SPECIAL EDITION - DECEMBER 2025 COMMON GROUND!!! PLEASE SHARE!

Fairfax County, Virginia sent this bulletin at 12/16/2025 02:59 PM EST

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NEIGHBORHOOD and COMMUNITY SERVICES

Interfaith Coordination

Common Ground

A Newsletter for the Interfaith Community

Special Edition December 2025

FCIA NETWORKING MEETING

When: Tuesday, January 20th, 2026

Time: 7:00 - 8:30pm

Location: Virtual - Link to be sent to registrants the morning of the meeting

Please join us virtually for our first networking meeting of 2026!

We'll be hearing from Patty Fehervari from Fairfax County's Department of Family Services - Public Assistance and Employment Services as she discusses public assistance resources and eligibility changes. Stay aware of what's available so that your House of Worship can best support the community!

Please register here.

Please send any requests for language interpretation services to Lyndzey Elliott @ lyndzey.elliott@fairfaxcounty.gov by 01/06/26.

Safety and Security

Fairfax County Police Department House of Worship Safety & Preparedness Day

The Fairfax County Police Department is pleased to invite you to join them for a special House of Worship Safety & Preparedness Day. This event is dedicated to equipping our faith communities with tools, resources, and supportive connections that help create safe, prepared, and resilient worship spaces.

This event will be held at Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters (12099 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax), on Tuesday, January 20^th, 2026. Doors open at 9:00am for coffee and networking. The program will begin promptly at 10:00am and conclude at 2:00pm.

It will include presentations from various Fairfax County Police Department units to include the Threat Assessment and Management Team, Victim’s Services Division, Real Time Crime Center, Crisis Intervention Team and the Crime Prevention and Outreach Team.

Lunch will be included and as such individual registration is required. Registration is free and anyone serving in a paid or volunteer capacity with your faith-based organization is welcome to attend; this includes but is not limited to, administrative staff, parking lot attendants, and security team members. FCPD encourages you to register and attend using the link provided.

FCPD is honored to partner with you in this important work, and they look forward to coming together for a meaningful and informative day. Please do not hesitate to reach out to FCPDoutreach@fairfaxcounty.gov with any questions. Thank you for your continued service and leadership within our community.

With appreciation,

Fairfax County Police Department Captain Deanna Weand

Registration Link

New Scam Information

QUICK SUMMARY

A new scam is targeting land use applicants in Fairfax County.
Staff will never request payment through unsolicited emails, wire transfers or invoices sent outside of our official PLUS system.
Protect yourself by confirming the source of any financial request before responding.

Leer en español

Fairfax County has been made aware of fraudulent emails sent to applicants that appear to come from the Department of Planning and Development. These messages may reference real application numbers or upcoming hearings and may include fake invoices requesting wire transfers or other forms of payment.

They have identified a specific scam email with the subject line "Immediate Action Needed –Final Approval Fee for {SP-2025-PR-00077}." This email falsely claims to be from the “Fairfax County Planning Department” and urgently requests a wire transfer to secure project placement on a hearing agenda, stating that online payment is unavailable. This is a scam.

These emails are not from the county. Staff will never request payment through unsolicited emails, wire transfers or invoices sent outside of the official PLUS system. Official fee payments are exclusively processed through the PLUS system using ACH/eCheck, credit card or, in limited instances, a physical check.

If you receive an email that seems suspicious, contains unexpected payment instructions (especially a request for a wire transfer), or appears to impersonate a county employee:

Do not click links, open attachments or send payment.
Verify directly with staff by contacting the agency or the staff member working on your application.
To confirm an email's authenticity or to report a suspicious message related to PLUS fees, email plussupport@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-2222. All official fee payments must be completed only through the PLUS system.

Protect yourself by confirming the source of any financial request before responding.

Budget and County Updates

New Board of Supervisor

The Board of Supervisors invites you to the Inauguration Ceremony for Rachna Sizemore Heizer, the new Braddock District Supervisor, TODAY, Dec. 16, 2026. The ceremony will commence at 5:00 p.m. in the Forum at Government Center.

Budget Policy Committee Joint Meeting with School Board

Did you catch the 12/02/25 Budget Policy Committee Joint Meeting with the School Board? If not, view the meeting here.

Budget Process Timeline

Fairfax County’s budget is the backbone of the community, funding essential services like schools, public safety, parks, libraries, and more for all residents. By law, Virginia requires Fairfax County to create and maintain a balanced budget every year.

Planning the budget is a year-round effort that begins each fall. During this time, the County Executive and School Superintendent present their budget forecasts. These forecasts predict how the local economy, housing market, and tax revenues are expected to perform in the upcoming fiscal year.

Learn more about the budget process here and view the timeline below:

Note: Calendar dates are subject to slight variation each year, depending on the Board of Supervisors' approved calendar. Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools

Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget Process Timeline Upcoming Dates

December 2: Joint County/School Budget Committee to discuss FY 2027 fiscal forecast
January 22: FCPS Superintendent releases FY 2027 Proposed Budget
February 10: School Board holds public hearings on budget
February 17: County Executive releases FY 2027 Advertised Budget Plan
February 24: Joint County/School Budget Committee to discuss FY 2027 budget and tax rate
February 26: School Board adopts FY 2027 (proposed) Budget Plan

Community Resources

NCS Seeking Students for New Paid Work Program

Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) is looking for motivated students ages 16+, college students or young adults looking to jump into real-world experience through our new Work Student Program launching January 2026. Build your skills, explore our mission and make a meaningful impact in Fairfax County.

Under the guidance of staff from the assigned department, Work Students will complete entry-level tasks that give them hands-on experience, career exploration opportunities and exposure to the field – all supported through mentorship.

Students may work up to 900 part-time hours in 2026. Hours are flexible to fit around school schedules, and jobs are located throughout Fairfax County.

To learn more about Work Student positions, visit NCS Internships.

Shark Tank Technology Challenge – Applications Accepted until 12/19

Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is now accepting entries in the Fairfax Area High School Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge. Initial proposals are due Dec. 19, 2025. Open to all students in Fairfax County, Fairfax City and the City of Falls Church, the 2025-26 challenge invites youth to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers or wounded warriors. The winning students will be recognized with cash awards provided by sponsor IntegrityOne Partners. Winners will also be recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a spring 2026 reception. Please visit the Shark Tank Technology Challenge website for more details, including a detailed application packet. For additional assistance, email NCSTechChallenge@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Fairfax County Library - Social Work Intern Drop-In Time

Stop by Centreville Regional Library to meet MSW interns and learn how to navigate community and government resources: Library Events - Fairfax Library Calendar - Library Home

Public benefits assistance· Housing and emergency shelters· Food and basic needs assistance· Resources for older adults and caregivers
Childcare, summer camps, and after-school programs· Parenting resources· Low-cost or no-cost transportation options· Low-cost or no-cost legal services· Low-cost or no-cost health care and dental services
Health and wellness programs· Employment services and coaching· Emergency preparedness information· Programs for English learners· Volunteering opportunities· Vital records and ID requests

Whether you have a quick question or need more in-depth support, our MSW interns are ready to help! Stop by or make an appointment to connect with them and explore how they can assist you or guide you to the resources you need.

For more information please contact: libsupportiveservices@fairfaxcounty.gov

Your library is here to help YOU!

While they can connect you with valuable resources, please note that they cannot provide medical, legal, or financial advice.

Fairfax County Annual Human Trafficking Training

Thursday, January 15th at 1:00pm - Fairfax County Annual Human Trafficking Training The Department of Family Services' Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS)is committed to raising awareness throughout Fairfax County about domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. In this training, participants will learn how human trafficking is defined, how to identify and support survivors, and resources available to survivors in Fairfax County. For any questions, contact Victoria Nevel-Babla (victoria.nevel-babla@fairfaxcounty.gov)

Sexual Violence Tier One Training

Thursday, January 31st at 8:00am Sexual Violence Tier One Sexual Violence Tier One is a 16-hour training course on understanding sexual violence, systems responding to sexual violence in Fairfax County, and resources available in our community. Participants are required to attend all sessions (1 full day in-person and 4 online sessions) of this training. If you have questions about this training, please contact Victoria Nevel-Babla (victoria.nevel-babla@fairfaxcounty.gov)

Community Bulletin Board

The following public announcements are for interfaith meetings and activities sponsored by organizations within the community and are not specifically endorsed or sponsored by Fairfax County. These announcements are provided as a public service in the interest of expanding interfaith dialogue and goodwill. If you have an announcement you would like to share, please contact NCSinterfaith@fairfaxcounty.gov

Fairfax County NAACP Holiday Party

RSVP here

Tyson's Interfaith Coffeehouse

George Mason University-Center for Community Mental Health

Also sponsored by Conner Strong Foundation. Sign up for a free in-person workshop presented by Dr. Geoffrey Harrison, PhD, Holidays and Grief. Understand grief triggers, specifically around the holidays. Learn how to manage stress and process grief in a healthy way. Find support in safe space from others who have experienced the same. December 18, 2025. Location: GMU Center for Community Mental Health, 9900 Main Street Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22030. See attached flyer for more information.

Stepped Mental Health Care program at George Mason University. GMU Emotional Support Line: 703-215-1898; GMU Emotional Support Line flyer attached.

Center for Community Mental Health

Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP)-Advocacy 101

Join us to learn how the legislative process works in Virginia, and how you can engage to make sure your representatives are speaking for your values!

Registration link: Advocacy 101 | Virginia Interfaith Center PowerBase

VICPP is thrilled to invite you to their annual Day For All People lobby day on Wednesday, January 21st at Centenary United Methodist Church in Richmond, VA. This is your chance to make a real impact by visiting your legislators, participating in engaging workshops, and connecting with fellow advocates from across the Commonwealth.

If you are interested in submitting something for the newsletter, please review our guidelines:

Submissions should be sent to NCSInterfaith@fairfaxcounty.gov
Submissions should be timely and occurring in the upcoming month. For ongoing needs or services, we reserve the right to hold for future issues.
All submissions should have no more than a 3-line description of the event and include a link for more information or to register.
The event must be open to the entire community.
Proselytizing events/activities will not be posted.
Events must be apolitical. Legislative lobbying efforts will not be posted.
Fundraisers or events soliciting financial contributions will not be posted.
Events must be geared to promoting understanding, goodwill, community service or fulfilling a defined need in helping strengthen Fairfax County residents and communities.

If you have any questions, please email NCSInterfaith@fairfaxcounty.gov.