The Fairfax County Department of Family Services (DFS) serves as a central hub for workforce development, dedicated to helping residents achieve economic mobility. We bridge the gap between motivated jobseekers and local businesses in need of talent. In today's shifting labor market, simply finding a job isn't always enough. That is why DFS offers a comprehensive, holistic framework designed to move families from "surviving to thriving." Whether you are a job seeker looking to advance your career or an employer looking for skilled employees, learn more about our services that support your journey.

Many people think human trafficking often involves kidnapping or grabbing someone off the street and physically forcing them into a situation. The truth is that most traffickers use psychological means such as tricking, defrauding, manipulating, or threatening victims into providing commercial sex or exploitative labor. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month; learn more about this crime and how Domestic and Sexual Violence Services supports survivors.

Help a family today with your donation. We are accepting NEW, full-sized, packaged, and sealed hygiene products. We encourage inclusive donations of personal hygiene items for all genders, ages (children, teens, and adults), backgrounds, and ethnicities. For the full list of products and more information, visit our website.

Scam artists have become more sophisticated, using phone calls, emails, text messages, and social media outreach to create a sense of urgency and trick people into sharing personal information or sending money. To help residents stay ahead of these schemes, the Fairfax County Consumer Protection Commission has launched a new initiative called “Pause. Question. Protect.” It’s a simple, memorable reminder that you have more power than you think when faced with a suspicious request. Learn more about this initiative and how it can help you stay safe from scammers in the January issue of the Golden Gazette.

Researching doctors who participate in Medicaid and are conveniently located near you can be challenging – but it doesn’t have to be! Use Cardinal Care’s search tool to find providers by location, type, language, group name, and more. If you think you might be eligible for Medicaid, apply online at CommonHelp or by phone at 855-635-4370. If you’re not eligible for Medicaid, there are other options for free or low-cost healthcare in Fairfax County.

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 a foster parent! It’s all about showing up consistently! Thank you to Carl Underwood for starring. Watch video.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning individuals experience intimate partner violence at higher rates than heterosexual and cisgender people due to stigma and barriers to accessing support. If you or someone you care about is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence, you are not alone and there is help available through these resources. Learn more.