Resource parents describe rewards and strains of Fairfax County foster care placements

A Fairfax County resource parent described the personal impact of participating in the county's Resource Parent Program for four years, noting placements that have included respite care, teenagers and sibling groups.

The parent said county caseworkers and support teams have been a consistent help. "The biggest asset to me is the team through the county. They've always shown up in full force," the parent said, describing emotional rewards and the program's role in providing safety, stability and consistency for children in care.

Why it matters: the testimonial highlights the human side of the county's child-welfare work and the role of local staff and volunteers in sustaining placements. The speaker emphasized that while fostering is challenging'with schedule and routine changes'the experience has led to resilience and a sense of giving back to the community.

Ending: the parent encouraged others to consider resource parenting and pointed to county supports available to new foster families.