Everyone needs support at different times in their lives. Our 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month theme, “Building Stronger Families: Solid Foundations for Family Well-being,” recognizes that strong families are built with help from friends, neighbors, schools, faith communities, and local services. You can help support families you know by sharing information about local resources, offering a listening ear, and promoting positive parenting and empathy. Together, we can promote safe, stable, and nurturing relationships so all children and families can thrive. Learn more about county resources.

Sexual violence headlines drive the news. Fairfax County has seen a plethora of family and domestic violence homicides. And trends show a spike in strangulations. This is on top of rising gas and grocery prices, a charged political season, and fears about war. How’s a survivor expected to feel hope when all else seems hopeless? On this episode of Unscripted, that’s the question host Kendra Lee and Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Division Director Keesha Coke and sexual and domestic violence counselor Lisa Groat attempt to answer.

As we age, we may eat less than we did when we were younger. This can be the case for people who are perfectly healthy, and maintaining a healthy weight has numerous benefits to overall health. Eating fewer calories while making sure the calories you do eat are dense in essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and protein is a great way to look and feel your best. It is a myth, however, that older people don’t feel like eating because our bodies don’t require as much food. Loss of appetite is not “natural,” and can signal a serious medical issue. Also, by not eating enough, we may not get the nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy. Read about some of the things that cause loss of appetite and why it shouldn’t be ignored in the April issue of the Golden Gazette.

Virginia SUN Bucks is a one-time benefit to help families with the cost of groceries during the summer when children are not in school. Some families will automatically qualify for SUN Bucks based on participation in SNAP, TANF, income-based Medical Assistance, or free or reduced-price meals at school. Whether you're applying for SUN Bucks or automatically qualify, make sure your child's school and/or Public Assistance and Employment Services (PAES) have your correct address. Learn more about SUN Bucks and how to apply. 

Warning: sexual assault and sexual violence. Watching movies or shows can be helpful to learn about the experiences of some survivors and start conversations about sexual violence in our communities. Many of these works explore important topics in our communities, including safety, equity, justice, resilience, healing, and more. Host movie night at your house with a selection from our playlist of movies and shows exploring this topic.

There are approximately 5,800 children in foster care in Virginia, with 250 in Fairfax County. These children need the caring support of our community to overcome their challenges. Join us at Herndon Fortnightly Library on May 5, 7-8:30 p.m. for an event focused on how we all can make a difference for these vulnerable children in our community. Come find out about supporting foster care, how it works, and why it matters. Be the hearts and hands for these children. Get more information online. Drop-ins are welcome or you can register online.

Are you an employer seeking highly skilled professionals with federal government or government contracting experience in Project Management or IT? We're calling on local businesses to join Talent Up NOVA, an initiative designed to connect local businesses with top tier, transitioning former federal employees and contractors, bringing experienced talent directly into your applicant pool. Wages are fully covered by Talent Up NOVA. Strengthen your workforce while helping a talented Fairfax County resident launch their next career chapter. Want to learn more? Complete the Employer Interest Form for Talent Up NOVA.