experienced trauma is made easier if you have the right training. Our department provides ongoing resources and training opportunities to help prospective foster (and adoptive) parents become comfortable.
Check out other myths from past issues.
Foster Parent College Training Highlight (November)
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.
Understanding Behavior in Foster Care
Foster children often enter homes with challenging behaviors rooted in a history of trauma. Parents need to be able to decipher problem behavior to understand its source. This insight will enable parents to help their children heal and learn new, more acceptable ways to express themselves. This course will look at the function, or purpose, of behaviors and will provide keys for unlocking the underlying meaning of challenging behaviors. Also covered are the ABCs of behavior and a look at parenting styles.
*The training will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete and fulfills 4.0 hours of on-line in-service training. You may take the class at your own pace.
**This training is available in Spanish.
- Log In with your log in credentials.
- Scroll and select the course titled – Understanding Behavior in Foster Care (under the Parenting Strategies 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 Gaines. 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 Gaines (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.