Parenting Education Programs

DFS cares about the safety and well-being of individuals and families and we are still here for you. Although most of our services are not being provided in-person at this time, we continue to offer services online and by phone.

Skip the trip! Learn more about our Assistance from a Distance – the variety of services available to you without having to leave the safety of your home.

Stay connected with the Department of Family Services (DFS):

•  Follow our Facebook page (@FairfaxCountyFamilyServices).
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Get the most up-to-date information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Fairfax County.

The Parenting Education Programs is offering assistance from a distance with online parenting classes. If you are interested in registering for a virtual class, please check out the schedule below and email us with the age range you are interested in, 0-4 years, 5-11 years or 12-18 years, and a staff person will invite you to the next available online class. You can also contact us by phone by calling 703-324-7720.

Our classes meet the parent education guidelines developed by the Supreme Court of Virginia. If class requirements are completed, a certificate of completion is awarded during the last class.

Families enrolled in the in-person programs can relax knowing that each class includes child care and an evening meal for all participants. All family members have age appropriate instruction to help with building strong, positive, respectful relationships within the family.

Our classes meet the parent education guidelines developed by the Supreme Court of Virginia. If class requirements are completed, a certificate of completion is awarded during the last class.

“The program surpassed expectations, and I applied several methods and techniques that directly and positively impacted my relationships with my children and our overall home environment.”

“Great class and awesome facilitators. [The class] has helped my son and his behaviors have noticeably improved as a result of implementing the things we learned here into our lives.”

“This class was great! Everything that I learned and put into practice has worked. I have a better system with rules and consequences at home. All the techniques (negation, privileges, compliments) have helped me to have a better understanding and relationship with my kids. The classes have also helped my kids open up to me and understand our new routine of parenting with love.”

“I’m a new mom and I feel I’m doing a great job because of them (PEP).”

African American Parenting Classes Offered in English

The core curriculum is the same as the basic Parenting Education Programs but it also emphasizes how African American history has affected the parenting style for African Americans. This curriculum delves into African American history, culture, and traditions.

These African American culturally-focused classes are offered in English.

12-13 sessions (depending on the curriculum used)

There is no class at this time. Please check back again.

Interested and ready to participate in a class? Contact Parenting Education by email, phone at 703-324-7720 or contact the name listed in the class information.

0-4 Age Range Parenting Classes Offered in English and Spanish

Parents learn to recognize and understand feelings; nurturing parenting routines; infant massage; child development; and ways to foster positive self esteem in themselves and their children. Uses the Active Parenting Curriculum.

These classes are offered in English and Spanish.

14 sessions

10/15/20-2/11/21 Thursdays 6-8 p.m.
This class will be held virtually.
Janet Little 703-324-7501

2/1/21-5/3/21 Mondays 6-8 p.m. (Spanish)
This class will be held virtually.
Raiza Barraza 703-324-7745

Interested and ready to participate in a class? Contact Parenting Education by email, phone at 703-324-7720 or contact the name listed in the class information.

5-11 Age Range Parenting Classes Offered in English and Spanish

Parents and children learn to increase their empathy, discover new ways to encourage appropriate behaviors, build positive self-concept and self-esteem, and learn how to have fun as a family. Uses the Nurturing Parenting Curriculum. View the schedule of classes.

These classes are offered in English and Spanish.

13 sessions

8/24/20-12/7/20 Mondays 6-8 p.m.
This class will be held virtually.
Lisa Payne-Chesley 703-324-7734; Debi Hackney 703-324-7790

9/14/20-12/14/20 Mondays 6-8 p.m.
This class will be held virtually.
Marcus Garr 703-324-7737

9/14/20-12/14/20 Mondays 6-8 p.m. (Spanish)
This class will be held virtually.
Mario Prada 703-324-7405; Alba Quinones 703-324-7310

10/13/20-2/2/21 Tuesdays 6-8 p.m.
This class will be held virtually.
Debi Hackney 703-324-7790

Interested and ready to participate in a class? Contact Parenting Education by email, phone at 703-324-7720 or contact the name listed in the class information.

12-18 Age Range Parenting Classes Offered in English and Spanish

Family members learn nurturing communication strategies, how to recognize each other’s needs, how to understand the developmental stages of adolescence, and ways to build their own personal power, self-concept and self-esteem. Uses the Active Parenting Curriculum for Spanish classes. Uses the Nurturing Parent Curriculum for English classes. View the schedule of classes.

These classes are offered in English and Spanish.

12 sessions

9/30/20-12/16/20 Wednesdays 6-8 p.m.
This class will be held virtually.
Marcus Garr 703-324-7737

Interested and ready to participate in a class? Contact Parenting Education by email, phone at 703-324-7720 or contact the name listed in the class information.

Find a community of support among other parents handling similar situations during these stressful times. Virtual Parent Cafés is a great way for parents to learn from each other as they grow in their parenting skills.

Topics include discipline, self-care, and family rules. All Virtual Parent Cafés are open to Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old.

Join us on:

• Mondays 7:45-9:15 p.m. for English speakers.
• Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m. for Spanish-speaking families.
• Thursdays 6:30-8 p.m. with an African American Cultural Focus.

Sign up by sending an email or call us at 703-324-7720 at least one business day before the Parent Café. We look forward to you joining us!

Learn more about this community of support for parents handling similar situations during these stressful times.

After taking a hiatus during this season of social distancing, Kinship Cafés are back in a virtual format. 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 to discuss topics such as discipline, self-care, and family rules. You can also find out about community resources that you may not have known existed.

Virtual Kinship Cafés are scheduled Wednesdays, Sept. 23 and Oct. 28, 6:30-8 p.m.

Sign up for a Kinship Café by sending an email or call 703-324-7720 at least one business day before the Kinship Café. We look forward to you joining us!

Are you raising a child for a family member or friend? If you answered “yes,” you are a kinship caregiver, and you are not alone.

Support groups provide encouragement and foster a sense of community among kinship caregivers. Groups have moved to a virtual format meeting on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8 p.m. For more information or to participate, send an email or call 703-324-7720.

2020 Dates
Sept. 1
Sept. 15
Oct. 6
Oct. 20
Nov. 3|
Nov. 17
Dec. 1
Dec. 15