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CALL US!Moving foster, adoptive and kinship families to better outcomes through support and education.
Formed Families Forward is here to HELP.
EVENTS
Introduction to REACH Services for Youth and Adults WEBINAR
Did you miss our June 4 webinar? Learn more about the northern Virginia REACH program that serves the mental health, crisis stabilization and other needs of children, youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Watch RECORDED WEBINAR HERE.
September 17- Back to School: Surviving Reentry 2018
Make this the first entry in your fall calendar! Join us for a back-to-school webinar, 6:30 PM on September 17 and put a deposit on some tools for a great school year ahead. DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE.
REGISTER for BTS WEBINAR
Youth and Young Adults: Stronger Together peer support groups
Formed Families Forward is pleased to offer peer support groups for teens and young adults. Stronger Together support groups meet during the school year in Fairfax. Parents and caregivers meet separately. Groups for 2017-18 have concluded, but let us know if you are interested in participating in 2018-19.
Learn More
LifeSkills Training course for Middle School Youth
FFF can offer a free 6-session LifeSkills Training program for middle school youth, at request! Find more about LifeSkills Training HERE.
RECENT NEWS
The Family First Prevention Act is law- how does it impact your family?
Join Voices for Virginia’s Children for a free webinar July 12 at 10 AM to learn more about this important legislation that places great emphasis on diverting children from entering foster care. Read Voices’ blog post for more information.
Job Opportunities for Parents and Caregivers
Paid work opportunities for a parent or caregiver. See postings HERE.
Q and A on the Endrew F. Supreme Court Case- Impact on FAPE
The U.S. Department of Education issued a Questions and Answers document on the recent Supreme Court decision in the Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District case that focused on interpretation of the Free and Appropriate Public Education provisions in IDEA. Read the Q & A HERE. A summary of the case from EducationNext can be read HERE. A March 2018 Exceptional Parent magazine article on what the case means for families can be found HERE.
Formed Families Northern Virginia Resource Directory
Find hundreds of resources, agencies, providers in our Resource Directory. Download your copy of the best-yet 2017-18 update of the Northern Virginia Formed Families Resource Directory HERE.
Virginia Resource Guide for Children and Youth in Foster Care and Kinship Care
A brand new online resource links to resources for families and professionals. Check it out HERE.
Learn more about what Formed Families Forward does for families
Check out a video highlighting some of our services, HERE.
Parent and Educator Guide on Section 504 now available
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 offers protections such as access to accommodations for some children and youth with disabilities in public schools and other programs. The US Department of Education has just released a Parent and Educator Guide to Section 504 to help families and professionals understand and implement Section 504. Download the Section 504 Resource Guide.
Discipline and Behavior Clarifications from US Department of Education
In August 2016, the US Department of Education released a Dear Colleague Letter clarifying schools’ responsibilities and opportunities to support children and youth with behavioral challenges that impact education. Great information for families and educators!
Educational Stability for Children in Foster Care Toolkit, webinar series and ESSA regulations available now
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is the latest version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. An ESSA Toolkit from the Legal Center on Foster Care and Education covers the requirements for educational stability for children and youth in foster care. The US Departments of Education and HHS have guidance on how to implement the requirements in ESSA regarding educational stability. Get the full Guidance document HERE. Full regulations for ESSA were released in November 2016. Find final ESSA regulations HERE. The agencies hosted webinars on how to improve educational stability and implement provisions in ESSA including effective collaborations, best interest determinations and immediate enrollment, transportation decisions, and education and child welfare points of contact. Find the webinar recordings and slides HERE.
Fostering Futures update
The new Virginia Fostering Futures program provides a safety net for foster youth and young adults ages 18-21. Learn more about Fostering Futures HERE.
New Resource for Transitioning Foster Youth and Young Adults
The US Department of Education offers this toolkit for older youth and young adults in foster care and their families. Check out the Transition Toolkit HERE.
Rethinking Discipline videos
A new series of short videos help families, schools, and school districts understand the facts of school discipline for students with disabilities. Published by the US Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, these videos are easy to share and good conversation starters for families, educators and policymakers! Find the Rethinking Discipline Videos HERE.
Virginia Ability Alliance Community Calendar
The Arc of Northern Virginia hosts a community calendar, featuring regional trainings and meetings. Check it out!
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
Formed Families Forward provides training and support to families in northern Virginia formed through foster care, kinship care and adoption. Your contribution helps us continue our work with formed families. Thank you for your support!
