DEPARTMENT of FAMILY SERVICES

April 30, 2025

Welcome to the Department of Family Services' Community Corner. Our weekly newsletter, updated each Wednesday, provides information about upcoming events, parenting and wellness tips, programs and services, and more! Share these helpful posts with your family and friends.

May is Foster Care Month

During Foster Care Month this May, we recognize the role of foster care in providing children with opportunities to be part of safe, caring homes. We encourage county residents, faith-based organizations, and other public and private organizations to recognize the importance of foster care, consider how they can make an impact, and commit to supporting children and youth in need. Our theme “Awareness to Action – Supporting Foster Care Changes Lives!” is a reminder of the collective responsibility we share to support and uplift the most vulnerable members of our community. Learn how to get involved.

Understanding Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding Disorder is a mental health issue that many people don't fully understand. To help our community better understand the disorder and its impacts, the Golden Gazette is publishing a series of five articles addressing the issue. Our aim is to increase knowledge, reduce negative judgments, improve safety, and offer information and resources to help those affected by this condition and their families. Learn what hoarding disorder is, who is at risk of developing it, and signs of the disorder in the April issue of the Golden Gazette.

Skip the Trip: Apply for Benefits from Home

Skip the Trip! Avoid traffic, bad weather, and waiting in line by applying for Medicaid, SNAP, and more online or over the phone. You can conveniently submit benefits applications or check on the status of your application without making the trip to one of our office locations. Learn more about how to access Public Assistance and Employment Services information online or by phone.

Sexual Violence—An Umbrella of Terms

Sexual violence is an umbrella term that includes all forms of unwanted sexual contact. Standing with survivors means using language that ensures people feel heard, justice is more attainable, and myths about assault are deconstructed. Get more information about how Domestic and Sexual Violence Service supports survivors by calling the Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline at 703-360-7273.

Between Ages 17-24 and Need Career Assistance?

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Program assists youth that are out of school or close to graduating high school gain valuable job skills and training to prepare for employment in high-demand jobs. You could get access to GED preparation, career coaching, training and credentials, and assistance with paying for uniforms, tools, and more. Learn more and apply to WIOA Youth.

Volunteer to Teach Kids About Staying Safe

Are you available on weekdays during school hours and enjoy working with kids? If so, this opportunity is for you! The Department of Family Services’ Body Safety Program needs volunteer classroom instructors to help empower elementary students with the tools they need to prevent or interrupt child abuse. Apply online or contact the Body Safety staff by email or phone at 703-324-7459. We are continuously onboarding volunteers throughout the school year, and now we are planning for the 2025-2026 school year. Help us reach our goal of 30 new volunteers before our next training on Friday, August 8!

Understanding the Connection Between Natural Disasters and Interpersonal Violence

Natural disasters do not cause domestic or sexual violence, but the physical, mental, and socioeconomic effects of disaster can escalate interpersonal violence. Learn more about the increase in reports of domestic and sexual violence after a natural disaster and how this increase impacts the entire community.

Starting Tuesday, May 6 – New Session of Free Virtual Dads Parenting Groups

Calling all dads! Join our free virtual parenting group sessions beginning Tuesday, May 6. These 12-week sessions are specifically designed to support fathers in Fairfax County or those with children living in the area. Language interpretation services are available to ensure everyone can participate. Don't miss this opportunity to improve your parenting skills and build stronger relationships with your children. For more information, contact Bennie Herron at 703-324-7308 or visit https://bit.ly/DFS-FE to register.

Friday, May 9 – Northern Virginia Regional Job Fair

Virginia Career Works Northern is bringing together employers from across Northern Virginia for a career fair on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035).

Learn more about this event designed to connect local employers with a diverse pool of professional job seekers – that’s you!

Friday, May 9 – Journaling for Caregiver Well-Being Webinar

Join Certified Journal Therapist Deborah Ross, LPC, who will introduce best practices for journaling, dispel some myths and suggest tips, tools, and strategies so that your journal is a supportive companion on your caregiving journey. Decades of research have established journaling as a significant tool to lower stress and enhance wellbeing. But for the best outcome, it matters greatly how one writes. Please have some writing tools with you along with your curiosity, and you'll learn how much support is available from the page. No prior journaling experience is necessary. This workshop will meet online on May 9 from 12-1 p.m. and is hosted by the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging. Register to receive access instructions.

Tuesday, May. 13 – Free Virtual Parent Café: Parenting in the Hispanic Culture

The next free Virtual Parent Café will be held Tuesday, May. 13, 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss Parenting in the Hispanic Culture. The facilitators will lead an open discussion in Spanish about the cross-cultural challenges many parents face when raising their children in a diverse environment. The discussion will explore the common issue of trying to instill respect for Hispanic culture and values while balancing conflicting cultural influences that children encounter through media, peers, etc. Any Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old can join in through MS Teams at https://bit.ly/4i6cQc1 and use passcode: h5Jy6ng3. For more information or to preregister, email or call 703-324-7720.

El próximo Café Virtual para Padres gratuito será el martes 13 de mayo, de 6:30 a 8 p. m., para hablar sobre la crianza de los hijos en la cultura hispana. Los facilitadores dirigirán una discusión abierta sobre los desafíos interculturales que enfrentan muchos padres al criar a sus hijos en un entorno diverso. La discusión explorará el problema com