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

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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Join Bonnie O’Leary from the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons, as she shares information about hearing loss as a disability, the types and causes of hearing loss, how to recognize it, and its similarities to early-onset dementia. She will also discuss myths surrounding hearing aids and cochlear implants, and the emotional and psychological impact late-onset hearing loss can have on seniors. This presentation hosted by the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging will also teach caregivers about the speaker/listener/environment/message components of communication and what can be controlled in listening situations to make communication easier. Learn about helpful tools, personal amplifiers, and tips and information on effective communication strategies. This presentation is scheduled from 12-1 p.m. Register to receive an email with access instructions.

Join the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board (FA-DSB) April 21, 2025, from 7-8:30 p.m. for a virtual community forum to identify systemic gaps in service and/or barriers Fairfax County, City of Falls Church, and City of Fairfax residents with disabilities face with accessible transportation. Learn more and register

Join our Teen Advocates as they raise awareness about teen dating violence on Wednesday, April 23, from 6-8 p.m. at the James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church, VA 22042). This event, which will feature team-based competitions, cool prizes, and more, is free and open to Fairfax County teenagers and their families. Questions? Email Debra Miller.

Únete a nosotros para el evento de concursos de los Teen Advocates que será emocionante. Que: Violencia en el noviazgo entre adolescentes concurso de concientización. Cuando: miércoles, abril. 23, 2025, 6-8 p.m. Donde: Centro comunitario de James Lee, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church, VA 22042. Quien puede atender: Jóvenes de la edad 12-19 (¡Trae a tus amigos/amigas!). Para más información, contacta Noraybeth Nieto.

Join Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption for a special event in recognition of National Foster Care Month. Scheduled at the Lorton Library on April 29 from 5-7 p.m., social workers and community partners will come together to discuss how to make a difference for vulnerable children in our community. Whether you are simply curious to learn more or seriously considering becoming a foster parent, this meeting is the perfect chance to get all your questions answered. We’ll discuss the foster care system, the steps to become a foster parent, the life-changing rewards, and other ways to be involved. Register online.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about fraud prevention and the protection of older adults. Attend Scam Jam to explore resources from local government agencies and non-profit organizations. Hear from a former district attorney who has prosecuted more than 750 cases of elder abuse. Watch HOAP: Heroes of Adult Protection, a film that showcases the resilience of abuse victims and the dedicated efforts of Adult Protective Services employees and community members working together to protect vulnerable adults. Register for this FREE event. 

Calling all dads! Join our free virtual parenting group sessions beginning Tuesday, May 6. These 12-week sessions are specifically designed to support fathers in Fairfax County or those with children living in the area. Language interpretation services are available to ensure everyone can participate. Don't miss this opportunity to improve your parenting skills and build stronger relationships with your children. For more information, contact Bennie Herron at 703-324-7308 or visit https://bit.ly/DFS-FE to register.

Virginia Career Works Northern is bringing together employers from across Northern Virginia for a career fair on Friday, May 9th, 2025, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035).

Learn more about this event designed to connect local employers with a diverse pool of professional job seekers – that’s you!

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.

El próximo Café Virtual para Padres gratuito será el martes 13 de mayo, de 6:30 a 8 p. m., para hablar sobre la crianza de los hijos en la cultura hispana. Los facilitadores dirigirán una discusión abierta sobre los desafíos interculturales que enfrentan muchos padres al criar a sus hijos en un entorno diverso. La discusión explorará el problema común de tratar de inculcar el respeto por la cultura y los valores hispanos mientras se equilibran las influencias culturales conflictivas que los niños encuentran a través de los medios de comunicación, los compañeros, etc. Puede unirse en línea a través de Microsoft Teams at https://bit.ly/4i6cQc1, Contraseña: h5Jy6ng3. Para obtener más información, póngase en contacto con, BuildingStrongerFamilies@FairfaxCounty.gov o llame al 703-324-7720

Elevate the diet for yourself and those you care for with nutritious, delicious, and easy-to-prepare lunches. In this workshop hosted by the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging, Registered Dietician Nutritionist and Nutrition Supervisor Tori Gwilliam will share tips on how to enhance your health and well-being through balanced, flavorful meals. Find out how to use versatile, nutrient-dense ingredients to create a variety of lunch recipes. Join this workshop from 12-1 p.m. on Friday, May 16. Register to receive an email with access instructions. 

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CHECK OUT OLDER POSTS!

Do you know what to do when times are tough and budgets are tight? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Public Assistance and Employment Services operates financial and medical assistance that can help you afford essentials. Whether it’s help buying groceries, finding affordable medical care, or training and education to help you find a new job, we can help. Learn more about our services and consider sharing with a friend.

Fairfax County offers many services and resources for people living in our community to reduce social isolation and help them “age in place.” But sometimes, the demand for help exceeds what county staff can provide for clients who receive case management services. That’s where volunteers come in! Volunteer Solutions, a program within the Adult and Aging Division of the Department of Family Services, in partnership with Neighborhood and Community Services, connects volunteers with meaningful opportunities to improve the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers. Read how Volunteer Solutions is making a difference in the April issue of the Golden Gazette.

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newsletter graphicFoster Family News for Current and Potential Fairfax County Foster Parents – April 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 April 2025 newsletter. This month we focus on helping children navigate digital media, planning for summer camps, and child abuse prevention awareness.


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

Check out the April 2025 Golden Gazette, celebrating volunteers in our community during Volunteer Appreciation Month. The April issue also includes articles about Advance Care Planning, Spring Produce Picks, Hoarding Disorder, QR Code Scams, 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 March 2025 issue to learn about our Volunteer & Partner Appreciation Event, the MLK Jr. Day of Service 2025, and some opportunities to support local children and families. 


newsletter graphicVolunteer Voices Newsletter

Catch up with the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services volunteers in the April 2025 Volunteer Voices. The issue celebrates volunteers during Volunteer Appreciation Month, observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Arab American Heritage Month, and spends a day with youth prevention specialist Nora Nieto. Plus, find out who’s blowing out candles, watch the “I Ask” video series, learn all about wellness tourism, and more.

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stock photo of employeesJoin Us! Learn about job opportunities in the Department of Family Services.
Fairfax Virtual Assistant