Welcome to the Department of Family Services' Community Corner, where you’ll find timely information about upcoming events, parenting and wellness tips, programs and services, and more! Share these helpful posts with your friends and family.

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La Tika Jeffery 2020 Adoption Excellence Award Honoree

We're delighted that Fairfax County Youth Advocate La Tika Jeffery was recognized as a 2020 Adoption Excellence Award Honoree at the Children's Bureau's online celebration of National Adoption Month! As a member of the AdoptUSKids speakers bureau and our Youth Advocate program, La Tika shares her story with great courage and vulnerability in a way that impacts each of her audiences and mentees. Check out the portion of the awards ceremony on YouTube featuring La Tika. Learn more about her accomplishments in this Foster Family News article.

Free Virtual Workshop Six-Week Series: Diabetes Self-Management Program Starts Wednesday, Jan. 20 Between 1:30-3:30 pm.

Fairfax County's Virtual Diabetes Self-Management Program is a free six-week group interactive workshop series for individuals interested in learning how to live better by effectively managing their pre-diabetes or diabetes. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Caregivers are welcome to join! Space is limited and registration is required. Learn more information about this workshop series and register. 

Free Virtual Parent Café – Spanish Speakers Wednesday, Jan. 20 Between 7-8:30 p.m.

Virtual Parent Cafés are a great way for parents to learn from each other as they grow in their parenting skills. All Parent Cafés are open to Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old.

Sign up by sending an email or call 703-324-7720 to register at least one business day before the Parent Café date. Learn more about Virtual Parent Cafés and check out future dates.

Laid Off or Furloughed from an Airport-Related Job Because of COVID-19? We Can Help!

If you’ve been laid off or furloughed due to the reduction in air travel and associated industries (like airport stores, car rentals, etc.), DFS can help! Partnering with the Virginia Career Works (VCW)-Northern and the Alexandria/Arlington Regional Workforce Council to offer Northern Virginia Airports Rapid Response Layoff Services, the DFS team can provide free employment assistance to meet job seekers unique needs. Learn more about who qualifies for these services and what's included in the employment assistance services.

Free Employment and Training Webinar: Reentry 101: Employment Basics – Don’t Let Your Past Impact Your Future! Thursday, Jan 21. at 2:30 p.m.

Do you have previous offenses that are making it hard to find a job? If you answered yes, then we can help! Learn more and register.

Charting a Course for the New Year with No Regrets

Along with New Year’s resolutions, January often brings back memories—especially the moments that make you happy and proud. For Debra Tinker, wife, mother, teacher, veteran, psychologist, editor, and dancer, reflecting on life’s achievements and understanding that you are responsible for your own happiness moves her forward in an already full life. Learn about Debra's story.

Free Dementia Friendly Fairfax Webinar Series Fridays, Jan. 22 and 29 between 2-3 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 22 – Become a Dementia Friend!
Take the first step to learning more about dementia! As a Dementia Friend you turn your new understanding of dementia into a practical action that can help someone living in your community.

Friday, Jan. 29 – Where to Turn for Help – Resources in Fairfax County 
You are not alone. A multitude of services are available right here in Fairfax County! Learn about what’s available and how to access services and resources for your family and neighbors.

Learn more about Dementia Friendly Fairfax, the webinars and register to participate. 

Parenting 101 Video: Las clases para padres del condado de Fairfax salvaron a mi familia

Marcia Bustamante nos habla de cómo los Programas de educación para padres la han ayudado a construir una relación mucho más sólida y positiva con sus hijas, aprendiendo y manejando herramientas que le han permitido poder apoyarlas y contribuir a sus éxitos a medida que crecen. 
Más Información. Check out this video and past videos.

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

Check out the 2021 January newsletter: Charting a Course for the New Year with No Regrets; Social Isolation, Technology and Wellness Identified as Key Issues Facing Older Adults During COVID-19; What Changes Are Coming to Medicare in 2021?; Robert N. Keifert: A Life of Taking Care of Those He Loves; Ombudsman: What is a Compassionate Care Visit?; Five Tips for Eating Healthy in the New Year; New Caring Cards Program Lifts Spirit; Caregiving Tips and Upcoming ElderLink Programs; Exercise Supports Emotional and Mental Health; Start a New Fitness Routine This Winter; Scam Alerts; Sage Advice for Driving in Fog; For 2021, an Emergency Preparedness Resolution; Volunteer and Donation Opportunities; Community Calendar; and more!

Free Virtual Parenting Classes for Parenting Children Ages 0-4 Starts Monday, Jan. 25 Between 6-8 p.m.

Do you have children in the 0-4 age range? This 14-week parenting class show parents how to recognize and understand feelings; nurturing parenting routines; infant massage; child development; and ways to foster positive self-esteem in yourself and your children. 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.

Foster Family News for Current and Potential Fairfax County Foster Parents

We have many wonderful foster parents serving children in Fairfax County. Our monthly Foster Family News newsletter provides a window into the experiences of foster parents, children in care, and resource workers who support them. Check out the 2021 January newsletter: Adoption Snapshots; Healthy Minds Fairfax Supports Children and Teens; New Online Adoption Resources; La Tika Jeffery 2020 Adoption Excellence Award Honoree; Spotlight on the South County Foster Care Unit; The Six Stuck Spots; and more!

Free Virtual Parent Café – English Speakers Monday, Jan. 25 Between 7:30-9 p.m.

Virtual Parent Cafés are a great way for parents to learn from each other as they grow in their parenting skills. All Parent Cafés are open to Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old.

Sign up by sending an email or call 703-324-7720 to register at least one business day before the Parent Café date. Learn more about Virtual Parent Cafés and check out future dates.

Spotlight on the Adoption Unit

Get to know the staff in our Adoption Unit. Their goal is helping children in the foster care system achieve permanency through adoption when reunification with their birth parents is not possible. They also help prepare our adoptive families to launch from the Department’s involvement, so that they can have normal life experiences and be prepared to manage whatever may arise in the future of their child’s life. Supervisor Michelle Cover answers a few questions about the unit. Learn more about the Adoption Unit.

Free Virtual Parenting Classes for Parenting Children Ages 5-11 Starts Monday, Jan. 25 Between 6-8 p.m.

Do you have children in the 5-11 age range? This 13-week parenting class show parents how 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. 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.

Meet Ellie Carlson, Hospital Accompaniment Support Advocate (HASA) and Anger and Domestic Abuse Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT) Volunteer

"I initially wanted to volunteer in this role to gain practice experience while seeking my degree in social work. However, my time as a HASA and ADAPT volunteer has enriched my life in more ways than I expected." Learn more about Ellie's story.

Foster Care and Adoption Monthly Information Meeting Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.

Did you know that nearly 200 children in Fairfax County are in foster care? If you are considering becoming a temporary foster home for a child, take the first step, and attend a virtual information meeting hosted by George Mason Library. Register to join by sending an email to Dr. Patricia Cubillos. The deadline to register is noon on the day of the meeting. Learn more about upcoming meetings.

Ways that Foster Care and Adoption is Responding to COVID-19 Concerns

We want to extend our deepest thanks to all the foster families who are deep in the trenches, doing a good job throughout COVID-19, and still are motivated to keep going! Check out some of the ways we have been extending support to our foster families, hear feedback from families and learn about some opportunities for you to provide feedback if you missed it the first time. We would like to hear from all voices. Learn more about how you can provide feedback and what FC&A is doing to provide support.

Free Virtual Workshop: Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) Six-Week Series Starts Thursday, Jan. 28 Between 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Fairfax County's CDSMP is a workshop series done by phone for individuals who are interested in learning how to live better by effectively managing their ongoing health conditions, and for caregivers who are dealing with caregiver stress. Learn and share positive strategies for better overall health, increase self-confidence and improve the skills you need to take control of your health and improve your overall happiness! Space is limited. Registration is required. Learn more and register.

Recognizing Intimate Partner Violence in Older Adults

It is believed that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience Intimate partner violence (IPV) during their lifetime. Rates are harder to get for those 60 and above. IPV in older adults is similar to the experiences of other victims of domestic violence: abusers control their victims through intimidation, isolation, threats and violence. But for older victims, abuse can be made worse by poor health and other age-related needs. Cognitive impairment also increases this risk. Learn more about IPV, how to recognize signs of IPV and what to do to get help. 

Volunteer Solutions Greeting Cards Encourage Older Adults

Due to the pandemic, Fairfax County senior centers began offering activities virtually. In an effort to remind older adults that others were thinking of them and to reduce social isolation, Volunteer Solutions created a program called “Caring Cards.” So far, over 1,000 cards have been created and distributed to older adults in Fairfax County! Learn more about this story.

County Conversation Podcast: Tela Jones, Foster Care and Adoption Specialist

Tela Jones, Foster Care and Adoption Specialist with DFS Foster Care and Adoption was a guest on the County Conversation podcast in November to discuss adoption and her experiences as a social worker with the department as well as her personal experience as an adoptive parent. Get to know Tela and her motivation and passion for the work. Also learn about how the Department of Family services supports families throughout the process of adoption and afterward. Check out the podcast!

No Heat? Get Help with the Crisis Assistance Program – Applications Accepted Until Monday, Mar. 15

The Crisis Assistance Program is designed to help households overcome energy emergencies that cannot be met by other resources. An energy emergency is determined when a household has no heat, is in imminent danger of being without heat or there is a past due amount owed on the primary heat source utility account. Learn more about the Crisis Assistance Program, what's included and how to apply for it.

Using a White Cane – Symbol of Blindness and Independence

White Cane Safety Day is celebrated in the fall, but the importance of a white cane as a tool of independence is every day. Rachel shares with us how she learned to cope with visual impairment and, reluctantly, began using a white cane. Learn more about white cane.

Pocket Dad Videos

Check out the recent videos:

In case you missed them, these are some of the latest videos:

– Parenting Through the Holidays
– Managing Expectations
– Virtual Back to School Success
– Apoyar Emociones Difíciles (Supporting Difficult Emotions)
– Staying Connected to Your Kids Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic
– Finding Balance When Mom and Dad Parent Differently
– Cell Phones and Kids: Making Sure They’re Ready

Free Virtual Kinship Support Groups Thursday, Feb. 4 between 6:30-8 p.m.

Are you raising a child for a family member or friend? If you answered “yes,” you are a kinship caregiver, and you are not alone. Support groups provide encouragement and foster a sense of community among kinship caregivers. Groups usually meet virtually on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. For more information or to participate, send an email or call 703-324-7720. Check out the full list of Virtual Kinship Support Groups meeting dates.

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