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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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Time is Running Out to Get Your Taxes Done for Free!
2024 Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation
We are grateful to all the county and community partners who joined us for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ proclamation of April 2024 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Check out photos from that day and watch the video as Neighborhood Networks graduate, Joy Williams, speaks on behalf of DFS prevention programs.
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Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
The ombudsman program is part of a nationwide network established under the federal Older Americans Act to provide consumer information and help residents resolve problems related to care. Considering a long-term care facility? Need assistance with a care issue? Want to file a complaint? Contact the Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Call 703-324-5861, TTY 711 or visit http://bit.ly/3Rk6LLK.
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Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence — The Truth about Black Love and Black Families
New Unscripted episode alert: For 400 years, enslaved Black folks were separated (read: sold) from parents, siblings, spouses, and children. Marriages between enslaved people weren’t legal and couples had no protection from the abuses and restrictions imposed on them by slaveowners. Fast forward 150 years, and we have a society that—thanks to generational trauma, Hollywood, social media, and hot takes—thinks there’s no such thing as Black love and intact Black families are a myth. But what’s the reality? On this episode of Unscripted, host Kendra Lee talks with Abrishiel Lockett, children’s counselor with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services; Keisha Strand, from Fairfax County’s Planning and Development agency; and Bennie Herron, Father Engagement supervisor in the Children Youth and Families division; to discuss the truth about Black love and Black families.
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BeFriend-A-Child Mentors and Mentees Connect Through Food
Recently, the BeFriend-A-Child mentors and mentees had a great time dishing up some yummy recipes together as part of an experimental cooking class led by instructors with Cookology Recreational Culinary School. Learn more about this fun learning experience.
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Ray Collins: 20 Years of Hard Work and Determination Led to Writing Success
When 92-year-old Ray Collins retired 20 years ago, he entered his next phase of life with the confidence of someone who had enjoyed many successes – a happy marriage, a loving family, and a rewarding career. He had no reason to doubt that he would be successful in achieving his dream of becoming a writer. He soon discovered that writing novels was harder than he ever imagined. Employing the same work ethic that has served him throughout life, he stuck with it, steadily improving year by year. He was also motivated by the support and encouragement he received from his family, especially his wife, Betty Ann. Eventually, Collins’ perseverance paid off. His first two novels, “The General’s Briefcase” and “Motive for Murder,” were published in 2023, and his third novel, “Setup” will come out in 2024. Learn more about Ray Collins and his writing career in the April issue of the Golden Gazette.
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Thursdays, Apr. 4 - May 23 – A Matter of Balance at Reston Community Center
Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. A Matter of Balance is an award-winning program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Through discussion and exercise, participants learn to view falls as controllable, setting goals for increasing activity, making changes to reduce fall risks at home and exercising to increase strength and balance. This free 8-week program meets Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is presented by Inova ElderLink/Fairfax County Area Agency on Aging. To register: Contact Cassie Lebron at 703-390-6157 or Casmera.Lebron@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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Thursday, Apr. 4 – Virtual Fairfax Kinship Peer Support Group
These free groups are designed for kinship caregivers, raising a child or children for a family member or a friend, to connect with other families for support and encouragement. Virtual support groups are hosted and facilitated by Formed Families Forward, in partnership with Fairfax County Department of Family Services. This group meets from 6:30-8 p.m. Learn more or Register online.
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Friday, Apr. 5 – Wear Blue Day
Wear blue to show your support of child abuse and neglect prevention and snap a photo to share on social media with the hashtag #WearBlueDay! Join people across the nation in raising awareness of this societal issue, and prevention efforts in our community. Email photos to us or post your photos to social media with the hashtag #WearBlueDay and your pics may be displayed on the DFS Facebook page or website.
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Tuesday, Apr. 9 – Virtual Parent Café Healthy Co-Parenting: Modeling Healthy Relationships
Join us to learn ways to co-parent successfully. This open forum discussion will talk about how to prioritize your children and what they need, communicate with kindness, master conflict resolution, and remain unified in ensuring your children’s wellbeing. Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old are welcome at this group which meets from 6:30-8 p.m. 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 parenting resources.
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 Access Fairfax is a twice monthly newsletter sharing news, resources, and events for people with disabilities in Fairfax County.
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 Our weekly Career Resources Newsletter includes information on job leads, upcoming webinars and employment events.
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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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 The quarterly newsletter The Update covers helpful information and topics for persons receiving long-term care services and their caregivers.
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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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