PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY — John and Christina Hayes were recognized among this year’s outstanding foster parents on Wednesday.
Foster parents from 10 jurisdictions in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia were honored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors as the region’s 2019 Foster Parents of the Year.
John and Christina Hayes originally requested to care for young children and infants, but when they were asked to take care of a 15-year-old, special needs child, they immediately agreed. They made sure that all of his medical and educational needs were met in addition to participating in activities like basketball, baseball, and golf.
They have worked with both of his biological parents to make sure they continue to be involved in his life. He is now 18 years old and they want him to remain with them as part of their family. In addition, the Hayes family welcomed a three-week-old baby girl, who was placed with them last October.
COG partners with local and state child welfare agencies around the region to recognize these outstanding parents on an annual basis. Child welfare workers strive to keep families together, but when that it is not possible, foster families can provide the necessary support. In the region, the number of children in foster care has declined by 47 percent since 2008, according to data compiled by COG.
“These outstanding foster parents have gone above and beyond to provide children a safe and nurturing home until they can be reunified with their birth family or achieve permanency through adoption or guardianship,” said COG Community Planning and Services Director Paul DesJardin. “We appreciate their service to the region and making a difference in these children’s lives.”
Recent Stories
Prince William County is extending its sustainability partnership with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP). VEEP is a program that encourages Virginia businesses “to go beyond…
The Republican Delegation of Spotsylvania issued a joint statement praising Governor Glenn Youngkin’s recent announcement of more than $10 million in grants through the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) that will help Spotsylvania families.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors discussing the amendment decision at the July 16 meeting. The Prince William Board of County Supervisors removed the loan limit on the University…
Starting Sunday, July 28, drivers on Route 3 westbound in Fredericksburg will experience brief overnight delays and a temporary rough ride as crews begin resurfacing the road and updating lane markings.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious? Our dedicated team of mental health professionals is here to help you navigate life’s challenges and achieve emotional balance from the comfort of your home. We offer a wide range of services tailored to meet your unique needs, including individual therapy, couples counseling, group therapy, and specialized programs for anxiety, depression, addiction and trauma.
At Peaceful Mind Solutions we have a team of therapists ready to help you with your mental health needs. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to ensure our services fit your goals. We used an evidence-based approach to work on the root of your problem so we can help you get the mental clarity you need.
At our practice, we use Cognitive behavioral therapy. (CBT) is a great way to identify negative thought patterns and then change them with the help of a therapist working through them each week. We will give you the tools to make lasting changes in your life so you can get back to living without roadblocks.
On June 22, 2024, the Ira Dorsey Scholarship Ball, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter, seated in Prince William County, VA, awarded $73,000 in scholarships to 17 students through the chapter’s foundation, the Ira Dorsey Scholarship Endowment Fund. These scholarships will support their college journeys at prestigious universities such as Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, Purdue University, Howard University, Shenandoah University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, Cornell University, Spelman College, North Carolina A&T State University, and Norfolk State University. The event highlighted the commitment of the Ira Dorsey Scholarship Endowment Fund to fostering academic excellence and supporting the educational aspirations of young scholars in our community.
