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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Check out the new series of caregiver webinars presented in Spanish during September on a variety of topics:

  • Sept.19 – Present! A Latino History of the United States
  • Sept. 25 – Investment Fraud for Caregivers

Register for Caregiver Webinars in Spanish. Learn about programs and resources for older adults.

Through the use of an immersive training platform from Embodied Labs, you will “see through the eyes” of older adults who are facing real-life challenges to their well-being. In this session offered by ElderLink, participants will learn to effectively navigate challenges related to caregiver burnout, intervention and de-escalation, and trauma-informed care in 3 unique scenarios. The session runs from 12-1:15 p.m. Register to receive an email with a MS Teams link for the session. Learn more about ElderLink.

This webinar will educate caregivers about the basics of Parkinson's disease, including its symptoms, stages, and potential progression. Join specialty care physician Mick B. Reedy, MD, board certified in neurology and a fellowship-trained movement disorders specialist at Inova as he shares insights into what to expect at different stages of the disease and how to adapt caregiving strategies accordingly. This webinar is scheduled from 12-1 p.m. and is hosted by the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging. Register here.

Learn more about resources for family caregivers and older adults. 

Are you navigating the ups and downs of parenting a teenager? Join us for free in-person parenting classes starting Monday, Sept. 22, designed for parents of teens ages 12-18 years old. Gain tools to better communicate with your teen, understand their developmental needs, and build their self-esteem. Discover how you can strengthen your family bonds and feel confident in your parenting! Classes are held from 5:30-8 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church in Alexandria. To sign up or for more information, contact us by email or call 703-324-7720. Learn more.

Dads, enhance your parenting skills and strengthen your relationships with your children by joining our upcoming class, offered in Spanish. Our FREE Dads Parenting Groups have helped many fathers build their relationship with their kids. This virtual 12-week course is open to fathers if they or their children live in Fairfax County. The Dads Parenting Group begins Monday, Sept. 22, from 6-8:30 p.m. Call 703-324-7720 or email us for more information or you can visit https://bit.ly/DFS-FE to apply online.

This parenting class is for parents and caregivers to share, learn, and find support with raising African American children. Families have a safe space to grow in their parenting skills, explore resources and share wisdom with one another. Open to Fairfax County parents or guardians, this class will be held in person starting Wednesday, Sept. 24 at Gum Springs Community Center in Alexandria. The class meets every Wednesday from 5:30-8 p.m. Ready to sign-up or have questions? Contact us by email or call 703-324-7720. Learn more about the variety of parenting classes available.

If you have kids ages 12-18 years old, don't miss out on free virtual parenting classes offered in Spanish. Starting Sept. 29, join us every Monday from 6-8 p.m. through Dec. 15, 2025. You’ll learn valuable strategies for communication, how to recognize your teen’s needs, and ways to help them develop confidence and character. To sign up or for more information, contact us by email or call 703-324-7720. Learn more.

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.

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CHECK OUT OLDER POSTS!

Quilting and art have long been integral to the movement to end sexual and domestic violence. Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is collecting quilt blocks created by the community with the theme of Crafting Healthy Relationships. The finished quilt will be displayed in Fairfax County Public Libraries in 2026. Find out how to host your own event or join one in the community.

Fidelita Levy came to the United States in 1962 to help meet the country’s need for nurses. After marrying her husband, she became a U.S. citizen and raised a family. For many years, Levy worked in communities all over the country, taking care of sick and injured people and teaching the next generation of nurses. At her last job with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General, she investigated healthcare issues to make sure veterans got the best possible care. One of her final investigations even led to the discovery of a serial killer. Read more about Fidelita Levy’s life and work in the September issue of the Golden Gazette. 

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newsletter graphicFoster Family News for Current and Potential Fairfax County Foster Parents – August 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 September 2025 newsletter. This month we focus on a graduation celebration, community projects, and an upcoming review.

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

Check out the September 2025 Golden Gazette, featuring Fidelita Levy, who first came to the U.S. in 1962 to fulfill a critical need for nurses. Since then, she’s raised a family and enjoyed a successful career caring for and protecting the sick and injured. You’ll also learn about nutrients that support eye health, how to reduce your risk of falling, 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 September 2025 Volunteer Voices. Meet Margarita Hernandez, the newest ADAPT team member; learn about the collaboration between DSVS and HACAN; get fall self-care tips; see where Northern Virginia volunteers rank in the country; and read our review of Hulu’s Call Me Alex and Armchair Expert: Alex Cooper’s Story. Plus, sign up for trainings; give your brain a workout; help fellow September babies blow out candles; 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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