February is PAES Employee Appreciation Month! The Public Assistance and Employment Services (PAES) division helps individuals and families become more self-sufficient by helping people apply for and access food, medical, energy, financial, and employment assistance. PAES employees administer federal and state benefits, as well as regional and local workforce development programs to support the journey from surviving to thriving.
"My mother has been covered by Medicaid for a decade. I helped my mother renew her Medicaid by phone but it appeared that information was missing, so she was, at age 88, only two days away from losing her health insurance. The PAES employee helping us went beyond her call of duty and helped address this situation. Because of her diligence and professionalism, my mother has medical coverage today."
In FY2025, PAES employees supported over 300,000 Fairfax County residents participating in SNAP, Medicaid, Childcare, or TANF benefit programs. Employees provide essential support and services, ranging from case management, processing applications and renewals, to a wide range of operational support “behind the scenes” that allows the division to function efficiently and effectively.
“I recently spoke with a Workforce Development Specialist who provided me with valuable career advice, fantastic resources, and the confidence to pursue job opportunities. The job search journey can be disheartening after facing months of rejections, and their support was truly uplifting.”
PAES employees also provide employment services and workforce development programs to help individuals gain meaningful employment opportunities to support themselves, their families, and their communities. From staff providing resume review, interview practice, and job search assistance at the One-Stop Employment Centers, to those helping job seekers with supportive services through case management, Employment Services employees helped nearly 12,000 residents improve their career opportunities in 2025.
“I am writing to express my appreciation for the excellent service that I received from a PAES employee at the Department of Family Services. He was very helpful, knowledgeable and so very kind with all my questions. He was so patient and took a lot of time to explain everything in detail. He represents your office in a very positive way. People like him make the world a better place with the wonderful attitude that he has about his work and sharing his helpful knowledge with people like me.”
Follow along this month as we share more stories of PAES employees’ meaningful impact on our community on the Fairfax County Department of Family Services Facebook. Could you benefit from PAES services and programs? Learn more about how to apply for food, medical, financial, and energy assistance and how to unlock your potential with free employment services.