Welcome to the 2025 June 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 |
Congratulations to Adam and Amy Suppes. They’ve been recognized as the 2025 Fairfax County Foster Parents of the Year by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. The Suppes are experienced adoptive and foster parents who have gone above and beyond for the children in their care, again and again, especially this past year. One of the children currently placed with the Suppes is hearing impaired and had never been enrolled in school and had not received any services for his needs, including his hearing impairment. Adam and Amy enrolled him in school and advocated for his needs. They began to learn sign language while teaching their foster son sign language. When the child's sister was placed in foster care, Adam and Amy welcomed her into their home. They are supportive of the child's birth family relationships and considerate of their mother and patient with her progress. Check out the video.
Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption hosted an open house event for our foster families at scenic Lake Accotink Park in May. This fun-filled event was designed to create a sense of community, provide educational activities, and celebrate the dedication of foster families within Fairfax County. Learn more.
On a quiet summer morning, the life of a 19-month-old boy hung by a thread as his mother, frantically dialed 911. Sadly, those closest to him had left him in danger, but loving family members were willing to step in and change his life for the better. Learn more.
Julie Bowman, program manager with Foster Care and Adoption Resource and Support, was a guest on the County Conversation podcast with host Jim Person. Julie talked about what foster care is, why it matters, debunked a few myths, and shared the ways the community can get involved to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Listen now.
Curious about the children entering foster care in Fairfax County, their foster care placements, and their outcomes? Our annual report includes updated information about the children, families, and services that comprise Fairfax County Foster Care. To learn more, check it out.
This year, the American Bar Association has shifted to a celebration of National Family Unification Month in June. As part of the ABA’s focus on family unity, “This shift reflects a powerful truth: family unification is not just a case outcome or a permanency goal—it’s a lifelong journey. It is more than a system's response to a family’s struggles; it is a collective responsibility to ensure families are supported, protected, and kept whole whenever possible.” So, in the ABA’s words, “Family Unification Month seeks to recenter the conversation where it began: around families themselves. This means celebrating parents and youth’s strength and resilience not just after reunification, but throughout the continuum of family preservation.” The ABA is “embracing this broader and more inclusive vision with the theme, ‘Communities Supporting Family Unification’ affirming the essential role of natural supports.”
Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 – The 2025 NOVA Regional Fatherhood Workshop Series
1-2:30 p.m.
We are thrilled to announce the 2025 NOVA Regional Fatherhood Workshop Series. This series offers free online workshops every Tuesday afternoon, 1-2:30 p.m. in June to support fathers and father figures. Join the Fatherhood programs in several Northern Virginia jurisdictions to discuss, learn, grow, and celebrate fatherhood. Learn more.
Monthly Foster Care Information Meeting
Tuesday, June 13, 2025
6:45-8:30 p.m.
Are you curious 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. 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. The full 2025 meeting schedule and additional information are available online. Check it out and share it with others who might be interested.
“Drive In” Movie Night in Fairfax, VA hosted by Foster the Family D.C.
Saturday, June 14
5-8 p.m.
3901 Rugby Rd
Fairfax, VA
Join Foster the Family D.C. for its first family event of the summer! This indoor, "drive-in" movie night featuring “Cars” includes snacks and popcorn. View more details and sign up here by June 11.
SAVE THE DATE Summer Family Picnic hosted by Formed Families Forward
Friday, Aug. 1
5-7 p.m.
1315 Ross Dr. SW
Vienna, VA, 22180
Families are invited to participate in a community service project followed by a BBQ dinner. Southside Park features a playground and nature trails. After dinner, kids will enjoy some fun entertainment surprises! **New this year** teens will participate in a special activity: “Thinking Outside of the Box & Into the Future.” Participating teens (13 and older) will receive an Amazon gift card! 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.
Sunday, June 1, 7:30-9 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Monday, June 9, 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, June. 6.
- Prince William County, Register Here
- Fairfax County, Register Here
- Montgomery County, Register Here
- Virtual Support Group, Email to be added to the list
- Alexandria, VA on June 10: Register Here (*No childcare available yet!)
Wednesday, June 18, 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 Fostering Futures?
Answer: In Virginia, the 2016 Appropriations Act (item 346 #3c) authorized the extension of foster care to up to age 21, in a program known as Fostering Futures, for youth who reach age 18 on or after July 1, 2016 and:
- Were in foster care at the time they turned 18 years old but have not yet turned 21.
- Were released from Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) between ages 18 and 21 and who were in foster care in custody of a Virginia LDSS immediately prior to the commitment to DJJ.
Youth must meet at least one of these five criteria to continue to be eligible for the program:
- Completing secondary education or in a GED program;
- Enrolled in college or a vocational program;
- Attending classes to promote employment or remove barriers to employment
- Working at least 80 hours per month; or
- Unable to meet one of the four conditions above due to a documented medical reason.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
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