Welcome to the 2024 March 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.
Cuando conoces por primera vez a Gina y Antoinette, lo primero que le llama a uno la atención es la calidez y mentalidad abierta que ambas comparten. Estas latinas tienen mucho amor que ofrecer a todos los que las rodean y eso se nota, especialmente en la manera en la que cuidan de su hijo Alejandro. Estas nuevas madres adoptivas están marcando una diferencia en los niños en hogares de acogida. Para más información mira el vídeo (Learn more about these adoptive mothers who are making a difference for children in foster care and share their story with the community. English subtitles are available if you select them in the settings on YouTube.)
Anger is part of the human experience. We’ve all been angry at one time or another. It’s easy to recognize, but it can be difficult to control, especially for children. Check out these suggestions from the Parenting Education programs about how to help your child manage this difficult emotion and express it in a healthy way. Learn more.
Our foster parents play such a pivotal role in bridging the gap between children and their biological families. Their diligent efforts can ultimately support the journey toward family reunification. Learn how one family made such a difference and helped establish lasting family connections. Read more.
Virginia requires foster parents to complete 30 hours of training every three years to stay licensed- that’s only 10 hours each year. The good news is that with so many online training opportunities, it’s never been easier to get in those mandatory training requirements at the touch of a finger. So check out these suggestions for Fairfax County foster parents to boost your training hours.
Social workers are uniquely qualified to handle societal troubles ranging from homelessness to opioid use, and mental health crises to child welfare concerns. Social workers enter the profession because they truly want to help others. They go through years of education, training, and supervision so they can do the delicate but important work of meeting people where they are and helping them achieve their goals. March is Social Work Month, a chance to learn more about the social workers in DFS and the ways they are helping to improve lives in our community.
Family Gathering in Falls Church
Saturday, March 2, 2024
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cherry Hill Park
312 Park Avenue
Falls Church, VA
Join Foster the Family D.C. for a fun-filled family picnic at Cherry Hill Park. There will be face painting, sandwiches & snacks, and outdoor FUN. Register.
Spring Forward Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Family Fun Day
Saturday, April 13, 2024
8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus
Manassas, VA
National trauma and resiliency expert and author Jessica Sinarski, LPCMH, will kick off the day for parents, caregivers and professionals. Following the keynote, adults can visit exhibitors and then choose from a variety of great breakout sessions led by education, mental health and other experts. Designed just for formed families and professionals who work with them. Learn more.
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, Mar. 3 and Apr. 7, 7:30-9 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families to support and encourage each other.
Thursdays, Mar. 7 and Apr. 4, 6:30-8 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Fairfax Kinship Support Group for caregivers to safely share their experiences, concerns, and frustrations with their peers. In partnership with Fairfax County Government.
Saturdays, Mar. 2 and 9, 8-9:30 a.m. – Foster the Family D.C. Dad’s Breakfast for foster, kinship, and adoptive dads throughout the region. As of Jan. 2024, support group attendance counts towards training and recertification hours.
Mondays, Mar. 11, 6:30-8 p.m. – Foster the Family D.C. Support Groups for foster, kinship, and adoptive moms throughout the region. As of Jan. 2024, support group attendance may count towards training and recertification hours.
Thursday, Mar. 21 and Apr. 18, 6:15-8 p.m. - Formed Families Forward In-Person Fairfax Kinship Support Group for caregivers to safely share their experiences, concerns, and frustrations with their peers. Dinner and child care provided. In partnership with Fairfax County Government.
Wednesday, Mar. 20, 7-8:30 p.m. – Formed Families Forward in-Person Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
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.
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.
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