|
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.
|
|
DFS’ Chi Sook Park Receives the 2025 Sharon Bulova Award
When Domestic and Sexual Violence Services administrative assistant Chi Sook Park found out she is one of the five admins across Fairfax County Government to be awarded the 2025 Sharon Bulova Award for Exemplary Administrative Professionals, she was stunned. “It’s a really valuable award,” she says. “I never thought I would be one of the recipients. There are a lot of administrative assistants in the county. How did I rate?” Learn more about how work ethic and dedication helped Chi Sook, a Fairfax County Employee for only three years, win this coveted award.
|
More than 1,500 Job Seekers Connect with Jobs and Community Resources
The Northern Virginia Regional Job Fair at the Government Center last week was a tremendous success! We welcomed over 1,500 attendees, and the feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Learn more about our One-Stop Employment Resource Centers, subscribe to our weekly Career Resources newsletter, watch helpful webinars for job seekers, and more! You can also watch a short video about the Job Fair on Ch. 16.
|
It’s Time to Flip the Script on Aging!
Every year during the month of May, we celebrate Older Americans Month. This annual recognition is a time to reflect on aging well in society, examine our biases and thoughts about aging, and work to identify and address the diverse needs of older adults in our community. We invite you to help Flip the Script on Aging by challenging stereotypes about growing older, helping to create a welcoming environment where everyone can stay active, engage and contribute. Learn more in the May issue of the Golden Gazette.
|
Financial Assistance for Child Care
Finding affordable child care can be a huge challenge for families and can even make it difficult to find and keep a job. Child care assistance helps eligible families with the cost of child care from birth to age 12 in family child care homes, centers and school-aged child care. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply.
|
Welcome to 32 New Foster Parents Certified in FY 2025!
Join us in celebrating the Fairfax County foster parents who completed the training and certification process between May 2024 and May 2025. Becoming a foster parent is one-of-a-kind rewarding adventure, and we applaud the success of certifying 32 new resource families in the last year. Learn more. For more information about foster care visit http://bit.ly/DFS-FCA, fill out an interest form, or email us.
|
Foster Care Awareness – County Conversation Podcast
Julie Bowman, program manager with Foster Care and Adoption Resource and Support, was a guest on the County Conversation podcast with host Jim Person. Julie talked about Foster Care Month this May, what is foster care, why it matters, debunked a few myths, and shared the ways the community can get involved this month and throughout the year to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Listen now.
|
10 Self-Care Trends That Reinforce Renewal
The importance of self-care has never been more evident. Recent surveys have found more people are recognizing the important link between self-care and mental health. This points to one fact: Self-care should no longer be thought of as a luxury; it is essential for managing mental health and maintaining a sense of balance and well-being. While Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Volunteer Voices staff can't predict the future, we can certainly share with our volunteer corps some emerging trends in self-care that might continue to grow and evolve. Check out these 10.
|
|
|
Friday, May 16 – Nutritious & Delicious: Versatile Lunch Recipes for Vibrant Aging
Elevate the diet for yourself and those you care for with nutritious, delicious, and easy-to-prepare lunches. In this workshop hosted by the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging, Registered Dietician Nutritionist and Nutrition Supervisor Tori Gwilliam will share tips on how to enhance your health and well-being through balanced, flavorful meals. Find out how to use versatile, nutrient-dense ingredients to create a variety of lunch recipes. Join this workshop from 12-1 p.m. on Friday, May 16. Register to receive an email with access instructions.
|
|
Tuesday, May 20 – Supporting Foster Care Changes Lives!
Join us for a special event in recognition of National Foster Care Month in May. Come to Burke Centre Library on May 20 from 7-8:30 p.m. to connect with Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption and learn how to make a difference for vulnerable children in our community. Whether you're just curious or seriously considering becoming a foster parent, this meeting will provide all the information you need. Discover the ins and outs of the foster care system, how to become a foster parent, the incredible rewards, and other ways to get involved. Drop in or register online.
|
|
 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.
|
|
|
|
|
