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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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Body Safety Classes Teach Kids to Recognize Harmful Situations – Volunteers Needed
Last year, over 3,700 cases of child abuse or neglect were identified in Fairfax County. The Body Safety Program aims to help lower this number by empowering children in pre-k through sixth grade with the tools they need to prevent or interrupt child abuse. The Body Safety Program made its biggest impact to date in FY 2024. The program served 15,000 children in more than 870 in-person groups at 51 partner locations across Fairfax County. Learn more about the program’s impact and how you can get involved.
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Talking to Youth About Healthy Relationships: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Parents and other caregivers are pivotal in helping the next generation develop healthy attitudes toward relationships. Being able to communicate openly about dating and relationships can empower youth to make informed decisions in their relationships and be on the alert for warning signs. Read more.
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Looking for a New Job? Fuel Your Search with Career Resources
Searching for and applying to jobs on your own can be an overwhelming process with little guidance. Subscribe to our weekly Career Resources newsletter to get resume and cover letter tips, upcoming webinars and job fairs, and job listings directly to your inbox. Already a subscriber? Share with a friend!
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ScamCops: Working to Educate Older Adults About Scams
Victims of scams are often thought to be older adults, assumed to be more trusting and less tech-savvy than younger generations. However, the truth is that anyone can fall victim to a scam, regardless of age. After falling for a payment scam, high school student Advik Atyam decided to fight back by founding ScamCops, a platform that helps educate and empower people. Learn more about Advik and what motivates him to educate vulnerable populations, especially older adults, about scams in the July issue of the Golden Gazette.
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Dental Services Covered by Medicaid
Regular dental exams and cleanings are essential for helping prevent serious dental and oral health concerns down the road. Many dental care services are covered by Medicaid at little to no cost, so don’t delay, find a dentist who accepts Medicaid today! If you think you may qualify for Medicaid, check your eligibility at CommonHelp.
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Meet Seth Woehrle, Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Community Engagement Volunteer
“I’ve always been shy, and I still am. Volunteering with Fairfax County has helped me gain the confidence to talk to people and listen to their difficulties,” says Seth Woehrle, Community Engagement volunteer with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. “Everyone needs someone to be able to help them and listen. That was honestly one of my biggest challenges, and not a lot of people know that. And for me to overcome that to help people is special.” Read more about Seth’s volunteer journey.
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Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence—Modern-Day Dating, Part 2
New episode alert: Who establishes boundaries when you're dating with children? What are the rules for dating someone from a different religion or culture? How do you have difficult conversations with a new dating partner? On this episode of Unscripted, host Kendra Lee sits down with Dr. Kelly Jackson, Quality Assurance clinical supervisor; Jennifer Perkins, ADAPT supervisor; and Tanisha Cox, volunteer manager; all with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, to further our discussion about dating in the modern era.
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Wednesday, Jul. 17 – ELEVATE Healthcare Job Fair
Are you an early career or experienced healthcare professional seeking a new opportunity? Join Virginia Career Works Northern and Fairfax County Employment Services at the ELEVATE Healthcare Job Fair to connect with top employers in the region, learn about career paths in the field, and further your professional trajectory. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the A.J. Ferlazzo Building, 15941 Donald Curtis Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22191. Register now for free!
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Tuesday, Jul. 23 – Online Safety for Teens
Trust, respect, and safety are important to master healthy relationships online and on social media. Join us July 23 at 2 p.m. to hear from an expert on digital safety who will break down important topics like cyberbullying, how people behave online vs. offline, and what it means to be safe on social media and devices. Come ready with questions! Workshop offered via Zoom and in person. Light refreshments will be served at in-person locations. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be provided. Contact Debra Miller or Nora Nieto for more information. Registration required.
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Jul. 31 and Aug. 2 – Provide Input About Systemic Gaps or Barriers in County Services for People with Disabilities
The Fairfax Area Commission on Aging (COA) and the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board (FA-DSB) are seeking community input to identify systemic gaps in service and/or barriers Fairfax County residents with disabilities face. Two virtual community forums will focus on various topics such as Services for Older Adults and Family Caregivers, Housing and Neighborhood Supports, Access to Mobility Options, Personal Well-being, and Economic Stability and Planning.
Community Forum for Family Caregivers (Virtual via Zoom)
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
7-8:30 p.m.
Community Forum for Adults with Disabilities Age 50 and Older (Virtual via Zoom)
Friday, August 2, 2024
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Register to attend and receive an email with access instructions. Space is limited. Learn more about the forums.
To request reasonable ADA accommodations, contact Ann Kim at 703-324-7486/TTY 711 or Ann.Kim@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Learn more about Disability Rights and 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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