Department of Family Services

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
Michael A. Becketts
Director

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Community Corner

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Welcome to the Department of Family Services' Community Corner. Our weekly newsletter, updated each Wednesday, provides information about upcoming events, parenting and wellness tips, programs and services, and more! Share these helpful posts with your family and friends.

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Do you need to sign up for Medicare? Medicare 101 Workshops, led by the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), are for individuals and their care partners who will soon be eligible for Medicare or have Medicare and would like to learn more about it. Register for a Medicare 101 workshop, offered virtually or in-person. In-person workshops have limited seating. Registration is required. Learn more.

What is ageism?
Ageism is judging people based on their age—through stereotypes, prejudice, or discrimination. It assumes age defines someone’s worth or abilities, yet aging is something we all share. 

Myth: Avoiding aging will make me happier and healthier. 

Reality: Negative views on aging can lower quality of life and even shorten your lifespan by 7.5 years.

Aging is a universal, rich journey—one that can unite us when we overcome ageism and embrace its opportunities for connection and growth. Let's build a society that works for every generation! Learn more.

We recognize our Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program on Oct. 9 for their dedication and advocacy on behalf of people receiving long-term care services. In addition to helping to resolve complaints against long-term care providers, the ombudsmen provide information to help consumers make informed decisions. Our volunteer ombudsmen visit residents in assisted living and nursing homes and provide counseling to help them resolve their concerns. For more information about the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program call 703-324-5861, TTY 711 or visit the Ombudsman webpage.

National Coming Out Day, a day dedicated to honoring the bravery of LGBTQIA+ individuals who decide to come out and live openly, is Saturday, October 11. Coming out is often the first step toward living authentically. Take time to support and help those in your life who have chosen to come out, and check the Human Rights Campaign's Coming Out Resources Center for information about living openly.

Learn more about how Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Are you curious about becoming a foster parent? Hundreds of children in Fairfax County need a temporary loving home until they can safely return to their families. Our next virtual information meeting is by invitation only on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 6:45 p.m. Complete this short interest form for prospective parents. For more information check out our website.

Join facilitators from the Parenting Education Programs and the Father Engagement Unit Tuesday, October 14, 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss how parents can set aside their differences and work together to create a nurturing and stable environment where their children can thrive. Any Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old can join through MS Teams. For more information or to preregister, email or call 703-324-7720.

Caregiving during the holidays can cause an already full schedule to overflow. Join ElderLink’s October support call from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. to share ideas and tips for navigating the holiday season with more joy and less stress. Register or call the ElderLink Intake Line, 703-324-5374. Learn more about ElderLink.

Join us for #PurpleOut on Thursday, October 16. Wear purple to show your support for survivors of domestic violence; take a selfie or picture with your team and share it on social media using the #PurpleOut hashtag (tag Fairfax County Department of Family Services on Facebook); and email your photos to Abby Picard. You may see your photos shared on the Fairfax County website!

Are you age 50 or older and looking for employment opportunities? Attend JCA’s free virtual 50+ Employment Expo on Thursday, October 16 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.! Attend workshops designed to help you during your job search and to hear from area employers who are age-friendly and hiring. Register.  

Join the DSV Community (8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Government Center Forum and Board Auditorium, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035) as we celebrate the previous year’s achievements and recommit to the work until everyone is safe. Enjoy a networking breakfast, hear a motivational speech from our keynote, and heap praise on our DV Community Award winners. For more information, contact Stacy Ziebell.

The Fairfax Area Disability Services Board invites residents with disabilities and family caregivers to attend a virtual community forum on Monday, October 20 from 7-8:30 p.m. to identify gaps in service, challenges, and/or concerns related to housing in Fairfax County, City of Falls Church, and City of Fairfax. The information collected will be shared with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to inform county officials on how to improve housing for persons with disabilities in the future. Register to attend. Learn more about Disability Rights and Resources.

Take advantage of free, convenient, confidential, and safe disposal of unused or expired medications during Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Learn more.

Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is looking for a few good volunteers! Sign up to learn about DSVS, the services the division provides and the population it serves. Discover how volunteers can contribute to the DSVS mission and the application process. Orientation is free but registration is required. Multiple dates, starting Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, are available. Choose the one that works best for you. Interested in volunteering for Domestic and Sexual Violence Services but not quite ready to sign up for orientation? Contact Volunteer Manager Caroline Croghan.

If you want to make a difference for a child and you are available on the weekends, our BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring program may be the opportunity for you. You can even work around your schedule to spend time with your mentee. Build up a child’s social skills, increase their self-esteem, and help them overcome challenges through fun enrichment activities. Mentors are needed now! The next training for new mentors will take place virtually on Saturday, November 8 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn more or start the application process now! 

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CHECK OUT OLDER POSTS!

The Department of Family Services’ Adult and Aging Division is excited to welcome the Silver Shield Anti-Scam Campaign as a new addition to its programs. Housed within the Volunteer Solutions unit, the program will continue its mission of educating older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers about scams and how to avoid them. With this move, the name will change to the Silver Shield Anti-Scam Program.

Launched in 2017 by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the campaign initially focused on addressing a rise in home improvement scams. As scams became more frequent and costly, the initiative expanded to cover a wide variety of fraudulent schemes impacting the community. Over the past eight years, the program has reached residents through community presentations and resource-sharing at local events. The annual Scam Jam event, a collaboration with AARP Virginia, brings together experts in law enforcement, finance, and consumer protection to educate the community. For more information visit the Silver Shield Anti-Scam Program website.

Starting October 1, 2025, SNAP participants will need to show proof of dependent care, housing (shelter), and medical costs when applying for or renewing SNAP benefits. Until now, participants could just tell us these expenses, but now we need documents to prove them. This change applies to new applications, renewals, and interim reports. Providing proof of expenses helps us make sure everyone gets the right amount of SNAP benefits. If you don’t share this proof, we can’t count those expenses, which could reduce the benefits you qualify for. Learn more and help us spread the word about this important SNAP change.

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newsletter graphicFoster Family News for Current and Potential Fairfax County Foster Parents – October 2025

Our monthly Foster Family Newsletter shares resources and experiences relevant to foster and adoptive parents, children in care, and the resource workers who support them. Check out the October 2025 newsletter. This month we focus on kinship heroes, the kinship symposium, and the youth survey.

newsletter graphicGolden Gazette Newsletter Covers a Variety of Topics Concerning Older Adults and Caregivers in Fairfax County

Check out the October 2025 Golden Gazette, featuring Elaine Miletta, who has worked to improve the lives of animals for five decades. You’ll also learn about the Fairfax Lions Club, Fairfax County’s Adult Day Health Care program, and more.

newsletter graphicThe Volunteer Post Newsletter

We have many wonderful volunteers and donors helping children and families in Fairfax County. Our Volunteer Post Newsletter provides a glimpse into the many ways to get involved in making a difference and supporting families in our community. Check out the September 2025 issue for the launch of the Adopt-A-Family Holiday program, meet our new interns, and see what an incredible summer our programs had.

newsletter graphicVolunteer Voices Newsletter

Catch up with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ volunteers in the October 2025 Volunteer Voices. Meet management analyst Simrat Grewal and Hotline volunteer Lynne Shapiro; find out how to participate in the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Community Quilt Project; and start our serial review of Netflix’s Emmy-winning “Adolescence.” Plus, get the scoop on how the Volunteer and Community Partnership Network works for all Department of Family Services volunteers; sign up for trainings; and more!

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Department of Family Services logoThe Department of Family Services (DFS) promotes the well-being of the County's diverse community by protecting and improving the lives of children, adults and families through supportive services, education and advocacy.

Fairfax County Health and Human Services LogoThis Department of Family Services agency is a part of the Fairfax County Health & Human Services System (HHS). The HHS System is a network of county agencies and community partners that support the well-being of all who live, work and play in Fairfax County.

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