This fact sheet prepared by Formed Families Forward, in partnership with the WAZE to Adulthood project with the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) covers postsecondary educational options and resources for youth and young adults in foster care, kinship care, and adoptive homes, and who have disabilities in Virginia.
VA fact sheet
This fact sheet prepared by Formed Families Forward, in partnership with the WAZE to Adulthood project with the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) covers postsecondary educational options and resources for youth and young adults in foster care, kinship care, and adoptive homes, and who have disabilities in 5 states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennesse.
FL fact sheet
GA fact sheet
NC fact sheet
SC fact sheet
TN fact sheet
Broadcast live on March 6, 2024, this web panel of experts focused on post-secondary options for young adults with disabilities that impact behavioral health.
Three panelists from Breakthru Services, Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), and the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia shared information on skill building services, the basics of eligibility for DARS post-high school services, as well as targeted supports available for young adults with mental health and neurobehavioral needs and other conditions which present challenges to traditional post-secondary education, training and employment options.
Panel webinar recording
Originally broadcast on January 10, 2023. this webinar was presented by Annie Tulkin, MS, Accessible College LLC.
Webinar presentation slides
Webinar recording
Accessible College Resources from presenter Annie Tulkin
A website produced by the Department of Defense with data from the Departments of Commerce, Education and Labor. Site offers information and tools on post-high school career, education and military options.
The road to adulthood for youth with disabilities is filled with opportunity, and parents play a key role. PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment is ready with the information families want, presented in a way families can use. The site features a wide array of transition-related resources for families and youth.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information on who is considered “Parent” for financial aid.
If you are considered a dependent student for FAFSA® purposes, you will need to provide information about your legal parent(s) on the application. A legal parent is your biological or adoptive parent, or your legal parent as determined by the state (for example, if the parent is listed on your birth certificate). If you have a stepparent currently married to your legal parent, you generally also must provide information about him or her.
More info and how to apply
The Learning & Working Transitions RTC at University of Massachusetts Medical Center focuses on youth and young adults ages 14-30 who have serious mental health conditions, conducting cutting-edge research on age appropriate programs that support education, training, and working during the transition to adulthood.
Outside-The-Box College Accommodations: Real Support for Real Students: Tools for School from the Transitions Research and Training Center at University of Massachusetts
My Next Move, what do you want to do for a living? A career search site.
Think College: College options for people with Intellectual Disabilities
Dude, Where’s My Transition Plan? Guide from Formed Families Forward and PEATC.
The youth-friendly guide covers many of the basics of transition preparation and planning, including:
Foster Care to Success: America’s College Fund for Foster Youth.
All Foster Care to Success scholarships share one application; we will determine the program(s) for which you are eligible based on the information you provide.
Foster Care to Success
Apply here
Great Expectations program for Virginia foster youth pursuing community college and other post-secondary education options.
Services for Older Youth, VDSS. These include the Independent Living Program for youth 14 and older and education programs such as the Community College Tuition Grant and Education and Training Vouchers (ETV).
JobCorps, a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a good job has several locations in Virginia.
The Center for Parent Information and Resources provides a webpage on Education/Training Connections resources.
Best Colleges offers an article on Top Mental Health Challenges Facing College Students
PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment provides information and resources for youth, families, employers and others helping teens and young adults with disabilities as they transition.
Comprehensive Approach to Transition Guide from the Association of University Centers on Disability is a youth-friendly planning workbook.
