Public Assistance and Employment Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Multiple Locations - Main Office: 12011 Government Center Parkway, Pennino Building
Fairfax, VA 22035
Lisa Tatum
Director

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Public Assistance and Employment Services (PAES) News

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Stay connected with recent events and news in the Public Assistance and Employment Services (PAES) division!

Celebrating Youth at the CLIMB Recognition Ceremony

(Posted November 2024)                        

CLIMB Recognition CeremonyOn November 14, 2024, Employment Services celebrated the inaugural cohort of the CLIMB Program at their Recognition Ceremony. 15 youth between the ages of 18-24 completed a six-week skills development and career exploration program to support their success. To support their participation in the program, youth received an hourly wage of $14/hour.

Youth learned about top industries, meeting with employers such as Amazon Web Services, Baltimore-DC Metro Building and Construction Trades Council, Fairfax County Fire Department, Fairfax County Neighborhood & Community Services, Fairfax County Police Department, Minority Tech Foundation, National Park Service, Truist Bank, and the U.S. Army. 

The participants also attended interactive workshops on resume building, interview preparation, financial literacy, and workplace communication skills from representatives of BritePaths, Leadership Fairfax, Truist Bank, and Virginia Career Works Center. 

CLIMB Recognition CeremonyVisiting the Amazon Skills Center, Culmore Center (formerly Woodrow Wilson) Library, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA -Annandale) campus, and the Workforce Innovation and Skills Hub (W.I.S.H.) gave the CLIMB participants the opportunity to see resources first-hand and learn about all of the supports available to them.

At the Recognition Ceremony, Paulisha Kellum from Neighborhood and Community Services delivered an inspiring keynote address, and community partner Jorge Figueredo from Edu-Futuro shared insights to support the youth’s future success. Congratulations to the CLIMB cohort on their accomplishments! 

The CLIMB Program is a partnership of Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services, and Second Story. Do you know someone between ages 17-24 who would benefit from career support services? Learn about our youth employment programs or contact DFSYouthWorks@fairfaxcounty.gov to learn more. 

CLIMB Recognition Ceremony

Recognizing the Medical Care for Children Partnership (MCCP) Foundation

(Posted October 2024)                        

Marcia Twomey – MCCPOn October 16, 2024, at the Department of Family Services (DFS) “This Is Us” Wellness and Recognition Event, attendees gathered to recognize the outstanding partnership and achievements of the Medical Care for Children Partnership (MCCP) Foundation. For over 35 years, this award-winning, nationally recognized public-private partnership has improved health outcomes for vulnerable children in Fairfax County. In collaboration with the DFS Public Assistance and Employment (PAES) Division and the medical community, the MCCP Foundation ensures access to comprehensive medical and dental services for families who are otherwise ineligible for Medicaid or other healthcare options. Currently, 3,439 children are enrolled in the program, with countless more benefiting since its inception.

With Executive Director Marcia Twomey at its helm, the MCCP Foundation is a true champion of children’s health and wellness, actively engaging the community through events such as food distribution stations, Culmore Community Day, and Give Kids a Smile, among many others. Their efforts embody DFS values of equity, partnership, innovation, people-focused, and accountability, and we are proud to be their partner. 

DFS and PAES staff extend the deepest appreciation to the MCCP Foundation for their invaluable partnership and extraordinary contributions to the community. 

(Posted October 2024)                        

David Hunn at DFS Wellness EventOn October 16, 2024, at the Department of Family Services (DFS) “This Is Us” Wellness and Recognition Event, attendees gathered to recognize David Hunn and The SkillSource Group, Inc. as the Workforce Partner of the Year. Collaborating with David Hunn, President and CEO of the SkillSource Group has been an honor and privilege for DFS and the Employment Services team in the PAES division. The partnership delivers essential workforce development services to Northern Virginia’s unemployed and underemployed citizens, as well as small and medium-sized employers.

David’s four-decade public service career includes transformative leadership in workforce development. His exceptional leadership and ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships have made a lasting impact across the community.

David has significantly driven the growth and impact of the workforce development ecosystem. The partnership between The SkillSource Group, Inc, DFS, and Fairfax County has established a leading force in workforce development. Leveraging the county’s infrastructure, we have benefited from The SkillSource Group, Inc’s agility in pursuing grant opportunities and designing pilot initiatives.

Our strategic partnerships extend beyond our two organizations. David’s team has also joined the County in Talent Up, an initiative aimed at enhancing economic mobility for county residents while addressing recruitment challenges of small businesses. Additionally, our collaboration with The SkillSource Group, Inc and the Neighborhood and Community Services department has grown the Educating Youth through Employment (EYE) summer work program for young people since 2006. David has also fostered impactful partnerships with entities like the National Council on Aging, securing significant grant funding for workforce development.

David's advocacy with state and federal workforce agencies has led to administrative changes that focus on the needs of program participants. He has been keen on listening to DFS staff and presenting their recommendations at various state and federal forums on our behalf. His dedication to workforce development has been invaluable.

(Posted October 2024)                        

2024 Digital Equity Summit PanelOn October 10, 2024, the Fairfax County Department of Family Services (DFS) participated in the 2024 Digital Equity Summit, organized by Cox Communications, Inova, and Fairfax County Government. Represented by Daniel Mekibib, Assistant Division Director for Workforce Development, DFS reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring residents have the resources and skills to thrive in digitally connected communities. Daniel outlined DFS's multipronged approach: Access to Devices, Broadband Connectivity, Digital Literacy, and Tech Career Readiness. Daniel stressed the importance of tech partnerships to ensure the digital divide doesn't widen economic disparities as automation and AI reshape the workforce by displacing some jobs and creating newer ones.

DFS has distributed over 100 tablets to isolated older adults and secure phones to survivors of domestic violence, along with 226 laptops to job seekers. Through partnerships and four workforce centers, DFS provides access to devices, the internet, training and industry-recognized certifications, and work-based learning.

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