Neighborhood and Community Services

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed November as Military Family Appreciation Month in Fairfax County. Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services is proud to support veterans and military families through the county’s new Veterans and Military Families Commission.  According to the Board matter introducing the Military Family Appreciation Month proclamation, Fairfax County is home to more than 45,000 active-duty military, selected reserve members, and an estimated 89,000 veterans. More than 16,800 students in Fairfax County Public Schools are connected to the military, and 18 Fairfax County schools have been recognized as Purple Star Schools. Fort Belvoir is also Fairfax County’s largest employer.  The Board of Supervisors established the commission in 2024 to identify the unique issues and challenges faced by Fairfax County veterans, active duty service members, military retirees and their families and to connect them with services and supports, address gaps in services and opportunities, improve access to service systems, and enhance the institutional structures across the continuum of care for the military community. The commission is comprised of 20 Board-appointed community representatives and is supported by NCS staff, including NCS' Veterans Coordinator and Air Force veteran Christopher Pulley.  For more information on the Veterans and Military Families Commission, please visit the commission’s website or contact Christopher Pulley at Christopher.Pulley@fairfaxcounty.gov. For additional veterans’ services, please visit Fairfax County’s Military and Veterans resource page.   

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to honor family members caring for an older adult or person with disabilities. According to the National Council on Aging, more than 53 million Americans are serving as family caregivers, an economic value of more than $470 billion. In Virginia, 980,000 people provide regular care or assistance to a family member, says an AARP report. Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services’ mission is to partner with communities, families and individuals to provide opportunities to access a continuum of resources that promote equity and create positive outcomes for people of all ages and abilities. To meet that mission, NCS has a variety of services for older adults and persons with disabilities aimed at relieving the stress on family caregivers. Among them: Adult Day Health Care – NCS’ four Adult Day Health Care locations enable adults with dementia or physical or intellectual disabilities to live their best life at home with their families. Trained staff focus on the whole person’s intellectual, physical and social needs with engaging activities and games that promote memory care while fostering social interaction. Participants often show better sleep and mood, which provides peace of mind for caregivers. Learn more. Transportation Support – The Transportation Options, Programs and Services (TOPS) program provides subsidized transportation for eligible older adults, enabling them to travel affordably, safely and independently. Learn more. Inclusion Services at NCS Senior Centers - Inclusion services for older adults allow seniors with minor cognitive and physical disabilities to actively participate in the day-to-day activities at Fairfax County Senior Centers. The program is provided in partnership with ServiceSource – a local non-profit organization with extensive background in supporting older adults and adults with disabilities. Learn more. Virtual Center for Active Adults (VCAA) – This multiagency partnership is designed to enrich the lives of older adults and adults with disabilities in while combatting isolation. Participants can connect with peers, engage in a variety of activities, and discover useful resources though live, interactive programs or prerecorded programs on-demand. Learn more.  Additional Support – The Fairfax County Department of Family Services (DFS) Adult and Aging Division has many programs and resources to support family caregivers, including free webinars, respite and support services, and supports for caregivers of persons with dementia. For more information call the  Aging, Disability and Caregiver Resources Line at 702-324-7948, TTY 711or visit Family Caregiver Support Programs.  DFS is supporting the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 at the Fairfax County Government Center.