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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Are you a current or former federal government worker or contractor? Meet employers who value your experience at the Federal Talent Transition Career Fair from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, February 26. Top employers in the region like CACI, Fairfax and Loudoun County Public Schools, PRISM INC., and more are hiring! Attend workshops to support your job search, and learn about programs specifically designed to support affected federal employees and government contractors. Register now!  

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 is now open. For full credit, all 16 hours must be completed. Questions? Contact Abby Picard.

Exploring the Dimensions of Aging lets users engage in a unique virtual experience to gain greater perspective and insight into working with older adults.

In this webinar, on Tuesday, March 10 from 12:00-1:15 p.m., participates embody Dima as she begins experiencing visual disturbances and changes in motor functions due to the progression of her Lewy Body Dementia, and how she and her family navigate coping with her symptoms.  Learn about the early signs and progression of Lewy Body Dementia and important considerations for promoting independence, preserving dignity, and offering culturally competent care. Register here.

Join us online Tuesday, Mar. 10, 6:30 to 8 p.m. to explore how your family’s core beliefs can guide positive, consistent discipline and help your child develop self-control, empathy, and respect. We’ll discuss how discipline can be less about punishment and more about teaching, connection and shaping character. Any Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old can register online at https://bit.ly/DFS-Parent-Cafe-2026.  For more information, email or call 703-324-7720.

Are you curious about becoming a foster parent? Hundreds of children in Fairfax County need a temporary loving home until they can safely return to their families. Our next virtual information meeting is by invitation only on Tuesday, March 10, at 6:45 p.m. Complete this short interest form for prospective parents. For more information check out our website.

Calling all dads! Join our free in-person parenting group sessions beginning Wednesday, Mar. 11. 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 or to register, call 703-324-7720, email or visit https://bit.ly/DFS-FE.

Mark your calendar for the Fairfax County Commission for Women’s annual Women’s History Month Breakfast on Friday, Mar. 27, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Registration for this free event will open soon. Questions? Contact Alexandra Hernandez.

Post-secondary students who self-identify as an individual with a disability are encouraged to apply for the John Hudson Internship Program, managed by Fairfax County Disability Rights and Resources. The internship program provides participants with on-the-job experience, professional development, and training opportunities. Paid, full-time summer internships, hosted by Land Development Services-IT and Alcohol Safety Action Program, begin in early June and go through August. Applications for the summer 2026 program are due by Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Learn more and apply.

Most victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and child abuse do not report the crime. Many never tell anyone. It’s time to end the cycle of silence. Join Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Wednesday, Apr. 1, 2026, for #StartbyBelieving Day. For more information about how you can start by believing, contact Victoria Nevel-Babla.

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CHECK OUT OLDER POSTS!

Fairfax County is proud to announce that its Talent Up Fairfax program has been selected as Virginia’s featured innovation in 50 States, 50 Breakthroughs. The recognition underscores Fairfax County’s success in building a resilient, inclusive economy through innovative workforce solutions for both businesses and jobseekers. Launched by Fairfax County’s Department of Economic Initiatives in late 2023, in partnership with The SkillSource Group and the Department of Family Services, Talent Up Fairfax addressed a dual challenge: connecting overlooked jobseekers with high-quality career pathways while providing businesses with a low-risk strategy to expand their workforce. Learn more about why Talent Up Fairfax was selected. 

Recently Julie Bowman, one of our Foster Care and Adoption program managers, contributed to the creation of a national playbook as a resource for best practices and change for youth in foster care. Each section of the playbook focuses on an area of support for young people moving through the child welfare system, such as employment, housing, permanency, and health. Learn more about this joint effort of the National Collaborative for Transition-Age Youth.

 

 

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newsletter graphicFoster Family News for Current and Potential Fairfax County Foster Parents – February 2026

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 February 2026 newsletter. This month we focus on a new state video series, taxes for foster and adoptive parents, ways to support teens in foster care, and more.

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

Check out the February 2026 Golden Gazette, featuring Linneall Naylor, an author and educator who is passionate about discovering her ancestors and telling their stories. You’ll also learn why using antibiotics when they aren’t needed can be dangerous, get helpful time management tips, 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 January 2026 issue to learn about another successful Adopt-A-Family holiday campaign, the BeFriend-A-Child holiday party, a celebrity coat drive, and ways to get involved and support your community.

newsletter graphicVolunteer Voices Newsletter

Meet Sophie Truax, Hotline volunteer, learn how to set healthy digital boundaries, check out our review of Viola Davis’ Finding Me, sign up for trainings, and more in the February 2026 Volunteer Voices.

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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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