Welcome to the 2025 September 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.
| Table of Contents |
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| Feature Articles |
| Events Central |
| Support Groups |
| FAQs, Story in Stats & Foster Care Facts |
| Trainings and Conferences |
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, nationally, only 60% of youth who age out of foster care graduate from high school or get their GED by age 19 and 75% reach that milestone by age 21. Unfortunately, only 3-10% of those graduates receive a vocational certificate/license, associate or bachelor’s degree, or higher by 21 years old according to the National Youth in Transition Database. This is all the more reason to celebrate the 14 youth who graduated from high school, four that completed a certificate or trade school program, and two college graduates this year in Fairfax County Foster Care! Learn more!
Jayson Lee, a junior at Poolesville High School in Maryland, and Kate Steele, a junior at Oakton High School are two phenomenal young leaders with huge hearts for the community. Jayson is working on his 4-H Diamond Clover Level 6 Project—a challenge equivalent to the prestigious Eagle Scout project of the Boy Scouts, and Kate is working toward her Girls Scout Gold Award. Both chose to complete projects that support children involved with the Department of Family Services including youth in foster care. Check out the impressive way these young people turned their joy in crafting handmade items into a heartfelt labor of love for those in the community in need of a boost. 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.
The Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) is the federal review process for all public child welfare systems in the U.S. Virginia will undergo its review between October 2025 and March 2026. This review helps to ensure agencies are meeting federal child welfare requirements and helps agencies strengthen their practice to achieve positive outcomes for children and families in the areas of safety, permanency, and well-being. A random sample of 70 foster care and in-home services cases will be selected from across Virginia. Learn more about the process and what it means to our resource families.
Want to be a part of ending teen dating violence in our community? Join the Fairfax County Teen Advocates Program and make your voice heard! Build your knowledge and tools to promote healthy relationships—and have fun along the way! As a Teen Advocate you can: 1) champion a cause you care about; 2) become a leader among your peers; 3) make new friends who are passionate like you; and 4) plan impactful events and activities! Ready to make a difference? Apply by Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game! hosted by NPAC and Children's Home Society of Virginia
Sunday, September 7
1 – 4 p.m.
42 Jackie Robinson Way
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Grab your favorite ball cap and bring the family to the Fredericksburg Nationals Stadium to cheer on the minor league baseball team! Come get to know other adoptive and kinship families and enjoy this treasured pastime together! Game time is 1:35 p.m. Families are eligible for this event and NPAC services if they reside in the Northern region of Virginia and are one of the following:
- A family with a finalized adoption (or a signed APA*) of a youth between the ages of 0 to 18 years; families with young adults under 21 may be eligible
- KinGAP families
- State-funded kinship subsidy families
Register online or learn more.
Monthly Foster Care Information Meeting
Tuesday, September 9
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.
Kids Day Out (Previously known as Respite Nights) hosted by Foster the Family D.C.
Occasional Kids Day Out events offered on Saturday evenings in three counties in the DMV area. During a Kids Day Out, we provide 3 hours of free child care in a safe, fun, trauma informed space. These events are for any children, ages up to 12 years old in the home of local foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Spots are limited and first come, first serve. Registration will close the Monday before the Kids Day Out.
- Saturday, September 27 in Rockville, MD: Register Here
The 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.
A variety of organizations offer support to adoptive, foster, and kinship care families in our region. Register online for a preferred support group.
Sunday, September 7, 7:30-9 p.m. – Formed Families Forward Virtual Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Monday, September 8, 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, Sept. 5.
- Prince William County, Register Here
- Fairfax County, Register Here
- Montgomery County, Register Here
- Virtual Support Group, Email to be added to the list
- Alexandria, VA on Tuesday, September 16: Register Here (*No childcare available!)
Wednesday, September 17, 7-8:30 p.m. – Formed Families Forward in-Person Peer Support Groups for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Tuesday, September 23, 6-7:30 p.m. – Stronger Together Youth and Young Adult Peer Support Groups (in-person) for teens and young adults age 14-22 who have lived experience. Group meetings are facilitated by a mental health professional and a young adult peer co-facilitator. A light dinner is served.
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.
How much can I spend on clothing for children placed in my home?
Answer: The Virginia Department of Social Services administers a yearly clothing allowance to all children in foster care. The amount depends on the age of the child and is listed on the Financial Agreement foster parents sign at the time a child joins their family. Clothing, socks, shoes, coats, scarves, hats, gloves, and undergarments are reimbursable. Individualized receipts are required for each child. If upon a child’s arrival, it is necessary to buy clothes, foster parents should spend no more than $100 until the 5-Day Hearing. Any amount of money spent in the first few days of a child’s arrival is applied to the yearly amount. The monthly maintenance also provides money for additional clothing expenditures, and this amount varies based on the age of the child. This amount is given in addition to the annual clothing allowance, and it does not require receipts.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
For Youth in Fairfax County Foster Care or Fostering Futures
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