Presented live on February 12, 2026 by Cortney Heykoop, Chartered Special Needs Consultant, Clover Leaf Wealth Strategies, and adoptive mom. Hosted by FFF.
For families supporting a child with a disability, ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts can be critical tools for future planning. They allow the family to pass down money to support the child without impacting access to governmental programs. But both ABLE Accounts & Special Needs Trusts can be confusing and overwhelming. This presentation outlined the different types of trusts, who can establish, how they are administered, a variety of ways to fund a trust and how to determine how much is needed in the trust for your child.
Presentation Slides
Webinar recording
From VCU’s Center on Transition Innovations and the Virginia Family Engagement Network (FEN):
This easy-to-use guide empowers families to navigate post-secondary transition planning for children with disabilities, starting in early childhood and continuing into adulthood. It covers four key areas of transition planning: self-determination, postsecondary education and training, employment, and independent living and community participation. Regardless of where your child begins their special education journey, these considerations provide a supportive framework for addressing your child’s unique needs. Plan and help your child thrive in every stage of life!
Link to Transition Across the Grade Span resource
From the US Department of Labor.
The Supporting Transformative Change in Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) Opportunities for People with Disabilities landing page links to resources to support steps to increase the participation of people with disabilities in CIE. Whether you’re an individual with a disability or family member, employment service provider, state agency or employer our CIE Transformation Hub has practical resources for you.
Competitive Integrated Employment hub
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
Do you receive disability cash benefits (SSDI or SSI) from Social Security?
Are you between 18 and 64 years old?
Are you looking to find meaningful and substantial work?
Are you ready to test your ability to work and replace your cash benefits with earnings?
If you answered YES to all of the above, Ticket to Work might be for you!
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.
This fact sheet reviews key eligibility and services provided under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It focuses on the supports for youth and young adults with psychiatric disabilities.
WIOA fact sheet
How to Keep A Job: A Young Adult’s Guide, from the Transitions RTC
My Next Move, what do you want to do for a living? A career search site.
By Youth, For Youth: Employment guide from the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability
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:
The Center for Parent Information and Resources offers this webpage on Employment Connections resources.
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.
Hiring People with Disabilities is one of many disability resources from the US Department of Labor.
A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities from the U.S. Department of Education covers transition planning, transition services, and post-high school education and employment options.
Wilson Workforce Rehabilitation Center, in Fishersville, VA offers vocational evaluation and training services.
Resource compiled by the Arc of Northern Virginia, written for Northern Virginia but much is applicable in other areas of state.
Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitation Services provides services to and for Virginians with disabilities including Employment Services, Community Based Services, Assistive Technology/Devices and Equipment, and Disability Determination.