Family Services – Community Corner

Looking for a way to pay it forward? 🙋 The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program helps households who made less than $70,244 in 2026 prepare their taxes and maximize their refunds for free. As the name suggests, VITA depends on volunteers giving back to their community, helping as greeters, interpreters, screeners, and tax preparers. You don’t need to be a tax expert, and no prior experience is necessary. Free training is available for screeners and tax preparers. Learn more about the VITA program and register to volunteer.

Are you available during school hours? Do you enjoy working with kids? If so, this opportunity would be great for you! Join our Body Safety Program as a classroom instructor and help empower elementary students with the knowledge they need to prevent or interrupt child abuse. Apply online, email us or call 703-324-7459 to learn more.

Take a look inside your medicine cabinet and make a difference! If you have medications you no longer need, haven't used, or that have expired, bring them to a nearby Take Back Day collection site on Saturday, October 24th, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Find a drop-off location.

Medicare Open Enrollment is a critical period for family caregivers of older adults. During this time, you can review your loved one’s current Medicare coverage, compare the options, and make any changes to fit their medical and financial needs for the coming year. If your loved one’s health has changed, they have new prescriptions, their preferred doctors or hospitals have shifted, or their budget has become tighter, now is the time to make important changes. Fairfax County has helpful resources and learning opportunities to help you. Read about them in the October issue of the Golden Gazette.

You can do more than just apply for benefits with CommonHelp. After your application is approved, you can link your account to a case so you can complete important actions online from anywhere. You can report changes to your case, check your benefits, and renew your benefits, all without visiting an office location. You’ll even get reminders sent to your email when it’s time to renew! To get started, you’ll need your client ID, case number, and the email you used to apply. For help linking your account, call 703-324-7500. Learn more about food, medical, energy, and financial assistance.

In homes where there is domestic violence, children are often used to control or cause fear to a domestic violence victim. In addition, kids who experience domestic violence in their home are much more likely to experience other forms of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect. Learn more about how children experience violence and how you can help.

Each October, in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Disability Rights and Resources and Fairfax County Public Schools partner to host an Employment Mentoring Day for students with disabilities and this year’s event was a blast! Students paired up with Fairfax County employees, talked about different careers, learned interviewing skills, and imagined their futures in the workforce. Learn more about NDEAM and Disability Rights and Resources.

Keeping infants safe and healthy is a priority for parents and caregivers, and a baby’s sleep environment is an important part. During Safe Sleep Month, check out this short video for a few tips to make sure that baby sleeps safe and sound so you can too.