The Cooling Assistance program helps people in Fairfax County stay cool during the summer. To get help, at least one person in your home must be 60 years or older, 5 years or younger, or disabled as recognized by Social Security, Medicaid, or the Veteran's Administration.

The program can help with:

• Paying electric bills to run cooling equipment.
• Paying security deposits for electricity when you might lose service or need to start a service.
• Fixing central air conditioning or heat pumps.
• Buying a whole-house fan, ceiling fan, or attic fan when there is no other way to cool the home.
• Buying and installing, or picking up yourself, a window or portable air conditioning unit when there is no other cooling equipment in the home.

To make sure the Virginia Emergency Support Team is ready to help during storms, government agencies, first responders, community organizations, and private sector partners train and work together regularly. Here are a few important steps to keep you and your family safe:

Check your insurance coverage: Now is the time to review your insurance coverage and contact your insurance agent for any changes. If you are not insured against floods, talk to your insurance agent, shop for private flood insurance, or visit floodsmart.gov.

Know your zone: You might need to evacuate depending on the path and strength of the storm. Review Virginia’s evacuation zones at KnowYourZoneVA.org. Users can enter their address in the search bar of the website to see and confirm their evacuation zone.

Complete a family communication plan: Plan how you will meet and communicate with your family and loved ones. Decide on meeting locations and think about where you will go. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's guidance on family communication plans is available at ready.gov/plan-form.

Make an emergency kit: Put together an emergency kit with nonperishable food, water, medication, sanitary supplies, radios, extra batteries, and important documents. Learn more about building an emergency supply kit at ready.gov/kit.

Stay informed: Find out where to get trusted information during emergencies. Check with your local emergency management office to sign up for alerts sent to your phone or email. Make sure to watch local news for warnings in your area and follow the directions of local officials.

Learn more about preparing your family and your property against hurricane threats and other disasters by visiting the link below.

The Memory Café is a place for caregivers and their loved ones with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early to mid-stage dementia to meet others for support, companionship, and fun! The program offers structured activities to help with memories, thinking skills, and staying engaged. There is also time to chat and make friends in a safe, supportive environment. Check out Memory Café locations and schedules by visiting the link below!