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 have children ages 0-4 years old? This FREE virtual parenting class shows parents how to understand child development; create nurturing parenting routines; master infant massage; and develop ways to foster positive self-esteem in themselves and their children. This class meets every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Ready to sign up or have questions? Contact us by email or call 703-324-7720. Check out our online parenting tips and resources including upcoming classes.

Take part in a National Day of Action: #SparkleAgainstStalking to raise awareness about stalking and show support for survivors. Take selfies and post them on social media with the #SparkleAgainstStalking hashtag. Don’t forget to tag Fairfax County Department of Family Services on Facebook! Send photos to Abby Picard. You may see yourself in a future slideshow!

Parents with children ages 0-4 years old, check out this FREE virtual parenting class offered in Spanish. It helps parents understand child development; create nurturing parenting routines; master infant massage; and develop ways to foster positive self-esteem in themselves and their children. Interested? This class meets every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. Contact us by email or call 703-324-7720 to sign up or ask questions. Check out our online parenting tips and resources including upcoming classes.

Join Fairfax County Employment Services on Thursday, January 30th, 2025 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. to learn about internship and career opportunities with FHWA, benefits of employment in the federal government, and federal resume building tips. Information session will be held virtually via Zoom. Register now! 

Positions: Civil Engineers, Community Planners, Environmental Protection Specialist, Grant Managers, Contract Specialists, Program Coordinators, Transportation Specialist, Finance Specialists, Pathways Interns & Recent Graduates, Human Resource Specialist, and more.

Registration for Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ Annual Human Trafficking Training is open. In this training (Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, 1–3 p.m., in Government Center Conference Room 9/10) participants will learn how human trafficking is defined, how to identify and support survivors, and resources available to survivors in Fairfax County. Seats fill quickly! Questions? Contact Victoria Nevel-Babla. This training is free, but registration is required.

Registration is now open for Sexual Violence Tier One, a 16-hour training on understanding sexual violence, systems responding to sexual violence in Fairfax County, and resources available in our community. This training is for professionals, volunteers, and community members looking to learn how and why sexual violence happens; the impact of sexual violence on individuals, families, and communities; and how to support those impacted. It is free, but registration is required. For more information, contact Abby Picard.

Dads, sign up for our upcoming class to improve parenting skills and build better relationships! The majority of dads who completed Dads Parenting Groups increased or maintained positive involvement with their children. This virtual 13-week course takes place from 6-8:30 p.m. starting Tuesday, Feb. 4. Fairfax County residents, or dads with children living in Fairfax are welcome. Language interpretation services are available upon request. Learn more by contacting Bennie Herron at 703-324-7308 or visiting https://bit.ly/DFS-FE.

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 at Gum Springs Community Center in Alexandria Wednesdays from 5:30-8 p.m. Sign up by sending an email to BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-7720.  Learn more about all our parenting classes.

Dads, if you would like to have a better relationship with your children, look no further for support! The Father Engagement Unit knows that parenting can be a struggle, and our Dads Parenting Groups are focused on helping fathers to be the best dads they can be. The next session begins on Wednesday, Feb. 5 online from 6-8:30 p.m. If you and/or your kids live in Fairfax County, you can contact Bennie Herron at 703-324-7308 or Mercedes Alonzo 703-324-7677 for more information or check us out online at https://bit.ly/DFS-FE.

Do you have kids who are 12-18 years old? This weekly in-Person parenting class offered in Spanish shows parents how to learn communication strategies, how to recognize each other’s needs, how to understand the developmental stages of adolescence, and ways to build their children’s personal power, self-concept, and self-esteem. Cultivar relaciones sanas con sus hijos. This class meets every Monday from 5:30-8 p.m. at Fairfax Church of Christ.  Ready to sign up or have questions? Contact the Parenting Education Programs by email or call 703-324-7720. Learn more about the variety of parenting classes available. 

Are you ready to become a more confident and effective parent? Join our free weekly in-person parenting class starting Feb. 10 at James Lee Community Center! This class is designed for parents with children aged 5-11 years old and will cover topics such as increasing empathy, encouraging appropriate behaviors, building positive self-concept and self-esteem, and having fun as a family. The class meets every Monday from 5:30-8 p.m. Ready to sign-up or have questions? Contact us by email at or call 703-324-7720. Learn more about the variety of parenting classes available.

Do you have kids who are 12-18 years old? This weekly parenting class shows parents how to learn nurturing communication strategies, how to recognize their children’s needs, how to understand the developmental stages of adolescence, and ways to build their children’s personal power, self-concept and self-esteem. Classes will be held from 6-8 p.m. virtually. Ready to sign up or have questions? Contact us by email at or call 703-324-7720. Learn more about the variety of parenting classes available. 

Learn how to become a dementia friend and turn your new understanding of dementia into a practical action that can help someone living in your community. After participating in a Dementia Friends session, participants will be able to describe dementia and know the most common type of dementia; state the five key messages about dementia; explain one approach to effectively communicate with a person with dementia; and commit to an action as a Dementia Friend in your community. This virtual session will meet from 12-1:1 p.m. on Feb. 12. Register.

Are you a parent of a child aged 5-11? This weekly class starting Thursday, Feb. 27 offered by the Parenting Education Programs shows 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. The class meets every Thursday from 5:30-8 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church in Springfield.

Ready to sign up or have questions? Contact us by email at or call 703-324-7720. Learn more about the variety of parenting classes available. Don't miss out on this opportunity to improve your parenting skills and strengthen your family!

Registration for the spring session of Domestic Violence Tier 1, a 16-hour training on the dynamics of domestic violence, systems responding to domestic violence in Fairfax County, and resources available in our community. Questions? Contact Abby Picard. For full credit, all 16 hours must be completed. This training is free, but registration is required. 

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CHECK OUT OLDER POSTS!

Did you or your family make less than $67,000 in 2024? The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free help preparing your tax return and maximizing refunds and tax credits. Visit one of the five VITA locations in Fairfax County between January 28 – April 15 to work with our VITA volunteers on your tax return. Plan your visit by knowing what documents to bring and viewing the full site schedule.

Cap Oliver has been guided by his Christian faith since he was a boy. After becoming a doctor, he chose to pursue missionary work overseas. He served in Nigeria for 10 years, treating thousands of patients with leprosy. After returning to the United States, he became deeply involved in his church, reading and discussing scripture with fellow congregants. He also founded a medical practice where he and his partners sought to establish meaningful relationships with their patients. Now, at age 97, Cap credits his faith for his long and productive life. Learn more about Cap’s life and work in the January issue of the Golden Gazette.

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newsletter graphicFoster Family News for Current and Potential Fairfax County Foster Parents – January 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 January 2025 newsletter. This month we focus on tax resources, a new recruitment video, and a study on American views on foster care and adoption.

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

Check out the December 2024 Golden Gazette, featuring Jill Gerald, a lifelong resident of Lincolnia who is working to educate others about the rich history of Lincolnia. You’ll also learn how to discuss climate change with people with differing vantage points, what to do if you are the victim of identity theft, 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 November 2024 issue to learn about our Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program, our efforts to promote child safety, and VPS’s support for a community baby shower.

newsletter graphicVolunteer Voices Newsletter

Read the January 2025 issue of Volunteer Voices to find out how DSVS’ volunteers are bringing in the new year! Meet Hospital Accompaniment Support Advocate Kendra Lee, celebrate Jen Perkins’ new appointment, find out what to do instead of making New Year’s resolutions, and spend a day with Crisis Response Supervisor Angie Acosta. Plus, boost your brain power, get connected with TED Talks, read this month’s media review, celebrate birthdays, sign up for trainings, and so much 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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