We know many families are hearing news about possible federal changes. Formed Families Forward is still here — fully operating and committed to supporting foster, adoptive, and kinship families raising children and youth with disabilities and special needs.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is federal law that directs provision of special education and related services to eligible child and youth with disabilities. IDEA protections remain in full effect. The law has not changed.
Our mission remains the same: Supporting foster, kinship, and adoptive families of children and youth with disabilities and other specialized needs.
To learn more, read the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services fact sheet:
You can also read The Arc’s statement on why moving special education and civil rights oversight out of the Department of Education raises concerns for students with disabilities HERE.
The Council for Exceptional Children has additional information on the proposed move HERE.
An article from The 74 offers perspectives of some families of children with disabilities HERE.
A summary from Understood.org can be found HERE.
Families do their best when they have information and facts. FFF is dedicated to its mission to improve outcomes of children, youth and young adults with disabilities and other specialized needs by supporting and empowering their foster, adoptive and kinship families.
We’re here through every transition — and we’re not going anywhere.
Additional updates as of 7/10:
The Council for Exceptional Children reported additional information about the move and a US Department of Education meetings about it, HERE.