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DEPARTMENT of FAMILY SERVICES |
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 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.
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September is Kinship Care Awareness Month
During Kinship Care Awareness Month, Virginia celebrates the unconditional commitment that relatives, close family friends and neighbors have made to ensure that children remain connected to their families and cultural traditions. Kinship caregivers provide love and support that allows children to thrive while also empowering family members to overcome the challenges that they face. In Virginia’s Kin First Culture, family engagement is the most critical element of our work. We understand that families are the experts on themselves and given the opportunity, will support one another to ensure that children remain safe and connected to their families of origin. We celebrate the work being done throughout the Department of Family Services to engage and support Kinship caregivers. Learn More.
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What Is a Healthy Relationship?
Is your relationship healthy? In Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, we talk so much about interpersonal violence, people who cause harm, and knowing the signs of abuse that we sometimes push the promotion of healthy relationships to the back burner. What makes a relationship thrive will be different for every couple, but these green flag behaviors are pretty standard.
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Ron Fitzsimmons’ Own Childhood Poverty Inspired the Creation of Alice’s Kids
Childhood should be a time of growth, discovery and fun, safe from the responsibilities and worries that accompany adulthood. This is not always the case for kids living in poverty, whose childhoods can be marked by deprivation, instability, and shame. Having experienced such a childhood, Ron Fitzsimmons understands how small things can lift a child up, relieving some of the anxiety that is part of their daily life. Wanting to provide these moments of joy to children, Fitzsimmons and his sister Laura created Alice’s Kids, a nonprofit that fulfills requests for items that are often out of reach of kids living in poverty. Learn more about Fitzsimmons’ life and Alice’s Kids in the September issue of the Golden Gazette.
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DFS Spotlight on Sarah Freeman – Supporting Families Through Trauma Is a Privilege
Meet Sarah Freeman, licensed professional counselor for Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. Sarah has worked in Fairfax County for a decade, providing individual counseling, mostly with children who have experienced domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking. It’s a privilege, she says, helping families rebuild their lives after trauma. Get to know Sarah and find out why she values working with DFS Domestic and Sexual Violence Services.
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2023 Emergency Preparedness Survey
Fairfax County is launching the 2023 Emergency Preparedness Survey to assess the culture of personal disaster preparedness and resilience in Fairfax County. How prepared are you? Survey link.
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Fairfax County Foster Care ConGRADulates Our 2023 Graduates
Did you know that nationally, only about half of children in foster care graduate from high school by age 19, and in Fairfax that statistic is only a bit higher at 60%? That’s why each year the Fairfax County Department of Family Services recognizes youth in foster care who earn their GED or graduate from high school, college, or vocational certificate programs. Learn about this year’s celebration and the amazing young people who were honored and how you can support youth in foster care. Read More.
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Join Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Clinical Services Team!
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is hiring a Children’s Counselor to join its Clinical Services team. This person provides short-term individual, family, and group psychotherapy for children affected by domestic violence and/or sexual abuse and consultation to caregivers of children currently in treatment. If you have experience and are curious about this opportunity, check it out.
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New Dementia Caregiver Series Starting in September
Adult and Aging is pleased to announce a new Dementia Caregiver Series beginning this month. The free webinars are for family caregivers who are caring for a loved one living with dementia. The sessions will provide a wide range of opportunities for caregivers to learn about helpful resources and programs as well as hear from others caring for loved ones with dementia. Check out the upcoming webinars and register today. Learn about additional resources for family caregivers.
Mondays, Sept. 11- Dec. 18, 2023 – Free In-Person Parenting Classes (Parenting Children Ages 5-11 years old)
Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church
2001 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria, VA 22309
Do you or someone you know have children 5-11 years old? This free parenting class shows parents how to increase their empathy, discover new ways to encourage appropriate behaviors, build positive self-concept and self-esteem, and learn how to have fun as a family. This class meets from 5:30-8 p.m. Ready to sign-up or have questions? Contact us by email or call 703-324-7720. Check out our online parenting tips and resources including upcoming classes.
Tuesday, Sept. 12 – Free Virtual Parent Café: Routines – Starting the School Year Well
Virtual Parent Cafés are a great way for parents to learn from each other as they grow in their parenting skills. All Parent Cafés are open to Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old. Join us for this Parent Café on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 6:30-8 p.m. to discuss how to establish nurturing routines to help the school year run smoothly. Sign up by sending an email or call 703-324-7720 to register at least one business day before the Parent Café date. Learn more about Virtual Parent Cafés and other resources.
Tuesday, Sept. 12 – Unpacking Gender
In this Unpacking Gender workshop, participants will explore the messages we are taught about gender and how they can affect our relationships with ourselves, loved ones, and community. We will discuss the impact gender roles and stereotypes have on everyone and how this knowledge can help us prevent violence. This workshop, Tuesday, Sept. 12, at Chantilly Regional Library from 7-8:30 p.m., is aimed at parents, guardians, family members, and other caregivers interested in learning how to talk about gender with children, teens, and young adults in their life. This workshop, offered several times this year, is free, but registration is required.
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 Our monthly Foster Family Newsletter shares resources and experiences relevant to foster and adoptive parents, children in care, and the resource workers who support them.
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 Our Volunteer Post Newsletter provides a glimpse into the many ways to get involved in making a difference and supporting families in our community.
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 Please follow us on Facebook at Fairfax County Department of Family Services for news, events, tips, stories and training opportunities. We support families and county residents of all ages and stages of life. Join our community and engage with us through social media!
Join Us! Learn about career and volunteer opportunities in the Department of Family Services.
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The Department of Family Services (DFS) envisions a community where everyone lives their success story and thrives. DFS strengthens the well-being of our diverse community by protecting and improving the lives of all children, adults, and families through assistance, partnership, advocacy, outreach, and quality services.
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