While most of our initial interest meetings are now over, we still have many ways to learn more about serving foster children and families in our area. Topics covered include fostering, mentoring youth aging out of foster care, providing support to a foster family, and other ways to get started.
Join us at any of our interest meetings in September to learn more about ways to serve foster children and families in our area. While some opportunities are location-specific, you are welcome to attend any that fit your schedule best. Topics covered include fostering, mentoring youth aging out of foster care, providing support to a foster family, and other ways to get started.
Already taken place, but watch the recording below. See the trainings listed below. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Already taken place. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Already taken place. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Sunday, Sept 22 | 12:30 pm at Academies of Loudoun. Introduction to Foster Care & Adoption Class: Are you considering adoption or foster care? This Introductory Meeting will help you and your family think through critical issues associated with the decision to adopt or foster, as well as learn about mentoring and coming alongside others who are fostering or adopting. Led by Thomas & Lauren Black. Register here.
Tuesday, September 10th 7:30-8:30pm – COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE (CASA) session for Montgomery County (virtual). Join Francha Davis, Executive Director, and Jen Carson, Program Director, with Voices for Children Montgomery as they lead a Q&A to help you understand what it means to be a CASA volunteer. A CASA volunteer is an integral part of a child, youth or teens time in Foster Care. Becoming a CASA volunteer allows you to be a mentor to a youth or teen in addition giving you a voice to advocate for them in the court system – and is flexible as you and the youth decide the best timing to meet. To receive the link for the meeting – email: [email protected]
Wednesday, September 11th 7:00-8:00pm – FOSTER CARE SESSION FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY (Virtual) Join Sapna Shankar, Recruiter/Social Worker Child Welfare Services for Montgomery County as she leads a Q&A on what being a foster parent in Montgomery County looks like and what is required. To receive a link for the meeting – email: [email protected]
If you are interested in implementing Care Teams in your Church Group, please plan to attend a Care Team Leader Orientation. You will learn more about Care Team structure and equipping your Church Group members to wrap around a vulnerable family.
Become a Mentoring adult or family for a young adult who’s aged out of foster care.
Support social workers on the front lines. Join us for one of the trainings below.
For anyone interested in fostering, please email [email protected] for information on our next meeting at Tysons to help you navigate the process with the county, as well as answer any questions you may have.
All of our efforts to support foster children and families fall under our new Family Advocacy Ministry, and we need your help to get it off the ground and keep the momentum going. In the next few weeks, we will be announcing an interest meeting for everyone interested in serving in some capacity, so check here often. For more information, please email [email protected]
If you already know how you’d like to get involved, here are some links for organizations or county offices that can help. (Inclusion here does not necessarily mean endorsement by MBC.)
(You do not have to foster in the county you live in. )
Alexandria Department of Health and Human Services
(703) 746-5858 | Information Meeting
Arlington County Department of Child and Family Services
(703) 228-1550 | Information Meeting
Fairfax County Department of Family Services
(703) 324-7500 | Information Meeting | The first step is to fill out the interest form here.
Loudoun County Department of Health and Human Services
(703) 771-5941 | Information Meeting
Prince William County Department of Social Services
(703) 792-7500 | Information Meeting
Families in Montgomery County interested in foster care can contact the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) at [email protected] or directly reach out to Sophie Hotch at [email protected].
These DHHS foster care information virtual meetings recur monthly on the following dates:
The Foster Journey | Whether you are making your way to foster parenting or making your way through it, we’re here to help you navigate. The Foster Journey is designed to be your companion as you consider foster care and prepare to be a great foster parent. With wisdom and humor, it walks you through both the initial decision to become a foster parent and provides a road map through the certification process. This guide is a collection of insights from many who have gone before you and asks critical questions to help you along the way.
Foster Care and the Church | God cares for the vulnerable, which means there’s a place for the Church in caring for those in foster care. Yet, it can be challenging to know where to start. You don’t have to foster to care. Through four sessions of thoughtful teaching and compelling stories, Foster Care and The Church sets the foundation for understanding foster care so that you can meaningfully engage, even if you are not providing foster care yourself. Learn why foster care exists both biblically and systematically, how the Gospel shapes our perspective, and what it means to love our neighbors. Discover your next step in caring for the foster care community.
ReFraming Foster Care: Filtering Your Foster Parenting Journey Through the Lens of the Gospel | ReFraming Foster Care is a collection of reflections on the foster parenting journey designed to help you do just that—find hope—and to remind you that your work is worth it and you are not alone.