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DEPARTMENT of FAMILY SERVICES
Foster Care and Adoption
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January 2026
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A Day in the Life of a Foster Parent
Today, more than 230 Fairfax County children are in foster care. The Department of Family Services' Foster Care and Adoption Program offers temporary foster homes for these children, and services to help their families. Check out a typical day for our foster parent, Carl Underwood! It’s all about showing up consistently! Thank you, Carl!
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Featured Events
Monthly Foster Care Information Meeting, Jan. 13, 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.
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Featured Trainings/Conferences for Resource Parents and Youth
What Does the Future Look Like? Creating the Life You Want! In person Jan. 13, 5 –7 p.m. Or Virtual via Zoom, Jan. 21, 5 – 6:30 p.m. An Independent Living workshop for youth ages 14 and older in Fairfax County Foster Care or Fostering Futures. Join us for a vision boarding activity to help you start identifying what matters most to you to help you set your goals. Contact us to register in advance!
Guiding with Care: Positive Discipline Strategies for Resource Parents, Jan. 14, 6-7:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom. Learn about common behaviors for youth and adolescents in foster care. 1.5 hours of training credit. Register by Jan. 9.
Foster-to-Adopt, Feb. 18 & 25, 6:30-9 p.m. Virtual via Zoom. (2 mandatory sessions). Identify adoption challenges, define the unique roles of foster parenting and adoptive parenting, discuss the financial side of adoption, and more. 5 hours of training credit. Register by Feb. 13.
Mental Health First Aid presented by the Fairfax/Falls Church Community Service Board. March 10 and 11, 5–8:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom. Learn the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of mental health problems in youth and how to help. 10 hours of training credit. Preregister online by Feb. 10.
There are many Support Groups, for adoptive, foster, and kinship care families in our region. Check online for a support group near you.
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DPWES Packs Foster Care Housewarming Baskets
County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. Their Women of Works (WOW) group provided care packages that will benefit older youth in foster care. These donations will help to make for a smoother transition for older youth in our Fostering Futures program as they move into living more independently. Learn how you can support the Fostering Futures program.
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Foster Families Enjoy Magical Children’s Holiday Party
We are so glad that so many of our foster families decided to spend the afternoon with us at the Arlington-Fairfax Chapter, Inc., IWLA’ Annual Children’s Holiday Party on December 13. This special event was a lovely opportunity for the community to show their appreciation for all that our foster parents do. Learn more.
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Mandatory Social Media and Youth Mental Health eLearnings
In response to Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order 43 (EO-43), the Virginia Department of Social Services in collaboration with the Office of Children's Services, launched two new mandatory eLearnings related to Social Media and Youth Mental Health. EO-43 mandates that all current Family Services Specialists (FSS), resource parents, Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) members, and youth in foster care age 14-18 in Virginia complete training on safety and the use of social media.
The target completion date for the training was December 5, 2025. So, please complete it as soon as possible. Each 45-minute training is available on the VDSS website:
If you have any questions, your foster care practitioner can support you. Once you complete the course and complete a brief survey to receive a certificate of completion, share the certificate with your foster care practitioner.
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Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma
It can feel challenging to support your child through behaviors or emotions shaped by early trauma or loss. Finalizing an adoption doesn’t wave a magic wand and make those experiences all disappear. The good news is that parents don't have to do it alone or have every answer. There are resources and supports to help you. Check out this article from Adopt US Kids for meaningful steps you can take to support your child’s wellbeing so they can thrive.
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New Fairfax County Paid Work Program for Students
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 a new Work Student Program launching January 2026. Older youth can build your skills while making 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.
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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 January newsletter.
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Foster Care Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify a medical provider for a child placed in my home?
Answer: When possible, try to maintain the relationship your child has had with previous medical providers. If, however, your child does not have a primary doctor or maintaining that provider is not realistic, medical providers should be located through the Medicaid directory. Please speak with your foster care specialist when exploring new providers, because they may already have knowledge of medical/dental providers that accept new patients and Medicaid. They may also want you to choose a provider close to the birth family or relative home, if reunification is the plan. This helps ensure continuity of medical care for a child when they leave foster care. For youth who are undocumented, foster parents in conjunction with the child’s specialist can select a provider and the Department is responsible for medical costs.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
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