Family Services – Community Corner

DEPARTMENT of FAMILY SERVICES

July 15, 2026

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.

AccessAbility Fairfax on July 30: For People with Disabilities and Their Families 

Attend Fairfax County’s AccessAbility Fairfax on Thursday, July 30! This free event is designed to connect you directly with county agencies and partners, get personalized assistance, and discover valuable programs designed to support you and your loved ones. Learn about reduced-cost transportation programs, employment services and financial assistance options, housing assistance, mental health services, and emergency resources. Limited boxed lunches are available first-come, first-served, and there will even be a limited quantity of $50 transportation gift cards for qualifying attendees! Learn more and pre-register now.

Why More Older Adults Are Gathering Around the Table — and Loving Every Minute of It

Walk into a community center, library, or neighborhood café these days and you just might hear it: the unmistakable click-clack of Mahjongg tiles, followed by laughter, storytelling, and the occasional triumphant shout of “Mah Jongg!” American Mahjongg is enjoying a remarkable resurgence across the United States. Learn why this game is increasingly popular and the benefits it provides to people who play it in the July issue of the Golden Gazette.

See Something, Say Something. Still.

Being an active bystander means noticing when someone’s behavior is inappropriate or threatening and choosing to challenge it. Notice a situation where someone may need help. Recognize it as a problem. Intervene when safe, whether by disruption, distraction, speaking up, or calling for help. Support and believe others when they talk about what they experience. When you see a problem: Step up. Step in. Be safe. Still not sure what to do if someone you know is being threatened or hurt? Call the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services 24-Hour Hotline at 703-360-7273 or visit https://bit.ly/DFS-DSVS to learn more about Domestic and Sexual Violence Services resources.

Foster Care Success Story: Family Flourishing

It became apparent just how much a young boy had been impacted by the trauma he had faced in his short life, when it began to show up in challenging behaviors. It took a familiar teacher with a tender heart to help begin to turn things around for him. Learn more about this child's journey to a forever family.

Medicaid Rules Are Changing in Fall 2026 

Are you up to date on the upcoming changes to Medicaid eligibility? The first change goes into effect October 1, 2026 and will limit Medicaid eligibility for adult noncitizens (who are not pregnant or within the 12 months postpartum) to Legal Permanent Residents, Cuban and Haitian Entrants, and Compact of Free Association (COFA) Migrants. These changes apply only to adults. Learn more.

Faith, Community, and Support

Faith Communities in Action, a network of faith communities, houses of worship, community-based organizations, and Fairfax County Government agencies working together to strengthen human service support across the county, was founded in 1997 under then-Braddock District Supervisor Sharon Bulova. Recently, Volunteer Voices sat down with Lyndzey Elliott, the network’s interfaith coordinator, about the work FCIA does and how their mission dovetails nicely with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. This is an excerpt of that conversation.

BeFriend-A-Child Participants Gather for a Day of Fun and Connection

The BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring Program’s Spring Gathering is one of the program’s most anticipated events. There were exciting activities, delicious food, and heartfelt moments that strengthened the bonds between family and friends, mentors and mentees! Learn more!

Fridays, July 17-August 21 – Chronic Disease Self-Management Class

Don't let ongoing health problems stop you from living the life you enjoy. Fairfax County's Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is a free six-week group interactive workshop series for individuals who are interested in learning how to live better by effectively managing their ongoing health conditions. The workshop series will take place from 10 a.m.-Noon at Inova Prosperity, 2740 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22031. Register now.

Wednesday, July 22 – Exploring the Dimensions of Aging - The Beatriz Lab: Alzheimer’s Disease

Join Inova ElderLink and the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging for online training to help family and professional caregivers. Embody Beatriz as she goes through the challenges of progressive Alzheimer’s Disease, seeing how it affects her communication, thinking, and emotional well-being, while learning ways to help her feel safe, supported, and maintain a better quality of life. Session will be held from 10-11:15 a.m. via MS Teams. Register now.

Tuesday, July 28 – Exploring the Dimensions of Aging - The Frank Lab: Social Isolation

Join Inova ElderLink and the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging for online training to help family and professional caregivers. Embody Frank as he experiences the destructive impacts of social isolation and how it can overlap with loneliness, poor family relationships, and health. You will continue to embody Frank as he seeks to improve his health, nourish more rewarding relationships, and find purpose again when offered proper support. Session will take place from Noon-1:15 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. Register now.

Wednesday, July 29 – Preventing Homicide: Responding to Non-Fatal Strangulation

Strangulation is one of the deadliest forms of domestic and sexual violence. Survivors strangled by a partner are seven times more likely to be killed by that partner in the future. Join Domestic and Sexual Violence Services and national experts from the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention for a comprehensive, one-day training on non-fatal strangulation (8 a.m.-4 p.m., Inova Center for Personalized Health Conference Center, 8100 Innovation Park Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031). In this training, you’ll learn to: 1) Understand key local, state, and federal laws; 2) use risk assessment and safety planning tools; and 3) intervene early to help prevent long-term harms and future homicide. This training is free but registration is required. Questions? Contact Abby Picard.

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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.