Department Resources

Related Resources

Parenting Education Programs

Translate this page into a different language.

Parenting Education Programs (PEP)

The Department of Family Services offers free services to help families develop important skills to grow healthy relationships with their children.

Parenting Education Classes
Parent Support Line
Parent Cafés (Virtual Support Groups)
Parenting 101 Videos
Parenting Tips and Resources (Sign up for our Newsletter)
Volunteer with the Parenting Education Programs

Parenting Education Classes

These free classes teach positive and effective ways parents can interact with their children at every age and stage of development. They help families to:

Understand what to expect from children at different developmental stages and ages (0-18 years).
Build strong, positive, respectful relationships between all family members.
Take charge of their own feelings and behaviors, and communicate in non-threatening ways.
Handle stress and anger better, and find alternatives for yelling and spanking.

About Virtual Classes

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.

About In-Person Classes

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).”

ARC Reflections provides caregivers with tools to help children and teens learn to regulate themselves, feel connected, and build strengths.

These classes are offered in English and Spanish.

9-10 sessions

Classes

Offered by referral only

African American Culturally-Focused 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 for parenting children 5-18 years old are offered in English.

12-13 sessions (depending on the curriculum used)

Classes

9/23/2026 - 12/16/2026 Wednesdays 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
This class will be held virtually.
Tierra Graham 571-407-6639

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

Fathers, like mothers, play a significant role in their children’s psychological and emotional development. Positive father involvement contributes directly to children’s well-being, safety and stability. Dads Parenting Groups use the 24/7 Dad™ curriculum to focus on helping fathers to improve self-awareness, self-care, parenting skills and relationship skills.

View the schedule of classes. These classes are offered in English and Spanish.

12 sessions

Classes

9/8/26 - 11/24/26 Tuesdays 6-8:30 p.m.
Pennino Building
12011 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Elizabeth Martinez 703-704-6477

9/9/26 - 11/25/26 Wednesdays 6-8:30 p.m. (Spanish)
This class will be held virtually.
Elizabeth Martinez 703-704-6477

Interested and ready to participate in a Dads Parenting Group? Contact Father Engagement by email, phone at 703-324-7720 or contact the name listed in the class information. Learn more about our Father Engagement program.

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.

16 sessions

Classes

9/14/26 – 12/14/26 Mondays 5:30–8 p.m. (Spanish)
ACCA Child Development Center
7200 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA 22003
Sammy Zeballos 703-324-3532

9/14/26 – 12/16/26 Mondays 6–8 p.m.
This class will be held virtually.
Taja McBath 571-279-1344

Interested and ready to participate in a class for parenting children ages 0-4? Call the Parenting Support Line 703-324-7720 to be added to the waitlist.

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.

13-16 sessions (depending on the curriculum used)

Classes

9/2/26 – 12/9/26 Wednesdays 6–8 p.m.
This class will be held virtually.
Sammy Zeballos 703-324-3532

9/3/26 – 12/10/26 Thursdays 5:30–8 p.m.
Grace Presbyterian Church
7434 Bath Street
Springfield, VA 22150
Tierra Graham 571-407-6639

9/9/26 – 12/16/26 Wednesdays 6–8 p.m. (Spanish)
This class will be held virtually.
Agustina Bravo 703-324-7737

Interested and ready to participate in a class for parenting children ages 5-11? 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

Classes

9/24/26 – 12/17/26 Thursdays 6–8 p.m.
This class will be held virtually.
Brandon Rivers 571-992-4938

9/28/26 – 12/14/26 Mondays 5:30–8 p.m. (Spanish)
Messiah United Methodist Church
6215 Rolling Road
Springfield, VA 22152
Agustina Bravo 703-324-7737

Interested and ready to participate in a class for parenting children ages 12-18? Contact Parenting Education by email, phone at 703-324-7720 or contact the name listed in the class information.

Parent Support Line – We Are Here to Support You

Call 703-324-7720
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Parenting can be tough! It’s okay to ask for help. Talk with trained parenting specialists for guidance on a wide range of topics including the stages of child development (0-18 years), reducing parental stress, strengthening the parent-child bond, and accessing community resources. The PSL is a trusted resource for parents and caregivers across different social, financial, and educational backgrounds, and parenting styles. Anyone who works with children is also welcome to call with questions or concerns. Language support is available.

Free Parent Cafés: Virtual Support Groups

Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Free Virtual Parent Café: Body Safety

Join this Virtual Parent Café discussion about our Body Safety Program, which teaches children age-appropriate skills to recognize unsafe situations, set boundaries, and seek help from trusted adults. We’ll share what students learn in class, how we discuss safety in a supportive, non-scary way, and how to reinforce these lessons at home. You’ll gain practical tools for talking with your children about body safety and helping them feel comfortable bringing up this sensitive topic. Any Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old can join us Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Register online or for more information, email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-7720.

Fathers Building Up Children and Community

This June, we are reflecting on the ways fathers help shape the lives of children and the strength of our neighborhoods. The more involved fathers are in their communities, the more their impact ripples out from their families throughout society. If you’ve ever wondered why fathers matter, how their community involvement makes a difference, or what are some simple steps fathers can take at home and in their neighborhoods, check out this article.

Want to Reduce Your Kids’ Screen Time? Fix Your Own Tech Boundaries

Children’s screen time is a concern for many parents in our parenting education classes. Easy access to online technology in a child’s pocket, backpack or bedroom invites them to spend time on their devices day and night. Parents might not be aware of just how much your own screen use shapes your children and teens’ habits. Check out some tips for forming a better family-wide approach to setting tech boundaries.

Can I Leave My Child Home Alone?
(¿Puedo dejara mi hijo solo en casa? Directrices de Supervisión Infantil)

Families are preparing for summer, and for many that means deciding how to provide proper care and supervision for their children while school is on summer break. It's important for families to be aware of some guidelines regarding the safe supervision of their children. Since every child is different, parents must assess each child based on their maturity, skills, and comfort level to be home alone for any period of time. Our Child Supervision Guidelines can help.

Department of Family Services – Children, Youth and Families

Department of Family Services Alert:

Department Resources

Related Resources

Parenting Education Programs

Parenting Education Programs (PEP)

Parenting Education Classes

Video - Overview of Parenting Education Classes

Parent Support Line – We Are Here to Support You

Free Parent Cafés: Virtual Support Groups

Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Free Virtual Parent Café: Body Safety

Parenting 101 Video

Parenting Tips and Resources

Recent Interactions

Ask Fairfax

Related Resources

Department of Family Services – Children, Youth and Families

Department of Family Services Alert:

Department Resources

Related Resources

Parenting Education Programs

Parenting Education Programs (PEP)

Parenting Education Classes

About Virtual and In-Person Classes

Participants' Testimonials

ARC Reflections Classes

African American Culturally-Focused Parenting Classes Offered in English

Dads Parenting Groups Offered in English and Spanish

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

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

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

Video - Overview of Parenting Education Classes

Parent Support Line – We Are Here to Support You

Free Parent Cafés: Virtual Support Groups

Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Free Virtual Parent Café: Body Safety

Parenting 101 Video

Parenting Tips and Resources

Recent Interactions

Ask Fairfax

Related Resources