Fairfax County Declares Local State of Emergency
On March 17, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors declared a local state of emergency in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. This action follows Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s declaration of a state of emergency on March 12, and a national emergency declaration by President Donald Trump on March 13, 2020.
The local emergency declaration is primarily a financial mechanism that provides greater flexibility and authority for the county in purchasing hard to find resources and supplies. It also increases the authorities granted to the county to protect the health and safety of the community and provide emergency assistance in such a rapidly evolving incident.
Fairfax County Operating Status
Because of the coronavirus, some county facilities have status changes. Status updates for schools, courts, public meetings, libraries, parks, transportation services, trash collection and more is available at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/status.
Stay Informed
Child Care Services
Governor Northam announced that the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) (https://www.dss.virginia.gov/geninfo/corona.cgi) will be releasing guidance to child care programs to help them to meet the provision of the Governor’s directive to only have 10 people gathered in any one place. The guidance will discuss limiting the number of children and staff per classroom to 10, feeding children in individual classes; staggering recess and outdoor play to one class at a time; and providing tips for programming to keep children six feet apart. In addition, families are also asked to stay home with their children if they are not essential personnel in order ensure child care programs have the capacity to serve essential personnel. When the VDSS guidance is available, the Office for Children (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/office-for-children/) will assist the state in distributing the information to child care programs in Fairfax County; and the Fairfax County blog will be updated to include this new information.
Community Centers/Neighborhood Centers/Resource Centers and Teen Centers
Community Food Distribution
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) continues to provide grab and go meals at no cost for students at 38 locations throughout Fairfax County. Breakfast is served from 8 to 10:30 a.m.; lunch, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are coordinating with community partners to ensure the locations and timing of food centers and pantries are being communicated with FCPS families. All students enrolled in FCPS schools and other County children receive one meal at no-cost; and, may have additional meals at no-cost upon request. Adults may purchase breakfast and lunch meals at a cost of $2.00. An updated list of locations is available at www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update-food-resources.
Additionally, the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) has partnered with FCPS to provide “pop-up” grab and go breakfast and lunch meals in five (5) targeted community locations. The locations (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/facilities-map) are:
• Audubon Apartments, 10-10:30 a.m., 7955 Audubon Ave., Alexandria
• Bailey’s Community Center, 10-10:30 a.m., 5920 Summers Ln., Falls Church
• Gum Springs Community Center, 11-11:30 a.m., 8100 Fordson Rd., Alexandria
• James Lee Community Center, 12-12:30 p.m., 2855 Annandale Rd, Falls Church
• Willston Multi-Cultural Center, 11-11:30 a.m., 6131 Willston Dr., Falls Church
Fairfax County and FCPS have worked together to develop a searchable map that includes community food distribution sites, including FCPS grab and go locations, community meal distribution sites, food pantries, and other related services. It is available at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/maps/food-resources.
The county continues to provide meals to current Senior Center and Adult Day Health Care participants. Meals are being delivered to each participant that indicates a need. Additional meals will be packaged in sets of five meals for five days so residents will receive one delivery per week with five meals. Additionally, older adult county housing facilities are also receiving meals through this coordinated effort. FASTRAN continues to support the Department of Family Services’ Meals on Wheels routes when volunteers are unavailable. This effort started last week and will continue through program closure.
Coordinated Services Planning (Basic Needs Support)
(https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/basic-needs-assistance)
Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) is assisting residents facing difficulties affected by job losses. Residents needing food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, healthcare and other needs, call 703-222-0880, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, for assistance with accessing government and community-based resources. Assistance is available in multiple languages.
Department of Family Services
(https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/financial-and-medical)
The Department of Family Services (DFS) is providing “Assistance from a Distance” for financial and medical needs. Visit the DFS website for information about how to apply for food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, child care assistance, financial assistance, energy (heating and cooling) assistance, free or low-cost medical care, and temporary assistance for needy families (TANF). Additional resources also are available at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/assistance-from-a-distance.
Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence Services remains committed to providing support to all those in our community experiencing interpersonal violence. DSVS now offers victims and survivors new resources: Teletherapy, Abuse Intervention, and Safety Planning with Children.
Teletherapy: Starting July 2020, DSVS is offering free counseling services online via Teletherapy. We know counseling helps people feel stronger, safer, less afraid and more hopeful. We also know that seeking help takes effort and courage. That is why DSVS is working to make it easy to access services. See more information in DSVS' Teletherapy one pager.
Abuse Intervention: Some families are finding it difficult to cope. Hurting someone else only makes things worse. Instead, we want to help people stop and think about options. See more information in DSVS's abuse intervention one pager or click here: Preventing Domestic Abuse During COVID-19.
Safety Planning with Children: When someone lives with a partner who threatens their safety, they are probably concerned about their child’s safety, too. It’s best to plan for safety with children before a crisis. See more information in DSVS' Safety Planning with Children one pager attached or click here.
For some people, staying home doesn’t always feel safe because someone there may threaten or hurt you. If this is you, learn what steps you can take to try to stay safe. If you know someone who might be being abused, find out what you can do to provide support. And know you can call the Fairfax County Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline for help 24 hours a day at 703-360-7273. If it is not safe to talk, text LOVEIS to 22522 for the national domestic violence hotline or chat at rainn.org for the national sexual violence hotline.
Fairfax County Public Schools
All FCPS school buildings are closed until further notice. Food distribution at FCPS sites will continue as scheduled. FCPS students and other county children under age 18 can receive one meal at no-cost and may have additional meals at no-cost upon request. Adults may purchase breakfast and lunch meals at a cost of $2.00. For additional FCPS food distribution locations, log on to https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update-food-resources.
Food Pantries
Residents who want to contribute also are encouraged to consider making monetary contributions and grocery gift cards donations to our community-based organization partners. You can visit the Human Services Resource Guide (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hsrg/), an online, searchable guide to available human services resources in Fairfax County.
Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic
Income Tax Preparation and Citizen Tax Relief and Exemptions
Libraries
All Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) locations will re-open for interior Express Services on Monday, March 22, 2021. Most facets of previous services will remain the same with a few minor updates:
- Customers will be able to visit FCPL branches for up to 30 minutes, on Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Curbside pickup of materials on hold will remain available to customers Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about how to pick up or drop off holds, visit https://research.fairfaxcounty.gov/unlimited/curbside.
- Capacity limits will be in place: up to 30 members of the public at a time may be in community branches and up to 60 may be in regional branches.
- Library programming will remain virtual and meeting rooms will remain closed at this time.
- Ask Your Library via the website and text messaging will continue to be available 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- We ask that the public does not visit a branch if they have COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to someone who tested positive or are awaiting COVID-19 test results.
- We will continue to offer robust virtual programming for all ages, which can be found on our YouTube channel and Facebook page. Learn about the top 10 ways to access FCPL resources at home.
Neighbor-to-Neighbor Grocery Shopping and Pharmacy Pick-up Service for Older Adults
In response to the increased needs of residents who are 60 years old and older and who require assistance, Fairfax County, through the Health Department’s Neighbor to Neighbor Program (N2N), has launched a free grocery shopping and pharmacy pick-up service. The service is provided to senior citizens at private residences by volunteers, who have completed background checks. To request shopping and pharmacy pick-up, or to find out if you are eligible for financial assistance to obtain food, contact the Fairfax County Aging, Disability and Caregiver Resource line at 703-324-7948. Learn more at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/neighbor.
Parks
(https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/coronavirus)
The Park Authority has begun phased reopening of park amenities, with limited use in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines from the Virginia Governor’s office and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please visit Fairfax County’s COVID-19 Resource Page to review all current recommendations. Park visitors are asked to adhere to the physical distancing guidelines and small group guidelines (do not exceed 10 people), to avoid closed facilities or apparatus, and to keep in mind that restrooms and park buildings will not be open at this time.
The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series will be canceled through July due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Fourth of July events have been canceled, too. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and health-related guidelines continue to recommend against large gatherings. Fourth of July programs and the free series of concerts and performances for children have regularly drawn crowds in summers past. More information is available at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/park-news/2020/z-ir065.
Public Works - Keeping Clean During Covid-19
Keeping yourself and your children clean and virus free is extremely important during the Covid-19 pandemic. Fairfax County says no matter where you live – condo, house or apartment – you can avoid a disgusting sewer backup into your home by not flushing wipes down the toilet. Additional information about how to prevent backups and overflows is available at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/news/keeping-clean-during-covid-19.
Rental Assistance - Contact Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) for Basic Needs Assistance
School Age Child Care
Schools - FCPS Distance Learning Plan
Senior Centers and Adult Day Health Care Centers
Small Business and Nonprofit Relief Grant Fund - Fairfax RISE
Fairfax RISE (Relief Initiative to Support Employers) is a grant fund that will offer financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofits adversely affected by the Coronavirus shutdowns. The grant program will offer up to $20K to qualified small businesses and nonprofits. Grantees are chose via lottery. The grant is open June 8-15 For more information, visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/economic-success/fairfaxrise.
On September 15, 2020, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved up to an additional $12 million to expand funding for the Fairfax RISE grant program. The additional funding will bring the total program funding to $58 million and allow for all remaining qualified businesses who applied for RISE grants to receive funding. The additional funding will come from the county’s portion of federal CARES Act funds.
Grant Application Timeline & Process
- The grant application will be open from 9 a.m. on Monday, June 8 through Monday, June 15 at 11:59 p.m.
- During this period applicants will fill out the Part 1 of the application which is the Qualification Stage. This part of the application consists of submitting the Qualification Survey to help determine their location, business size/employment, and SWAM eligibility. The Qualification Survey should take 10 minutes or less to complete.
- The Qualification Survey can be accessed through the Fairfax Rise website.
- Many questions about eligibility can be answered through FAQ’s posted on the Fairfax Rise website.
- Applicants will not be required to upload documents in Part 1, the Qualification Survey.
- After the grant application period closes, if the grant is over-prescribed, we will hold a lottery to select the applicants that will move forward to Part 2, the Certification and Approval Stage.
- More than 4400 people have signed up to receive info about the grant process. We have emailed them once, will email the webinar info and a reminder today, and then email them again Monday, June 9 when the grant opens.
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- Press Release: English | Spanish | Korean | Arabic | Vietnamese
- Postcard: English | Spanish | Korean | Arabic | Vietnamese
- On Tuesday, June 9 at 11:00 a.m. DEI and our contractor CBP will hold a Q&A webinar for interested parties. There will be a short presentation, then questions will be taken, via chat, from participants. Below is the webinar information for you to share with your networks.
FAIRFAX RISE WEBINAR
Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Fund
Fairfax County has established a $2.5 Million fund to support small business recovery. Along with the Federal SBA loans and grants, the Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Fund and associated counseling will help our business community with needed relief. The program will be administered by the Community Business Partnership. Applications will be accepted beginning April 28. For details about SBA loan and grants, and small business assistance centers to help you, visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/economic-success/county-small-business-covid-19-recovery-fund. Applications will be accepted beginning April 28.
Tax Relief Application Due Date Extended to June 1; Workshops Postponed
(https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/relief/tax-relief-due-date-extended)
The 2020 tax relief application due date for seniors and people with disabilities has been extended from April 1, 2020 to June 1, 2020, and the remaining tax relief workshops are postponed until further notice. All residents are urged to stay home and submit their annual applications by e-mail, mail, or fax. If you require assistance with completing the application or have any questions, please call 703-222-8234 (TTY 711).
Trash and Recycling
Please be advised that no changes have been made to the County's weekly trash (grey cart) and recycling (blue cart) collection schedule. To ensure that all trash and recycling is collected, please make sure that all materials are at the curb/street line by 6 a.m. on your regular collection day. Trash and recycled material must be placed inside the cart. Trash or recycling placed outside the county-provided cart will not be collected. No privately-owned carts will be serviced.
Effective Monday, May 25, 2020 [Memorial Day]
Yard waste collection resumes the week of May 25, 2020.
Effective Monday, May 18, 2020
Bulk/brush and electronic waste collection resumes.
Collection of cardboard placed outside of the county recycle cart has resumed.
- All cardboard must be collapsed (this will prevent the possibility of non-cardboard items, e.g., glass, trash) being placed in boxes that are not collapsed; and,
- Styrofoamtm, packing peanuts, and any other material must be removed from the collapsed boxes;
Additional county collection customer notices are available at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/recycling-trash/county-collection-customers/notices.
Purple Can Club (Glass Recycling) Resumes
Collection of glass dropped off at purple, glass-only containers resumes Monday, May 11, 2020. Containers are being reset at locations throughout Fairfax County. See map of locations at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/recycling-trash/glass. Residents can also bring glass to containers at the I-66 transfer station and I-95 landfill complex, or glass can be placed in the trash.
Virginia Career Works
Volunteering
