| Interested in Fairfax Kinship Family Support Groups, hosted by FFF? Learn more HERE. |
We believe that we really are stronger when we share experiences and work together to improve our own lives and the systems that are designed to help youth and families.
In June 2021, we launched new peer-led Formed Families Together support groups for adoptive and foster parents and kinship caregivers. Our Formed Families Together groups are led by trained Formed Families Forward staff and volunteers who have first-hand lived experience raising children, youth and young adults with special needs.
FFF now hosts one VIRTUAL group and one IN-PERSON group monthly. The virtual Formed Families Together peer support group meets the first Sunday evening of the month from 7:30 – 9 PM. The in-person Formed Families Together peer support group meets 7-8:30 PM on the third Wednesdays of the month in the Fairfax area. Child care is NOT available.
NOTE Formed Families Together groups (virtual and in-person formats) DO NOT meet in July.
Adoptive, foster and kinship parents and caregivers should register in advance and log-in information will be emailed. Both groups are free of charge. Registration HERE.
Download FLYER for the Formed Families Together group.
Our youth and young adult Stronger Together skills and peer support group is designed for teens and young adults age 14-22 who have lived experiences in one or more service systems such as:
Groups are facilitated by professional clinicians and meet during the school year. Stronger Together is offered as an 8-week session that will introduce tools that can be used to navigate everyday challenges. A light dinner is served each evening. Regular weekly attendance is expected.
Our Winter 2025 Stronger Together support group for youth and young adults meets for 8 weekly sessions on Wednesdays, January 22 to March 12 from 6 – 7:30 PM. This Winter’s theme is Finding Strength Through Connection, and group activities include practicing social engagement through creative activities and games. The group emphasizes positive peer supports as a context for strengths-based growth. Group members will engage with one another and learn ways to build on strengths, find their personal ‘happy’, and have fun in the company of peers.
REGISTER for Winter 2025 Stronger Together Group HERE.
NOTE: Other family and youth support groups are available through NAMI Northern Virginia, the Northern Post Adoption Consortium, and the Virginia Family Network at NAMI Virginia.
Fairfax County CSB offers Thursday evening groups for youth ages 14-17 and family members. More information at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/recovery/heads-up-talk-it-out.