Welcome to the 2023 December 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.
How much do you know about fentanyl? You might think fentanyl won’t affect you or your loved ones, but the drug landscape is dramatically different from when you grew up, or even from just a few years ago. Did you know that a fatal dose of fentanyl can fit on the tip of a pencil, it’s undetectable by sight, smell, or taste, and it is often in the form of fake pills that look like legitimate medications? All parents and caregivers need to be educated on current drug threats to be able to recognize warning signs, have informed talks with their kids, and be prepared for any situation. Learn more about how to educate and protect the children in your care.
When a child joins an adoptive family they bring with them their own experiences, beliefs, values, and cultures that might differ from those of their parents and siblings. The adoptive parents can create a safe and affirming environment by positively recognizing and understanding the child’s identity, culture, and traditions. Here are three resources that can provide more information about cultural humility and can help professionals and parents to practice it. Check out this Adoption Triad newsletter.
The foster care professional assigned to a recent case worked tirelessly to find relatives who would be able to provide permanent care for two young children whose parents battled substance use and mental health issues. Check out the story of permanency restored for these children in an unexpected placement. Read more.
On Tuesday, Nov. 21, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed November as Adoption Awareness Month. During this special time, we recognize the powerful love families show when they adopt a child through foster care, and we raise awareness of the ongoing need for loving homes for children in our community. Adoption Month may be over, but it takes a continuous effort to ensure that children in foster care have safe, loving, permanent homes. When reunification with the birth family is not possible, adoption can be a pathway to permanency. Thanks to all the parents who have opened their hearts and homes to welcome children into their families through adoption. Learn more or email BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov.
The Department of Family Services’ Children, Youth, and Families Division gathered recently for an all-staff training on Creating a Kin-First Culture: The Power of Family Partnership. There is overwhelming evidence that when children enter foster care, being able to live with relatives – or as it’s often called kinship care – can benefit the children through providing them with greater stability, a sense of belonging, and better physical and mental health throughout life. The training offered practical strategies for working with extended family members to help children in foster care maintain some normalcy and permanent family connections. Jada Coleman and Patrick Pisani with the Institute for Child Welfare Innovation in St. Louis, Missouri led this insightful and engaging training. They challenged staff to lean into their curiosity and empathy to create positive, empowering interactions with relatives of children in foster care to set up these families and children for success. This is all valuable information for professionals as DFS continues to move along in the journey to creating a kin-first culture.
Consulte esta entrevista con Melissa Alba, especialista en Acogida Temporal y Adopción del Condado de Fairfax. Conozca el valor de la adopción desde el acogimiento temporal y las formas en que el Departamento de Servicios Familiares apoya a las familias que están considerando este camino. (Check out this interview in Spanish with Melissa Alba, Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption Specialist. Learn about the value of adoption from foster care and the ways the Department of Family Services supports families considering this path. Share it with others who might be interested.)
Dec. 1-2, Dec. 8-9, and Dec. 15-16, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park. Includes wagon rides, indoor activities, food, animal interactions, campfires, visits with Santa and more. $15. Learn more.
Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, and Dec. 16-17, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park. Enjoy a train ride on the Holiday Express, take a spin on the Carolers Carousel, play Gingerbread Man Golf or warm yourself by the fire and cook s'mores as you usher in your holidays. Families will enjoy a visit with Santa, hot chocolate and candy canes. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Learn more.
Learn about these and other winter events offered by Fairfax County Park Authority.
Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 5-7 p.m. Healthy Holidays: Snacks & Sides: An Independent Living workshop for youth in care ages 14 and older. Join us as we learn about healthy cooking skills while making delicious snacks and sides! Dinner and prizes for all who participate! Contact us to register by Monday, December 4, 2023!
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.
A variety of organizations offer support to adoptive, foster, and kinship care families in our region. Register online for a preferred support group.
Sundays, Dec. 3 and Jan. 7, 7:30-9 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Thursdays, Dec. 7 and Jan. 4, 6:30-8 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Fairfax Kinship Support Group provides a safe, nurturing, and healthy environment for caregivers to share their experiences, concerns, and frustrations with their peers. In partnership with Fairfax County Government.
Mondays, Dec. 11 and Jan. 8, 6:30-8 p.m. – Foster the Family D.C. Support Groups for foster, kinship, and adoptive moms. Fairfax County
Wednesday, Dec. 20, 7-8:30 p.m. – Formed Families Forward in-Person Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Thursday, Dec. 21, 6:15-8 p.m. – Formed Families Forward In-Person Fairfax Kinship Support Group provides a safe, nurturing, and healthy environment for caregivers to share their experiences, concerns, and frustrations with their peers. Offered through a partnership with Fairfax County Government.
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 I identify a medical provider for a child placed in my home?
Answer: First, speak with their foster care specialist about previous medical providers the child has had. When possible, try to maintain the relationship your child has had with previous medical providers. If, however, your child does not have a primary doctor or maintaining that provider is not realistic, medical providers should be located through the Medicaid directory. Please speak with your foster care specialist when exploring new providers, because they may already have knowledge of medical/dental providers that accept new patients and Medicaid. They may also want you to choose a provider close to the birth family or relative home, if reunification is the plan. This helps ensure continuity of medical care for a child when they leave foster care. For youth who are undocumented, foster parents in conjunction with the child’s specialist can select a provider and the Department is responsible for medical costs.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
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