Department of Family Services – Children, Youth and Families

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
703-324-7500 TTY 711
12011 Government Center Parkway, Pennino Building
Fairfax, VA 22035
Oriane Eriksen
Director

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Parenting Education Programs

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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.

Building Stronger Families: Solid Foundations for Family Well-being

In 2026, Fairfax County is recognizing National Child Abuse Prevention Month with the theme “Building Stronger Families: Solid Foundations for Family Well-being.” Just like a house, families need a strong foundation to thrive. Love forms the walls and roof, but other factors—such as a strong support system, a social network, community resources, parenting knowledge, self-care, and empathy—help keep everything stable. These family protective factors support the safety and well-being of children. It also reminds us that everyone needs support at different times in their lives. Learn more.

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

father and mother holding baby - all smilingThe 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

1/27/26 – 4/28/26 Tuesdays 6-8 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.

Dad’s Parenting GroupsFathers, 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

2/10/26 – 5/5/26 Tuesdays 6-8:30 p.m.
This class will be held virtually. 
Lisa Payne-Chesley 571-749-7286

3/11/26 – 5/27/26 Wednesdays 6-8:30 p.m.
Location TBD
Lisa Payne-Chesley 571-279-7286
Brandon Rivers 571-992-4938

4/7/26 – 6/30/26 Tuesdays 6-8:30 p.m. (Spanish)
Location TBD  
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

mother holding up infant childParents 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

1/27/26 – 5/26/26 Tuesdays 5:30-8 p.m. 
St Luke’s Episcopal Church
8009 Fort Hunt Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22308
Taja McBath 571-279-1344

2/4/26 – 5/20/26 Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. (Spanish)
This class will be held virtually.
Erika Rincon Diaz 703-324-5004 


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

mother sitting with child smilingParents 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

2/11/26 – 5/27/26 Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. (Spanish)
This class will be held virtually.
Agustina Bravo 703-324-7196 

2/12/26 – 5/28/26 Thursdays 5:30-8 p.m.
Grace Presbyterian Church
7434 Bath Street
Springfield, VA 22150
Tierra Graham 571-407-6639
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

father and son being silly with soccer ballFamily 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

2/2/26 – 5/4/26 Mondays 6-8 p.m. 
This class will be held virtually.   
Taja McBath 571-279-1344
Brandon Rivers 571-992-4938
 

2/23/26 – 5/18/26 Mondays 5:30-8 p.m. (Spanish)
Fairfax Church of Christ
3901 Rugby Road 
Fairfax, VA 22033
Alba Quinones 703-324-7310
Agustina Bravo 703-324-7196

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.

Video - Overview of Parenting Education Classes

The Department of Family Services offers FREE parenting classes virtually and in-person throughout Fairfax County. Parenting Education Programs help develop healthy parenting strategies, build upon families’ strengths, and support respectful relationships. Dinner, child care, and program materials are provided.

 

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Parent Support Line – We Are Here to Support You

two parents and two young children playing with toy carsCall 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. 

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Free Virtual Parent Café: The Power of Play in Parenting

Join the next free Virtual Parent Café, Tuesday, Apr. 14, 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss “The Power of Play in Parenting.” Play is the language of children and as parents we can increase our connection with children by joining them in it. Children of all ages experience greater confidence, fewer behavioral issues, and improved mental health when caregivers use the power of play in their daily interactions with them. Join us for this presentation by Greater Richmond SCAN to learn more about the importance of play and how to incorporate it in your interactions with your children. Any Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old can register online at https://bit.ly/DFS-Parent-Cafe-2026. For more information, email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-7720.

 

 

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Parenting 101 Video

Check out our video series Parenting 101. Parenting Education Programs' Natalie Bailey answers your most pressing frequently asked parenting questions about discipline, self-care, family routines and more!

Check back for new videos. Catch-up on all of the Parenting 101 videos.

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Parenting Resources

Parenting Tips and Resources

Access more parenting information articles, videos and more!

 

Email Updates

To receive our monthly email newsletter with Parenting Information and resources or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your contact information below.

Supporting Children After Violence is in the News

If you feel bad about what is in the news and you are having trouble talking about it, it’s likely that children are struggling too. We offer some advice on how their trauma might show up and how to respond to create feelings of safety despite the scary or violent things in the media. Learn more.

The Secret for Nurturing Cooperation and Confidence

Wondering how to get children to help more around the house, do their homework without a battle, and go to bed on time? Check out the advice from our parenting education facilitators to prevent power struggles and promote motivation. Learn more. 

mother child with cell phone in living roomWant 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? 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.

Pocket Dad video graphic logoRelevant 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. 

volunteer adults and kidsVolunteer 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.

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