Welcome to the 2025 January 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.
| Table of Contents |
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| Feature Articles |
| Events Central |
| Support Groups |
| FAQs, Story in Stats & Foster Care Facts |
| Trainings and Conferences |
Are you curious about becoming a foster parent or know others who are? Hundreds of children in Fairfax County need a temporary loving home until they can safely return to their families. And we need more foster parents. Here are the six steps to becoming a foster parent with Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption. It’s not as hard as it sounds, so check out this video to learn more! You can do it! Anyone can help! Check it out and share it with others who might be interested in becoming a foster parent.
Did you know that adoptive parents and foster parents may be eligible for some tax credits for the children in their care? We’ve scoured the internet, so you don’t have to, and we pulled together some basic tax information to help you understand where to start. Check out our article for some general tax information and expert resources!
In a groundbreaking 2023 report, “Americans’ Views of U.S. Foster Care: Elevating Black Americans’ Perspectives and Experiences,” Kidsave and Gallup collaborated to examine how the American public — especially Black Americans — views the foster care system and adoption from foster care. Some of the results might just surprise you. Learn more.
Do you have questions about becoming a foster parent? Are you or someone close to you ready for the next step to help children that need a temporary home? We need more foster parents, and information meetings are one of the ways we get to know prospective parents. Information meetings for prospective parents are by invitation only. The next meeting is Tuesday, January 14 from 6:45-8:30 p.m. To attend the meeting first complete a short interest form to help us get to know you better, and you will be contacted promptly by one of our specialists. If that meeting is not convenient for you, the full 2025 meeting schedule and additional information are available online. Check it out and share with others who might be interested.
Jan. 1 – First Day Hikes at Virginia State Parks or Fairfax County Parks. America’s State Parks encourages everyone to start the new year with a healthy, family-friendly hike. Start 2024 with a Virginia First Day Hike. Enjoy free entry and parking at all Virginia State Parks or Fairfax County Parks.
Through Jan. 5 Holiday Light Shows in Northern Virginia. Drive, walk, or skate your way through these local Northern Virginia Regional Parks for a few more days of dazzling outdoor fun and outdoor festivals.
Respite Nights, hosted by Foster the Family D.C.
Jan. 25 in Herndon and Silver Spring!
Offering occasional respite nights on Saturday evenings in three counties in the DMV area. During a respite night, they provide three hours of free childcare in a safe, fun, trauma informed space. Respite nights are for any children in the home of local foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Contact hellodc@fosterthefamily.org for details.
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.
Thursday, Jan. 2, 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.
Monday, Jan. 13, 6:30-8 p.m. – Foster the Family D.C. Support Groups for foster, kinship, and adoptive moms throughout the region. Support group attendance may count towards training and recertification hours. Childcare registration is limited and will close by Friday, Jan. 10.
• Prince William County, Register Here
• Fairfax County, Register Here
• Montgomery County, Register Here
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 7-8:30 p.m. – Formed Families Forward in-Person Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Thursday, Jan. 16, 6:30-8 p.m. – Formed Families Forward In-Person Fairfax Kinship Support Group for caregivers to safely share their experiences, concerns, and frustrations with their peers. In 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 set up child care?
Answer: At the time of a referral, placement staff will ask foster parents if they need daycare and make a referral for child care assistance at that time. Foster parents will be asked if they have flexibility to remain at home until daycare is arranged. If daycare is necessary during a placement, a foster parent can request assistance from the foster care and adoption specialist or resource specialist.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
What do you want to see in Foster Family News?