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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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Scam Jam 2025: Prevention, Protection and Prosecution – Ensuring the Safety of Older Adults Through Adult Protective Services
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn how to protect yourself from scammers and how to protect older adults from fraud, abuse and exploitation. Scam Jam 2025 will be held on Wednesday, April 30 from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Campus. Featured speakers include Paul Greenwood, LLB, JD, a retired deputy district attorney who will share his experiences prosecuting elder abuse cases. Watch Heroes of Adult Protection, a short film by The Clowder Group and the National Adult Protective Services Association, highlighting the powerful story of a vulnerable older adult who was helped by Adult Protective Services employees and community members. Following the film, a panel of experts will share information and answer questions. Visit with representatives of local non-profit organizations and government agencies in the exhibit hall. Enjoy a complimentary lunch. Registration is required.
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Resources for Job Seekers in Fairfax County
Looking for a new job? Visit one of our One-Stop Employment Centers for personalized career coaching, resume review, interview preparation, and much more. Employment Services is here for your success, every step of the way. Impacted by federal workforce actions? Learn about the many resources available for residents facing employment changes.
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Get Ready to Plant Pinwheel Gardens in April
During Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, help us raise awareness of community resources supporting children and families. Display a pinwheel garden at your Fairfax County business, house of worship, school, or organization. You can also wear prevention blue and take a photo with one of the community gardens at your local library, community center, or other locations around the county. For more information about ways to partner with the Department of Family Services check it out.
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Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence—Understanding Sexual Coercion
Sexual trauma can happen in many ways, and it doesn’t always involve physical force. An example of this is sexual coercion, which occurs when someone pressures or manipulates someone else into having sexual contact when the other person doesn’t want that contact. It can happen in different contexts, but on this episode of Unscripted, we’re focusing on sexual coercion within romantic relationships—which is where it’s most likely to happen.
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Get Creative During National Craft Month
Although the month of March signals the start of spring, it is often a cold and wet month, best suited for indoor activities. Coincidentally, March is National Craft Month, a great opportunity to reconnect with favorite creative activities or discover new ones. There are organizations throughout Fairfax County where you can connect with like-minded creative people, take classes to learn a new medium and flex your creative muscle, or utilize makerspaces with tools and supplies you can use to bring your vision to life. Learn more about opportunities to get creative in the March issue of the Golden Gazette.
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Filling Your Child’s Emotional Bank Account
Have you ever heard of the “emotional bank account”? Everyone has things that make them feel positive, safe, close, and connected to another person; as well as things that annoy us, hurt our feelings, or make us feel distant or disconnected. Check out this article from the staff at our Parenting Education Programs to learn to keep your child’s account balanced.
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Partner with PAES to Help Others in Your Community
Looking for ways to make an impact? The Public Assistance and Employment Services team wants to partner with you to spread the word about our benefits and employment programs to more people in the community. PAES will come to your school, business, or nonprofit to share information and answer questions about programs like SNAP or Medicaid that help adults and families reach financial stability. Send a request now to get us on your calendar.
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Safety Planning While Pregnant
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1 in 6 abused women is first abused during pregnancy. And more than 320,000 women are abused by their partners during pregnancy each year. Existing abuse often escalates during pregnancy, making it essential to create a specialized safety plan. Learn how Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Advocacy Services can help with this plan. |
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Tuesday, Apr. 1 – Wear Teal Day
Wear teal on Tuesday, Apr. 1, 2025, to show support for survivors of sexual violence and to raise awareness about Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Email your teal selfies or post to social media with hashtags #SAAM #WearTeal #Support Survivors. Photos may be shared online.
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Friday, Apr. 4 – Wear Blue Day
On Friday, April 4, join the community in wearing blue to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect prevention efforts in our community and state. Email your selfies to us or post on our social media with the hashtags #WearBlueDay #ChildAbusePrevention. Your photos may be displayed on our Facebook page or website.
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Tuesday, Apr. 8 – Free Virtual Parent Café: The Power of Play in Parenting
Join the next free Virtual Parent Café, Tuesday, Apr. 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss “The Power of Play in Parenting.” Play is the language of children and as parents we can increase our connection with children by joining them in it. Children of all ages experience greater confidence, fewer behavioral issues, and improved mental health when caregivers use the power of play in their daily interactions with them. Join us for this presentation by Greater Richmond SCAN to learn more about the importance of play and how to incorporate it in your interactions with your children. Any Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old can join in through MS Teams at https://bit.ly/4bzJYpP. For more information or to preregister, email or call 703-324-7720.
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Tuesday, Apr. 8 – Foster Care Information Meeting
Are you curious about becoming a foster parent? Hundreds of children in Fairfax County need a temporary loving home until they can safely return to their families. Our next virtual information meeting is by invitation only on Tuesday, March 11 at 6:45 p.m. Complete this short interest form for prospective parents. For more information check out our website.
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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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