The Department of Family Services offers free services to help families develop important skills to grow healthy relationships with their children.
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).”
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
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)
9/24/25 -12/17/25 Wednesdays 5:30-8p.m.
Gum Springs Community Center
8100 Fordson Road
Alexandria, VA 22306
Tierra Graham 571-407-6639
Taja McBath 571-279-1344
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.
13 sessions
9/9/25 - 12/2/25 Tuesdays 6-8:30 p.m.
12011 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax VA 22035
Lisa Payne-Chesley 571-749-7286
9/24/25 - 12/17/25 Wednesdays 6-8:30 p.m. (Spanish)
This class will be held virtually.
Mercedes Alonso 571-373-1674
Sammy Zeballos 703-324-3532
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
9/3/25 - 12/17/25 Wednesdays 6-8 p.m.
This class will be held virtually.
Agustina Bravo 703-324-7737
9/8/25 - 12/08/25 Mondays 5:30-8 p.m. (Spanish)
ACCA Child Development Center
7200 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA 22003
Sammy Zeballos 703-324-3532
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)
9/2/25 - 12/9/25 Tuesdays 5:30-8 p.m.
This class will be held virtually.
Tierra Graham 571-407-6639
9/3/25 - 12/10/25 Wednesdays 5:30-8 p.m. (Spanish)
Messiah United Methodist Church
6215 Rolling Road
Springfield, VA 22152
Erika Rincon Diaz 703-324-5004
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
9/29/25 - 12/15/25 Mondays 6-8 p.m. (Spanish)
This class will be held virtually.
Alba Quinones 703-324-7310
10/6/25 - 12/15/25 Mondays 5:30-8 p.m.
St. Christopher's Episcopal Church
6320 Hanover Avenue
Springfield, VA 22150
Agustina Bravo 703-324-7737
Brandon Rivers 571-992-4938
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.
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.
The next free Virtual Parent Café will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss “Positive Co-Parenting – Working as a Team for Your Child’s Wellbeing.” We’ll cover how parents can set aside their differences and work together to create a nurturing and stable environment where their children can thrive. Facilitators from the Parenting Education Programs and the Father Engagement Unit will lead the discussion. Any Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old can join through MS Teams at https://bit.ly/DFS-Parent-Cafe-2025. For more information or to preregister, email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-7720.
Parenting Tips and ResourcesAccess more parenting information articles, videos and more! Sign-up below to receive our monthly email newsletter with Parenting Information and resources.
Back-to-School Routines for a Calmer Year
As the new school year approaches, many families return to (or create) routines to help their children stay on track and thrive. The start of the school year is a great time to establish routines, but don’t worry, it’s never too late! Get some tips provided by our Parenting Education Programs staff!
Family Resources for a Fun, Safe & Healthy Summer
Having a fun and healthy summer begins with small steps. Set clear expectations with your kids, talk openly with them, and teach them ways to handle challenges. Check out these resources to help you prepare your kids for anything from sunburn– to –peer pressure– to– minor emergencies.
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.
Free Parenting Classes Grow Healthy Relationships
Don't just take it from us! Hear from our recent parenting class graduates about how our classes have helped them to improve their parenting skills and build healthy relationships with their children. Our free classes are open to anyone residing in Fairfax County who wants to learn about positive and effective ways to interact with their children at every age and stage of development from birth to adolescence. Check out the video.
Relevant and Helpful Topics for Fathers
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.
Through each Pocket Dad video, our Father Engagement team members talk about relevant and helpful topics. Check out the current and past videos.
Check out our upcoming Dads Parenting Groups to enhance your fathering skills. The next 13-week session begins Tuesday, September 9, 2025, in-person at 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax VA, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Volunteer with the Parenting Education Programs
Opportunities include:
Facilitating parenting sessions.
Providing a location for classes.
Preparing or serving a meal for participants.
Helping to promote the classes in the community.
Learn more about opportunities.
