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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Join the Department of Family Services Volunteer and Partner Services program during Child Abuse Prevention Month as we collect new, unused baby supplies such as high chairs, strollers, car seats, cabinet safety latches, door knob safety covers, crib sheets, baby gates, etc. If you are interested in helping to make sure that local families have some basic necessities for their children, please email Samantha Carrico, call 571-536-8192, or sign up online to coordinate a donation drop off. We appreciate your generous donations and support to help families thrive!

Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is looking for a few good volunteers! Sign up to learn about DSVS, the services the division provides and the population it serves. Discover how volunteers can contribute to the DSVS mission and the application process. Orientation is free but registration is required. Multiple dates, starting Wednesday, May 1-30, 2024, are available. Choose the one that works best for you.

These free groups are designed for kinship caregivers, raising a child or children for a family member or a friend, to connect with other families for support and encouragement. Virtual support groups are hosted and facilitated by Formed Families Forward, in partnership with Fairfax County Department of Family Services. This group meets from 6:30-8 p.m. Learn more or register online.

Join Julia Kay, a certified life coach and certified health and wellness coach, as she provides step-by-step instructions, tips, and inspiration to help craft a vision board. Through a series of interactive exercises and discussions, participants will gain clarity on goals and create a visual representation of their dreams. This virtual workshop offered by the DFS Adult and Aging Family Caregiver unit will meet from 12-1 p.m. on May 3. A list of recommended supplies will be sent to registrants in advance prior to the workshop. Learn more and register online.

Join DSVS as the division celebrates the contributions of its volunteer corps on Saturday, May 4, from Noon-2 p.m. at the Sully Community Center. If you have questions about this event, please contact tanisha.cox@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Dads, sign up for our upcoming virtual Dads Parenting Group 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 Monday, May 6. Fairfax County residents or dads with children living in Fairfax are welcome. Interpretation services are available for Spanish and other languages upon request. Learn more by contacting Bennie Herron at 703-324-7308 or Lisa Payne-Chesley at 703-324-7734 or by visiting https://bit.ly/DFS-FE.

Recruitment time again! Sign up for one of two in-person Volunteer Orientation sessions at the Fairfax County Community Services Room in Tysons Corner Center at 4:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. (1961 Chain Bridge Road (2d level outside Nordstrom), McLean, VA 22102). For more information or to register, contact Tanisha Cox.

Join Alina Liao, Founder of Zenit, as she teaches caregivers how to use journaling as a tool to proactively support self-care in their daily lives. Alina guides you through journaling focused on practicing gratitude to support self-care and mental wellness. This workshop is an inclusive, affirming space for caregivers to slow down, process their thoughts and feelings, and get grounded again. Participants leave the workshop with concrete tools, practices, and inspiration to continue with Gratitude journaling and using this tool for self-care in their daily lives. This workshop runs from 12-1 p.m. Register to receive an email with access instructions.  

If you love coffee, care about children, and are curious about foster care, then this is an event just for you! Whether fostering has “bean” on your mind for a while, or your questions are just starting to brew, then grab your morning cup of coffee & join us from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wherever you are on your journey, we are brimming over with excitement to chat with you in this virtual space! Register online today!

Children and young teens need more than a cell phone to keep them safe when they’re home alone. It’s important to develop a family plan to ensure safety, especially in the summer. Join us Tuesday, May 14 for a facilitated discussion on what to consider and how to create family rules and plans. Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old are welcome at this group which meets from 6:30-8 p.m. 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 parenting resources. 

The Fairfax County Commission for Women is hosting a panel discussion on the health and well-being of women and girls in Fairfax County following the release of “The Status of Women and Girls in Fairfax County, Virginia.” Join us from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Fairfax County Government Center, Conference Rooms 9/10, for this important conversation! This event is free but registration is required.

Sexual Violence Tier One is 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.

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CHECK OUT OLDER POSTS!

Over the years after hearing several stories of women facing violence and injustice, I’ve felt the need to help out in any way I can,” says Brahma Koodallur, Hospital Accompaniment Support Advocate volunteer. “As I was preparing to sign up for volunteering with the county, I wanted to find a way to help those victims and was glad to see the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services opportunities come up in the search.” Read more about Brahma’s volunteer journey.

 

A child who entered foster care due to repeated neglect demonstrated significant behavioral challenges, but he had relatives who believed in him. They sought custody of him to give him an opportunity to be successful. Through the support of Fairfax County foster care specialists, this family had the opportunity to try to make a difference for their young relative. Learn more. Start your journey to becoming a foster parent on the Faster Families Highway.

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newsletter graphicFoster Family News for Current and Potential Fairfax County Foster Parents – May 2024

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 May 2024 newsletter. This month we focus on National Foster Care Month, foster parent recognition, and a national report on kinship care.

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

Check out the May 2024 Golden Gazette, featuring 91-year-old Susan Voss, who 13-year-old Jonathan D’Cruz considers his role model for aging well due to her active lifestyle and positive outlook. You’ll also read about Older Americans Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, the importance of screening for aging-related diseases 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 March 2024 Issue to learn about one of our long-standing partners and some of our newest volunteers, opportunities to support local children and families, and what’s happening for Volunteer and Social Worker Appreciation months. 

newsletter graphicVolunteer Voices Newsletter

Find out what Domestic and Sexual Violence Services volunteers are up to in the May 2024 Volunteer Voices! Meet Sudha Bhat, Hotline volunteer and ADAPT co-facilitator; see how Domestic and Sexual Violence Services observes Foster Care, Older Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islander Heritage months; learn more about the partnership between DSVS and the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance; spring into self-care; and learn fascinating facts about the Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline. Plus, spend a day with Crisis Response Services Supervisor Debra Ranf, read a review of Perfect Peace, blow out candles with volunteers celebrating a birthday this month, and 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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