DEPARTMENT of FAMILY SERVICES

Foster Care and Adoption

July 2025

In-Service Training Shifts to New Unit

As we start a new fiscal year, we’d like to take this time to introduce the new In-Service Training Team supporting resource parents with Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption. Starting July 1, Natalie Sposato, William Marrow, Patricia Aviles-Cubillos, and Wilmer Ramirez are taking over the in-service curriculum in addition to pre-service training while Neda Ghodsi will provide training support. The team’s hope is to cultivate a sense of community through active participation in our In-Service Training classes.

As you may remember, the state requires that all certified resource parents complete 10 hours of in-service training per year. Fairfax County’s Foster Care and Adoption Program remains committed to providing resource parents with quality training and the necessary tools to assist in meeting those requirements on your fostering journey. We look forward to meeting you all!  Upcoming classes will be posted to the training website. 

Featured Events

Monthly Foster Care Information Meeting, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, 6:45-8:30 p.m. To attend a meeting and learn more about foster care, first complete a short interest form to help us get to know you better, and you will be contacted promptly by one of our specialists. 

Family Day at Urbanna Swim Club hosted by Foster the Family D.C. Saturday, July 12, 4-7 p.m. Enjoy a free summer pool party with pizza and snow cones! Sign up by July 7.

Kids Day Out hosted by Foster the Family D.C., Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Alexandria. Three hours of free child care in a safe, fun, trauma informed space. For any children, ages up to 12 years old in the home of local foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Spots are limited. Register by Monday, July 14. 

Summer Family Picnic hosted by Formed Families Forward. Friday, Aug. 1, 5-7 p.m. Families are invited to participate in a community service project followed by a BBQ dinner, near a playground and nature trails, and fun entertainment. Teens will participate in a special activity and they will receive an Amazon gift card! 

Featured Trainings/Conferences

Handmade and Heartfelt: Crochet Creations, Thursday, July 24, in-person, 5-7 p.m. Come hang out, get creative, and learn to crochet cute critters with the Fostering Futures Team! No experience needed! Be on the lookout for a flyer with more details in your email. Contact us for more information.

Summer Book Series – Dr. Daniel Siegel’s No Drama Discipline, presented by Northern Virginia CRAFFT
Friday, July 2, 9, and 23, 6-8:30 p.m. Discuss topics in each chapter on different aspects of discipline. For more information, email or call Katie Lo Monaco at 703-296-8078.

Creating a Stable, Nurturing, and Safe Home Environment by C.A.S.E. Tuesday, July 8 and 15, 1-2 p.m. Become aware of strategies to help children impacted by trauma and loss feel psychologically and physically safe. Learn how to set up a home to be safe for all household members, set boundaries, and show consistency through routines. For more information. 

There are many Support Groups, for adoptive, foster, and kinship care families in our region. Check online for a support group near you.

Summer Safety Tips for Families Summer fun in the sun is something many of us look forward to all year! Unfortunately, summer activities also come with some seasonal risks to keep in mind. The Parenting Education Programs has gathered some tips from safety experts to help you keep your children safe for many summers to come. Check out these ways to help prevent avoidable accidents.

Foster Care Unit Success Story: Serving our Broader Community For this couple, their lives had not been complete since moving to Fairfax County from their home in Puerto Rico due to relocation orders. The move had upended their family, and they sought help from our department with their custody petition. Learn more about this family’s journey and the services we provide the community.

Guiding Teens into Extended Foster Care “The outlook can be bleak for those who leave foster care without permanency — they face high rates of homelessness and unemployment, and struggle to reach educational goals. In most places, continuing to participate in extended foster care provides a monthly stipend to help cover the costs of housing, food and other basic necessities like utility bills and transportation. Participants may have access to supportive housing programs and continue to have case management with a child welfare social worker.” Foster parents have the ability to encourage older foster youth in your care to continue participating to help them ease into life as an adult. Learn more in this Fostering Families Today article.

Help Cheer on our Graduates! We are excited that 20 youth in Fairfax County foster care have beat the odds to graduate from high school, college and other professional certification programs this year. Most youth in foster care face invisible educational obstacles that make it a challenge to graduate at the same rate as other high school students. So, we plan to celebrate their hard work and achievements at a special ceremony this summer. Join us in letting them know how proud the community is of their amazing accomplishments by donating items on their personal wish lists to help them with their next stage of life. Thank you for your support!

Prenatal Drug Exposure and Adoption Many foster parents or parents considering adoption may be concerned about the challenges and unknowns about caring for a child who has been exposed to drugs prenatally. As opioid use has increased in the United States in recent years, so has the number of children coming into foster care as a result of a parent’s opioid use according to this Adoption Council article.

There are a lot of misconceptions and questions about foster care, foster parents, and the children and families involved. This section aims to dispel some of those notions and provide clarity for those interested in supporting foster care. Check out more content online in the July newsletter.