Welcome to the 2022 February issue of Foster Family News, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Fairfax County foster parents.
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This time of year, many people in our community are looking for opportunities to volunteer and provide community service. Working with the Department of Family Services’ Volunteer & Partner Services programs such as BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring and the Body Safety education programs helps support the work of DFS staff to empower children and interrupt the cycle of neglect and abuse.
Check out this new video and share with others you know to connect volunteers and donors with opportunities that help local families with children who are at risk of abuse or neglect!
The Virginia Department of Social Services’ Child and Family Services Manual includes a handy glossary to help clarify the meaning of foster care related terms. Foster families may find these definitions help them to be able to “speak the same language” as those working in child welfare.
Check out the July 2021 VDSS Child and Family Services Manual Foster Care Overview to see the foster care definitions beginning on page 3.
We’re shining a spotlight on the work of the Foster Care Resource and Support Unit and their work supporting adult adoptions. This adoption of a 27-year-old woman established a permanent connection binding several generations together into one family.
Tax Season is upon us, and as a foster or adoptive parent you MAY be eligible for some tax credits for the children in your home. The Department of Family Services doesn’t employ tax experts, so we suggest that you talk with a tax professional for your individual income tax preparation decisions. However, we can offer some general tax information for your awareness.
We are highlighting a few organizations that went above and beyond to help make the holidays brighter for children in foster care. Fairfax County Foster Care is so grateful for all our donors including Touching Heart Kids on a Mission, National Honor Society at South Lakes High School, Fairfax County Democratic Committee, and many more for such an outpouring of compassion for the children in foster care.
Learn more their generosity about their generosity and its positive lasting impact in our community.
Check out highlights of other donors and sponsors from past issues.
The Hope for the Journey Conference
April 9, 2022
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Fairfax Church of Christ
3901 Rugby Road
Fairfax, VA 22033
This event seeks to encourage and better equip parents and caregivers meeting the everyday needs of children impacted by adoption and/or foster care. Fairfax County will offer in-service training credit to foster parents who attend and provide documentation confirming full participation in the conference. Register online $15 per person or $25 per couple.
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 first 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.
Fairfax County Foster the Family Support Groups for foster and adoptive moms meet the third Monday of each month from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. in Falls Church. Childcare is provided. Register online or send an email.
Prince William County Foster the Family Support Groups for foster and adoptive moms meet the first Thursday of each month from 6:15-7:45 p.m. in Nokesville. No childcare is available at this time. Register online or send an email.
Fairfax County Park Authority Events
Enjoy a variety of events designed to help county residents stay healthy, connected and engaged. Activities include family campfires and hikes, African American history programs, and even an Maple Syrup Boil Down on Feb. 6, 2022. Check out the calendar for new events.
Library Events
The library presents and hosts events on a range of topics of interest that educate and entertain while connecting people with others who share common interests and goals. Events include author talks, book clubs for all ages, English conversation groups, technology workshops, writers’ groups, preschool story times, STEM-related children’s activities and much more. Library events are always free to the public; some require registration in advance.
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.
Virtual Kinship Cafés hosted by the Department of Family Services’ Parenting Education Programs
First Wednesday and Third Thursday Monthly
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 communication, self-care, and family dynamics. February 2 features a Panel Discussion with a Fairfax County Public School Social Worker, Counselor, Parent Liaison and Psychologist. March 2 features a discussion of Kinship Family Dynamics. Register by email or call 703-324-7720.
Kinship ARC Reflections
Tuesdays, March 1-May 3, 2022
Virtual 6-8 p.m.
Provides caregivers with tools to help children and teens learn to regulate themselves, feel connected, and build strengths. Interested and ready to participate in an ARC Reflections class? Contact Parenting Education by email, phone at 703-324-7720 or contact Mary Elizabeth Fleming at 703-324-7870.
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 Respite? How do I access it?
Answer: Respite is a service provided to foster parents when they need assistance caring for the child in their home. It is used to maintain or stabilize the family. Respite occurs when a child needs to stay with another foster family either overnight or for an extended period during the day. Respite may be used if the foster parents need to go out of town and are unable to take the child in their home. Respite funds may be used for preplacement visits or visits with siblings or when a youth is stepping down from a higher level of care. Respite is not to be used as punishment for a child. Foster parents can request respite through the foster care and adoption specialist, resource specialist or placement coordinator. The specialist may also request respite but should discuss it with the foster parent first. Respite can be provided in the home of the foster parent where the child lives or in the home of the foster parent providing the respite.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
STORY IN STATISTICS
January was Human Trafficking Month, so we are sharing some facts about the unfortunate connection between foster care and human trafficking. According the childwelfare.gov, Many studies have shown that children in out-of-home care are at a particularly high risk of being trafficked. A 2013 report by the HHS Administration on Children, Youth and Families cited a number of alarming statistics, including several studies showing that 50 to more than 90 percent of children who were victims of child sex trafficking had been involved with child welfare services (HHS, ACF, 2013).
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: Foster parents can’t be over 50 years old.
Fact: There is no ideal age to become a foster parent, but you must be at least 18 years old. Foster families come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and stages. In fact, many foster parents find that taking care of children helps keep them young. What matters most is a willingness to commit to parenthood.
Check out other myths from past issues.
Reunification: Prepare, Participate and Process
Thursdays, Feb. 10 and 17, 2022
6:30-8:30 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 by sending an email to Zachary Landau by Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022.
Foster Parent College Training Highlight (February 2022)
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: Mental Health Concerns
This class explores common mental health issues for children entering care, how disorders are diagnosed and treated, and how parents can work with professionals to support their children's mental health needs.
*The training will take approximately 1.0 hours to complete and fulfills 2.0 hours of on-line in-service training. You may take the class at your own pace.
- Log In with your log in credentials.
- Scroll and select the course titled – Children Entering Care: Mental Health Concerns (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 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.