703-324-7500
TTY 703-222-9452
Michael A. Becketts,
Director
Skip the trip! Although most of our services are not being provided in-person at this time, we continue to offer services online and by phone. Learn more about our Assistance from a Distance.
Stay connected with the Department of Family Services (DFS) and follow our Facebook page (@FairfaxCountyFamilyServices).
DFS cares about the safety and well-being of individuals and families and will continue to provide assistance from a distance. Below are the variety of services available to you without having to leave the safety of your home.
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Self-Sufficiency - Medical and Financial Benefits; Career/Employment and Training Services
Get the most up-to-date information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Fairfax County.
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.
We All Need to Help Protect Children During COVID-19COVID-19 has turned everyone’s lives upside down. The isolation has caused many families to lose their support networks, which has been especially stressful for families with children. As a result, some children may be at higher risk of harm. Others may not be safe because there isn’t a responsible adult who can watch or take care of them. Learn more about what to consider if you suspect child abuse, how to make a report, and resources to help.
The Fairfax County Child Protective Services (CPS) HOTLINE (703-324-7400) is a HELP Line and is available 24-hours, 7 days a week. Please call if you:
If a child is in immediate danger or is under the age of 7 and unsupervised, please call 911 for an immediate response.
Need Help Getting Your Next Job? Register for the Free Career Webinar Series Providing Helpful Employment and Training InformationEach day, Monday, Aug. 3 through Friday, Aug. 7, Virginia Career Works will have a free webinar covering a different topic: How to Write an Effective Resume; Virginia Career Works Program; Expanding Your Career with Occupational Skills Training; and Exploring Telework. Learn more about each topic and register to participate in the free webinars.
Parenting 101 Video: PraiseThe Parenting Education Programs answers frequently asked questions (FAQs) from parents on topics like discipline, self-care, family routines and more. The latest video shares about the importance of setting expectations for your children’s behavior and why you should praise them for keeping it up. Check out this video and past videos.
Meet Adrienne Williams, DSVS Hospital Accompaniment and ADAPT VolunteerAdrienne believes that, "Volunteering is a way to pay it forward."
Learn more about why Adrienne volunteers with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services.
Cooling AssistanceAre you in need of a little help to keep cool this summer? Apply for Cooling Assistance for low income households - get help with bills, equipment, repairs, and more. To be eligible, at least one household member must be: 60 or older, 5 or younger, or disabled according to Social Security, Medicaid or 100% Veteran’s Administration. Learn more.
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services' Staff Share a Video Message: You Are Note AloneDuring the COVID-19 crisis, you - or a loved one - may be experiencing domestic or sexual violence. You may feel trapped, like there is no one to help. But the Department of Family Services' Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is here for you - always - and you are not alone. To find out how we can help, call the Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline 703-360-7273. Check out the video message.
Teletherapy: Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Counseling from a DistanceCounseling helps people feel stronger, safer, less afraid and more hopeful. But seeking help takes effort and courage. That is why we make it easy for you to access services. Our counselors speak English and Spanish, and we use interpreters for other languages, including American Sign Language. And starting July 2020, we also offer a teletherapy option. Learn more about teletherapy.
Parent Café Provides Community of SupportVirtual 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. Join us on Mondays 7:45-9:15 p.m. for English speakers and Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m. for Spanish-speaking families. Please email or call us at 703-324-7720 to register at least one business day before the Parent Café. Learn more about how Virtual Parent Cafés provide a community of support to parents.
Pocket Dad Video: Staying Connected to Your Kids Throughout the COVID-19 PandemicThe Father Engagement Unit share some of the fun ways they are engaging with their kids, ranging from elementary to high school age. These experiences will help build their relationships well into the future. Check out this video and past videos.
DFS Parenting Education Programs Answers Their Most Frequently Asked QuestionsDo you have questions about parenting that you wish someone could help you with? Are you frustrated with some parenting challenges and need a listening ear? Staff from the Fairfax County Parenting Education Programs answers parents’ frequently asked questions and at the Parent Support Line 703-324-7720, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Fairfax 50+ PodcastsJim Person hosts Fairfax 50+ Podcasts covering a wide range of topics that are of special interest to older adults. Check out the last few podcasts: Insight Memory Care Center Pivots to Virtual; Older Adults and the "New Normal" of Coronavirus; Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Summer Highlights; Neighbors Helping Neighbors in the Spring Hill Community Village; Fairfax County Villages with Rhiannon Duck; How to Use Technology to Stay Social While Social Distancing; and Coping with Social Isolation During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.
Food Assistance AvailableSNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) provides food assistance. SNAP recipients receive an EBT card (Electronic Benefits Transfer card) to buy food from authorized retailers.
Get more information about SNAP.
Learn about the EBT card and its ConnectEBT app.
DFS continues to provide a variety of services to individuals and families through assistance from a distance. Learn about what is available and how we can help. Information is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Be a Support System to Loved Ones Affected by Domestic and Sexual Abuse During COVID-19Family and friends can do a variety of things to support a loved one who is being abused, starting with a call to the Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline 703-360-7273. Check out the full list of ways to provide support.
You Are Not Alone - Video Message from Domestic and Sexual Violence ServicesJust a reminder: During COVID-19 - and at all other times - the Department of Family Services division of Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is here for you, and you are not alone. Call us on the Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline 703-360-7273. Check out the video message.
Golden Gazette - Fairfax County's Senior Community NewspaperCheck out the 2020 August newsletter: learn about the story of a woman who went to the March on Washington; Volunteer Fairfax Service Award Winners; pandemic affects on individuals needing involvement of the local circuit courts; Medicare 101 Virtual Workshop; tips for cleaning and disinfecting at home during COVID-19; Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP); Respite to Recharge responding to child care needs of kinship caregivers during COVID-19; gardening; upcoming online learning opportunities; caregiver support; Fairfax County's Scam Slam topics; programs on Channel 16; what's listed in the community calendar and more!
Foster Family News - Current and Potential Fairfax County Foster ParentsWe have many wonderful foster parents serving children in Fairfax County. Our monthly Foster Family Newsletter provides a window into the experiences of foster parents, children in care, and resource workers who support them. Check out the 2020 July newsletter: Foster Family in Focus: Lesley Field; Supporting African American Children in Foster Care; Kelley Traver Selected as Reunification Hero; DFS Parenting Education Programs Answers FAQs; Spotlight on South County Foster Care & Adoption Unit; Advice for Youth in Foster Care; Frequently Asked Question: What Do I Do if My Child Gets Sick?; and more!
The Volunteer Post Newsletter - Volunteer & Partner Services (VPS)We have many wonderful volunteers and donors helping children and families in Fairfax County. Department of Family Services' The Volunteer Post Newsletter provides a glimpse into the many ways to get involved in making a difference and supporting families. Check out the 2020 Summer newsletter: What's New - VPS Has Gone Virtual!; Program Highlights - Volunteer & Partner Services - Meet Our Team; Volunteer & Partner Recognition - Volunteer Service Awards 2020; Partners and Donors - Thanks for the Amazing Community Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic!; and more!
Improve the Quality of Life in Our Community, Complete the Census Today - Everyone CountsWondering how you can improve the quality of life in our community? Of the many things you can do, one of the easiest and most important is to fill out your census form in April. You can complete the Census online, phone or by mail.
For each resident who does not respond to the census, Fairfax County could lose $12,000 in potential funding over the course of a decade. Learn more about the Census. #FFXcounts
Fairfax County Department of Family Services is on FacebookFollow us on Facebook at @FairfaxCountyFamilyServices for news, events, tips, stories and training opportunities. We support families and county residents of all ages and stages of life. Join our online community and engage with us through social media. #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices
The 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.
This 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.
