|
DEPARTMENT of FAMILY SERVICES |
|
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 Older Americans Month and Adult Abuse Prevention Month
Each year in May we acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans and strengthen our commitment to honoring them. This year’s theme, Powered by Connection, highlights the impact social connections have on our health and overall well-being. May is also Adult Abuse Prevention Month. Adult Protective Services investigates reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults with a goal to protect older adults and incapacitated adults. Learn more about Older Americans and Adult Abuse Prevention Month.
|
May is Foster Care Month
Foster Care Month is dedicated to raising awareness of issues related to foster care and to celebrating those, like our foster parents, who are dedicated to serving our children, youth, and families. This year, the Children’s Bureau’s theme for Foster Care Month, “Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities,” emphasizes the importance of involving young people early and often throughout their time in foster care to help improve their experience while in care and improve their long-term outcomes and successful transition to adulthood. Explore our Foster Care and Adoption pages to see how foster care is changing lives, and visit our local Community Engagement Toolkit or sign up for our upcoming Foster Care Coffee Chat virtual interest meeting to get involved.
|
What’s at the Intersection of Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Interpersonal Violence?
May is Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Though data collection about interpersonal violence among Asian Americans is scarce, we do know no one is immune to this public health issue. Existing research estimates that as high as 55% of AAPI women in this country have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Find out what current and historical activists have done to support survivors.
|
Become an EYE Employer
EYE is seeking positive and supportive sites for youth to learn valuable workplace skills and increase their future employability at no cost to the employer! The Northern Virginia Educating Youth through Employment (EYE) Program is a six-week summer initiative that recruits, screens and matches youth ages 16-24 with professional job opportunities.
- Build a pipeline of young talent
- Give back to the community by mentoring the rising workforce.
- Youth participants receive individualized support from EYE Counselors
Contact DFSEYE@fairfaxcounty.gov if you are interested in supporting a youth work experience. Learn more about employment and training programs for young adults.
|
Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence—The Crucial Role of Advocates
New Unscripted episode alert: An advocate’s role is to provide information about options to survivors, help them process decisions, let them know about available resources, and explain and steer them through the multiple—often complicated—systems designed to get them through their experience with interpersonal violence and on the path to healing. Advocates bear witness to domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking--starting with believing survivors. But the need for and importance of advocates seems to be little understood outside the offices of the people who do this work. On this episode of Unscripted, host Kendra Lee sits down with Vanessa Cullers and Tianna Hairs-Hughes, both victim advocates in the Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC), and Jonathan Yglesias, policy director at the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, to discuss the crucial role advocates play in supporting survivors of interpersonal violence.
|
Susan Voss is a Role Model for Aging Well
In November 2023, the Golden Gazette received an email from a 13-year-old named Jonathan D’Cruz. He wrote to recommend that I feature his neighbor, 91-year-old Susan Voss, in the Golden Gazette. Citing her as his role model for when he gets older, Jonathan shared that Susan lived a busy and happy life while making a positive impact on the lives of those around her. Interest piqued, I wanted to meet the woman who inspired this unusual introduction. Learn more about Susan in the May issue of the Golden Gazette.
|
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 at DFSBodySafety@FairfaxCounty.gov or 703-324-7459. Si usted habla Español, nosotros necesitamos su ayuda! Our next training is August 16, 2024. Help us reach our goal of 30 new volunteers by July!
|
|
|
Thursday, May 2 – 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.
|
|
Friday, May 3 – A Health and Wellness Vision Board Journey
Join Julia Kay, a certified life coach and certified health and wellness coach, as she provides step-by-step instructions, tips, and inspiration to help craft a vision board. Through a series of interactive exercises and discussions, participants will gain clarity on goals and create a visual representation of their dreams. This virtual workshop offered by the DFS Adult and Aging Family Caregiver unit will meet from 12-1 p.m. on May 3. A list of recommended supplies will be sent to registrants in advance prior to the workshop. Learn more and register online.
|
|
Saturday, May 4 – Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Volunteer/Donor Appreciation Event
Join DSVS as the division celebrates the contributions of its volunteer corps on Saturday, May 4, from Noon-2 p.m. at the Sully Community Center. If you have questions about this event, please contact tanisha.cox@fairfaxcounty.gov.
|
|
Mondays, Starting May 6 – Free Virtual Dads Parenting Group
Dads, sign up for our upcoming virtual Dads Parenting Group to improve parenting skills and build better relationships! The majority of dads who completed Dads Parenting Groups increased or maintained positive involvement with their children. This virtual 13-week course takes place from 6-8:30 p.m. starting Monday, May 6. Fairfax County residents or dads with children living in Fairfax are welcome. Interpretation services are available for Spanish and other languages upon request. Learn more by contacting Bennie Herron at 703-324-7308 or Lisa Payne-Chesley at 703-324-7734 or by visiting https://bit.ly/DFS-FE.
|
|
Thursday, May 9 – In-Person Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Volunteer Orientation
Recruitment time again! Sign up for one of two in-person Volunteer Orientation sessions at the Fairfax County Community Services Room in Tysons Corner Center at 4:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. (1961 Chain Bridge Road (2d level outside Nordstrom), McLean, VA 22102). For more information or to register, contact Tanisha Cox.
|
|
Access Fairfax is a twice monthly newsletter sharing news, resources, and events for people with disabilities in Fairfax County.
|
Our weekly Career Resources Newsletter includes information on job leads, upcoming webinars and employment events.
|
|
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.
|
|
The quarterly newsletter The Update covers helpful information and topics for persons receiving long-term care services and their caregivers.
|
|
Our Volunteer Post Newsletter provides a glimpse into the many ways to get involved in making a difference and supporting families in our community.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|