The Department of Family Services offers free services to help families develop important skills to grow healthy relationships with their children.
.png)
Fairfax County is observing Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, and our theme is “Our Future Matters – Stronger Families, Thriving Community.” This April we’re sharing about the five protective factors that help reduce family stress, trauma, and adversity, as well as practical tips and strategies to help parents and caregivers deal successfully with life’s challenges and create a nurturing environment for their children. Help spread the word and find out how to get involved.
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
TBD
Interested and ready to participate in an ARC Reflections class? Contact Parenting Education by email, phone at 703-324-7720 or contact the name listed in the class information.
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)
6/11/25 - 8/27/25 Wednesdays 6-8 p.m.
This class will be held virtually.
Tierra Graham 571-407-6639
Agustina Bravo 703-324-7196
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.
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
5/14/25 – 8/27/25 Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. (Spanish)
This class will be held virtually.
Erika Rincon Diaz 703-324-5004
5/21/25 -8/27/25 Wednesdays 5:30-8 p.m.
Main Street Child Dev. Center
4401 Sideburn Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
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)
5/22/25-8/28/25 Thursdays 6-8 p.m.
This class will be held virtually.
Brandon Rivers 571-992-4938
Taja McBath 571-279-1344
6/9/25 - 9/15/25 Mondays 5:30-8 p.m. (Spanish)
St. Christopher's Episcopal Church
6320 Hanover Avenue
Springfield, VA 22150
Agustina Bravo 703-324-7196
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
6/9/25 – 8/25/25 Mondays 5:30-8 p.m.
Fairfax Church of Christ
3901 Rugby Road
Fairfax, VA 22033
Sammy Zeballos 703-324-3532
Brandon Rivers 571-992-4938
6/16/25 -9/8/25 Mondays 6-8 p.m. (Spanish)
This class will be held virtually.
Alba Quinones 703-324-7310
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 703-324-7720
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Parent Support Line is a great resource for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-18 years old. Staff can help with parenting advice, support, and tips to help navigate emotional and relational parenting issues. Language support is available. Our support team is available to answer your questions.
Virtual Parent Cafés are a great way for parents to learn from each other as they grow in their parenting skills. The next free Virtual Parent Café will be held Tuesday, May. 13, 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss Parenting in the Hispanic Culture. The facilitators will lead an open discussion in Spanish about the cross-cultural challenges many parents face when raising their children in a diverse environment. The discussion will explore the common issue of trying to instill respect for Hispanic culture and values while balancing conflicting cultural influences that children encounter through media, peers, etc. Any Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old can join in through MS Teams at https://bit.ly/4i6cQc1 and use passcode: h5Jy6ng3. For more information or to preregister, email 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.
The Keys to Success for Families
No one can take all the stress out of parenting, but it can be manageable if you build up the five protective factors that help families thrive. Learn more about these keys to success including ways to bounce back during adversity, social connections, seeking community resources, learning about child development, and social emotion learning.
A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children Navigate the Digital World
Online media is a big part of young people's lives, and it can have both positive and negative effects on their mental health. By modeling and encouraging positive online experiences, openly communicating with your children, setting age-appropriate boundaries, and keeping an eye out for warning signs, parents and caregivers can prepare young people to navigate the digital world in a healthy way. Learn more.
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 sessions in English start Tuesday Feb. 4, 2025 and the next sessions in Spanish begin Wednesday Feb. 5, 2025. All 13 week sessions are virtual 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.
