Neighborhood and Community Services

Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services honored volunteers at the 2024 Volunteer Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at The Westin Tysons Corner. More than 150 volunteers and Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn attended the breakfast ceremony. Dranesville Supervisor James Bierman and NCS Director Lloyd Tucker gave remarks. NCS South County Senior Center Director Sharnel Jones served as emcee at the event, which returned to an in-person gathering for the first time since 2019. "We are proud of the direct service our volunteers provide in the form of food box distribution, meal service, translation assistance, social visits, vaccination clinic support, and other services at our senior centers, community centers and teen centers," said Tucker. "More than 90 percent of our volunteers say they feel their service makes a difference."   There were four volunteers/groups that received Volunteer of the Year awards: Teen Volunteer: Patrick Livingston, for his work with Therapeutic Recreation Services. Group Volunteers: Sahas Rajeshirke and Soham Rajeshirke, for teaching coding to children at Mott Community Center.  Senior Center Participant Volunteer: Lougenia Carnell, for volunteering at Little River Glen Senior Center.  Adult Volunteer: Nancy Bloomfield, for teaching Spanish dance classes at Herndon Senior Center.  See the Flickr album with photos from the event. For NCS volunteer opportunities, visit the NCS Volunteers Page.   Watch this Fairfax Channel 16 video about NCS volunteers:  

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed May 2024 Early Intervention Month in Fairfax County. The proclamation says the children of Fairfax County are among our most valuable and vulnerable residents, and they require and deserve proper care and attention, and that it is crucial that these children receive immediate support and services. NCS' Infant and Toddler Connection (ITC) is the program that identifies and aids children up to age 3 with developmental delays or a diagnosed condition that may lead to a developmental delay. ITC provides early intervention services to more than 4,400 infants and toddlers annually. After an Assessment for Services Planning Meeting, ITC’s service coordinators and therapists develop an Individualized Family Service  Plan. The team and the family work together, usually in the family's home and in the context of a family’s daily activities. “ITC has a wide range of professionals and services, from occupational therapy to speech therapy, nutrition services to developmental activities, said Susan Sigler, NCS Director of Inclusive Support Services. “It is so gratifying to see children's progress.” Recently, an ITC team visited the Falls Church home of Wendy Mendez-Cortez, a repeat client of ITC. Mendez-Cortez’ son was born very prematurely at 24 weeks gestation. After receiving services from ITC, he transitioned to Fairfax County Public Schools. Last fall, Mendez-Cortez gave birth to a daughter eight weeks prematurely. She knew that she could reach out to ITC again for support. ITC’s multidisciplinary team is working with Mendez-Cortez and her baby on various skills. “It is very helpful for them to come to the house,” Mendez-Cortez said. “I feel very supported. I did not know how to hold the baby. The therapists have different ideas for me.” To learn more about ITC and its services, visit NCS’ ITC page. To see the Board of Supervisors Proclamation, click here.