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Melonie Barrow, Leah Nelson, and Amy Swift join us to break down the Children’s Services Act—what it is, who it serves, and how it provides life-changing support for families in crisis.

They explain how the Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) and the Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT) work behind the scenes to coordinate services for children with behavioral, emotional, or special educational needs. These may be long titles, they note, but each team plays a critical role in bringing agencies together, reducing barriers, and ensuring families aren’t navigating complex systems alone.

At its core, they say, CSA is a partnership model: careful planning meets real compassion, helping families access counseling, educational support, crisis stabilization, and other key resources—often at the moment they need it most.

Families seeking guidance or wanting to learn more can contact the Spotsylvania CSA office at spotsylvaniacsa@dss.virginia.gov.

Loisann’s Hope House Executive Director Cait Woodward discusses the organization’s work to prevent homelessness by helping families stay stable and housed. She outlines the support and outreach efforts that address problems before they become a crisis.

Woodward also explains how the community can help this Christmas season through donations, needed supplies, or volunteer time.   More details:  loisannshopehouse.org.

Courtney Mersiowsky, Superintendent of Special Events with Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events, previews Saturday night’s Fredericksburg Christmas Parade, which begins at 5:30 p.m. downtown.

This year’s theme is “Christmas Around the World.”  Courtney walks us through what spectators need to know—from early street closures and recommended parking options.  fredericksburgchristmasparade.com

Recent data showing that many Americans are now buying their first home around age 40 highlights the region’s growing housing challenges, says Jason Tickle of Central Rappahannock River Habitat for Humanity. He notes that while the shift reflects real affordability pressures, there are programs available that can help families move toward stable homeownership.

Tickle also explains the many ways community members can get involved—whether volunteering on a build site, helping with office support, or contributing financially to meet rising needs. More information is available at crrhfh.org.

Leslie Leahy, mother of Ceili, and Stacy Horner-Dunn, mother of Austen, open up about navigating profound grief in a season centered on joy, offering heartfelt insight on how friends and family can truly support those who are mourning—including the importance of saying their children’s names—in a compassionate and deeply informative conversation.