703-324-7500
TTY 703-222-9452
Michael A. Becketts,
Director
May is Foster Care and Foster Family Recognition MonthAll children need love, support, security and a place to call home. We celebrate all those who have invited a child in need into their hearts and homes, making foster care possible. (Thank you!) #FosterCareMonth
Join the conversation with our community engagement toolkit - talking points and social media graphics and messages.
Meet the Dredges - 2020 Foster Parents of the YearRecognized as the 2020 Foster Parents of the Year for Fairfax County by Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), Danielle and Jesse Dredge have provided Fairfax foster children with stability, structure, nurturing, and connection. The Dredge family has fostered a sibling set of brothers, a teen mother and her child, and a teen male. With each placement they have been influential in how they manage the children’s adjustment to their placement, provide interventions and strategies when children have noted struggles, set clear boundaries, and worked with the child and biological family toward reunification. Get to know them and learn why they want to make a difference in the lives of children through foster care.
Giving Parents the Right Tools: African American Parenting Classes and Dads Parenting Groups“The parenting classes offered through Fairfax County have been a life saver for our family. Looking back at where we were before and how far we have come as a family, is like night and day. These classes helped save our family and our marriage,” said Heather. Learn more about their story and how to register for classes.
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.
Has COVID-19 Put Children at Risk in Their Own Homes?In the midst of this outbreak of COVID-19, many families find themselves facing many of the risk factors for child abuse and neglect. Learn about additional resources that can help families manage their stress, cope with the crisis and understand how to support their children during this challenging time.
With many of the normal child protective factors not in place during this crisis, the community must step in to keep eyes and ears on children in your neighborhood. If you have questions or concerns about a child’s safety, call the Child Protective Services’ 24-hour Hotline 703-324-7400.
Bridging the Gap: Keeping Families ConnectedDue to COVID-19, this is a challenging time for all of us. With social distancing required for public safety, how do we make it safe for children in foster care to have critical time with their birth or adoptive families? Fairfax has moved to a virtual platform for visitations, and here are some suggestions for other things you can do as a foster family to bridge the gap and continue to strengthen the relationship between the birth or adoptive parent.
A Staff Tribute to All Foster ParentsFoster Parents are an essential part of the team that works together for the well-being of children in need of a home and family to care for them. Our Foster Care & Adoption staff have so many words of encouragement and support in honor of these fantastically selfless parents.
Pocket Dad Videos - Finding Balance When Mom and Dad Parent DifferentlyFilmed earlier this year, staff with the Department of Family Services’ Father Engagement Program explore differences in the ways moms and dads handle parenting, and how children can benefit from those differences. Check out this video and past videos.
Meet the Annandale Foster Care UnitThe Annandale Foster Care Unit is working each day toward the reunification of families and achieving permanency for youth who enter foster care. Supervisor Penny Talley shared with us a little bit about who they are, what they do and why they do it. Check out their story.
May is Older American's Month. Older adults make countless contributions to our communities. Their time, experience and talents benefit family, peers and neighbors every day. (Thank you!) This year's theme, Make Your Mark, highlights that everyone can make a difference - in the lives of older adults, in support of caregivers and to strengthen communities. Older Adults invites everyone to celebrate Older Americans Month and make your mark in May!
Employment Services for Mature WorkersSCSEP is a community service and work-based job training program for mature workers. Participants build skills and self-confidence, while earning a modest training stipend, and use the opportunity as a bridge to find permanent employment. Training includes transferable and employability skills that provide a competitive edge during interviews and future careers. Learn about SCSEP.
Golden Gazette - Fairfax County's Senior Community NewspaperCheck out Golden Gazette's latest newsletter to learn about coping with isolation during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; estate planning and elder law; coronavirus (COVID-19) scams; May is Older Americans Month; finding caregiver support; locating grocery stores with senior hours; reflecting on Memorial Day; fun ideas for social distancing; virtual activities; upcoming programs on Channel 16; what's listed in the community calendar and more!
Staying Safe at HomeThese are stressful times because of risks to our health, many of us must stay home. For some, staying home doesn’t always feel safe because someone there may threaten or hurt you. If this is you, know that you can call the Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline 703-360-7273 for help. If it is not safe to talk, text LOVEIS to 22522 for the national domestic violence hotline or chat at rainn.org for the national sexual violence hotline. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. You are the best judge of safety in your own situation. But here are some ideas for keeping yourself and others in your home safe.
Essential Resources for Victims of Domestic Violence During COVID-19If you are a victim of domestic violence, and you are worried about housing, employment or food during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have essential resources to help.
Meet DSVS Hotline volunteer Allison Lowry"I have volunteered in some capacity since high school when it was a required part of Civics class – I loved it and was hooked! After I got out of college, I worked in IT and that wasn’t “filling my bucket,” so I looked for volunteer opportunities." Learn more about Allison Lowry’s reasons for and commitment to volunteering.
We have many wonderful foster parents. Some have just finished their certification in the last month (Congratulations!), while others have been serving children in Fairfax County for as long as 10 years (Thank you!).
Learn more about their journey in Foster Family News' current issue. Interested in becoming a foster parent? Contact Patricia Aviles-Cubillos.
Foster Family in Focus: Shelley and Scott DanielAt any given time, the home of Shelley and Scott Daniel is bustling with the activity that comes with having children ranging from 2 ½ to 14 years old, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. The couple took a few minutes to chat with us about the rewards and challenges of foster care. Learn more about their story.
Is Your Child Ready to be Home Alone?Taking on more responsibility is a huge part of growing up. So how do you know if your child is responsible enough to be home alone, even if only for a few hours? Our DFS parenting experts offer some guidance.
Fairfax 50+ PodcastsCheck out Fairfax 50+ Podcasts with host Jim Person for interesting and timely conversations on a wide range of topics that are of special interest to mature adults. Check out the last few podcasts: How to Use Technology to Stay Social While Social Distancing; Coping with Social Isolation During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic; Fairfax Genealogical Society's Irish Special Interest Group; Scams and the Third Annual Scam Jam; and Consumer Protection Week.
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.
