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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Foster Family News – 2025 June

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Welcome to the 2025 June issue of Foster Family News, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Fairfax County foster parents. Our monthly newsletter shares resources, news, tips, events, and trainings relevant to foster and adoptive parents, children in care, and the resource workers who support them. 

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Table of Contents
Feature Articles
Events Central
Support Groups
FAQs, Story in Stats & Foster Care Facts
Trainings and Conferences

New Video: 2025 Fairfax County Foster Parents of the Year

 Foster Parents of the Year: Adam and Amy SuppesCongratulations to Adam and Amy Suppes. They’ve been recognized as the 2025 Fairfax County Foster Parents of the Year by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. The Suppes are experienced adoptive and foster parents who have gone above and beyond for the children in their care, again and again, especially this past year. One of the children currently placed with the Suppes is hearing impaired and had never been enrolled in school and had not received any services for his needs, including his hearing impairment. Adam and Amy enrolled him in school and advocated for his needs. They began to learn sign language while teaching their foster son sign language. When the child's sister was placed in foster care, Adam and Amy welcomed her into their home. They are supportive of the child's birth family relationships and considerate of their mother and patient with her progress. Check out the video.
 

Foster Family Fun Day in the Park

group of people in parkFairfax County Foster Care and Adoption hosted an open house event for our foster families at scenic Lake Accotink Park in May. This fun-filled event was designed to create a sense of community, provide educational activities, and celebrate the dedication of foster families within Fairfax County. Learn more.

 

 

Foster Care Unit Success Story: A Tale of Care, Crisis, and Change

South County Foster Care Unit staff 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


 



 

County Conversation Podcast – Foster Care Awareness

Julie Bowman and Jim PersonJulie Bowman, program manager with Foster Care and Adoption Resource and Support, was a guest on the County Conversation podcast with host Jim Person. Julie talked about what foster care is, why it matters, debunked a few myths, and shared the ways the community can get involved to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Listen now.


 

Fairfax County Foster Care Annual Statistics

Fairfax County Foster Care Statistics Updated April 2025Curious about the children entering foster care in Fairfax County, their foster care placements, and their outcomes? Our annual report includes updated information about the children, families, and services that comprise Fairfax County Foster Care. To learn more, check it out.



 

June is Family Unification Month

family taking selfieThis year, the American Bar Association has shifted to a celebration of National Family Unification Month in June. As part of the ABA’s focus on family unity, “This shift reflects a powerful truth: family unification is not just a case outcome or a permanency goal—it’s a lifelong journey. It is more than a system's response to a family’s struggles; it is a collective responsibility to ensure families are supported, protected, and kept whole whenever possible.” So, in the ABA’s words, “Family Unification Month seeks to recenter the conversation where it began: around families themselves. This means celebrating parents and youth’s strength and resilience not just after reunification, but throughout the continuum of family preservation.” The ABA is “embracing this broader and more inclusive vision with the theme, ‘Communities Supporting Family Unification’ affirming the essential role of natural supports.”


 

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EVENTS CENTRAL

generic calendar graphicTuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 – The 2025 NOVA Regional Fatherhood Workshop Series 
1-2:30 p.m.

We are thrilled to announce the 2025 NOVA Regional Fatherhood Workshop Series. This series offers free online workshops every Tuesday afternoon, 1-2:30 p.m. in June to support fathers and father figures. Join the Fatherhood programs in several Northern Virginia jurisdictions to discuss, learn, grow, and celebrate fatherhood. Learn more.

Monthly Foster Care Information Meeting
Tuesday, June 13, 2025
6:45-8:30 p.m.

Are you curious about becoming a foster parent? Are you or someone close to you ready for the next step to help children that need a temporary home? We need more foster parents, and information meetings are one of the ways we get to know prospective parents. Information meetings for prospective parents are by invitation only. To attend the meeting first complete a short interest form to help us get to know you better, and you will be contacted promptly by one of our specialists. The full 2025 meeting schedule and additional information are available online. Check it out and share it with others who might be interested.

“Drive In” Movie Night in Fairfax, VA hosted by Foster the Family D.C.
Saturday, June 14
5-8 p.m.
3901 Rugby Rd
Fairfax, VA

Join Foster the Family D.C. for its first family event of the summer! This indoor, "drive-in" movie night featuring “Cars” includes snacks and popcorn. View more details and sign up here by June 11.

SAVE THE DATE Summer Family Picnic hosted by Formed Families Forward
Friday, Aug. 1
5-7 p.m.
1315 Ross Dr. SW
Vienna, VA, 22180

Families are invited to participate in a community service project followed by a BBQ dinner. Southside Park features a playground and nature trails. After dinner, kids will enjoy some fun entertainment surprises! **New this year** teens will participate in a special activity: “Thinking Outside of the Box & Into the Future.” Participating teens (13 and older) will receive an Amazon gift card! Learn more.


Department of Family Services graphic logoThe Department of Family Services supports families and county residents of all ages and stages of life – and that definitely includes foster parents and families! Like and Follow @FairfaxCountyFamilyServices for news, events, tips, stories, training opportunities and more.

SUPPORT GROUPS

A variety of organizations offer support to adoptive, foster, and kinship care families in our region. Register online for a preferred support group. 

Sunday, June 1, 7:30-9 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.

Monday, June 9, 6:30-8 p.m. – Foster the Family D.C. Support Groups for foster, kinship, and adoptive moms throughout the region. Support group attendance may count towards training and recertification hours. Childcare registration is limited and will close by Friday, June. 6.

Wednesday, June 18, 7-8:30 p.m. – Formed Families Forward in-Person Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.

 

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Each newsletter will include this section to help answer questions, spotlight the people who support foster families, highlight the donors and sponsors who generously give to foster care programs and activities and friendly reminders for foster families to sign-up for trainings.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

question marksWhat is Fostering Futures?

Answer: In Virginia, the 2016 Appropriations Act (item 346 #3c) authorized the extension of foster care to up to age 21, in a program known as Fostering Futures, for youth who reach age 18 on or after July 1, 2016 and:

  • Were in foster care at the time they turned 18 years old but have not yet turned 21.
  • Were released from Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) between ages 18 and 21 and who were in foster care in custody of a Virginia LDSS immediately prior to the commitment to DJJ.

Youth must meet at least one of these five criteria to continue to be eligible for the program:

  • Completing secondary education or in a GED program;
  • Enrolled in college or a vocational program;
  • Attending classes to promote employment or remove barriers to employment
  • Working at least 80 hours per month; or
  • Unable to meet one of the four conditions above due to a documented medical reason.

Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.

Foster Care Facts That Might Surprise You

There are a lot of misconceptions about foster care, foster parents, and the children and families involved. This section aims to dispel some of those notions and provide clarity for those interested in supporting foster care.

Fact: Many foster families have pets.

Explanation: Many children in foster care respond well to pets. Pets can be a source of comfort and affection to a child who has experienced trauma. Foster families just have to provide proof of current vaccinations for all domesticated animals.

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TRAININGS AND CONFERENCES

orange mechanical gears

For Youth in Fairfax County Foster Care or Fostering Futures

Teen REVIVE! Training
Tuesday, June 24 
4-5:30 p.m.
Hybrid Online and In-person
12011 Government Center Parkway, Room 206
Fairfax, VA 22035

Fairfax County youth in foster care, ages 14-21, are invited to attend a special training provided by the Community Services Board. Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, how to administer naloxone nasal spray to potentially reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, and what to do and not do when responding. Be on the lookout for a flyer with more details in your email. Contact us for more information. 

For Parents/Caregivers

Working as a Member of a Professional Team, presented by Northern Virginia CRAFFT
Monday, June 2
6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. 
Virtual Via Zoom

This training covers the roles of each member of the child welfare team and outlines key principles for effective decision-making. It focuses on developing your professional role as a resource parent and explores potential challenges you may face. Additionally, the training examines the nature of conflict, identifies various conflict styles within the team, and provides steps for effective collaboration among child welfare team members. Register here.


Summer Book Series – Dr. Daniel Siegel’s No Drama Discipline, presented by Northern Virginia CRAFFT
Friday, July 2, 9, and 23
6-8:30 p.m.

Discuss topics in each chapter including, ReThinking Discipline and Impact on Your Brain, Connection Principles and Strategies, 1-2-3 Discipline and Addressing Behavior, and Redirection Reading and homework is strongly encouraged to get the most out of the training series. Must be on camera and actively participate. Register online. For more information, email or call Katie Lo Monaco at 703-296-8078.

Training for Fairfax County licensed Foster Parents

Endings and Beginnings, an In-Service Training Opportunity influenced by ARC Reflections 
Tuesday, June 10
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Virtual via Microsoft Teams 

Foster and kin parents are invited to learn to help children regulate emotions, feel connected, and build strengths. RSVP by Tuesday, June 3, 2025, to Emily Thomas. Future dates and topics in this series will be offered each month. Attendance at all sessions is strongly encouraged but not required.

Foster Parent College Online Training
Foster Parent College offers training on a variety of key topics. Newly approved and seasoned foster parents can build new skills or reinforce information acquired from New Generation PRIDE. FPC is self-paced and can be accessed online from anywhere at your convenience 24/7. All classes are free to approved foster parents with Fairfax County. You may choose to take any class you believe will be helpful for your own personal growth and development. This month’s featured training is Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Care (Also available in Spanish). Read more.


If you have questions or need additional support, please reach out to one of the in-service trainers; Emily Thomas. You may also contact FPC at 541-343-6636 or toll free at 1-800-777-6636, (PT) for technical difficulties. As always, once a class is completed, please email the certificate to Emily Thomas.

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SUGGESTIONS

envelopeWhat do you want to see in Foster Family News?

Submit your suggestions to Angela Morlu.
 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Check out past issues of Foster Family News

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