These are the true stories of Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption. They are stories of hope, endurance, acceptance, sacrifice, belonging, and most of all love. These success stories reveal how lives have been improved and families formed, reunited, and strengthened through the support of professionals working in foster care and adoption.
When the Department of Family Services first becomes involved with families, we often meet them at some of the lowest points in their lives. That was the case for a young woman, struggling to overcome her alcohol and substance abuse so that she could be reunified with her five‑year‑old and twelve‑month‑old daughters. Learn more!
It became apparent just how much young Caiden had been impacted by the trauma he had faced in his short life, when it began to show up in behaviors that made it challenging to parent him. It took a familiar teacher with a tender heart to help begin to turn things around for him. Learn more about Caiden’s journey to a forever family.
When Alice entered foster care, her therapeutic foster family became one of the first pillars of stability in her young life. While her parents worked toward reunification, her aunt, grandmother, and other relatives stepped forward with open arms and steady hearts to support her journey through foster care. Read more.
Starting out as a foster parent during COVID-19 was not easy. There were a variety of challenges, but Ms. R stuck it out and has experienced many rewards that come with helping families and children in need of a helping hand. The world is a much brighter place due to her decision to open her heart and home and give of herself. Read more.
We all love a good news story! This success story began in 2003 in a Foster-to-Adopt training offered by Fairfax County. It culminates with loving parents launching two exceptional children into adulthood to pursue higher education and chart their own path. Meet the Lindo-Allens!
When a baby boy was just six months old, his world changed in ways no child should have to face. His mother, Tania, a young teenager herself, entered foster care after enduring abuse and neglect in her own home. Daniel’s journey was a difficult, but hopeful one with many challenges. Learn more.
Lily entered the foster care system at 15 years old — shy, scared, unable to speak English, and facing the prospect of repeating the 9th grade. A caring foster family and a team of supportive foster care practitioners made a huge difference that is still having a ripple effect in Lily’s life and the lives of others she touches. Learn more about this remarkable young woman and her journey to becoming an educator.
When a toddler entered foster care due to his parents’ domestic violence and substance abuse, he received the therapeutic interventions he needed to address his developmental delays. Meanwhile, his mother began making the changes she needed to set them on a path to reunification. Learn more.
Adame entered foster care in November 2013 when he was just 4 years old. Efforts to find a permanent home for him took time and dedication. Ultimately family proved to be the best source of stability and support for him. Learn about Adame’s long path to permanency which culminated in adoption this July.
When a baby girl was born showing signs of withdrawal and testing positive for substances, she was placed in foster care at just seven days old. With her mother homeless and unable to provide stability, the specialists in the Annandale Unit began searching for her father. Once he got over the shock, his fierce response surprised everyone. Learn more.
When an infant was believed to be in danger due to her parents’ substance use, the Kinship Unit began searching for family members and friends who would be willing to step in and care for the little one. Using some unconventional methods led them to a surprising solution. Learn more.
Fairfax County Government is known for being innovative. Recently, the Fairfax County Department of Family Services has gained recognition for being the only jurisdiction in the state of Virginia to have two dedicated full-time court liaison positions. Their work, which is focused on preventing unnecessary transfers of troubled youth into foster care is being praised as a model for the whole state! Learn more.
For this couple, their lives had not been complete since moving to Fairfax County from their home in Puerto Rico due to relocation orders. The move had upended their family, and they sought help from our department with their custody petition. Learn more about this family’s journey and the services we provide the community.
On a quiet summer morning, the life of a 19-month-old boy hung by a thread as his mother, frantically dialed 911. Sadly, those closest to him had left him in danger, but loving family members were willing to step in and change his life for the better. Learn more.
In this success story, a boy who entered foster care in Maryland, experienced such immense support and connection with a great uncle, that eventually, he was able to move into a foster placement with him. Check out this heartwarming example that shows that anyone with love in their heart and determination to the complete the process, can make a profound difference for a child in need. Learn more.
When a 16-year-old girl disengaged from treatment, lost all motivation, and spiraled into a mental health crisis, her devastated mother reached out to the Adoption and Kinship Assistance unit for support. Check out this success story to understand how this family got back on track with some help from our adoption assistance specialists, various therapies and community resources. Learn more.
Foster parents often play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between children and their biological families. These foster parents ultimately support the journey towards relative care. In this story, a pair of sisters stayed connected to members of their biological family and thrived while in foster care only due to the patience and support of their foster family. Learn more.
Aging out of foster care without permanency isn’t easy. One young man in this situation benefited from the support of a dedicated foster care worker and community partners who came together to make a life-changing difference. Learn more.
Foster care is full of ups and downs. For foster parents, supporting the primary goal of reunification with the biological family requires a lot of patience and flexibility. In this family’s case, it led to a strong bond between the foster parents and the biological relatives of the child that continues to this day. Learn about their story and how foster care workers supported them in growing that lasting relationship.
In this moving case, a teen who was struggling to make it on her own and thought she had no one to turn to was given a second chance to reconnect with her mother and siblings. Check out this moving story about a mother who was willing to go the distance to get her daughter back.
Check out this example of how a foster parent, a home-based worker, and a child’s extended biological family can form a community of support that enables a parent to be reunified with their child. This story also illustrates the power of resilience and the importance of a parent’s unwavering determination.
Most foster parents would say that it is a journey filled with many ups and downs, and no one can predict the length of the journey or the ways it will change you. For one couple, opening their hearts and home to a child through foster care has led to a lifetime commitment and expanded their family in ways they never imagined. Read more.
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.
Our foster parents play such a pivotal role in bridging the gap between children and their biological families. Their diligent efforts can ultimately support the journey toward family reunification. Learn how one family made such a difference and helped establish lasting family connections. Read more.
Learn about the way a community of support formed around a brother and sister who were separated from their parents due to domestic violence and substance use. Foster Care and Adoption staff worked diligently to place them in a home where they could experience a deep well of love to sustain them through tough times. This heartwarming success story is a testament to the caring and selfless support of all those involved. Read more.
