Formed Families Forward

06/05/2026

Happy Family Friday!

Did you know that a statue of Hawaii’s first king, King Kamehameha, stands in the U.S. Capitol? Every year on June 11, his statue is ceremonially draped with lei (traditional flower garlands).

Tomorrow, the U.S. Botanic Garden is hosting a lei-making demonstration to celebrate. The event is free and open to all.

💡 Learn about Hawaiian culture
🌼 Create your own lei
🌺 Observe members of the Hawaii State Society of Washington, D.C. prepare their own lei for the ceremony
📍 U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory Terrace, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington DC 20001
🕚 11am-1pm
https://usbg.swoogo.com/Lei-Making_Jun26

06/04/2026

Formed Families Forward reaches over 4000 families, youth and family-serving professionals a year! As a nonprofit organization, our Board guides and strengthens our current work, while visioning a strong future.

Might you or someone you know be a good candidate to serve as a FFF Board member? Here is where to start: https://formedfamiliesforward.org/donate/

06/02/2026

It's not too late to connect and learn with other families impacted by challenging behaviors! Our friends at NAMI Prince William are hosting a Children's Challenging Behaviors IN PERSON this Saturday. Child care available.
Learn more https://nami-pw.org/event/june-6-childrens-challenging-behaviors/

06/02/2026

Happy June! Check out this month's Momentum E-news from FFF. Great updates on trauma-wise educators, webinars, summer planning, support groups, and more. https://conta.cc/4vlTXYA

Email from Formed Families Forward May News! June 2026 TraumaWise Educators! Thanks to a grant from the PATH Foundation, Formed Families Forward just completed faciliation of a year-long TraumaWise Co

05/31/2026

🚨Reminder!! From our friends at VDOE: All families of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in Virginia are encouraged to complete the Virginia Department of Education's annual Special Education Parent Involvement Survey by December 11, 2026. The survey is available in Spanish and English. If you have questions concerning this survey, please contact Chiquita Seaborne, Family Engagement Specialist/Special Projects Coordinator, via telephone at (804) 418-4672 or via email at [email protected].
🔗 Survey link: https://virginiadoe.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2lttr1DqNfixIH4

05/30/2026

A reminder that FFF and Fairfax County Department of Family Services have launched KARE: Kinship Assistance, Resources, and Education! Our FREE Kinship Navigation program can help connect Fairfax Co. kinship families to valuable support services.

Kinship Navigators are available to talk 1:1 about any questions you may have! Reach out today: [email protected]. 🔗https://bit.ly/KARE-contact-form

What can we help you navigate?
🩵 Basic Needs and Financial Resources
💚Emergency Assistance Funds
🩵Support Groups
💚Trainings, Workshops, and Parenting Education
🩵Respite and Recreational Activities
💚School, including Special Education
🩵Child Care Subsidies
💚Eligibility for Benefits
🩵Programs such as TANF, SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid
💚Legal and Custody Resources
🩵Mental and Behavioral Health Resources

05/29/2026

Happy Family Friday! THIS Sunday check out the Kids’ Renaissance Festival at Shipgarten:
🎨face painting and arts & crafts
🎵live music
🌙moon bounces
📸photo booth with accessories
🤸‍♀️outdoor games and activities, and a full outdoor playground
🐾Dog friendly event.
📍Shipgarten: 7581 Colshire Dr, Tysons, VA 22102
🗓May 31, 2026 @ 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
EVENT SCHEDULE:
12:00 – 6:00 PM – Face Painting, Moon bounces, and Arts & Crafts
12:00 – 3:00 PM – Live Magic Performance by Jake the Great

05/29/2026

Not one but TWO Family Friday shares this week!

First, tomorrow, local pet-care company Woofie’s is hosting Paws in the Park, a free event where families can connect with other animal lovers. Bring your leashed pet and enjoy some outdoor fun.

🐾 Interact with adoption-ready pets from local shelters
💡 Learn about animal wellness from some of the booths on-site
🍽 Grab treats from local food trucks
📍Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA, 20171
🕚 11am-3pm
https://www.woofies.com/paws-in-the-park/

Watch for our 2nd Family Friday post soon...

05/28/2026

As we wrap up Foster Care Month, a quick reminder of the number of children, youth and families impacted!

Nearly 5900 children and youth are in foster care across Virginia. Even more data about Virginia's children in care is available at https://www.dss.virginia.gov/research-and-planning/reports-data/fc-data-reports/.

As always, FFF is here to help foster and resource parents and youth in foster care! Contact us anytime at https://formedfamiliesforward.org/contact/

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember service members who lost their lives while serving in the armed forces. We honor their sacrifice to protect democracy and freedom, so that formed, and all, families in America may thrive.

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