Welcome to the 2023 May issue of Foster Family News, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Fairfax County foster parents. Our monthly newsletter shares resources, news, tips, events, and trainings relevant to foster and adoptive parents, children in care, and the resource workers who support them.
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National Foster Care Month is an important time to raise awareness of issues related to foster care and to celebrate those, like our foster parents, who are dedicated to serving our children, youth, and families. This year, the Children’s Bureau collaborated with parents, guardians, and young people with lived experience to develop its focus for the month on mental well-being. As a result, this year's theme is "Strengthening Minds, Uplifting Families." We encourage everyone to check out the mental health resources at National Foster Care Month - Child Welfare Information Gateway and visit our local Community Engagement Toolkit if you are looking for facts and messages to raise awareness in our community.
Did you know that to continue as foster parents, families need to complete a recertification every three years? This is a state level policy with strict deadlines, and noncompliance can lead to the disruption of a child’s placement in the home. Learn more about how to smoothly navigate this process in this article.
Did you know that the state of Virginia allows for emergency foster care placements with kinship caregivers in certain circumstances? In this story, learn about a family who was called upon to care for the 6-month-old child of their estranged daughter, the range of emotions they experienced, and the ways they have been supported by our practitioners.
We love our foster parents! So, this is the time we say THANK YOU! to the foster parents who have reached important milestones with our program. Each year we recognize those who have served as foster parents for a notable length of time in five-year increments. What can we say? 2018 was a big year! So, for the first time in recent history, everyone recognized has reached the milestone of 5 years of service. Thank you to Florence & Richmond A.; Nicole B.; Julien D. & Mariana P.; Ashley G. & Steven P.; Amanda G. & Scott T.; Vasiliki "Vicky” l.; Sarah & Timothy J.; Kathryn & Sujatha K.; Craig & Corey K.; and Rodrigo L. & Mercedes C. for your service this past five years!
Join us in celebrating the foster parents who completed the training and certification process between May 2022 and May 2023. Becoming a foster parent is a rewarding and exciting journey like no other, and we applaud the success of certifying 32 new resource families in the last year.
5K and Family Fun Day hosted by Foster the Family D.C.
Saturday, May 6, 2023
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Lake Fairfax Park
(Large Shelter Area - Follow the signs)
1400 Lake Fairfax Drive
Reston, VA 20190
This event will benefit kids in foster care and their families. It’s open to all foster, adoptive, kinship families and members of the community. Activities include a fun run, pony rides, face painting, game, raffle prizes, snow cones, and more. Register online! Foster, adoptive, and kinship families will get 50% off general admission with this code: FTFDC5K2023
Mother’s Day Events hosted by Foster the Family D.C.
Saturday, May 13 Brunch in Manassas, VA
Monday, May 15 Dinner in Rockville, MD & Dinner at Matchbox in Merrifield
There are three mother’s day events planned for foster, adoptive, and kinship moms. Each mom who attends will get a free meal and gift in honor of Mother’s Day.
For more information.
Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner and Movie hosted by Foster the Family D.C. and Fairfax County Department of Family Services (For Fairfax County Foster and Adoptive Parents Only)
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Dinner and activities at 6 p.m.
Movie begins at sunset, around 7:30 p.m.
Fairfax Church of Christ
3901 Rugby Road
Fairfax, VA 22033
This is an outdoor event. Please, bring a blanket or some lawn chairs! Register online by Friday, June 2, 2023. For more information, please contact Rosario Phelps.
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
Thursday, May 18, 2023
6:30-8 p.m.
Hybrid (In Person/Virtual)
8100 Fordson Road
Alexandria, VA 22306
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 for an open forum discussion of topics such as communication, self-care, and family dynamics. Refreshments served. Register by email or call 703-324-7720 to indicate virtual or in-person, and if child care is needed.
National Kinship Caregiver Support Group hosted by A Second Chance Kinship Care
Monthly on the Second Tuesday
6-8 p.m.
Groups will alternate between in person and virtual meetings through July 2023. RSVP to Jasmine Dukes by email or call 703-228-1556.
Formed Families Forward Peer Support Groups for foster and adoptive parents and kinship caregivers. Each month, there’s a virtual group meeting on the first Sunday of each month from 7:30-9 p.m. The in-person group is on hiatus. Register online.
Foster the Family D.C. Support Groups for foster and adoptive parents – In-person support groups are available in Fairfax County, Eastern Prince William County, Western Prince William County, and Montgomery County. Each group meets one evening a month from 6:30-8 p.m. Visit Foster the Family D.C. to learn more about the group nearest to you, or to register online.
Dad’s Gatherings hosted by Foster the Family D.C. – Foster, adoptive, and kinship dads are welcome to join an informal breakfast for dads that meets every other month on Saturday mornings in Merrifield, VA. Learn 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.
How do we register youth for free classes at rec centers?
Answer: The Fairfax County Park Authority offers a variety of activities, classes, programing, and recreation centers for county residents. Fairfax County youth in foster care often meet the criteria for scholarships or reduced fees for Park Authority classes. Find out more about qualification criteria and steps to apply for fee waivers and scholarships.
In addition, Fairfax County Park Authority offers Rec-PAC Summer programs, and therapeutic recreational camp programs are available through Neighborhood Community Services.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
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