December 2022 at a Glance |
- Adoption Day 2022!
- Placement Passport Packets
- STAAND, Our New Online Portal
- Annual Youth Holiday Party
- Become a Resource Parent
- Kudo's Corner
- Staff Shoutouts
- News You Can Use
- Seeking My Forever Family
- It Takes a Village
- Here to Help
- Upcoming Events
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Last month, we held an in-person event at The Point DC to celebrate families who achieved permanency through adoption. This fiscal year (October 2021 – September 2022), 102 children were connected to Forever Families because of the hard work of our social workers, adoption recruiters, attorneys, judges, and the families themselves.
We thank our longtime partner and award-winning journalist, Barbara Harrison, for emceeing the event. Her show, Wednesday’s Child, helped find permanent and loving families for hundreds of DC children in foster care like Mr. Ernest Landers, who shared his adoption story that included our very own Barbara Nalls playing an integral role in his family’s life. Check out the highlights from Adoption Day 2022!
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Placement Passport Packets: A Friendly Reminder! |
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When a child is placed in your home, a social worker (SW) or a Resource Parent Support Worker (RPSW) will provide you with a navy-blue Passport Folder or a blue binder that includes additional information about the young person.
Please make sure to update the contents on an ongoing basis. Your RPSW will help you with that and provide any additional information that might be applicable during visits and phone calls. This binder is a collaborative effort between you, the SW, and the RPSW. It’s a living history that travels through time with our youth and ultimately informs their birth or forever family.
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Coming Soon! STAAND, Our New Online Portal for Resource Parents |
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CFSA will launch a new online portal for prospective and current Resource Parents in mid-January. This portal will be a part of the agency’s new child welfare information system, Stronger Together Against Abuse and Neglect in DC (STAAND). This will improve the experience of recruitment, training, licensing, and re-licensing by providing a single technology system for engagement, increased transparency, and improved communication with CFSA.
When the new online portal is available, you will receive instructions via email about how to set up an account. We are excited about the launch and believe this will support a more efficient and streamlined process for all Resource Parents! If you have any questions, please reach out to CFSA.STAANDSupport@dc.gov
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Annual Youth Holiday Party |
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The DC CFSA Office of Youth Empowerment invites young people ages 15 and older in care to our annual youth holiday party. Enjoy food, music, contests, prizes, a photo booth, and more! Join us on Thursday, 15 December, at 5:30 p.m. at CFSA Headquarters: 200 I Street SE. For more information or to RSVP, please email Thon.Chol@dc.gov or Joelle.Myers@dc.gov.
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Become a full-time Professional Foster Parent. We host monthly Professional Parent Information Sessions on the second Saturday. Register at bit.ly/DCCFSA_PFP. Know someone who would be a strong fit for this role? Have them email us at cfsa.recruitment-retention@dc.gov.
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CFSA's Resource Parent Recruitment team thanks Mr. and Mrs. Ottey and Ms. Parks for sharing their wisdom with prospective Trauma-Informed Professional Parents. During the nine information sessions CFSA facilitated in August and September, both families explained the challenges, rewards, and importance of meeting children where they are. In the feedback, the participants mentioned that this was the highlight of the discussion. We thank our resource parents for serving our youth.
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Ms. Emily Faulk and Mr. Alex Horowitz want to be a haven for kids and a resource to their families. That mission drove the couple to start fostering in 2016. They stay connected with the children and their birth parents beyond reunification. When Alex and Emily learned that one of their sons’ siblings was in care, they kept their foster care license updated to care for that child and keep the brothers together.
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Ms. Stacey Ferris, Resource Parent Support Worker
Stacey’s contributions to STAAND included her representing the Resource Parent Support (RPS) to ensure the new system includes the program's information and needs. She provided the STAAND Team an overview of the purpose of the RPS Program and clarified the roles and responsibilities of the Resource Parent Support Worker (RPSW) and the resource parents. She also consolidated various RPS forms and data collected by the program. Thanks, Stacey, for “STAAND”-ing up for Resource Parent Support!
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Ms. Trantina Waugh, Supervisor, Resource Parent Support
Shout-out to Trantina for engaging with the resource parents on her supervisee’s caseloads! Trantina was instrumental in identifying and making a superb placement match that was built on months of planning.
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Virtual EdFEST 2022
The District’s annual public school fair, EdFEST, will be held virtually on Saturday, December 10, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Students and families will be able to explore the city’s public and public charter school options (PK3 – Grade 12), chat directly with school representatives, and learn about the public school lottery – all from their devices. Register here. Need registration support? Call the My School DC Hotline at (202) 888-6336, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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The MPD Cadet Corps Program
In this specialized program, 17- to 24-year-old Washingtonians serve as uniformed civilian employees. As a member of the Cadet Corps, they earn a salary while taking college courses. Participants can accumulate up to 60 tuition-free credits toward a degree that puts them on track to enter MPD’s Police Officer Recruit Program. To learn more about the program, visit here.
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DPR Winter Programs are Back!
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Beyond the Book
This city-wide literacy program engages developing readers and children in kindergarten – 3rd grade. This seasonal program builds on the Books from Birth program, an initiative with Imagination Library that mails a new book a month to DC children, ranging from newborns – 5 years old. By highlighting vibrant stories that represent the wonders of children's literature, Beyond the Book inspires young people to discover the resources the DC Public Library offers. Learn more and register.
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Get Your Flu Vaccine
While you can get the flu any time of the year, most cases happen in the fall and winter. Flu shots are available for free at the District’s COVID Centers. Contact your healthcare provider or a local clinic or pharmacy to get your shot. Click here for the centers’ hours and locations.
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Free KN95 Masks at COVID Centers
District residents can pick up two free KN95 masks daily at the new COVID Centers. Seven COVID Centers are open across DC. And in addition to free KN95 masks, they offer free vaccinations, boosters, rapid tests, and PCR tests. No appointment is needed. All services and supplies are free. Click here to find the days and hours of the COVID Center locations.
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Youth Internships
The CFSA Office of Youth Empowerment internship programs offer youth ages 16 – 21 hands-on experience and professional mentors. Internship opportunities span a variety of sectors such as healthcare, education, construction, real estate, advertising/media, psychology, small businesses, community-based organizations, etc. OYE interns may work up to 30 hours weekly at $15.20 per hour. For additional information, please contact Afrilasia Joseph at Afrilasia.Joseph@dc.gov or Sharlene Sawyer at
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Activities for All Ages
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Christmas at Gaylord National | November 20 – December 31 | Oxon Hill, MD | Free, though some activities cost extra (ICE! is $27.99-$36.99)
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8th Edition 2022 Georgetown Glow | November 26 – January 22 | Washington, DC | $35/adult, $20/youth (4-16), and kids under 4 are free
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Skate Under the Sky — on the National Mall | November 25 – mid-March | Washington, DC | $12/age 13+, $9/age 12 and under, older adults, military service members with ID, students with school ID
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Enchant! | November 25- January 1 | Nationals Park at the Capitol Riverfront, DC | $35 adults/ $23+ ages 3-17
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The Day You Begin | November 19 – December 18 | The Kennedy Center/ Foggy Bottom, DC | $20-$25
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Winter Lantern Festival | Dec 16 – Feb 12, 2023 |Lerner Town Square at Tysons Corner, VA | $32/adult, $20/child
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Ice & Lights | Nov 18 – Jan 1 | Cameron Run Park in Alexandria, VA | $9 just village, $22/with skating, free/under 2
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Lights on the Bay (in Annapolis) | November 21 – January 2 | Sandy Point State Park | $20/car & $5/3-D glasses
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Festival of Lights | November 25 – January 1 | Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, MD | $10/online, $15/at gate, FREE on December 25
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Light Yards | December 1 – January 1 | The Yards at Capitol Riverfront, DC | Free
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Winter Walk of Lights | November 11 – January 8, 5 – 10 p.m. | Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA | $16-18/online, $20/on site, free/2 and under
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ZooLights | November 25 – December 30, 5 – 9 p.m. | National Zoo in Woodley Park, DC | $30
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Holiday Movies on the Potomac | November 13 – December 18 (Sundays at 2 p.m.) The National Harbor in Oxon Hill, MD | Free
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Spectacular Factor | November 19 – January 8 | ARTECHOUSE in Southwest, DC | $17 – $30
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Holidays on the Ellipse | December 2 – January 1 | President’s Park at the National Ellipse in DC| Free
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Seeking My Forever Family |
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Aaliyah
Aaliyah is a friendly and active teenager, who loves going for walks, watching her favorite TV shows, and doing puzzles. She’s quite the helper in the kitchen and embraces all kinds of food. Aaliyah is shy. So, while she likes being around kids her own age, she won’t initiate contact.
Transitioning to a forever home might be more of an adjustment for Aaliyah, who is autistic and non-verbal. She can speak and sign a few words. We would love to match her with a patient, nurturing, and fun-loving forever family—preferably a household with a mom and dad, two moms, or a single mom with a strong support system.
Aaliyah will do better in a structured home where she’s the only child or in a family with one or two children. Someone with knowledge and experience caring for children with special needs would be an asset. However, any family willing to learn how to care for Aaliyah will be considered. If you see Aaliyah becoming a part of your forever family, please contact Ms. Kim Walk at Kim.Walk@dc.gov.
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Do you know someone with the heart, patience, and time to foster children or youth? If so, please send them our way! We can answer questions, invite them to an upcoming recruitment event, or facilitate a one-to-one call/virtual meeting. Email cfsa.fosterdckids@dc.gov to connect.
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Some potential foster parents are sure about their path. Others may need more information to help them decide. Will you share your experience to help prospective resource families make the best life-changing decision they may ever make? Please email us at cfsa.fosterdckids@dc.gov so we can help you tell your story.
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Help and Support via the FOSTERDCKIDS Website
Check out our “Current Resource Parents” page on FosterDCKids.org. Hover over “Resources,” click on “Current Resource Parents,” then enter the password: resourcelove.
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REACH Support Hotline for After-Hours Help
Don't forget about the REACH Support Line! Should a challenging situation occur after regular business hours, please call (833) 443-3775 for assistance. View the REACH Support Line flyer for more information.
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Free COVID-19 Vaccinations (No Appointment Needed)
Visit one of DC Health’s walk-up vaccination sites for a free COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more at coronavirus.dc.gov/page/get-vaccinated. Can’t leave your home? Call (855) 363-0333 for assistance.
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Healthy Horizons Assessment On-Call Service
Have a medical question about the child in your care during non-standard business hours? You can call the Healthy Horizons Assessment Center (HHAC) on-call number (202) 498-8456 on weekends and holidays from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. Please note that HHAC does not provide “sick visit” services.
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Monthly DBH Parent Support Group
The DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) Wellness Wednesday parent support group provides DC parents, including CFSA resource parents, with a space to connect, care for themselves, and help foster resiliency in the children in their care. Join via Webex Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and use password WW20. Remember, you can earn a training hour for attendance/participation in these courses!
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Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials Available
The Office for Victims of Crime developed these resources to support children and youth who are frequently victims of, or witnesses to, violence and abuse that results in them encountering or navigating the justice system. Access materials here.
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Follow CFSA on social media! |
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