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

Department Resources

Related Resources

The Volunteer Post Newsletter – Archive

2025 November

  • DFS Holiday Giving Programs Spread Goodwill
  • A Heartwarming Partnership with Neighborhood and Community Services
  • BeFriend-A-Child Training November 8
  • Parenting Education Volunteer Spotlight: April Pavis-Schroeder
  • BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring Program Falls into Fun at Cox Farms
  • Body Safety Program’s First Visit to Ft. Belvoir Upper Elementary
  • Recognizing Kinship Heroes
  • Adopt-A-Family Featured on Good Morning Washington

2025 September

  • Create Joyful Moments with the Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program
  • School Supply Drive Provides Backpacks for Brighter Futures
  • Welcoming Volunteer and Partner Services’ Fall 2025 Interns
  • 4-H Diamond Clover and Girl Scout Gold Projects Support Children in our Community
  • BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring Program Makes a Splash at Water Mine Swimmin’ Hole
  • Dynamic Body Safety Orientation Sparks Enthusiasm
  • Body Safety and BeFriend-A-Child Programs Featured on ABC7 News

2025 July

  • Thank You for Restocking the VPS Baby Supply Closets
  • BeFriend-A-Child Program Hosts Fun-filled Spring Gathering
  • Building a Stronger and Safer Community One School at a Time
  • Spotlight on Parenting Education Programs’ Volunteer: Caleb Faber
  • Mentor Group Takes on Kings Dominion for a Summer Send-Off
  • Help Cheer on our Graduates in Foster Care!

2025 May

  • 2025 Volunteer and Partner Appreciation Event
  • Donate Foster Care Housewarming Baskets
  • Spotlight on Carrie Bradshaw, Body Safety Program Volunteer
  • BeFriend-A-Child Program Seeks Volunteer Mentors
  • Supporting Foster Care Changes Lives!
  • Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation

2025 March

  • Join Us for our 2025 Volunteer & Partner Appreciation Event
  • Volunteer & Partner Services Engages Community at MLK Jr. Day of Service
  • New Event Uplifts BeFriend-A-Child Mentors
  • Spread Kindness with Handmade Donations
  • Donate Meals to the Parenting Education Programs
  • Pinwheels for Prevention 

2025 January

  • Adopt-A-Family Program the Heart of the Holidays
  • BeFriend-A-Child Program Makes Holiday Memories
  • Celebrating Our Unsung Heroes: A Tribute to the BeFriend-A-Child Mentors
  • Volunteer and Make Baby Boxes
  • Resolve to Volunteer in the New Year

2024 November

  • Adopt-A-Family Celebrates the Spirit of Giving
  • BeFriend-A-Child Partner Gives Family A Boost 
  • Supporting the Healthy Families Fairfax Baby Extravaganza
  • Collaborating with Fairfax County Public Schools for Child Safety 
  • Meet the 2024-2025 Volunteer and Partner Services’ Interns

2024 September

  • Adopt-A-Family for the 2024 Holiday Season
  • A New Way to Give Back to Local Families
  • 4-H Summer Camp Offers Outdoor Adventure for BeFriend A-Child Mentees
  • Annual VPS Back to School Drive Supports Academic Success 
  • BeFriend-A-Child Field Trip is in a League of its Own 
  • Sponsor Spotlight – Foster Youth Innovation
  • George Mason Alumni Magazine Profiles VPS Supervisor, Samantha Carrico

2024 July

  • Body Safety Classes Teach Kids to Recognize Harmful Situations – Volunteers Needed to Support Program’s Growth 
  • Foster Parents Enjoy Connecting at Annual Appreciation Event!
  • Summer Training Dates – Volunteers Needed, Spread the Word!
  • Celebrate the Class of 2024!!
  • Support the Ongoing VPS Donation Drive 

2024 May

  • 2024 Volunteer and Partner Appreciation Event Celebrates Our Supporters
  • Donation Drive to Restock the VPS Baby Supply Closet
  • Spotlight on Georgia Hubert, Body Safety Program Volunteer 
  • BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring Program Hosts 2024 Spring Gathering for Families
  • Mentoring Fathers to Be the Best Dads They Can Be 
  • Get Involved During Foster Care Month!

2024 March

  • ‘Mark Your Calendars for the 2024 Volunteer & Partner Appreciation Event 
  • Welcoming our Newest Body Safety Instructors and Befriend-A-Child Mentors
  • Spotlight on Tim Barber, Long-Term VPS Community Partner 
  • BeFriend-A-Child Mentors and Mentees Connect Through Food 
  • Volunteer with Dads Parenting Groups 
  • Celebrating a Fantastic Year of Partnership with Tickets for Kids
  • Planting Pinwheel Gardens for Child Abuse Prevention 
  • Appreciating and Empowering DFS Social Workers

2024 January

  • ‘Twas the Season for Giving! 2023 Adopt-A-Family Program has Exceeded Expectations 
  • Family and Friends Bring Fun to BeFriend-A-Child Holiday Party 
  • Mentoring Makes a Difference for Youth 
  • Volunteer and Partner Services Program Says Farewell to Long-Term Volunteer, Mary Lou Withem 
  • Puppy Party Fosters Youth
  • DFS Canine Ambassador and Handler Visit University of Lynchburg Students
  • Making the Most of the MLK Day of Service to Help Area Families

2023 November

  • Body Safety Program Partners with SafeSpot Children’s Advocacy Center  
  • Make the Holiday Season Bright! Adopt-A-Family 
  • See What’s Cookin’ with our BeFriend A-Child Mentors and Mentees 
  • Volunteer & Partner Services Presents at 14th Annual Crimes Against Children Conference 
  • Sign Up to Help Families in Need
  • Bilingual Volunteer Classroom Instructors Needed for the Body Safety Program 
  • November is Adoption Awareness Month

2023 September

  • Adopt-A-Family for the 2023 Holiday Season
  • Volunteer & Partner Services Welcomes Three New Interns Starting Fall 2023
  • BeFriend A-Child Mentors and Mentees Enjoy Summer Adventures 
  • Clifton Preschool Students Learn about Body Safety 
  • The Department of Family Services Holds Successful 2023 Backpack and School Supply Drive 
  • Help Youth in Foster Care to Have a Warm Winter
  • Fairfax County Foster Care ConGRADulates Our 2023 Graduates

2023 July

  • Annual BeFriend-A-Child Family Gathering was a Day Full of Fun
  • Volunteer & Partner Services’ Coordinators Return from Serving Families on the Front Line of Child Welfare
  • Tickets for Kids Provides a World of Opportunities for Children
  • Seeking Spanish Speakers to Volunteer with Children in Our Community!
  • VPS Holds "Black Friday" Surplus Events
  • Open Your Heart; Become a Foster Parent

2023 May

  • Thank You, Sponsors, for Supporting Our First Return to in-Person Volunteer Celebration 
  • Community Embraces Child Abuse Prevention Efforts
  • Prevention Programs Complete First Student Grief Groups in Partnership with FCPS 
  • Introducing New Body Safety and BeFriend-A-Child Program Staff, Paula Severiche and Elizabeth Aguilar Martinez 
  • Body Safety Coordinator Recognized with County Outstanding Performance Award
  • National Foster Care Month Highlights an Opportunity to Support the Vulnerable

2023 March

  • Join Us for our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event, Tuesday, April 11
  • Planting Pinwheel Gardens for Child Abuse Prevention
  • Foster the Family D.C. Offers Support and Encouragement
  • Introducing Volunteer & Partner Services Intern, Megan Fedor
  • Celebrating Rylynn’s 4th Birthday
  • DFS Celebrates Social Work Month

2023 January

  • Volunteer & Partner Services Welcomes New Supervisor
  • Adopt-A-Family Program Spreads Holiday Joy throughout Community
  • A Different Path Starts with You – Thank You to Our Mentors
  • Make Baby Boxes to Help Families in Need

banner the volunteer post; image is collage of people

Our volunteers and partners are the invaluable backbone of Volunteer & Partner Services Program (VPS). This newsletter is published three times a year and shares about events, volunteer data, volunteer opportunities or other general information. We hope this newsletter will keep us all connected!

Whether you’re a seasoned or new volunteer, partner or sponsor, knowing the history of the organization you’re supporting is very important.

  • VPS was developed in September 2013 with the purpose of recruiting top-level volunteers to provide direct or indirect services to prevent child abuse and neglect.
  • VPS is part of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services within the Department of Family Services Children, Youth and Families division.
  • VPS started with four programs and after gaining momentum began recruiting volunteers for two additional programs.
VPS manages the Administrative Assistant Program, BeFriend-A-Child Program and Body Safety Program - Speak Up Be Safe and also recruits volunteers for the Adopt-A-Family Program, Father Engagement Program for Volunteers - Dads Parenting Groups and Parenting Education Program for Volunteers.

Each program has individual needs and functions that require volunteers with an array of skill sets. Volunteers continue to apply to help with hopes of making a difference in the community. VPS is honored to recruit, train and provide opportunities to those interested in the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

We continue to provide top-level volunteers for the community as we fight to prevent and end child abuse and neglect.

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