| Interested in Fairfax Kinship Family Support Groups, hosted by FFF starting September 2023? 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 supposed 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.
As of September 2023, we are hosting 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 September, October, November and December 2023 in the Fairfax area. Child care is NOT available. Continuation of meetings of the in-person group in 2024 will be dependent on attendance in fall.
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. In 2023, Stronger Together is offered as an 8-week session that will introduce tools that can be used to navigate everyday challenges. Skills include interpersonal effectiveness, conflict resolution, self-determination and self-efficacy. The group emphasizes positive peer supports as a context for strengths-based growth. A light dinner will be served each evening. Regular weekly attendance is expected.
Our Fall 2023 Stronger Together support group for youth and young adults be held for 8 weekly sessions on Thursday evenings, September 28 through November 16 in the Fairfax area; registration will open August 1. Stronger Together Fall 2023 FLYER HERE.
NOTE: Other family support groups are available through NAMI Northern Virginia 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.
