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
This federal program offers vouchers for Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). Eligibility includes youth at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age (have not reached their 25th birthday) who left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days.
FYI information from HUD
Information on FYI program from National Center for Housing and Child Welfare
These fact sheets for youth and young adults focus on critical actions, items and services that are important when a youth turns 18 years of age.
Produced as part of the WAZE to Adulthood project of the Parent Educational Advocacy and Training Center (PEATC). The fact sheet for youth in foster care was written by Formed Families Forward as part of an agreement with the WAZE project.
Youth in Foster Care in Virginia - What Happens When You Turn 18 fact sheet
Turning 18 in Virginia: A Resource Document for families
Turning 18 in Virginia: A Resource Document for Military Families
This fact sheet from Formed Families Forward and the WAZE to Adulthood project at PEATC is designed for youth in foster care. It names specific considerations when a youth in foster care turns 18. Links to other Virginia resources are provided.
Youth in Foster Care in Virginia- What Happens when you turn 18 fact sheet
Shared in 2022, these resources from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services offers youth and families great tools for planning for key medical, housing, social, educational and other supports as youth enter young adulthood.
Virginia Supported Decision Making Agreement fill-in document
How to fill out the Virginia Supported Decision Making Agreement document
Virginia Supported Decision Making Discovery Tool
Virginia Supported Decision Making Relationship Map
Plain language authorization for education release of information
Plain language authorization for medical release of information
Charting the LifeCourse is designed to be used for individuals with disabilities, family members, or in the work individuals do. The framework and tools will help organize ideas, vision, and goals, as well as problem-solve, navigate, and advocate for supports. The LifeCourse Nexus website provides links to resources and information for individuals, families and professionals, including e-learning modules.
Charting the LifeCourse Tools website
From the PEATC Planning Your Future series, this 2 page fact sheet is designed for youth and explains what is self-advocacy and offers suggestions for increasing it.
Self Advocacy Fact Sheet for youth
From The Arc of Northern Virginia, a collection of resources on supported decision making, an array of services and procedures to support adults with disabilities into adulthood, often as an alternative to Guardianship.
Supported Decision Making resources
Broadcast on May 14, 2021, this FFF webinar reviewed data on youth with special needs in foster, adoptive and kinship families and their outcomes. Content includes a review of special education transition planning requirements and a number of post-secondary programs and other resources for youth and young adults with disabilities and who have been in foster care.
Webinar recording
Presentation slides
From PEATC, several booklet guides from the Transition to Adulthood Series.
Is Guardianship My Only Option? – This short 16-page guide reviews guardianship arrangements for adults with disabilities and presents options for supported decision making.
Supported Decision-Making in Special Education Programs – This guide reviews options for supported decision making in schools, related to special education planning and services.
Is Guardianship My Only Option?
Supported Decision Making in Special Education
From Formed Families Forward, this tip sheet covers 10 tips for helping to keep children and youth safe online.
A 35 minute discussion about transitioning from high school to college and post-high school settings, with expert guest Annie Tulkin and hosted by FFF.
Resources from a Translating Evidence to Support Transitions (TEST) grant is to increase the use and adoption of research-based best practices in transition planning services for high school students with emotional and behavioral disorders receiving special education services.
Scroll down page to find Practice Guides, Presentations and other resources.
A great one page comparison table for families and professionals from the Center for Transition Innovations at VCU.
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.
From the Virginia I’m Determined project, the Pathways to Success is a series of online learning modules for parents and caregivers.
The Pathways to Success are set up for you, at your own pace, to learn about how to support your child in becoming more self-determined. If you are just beginning, you can follow the Parent Path in the order it has been created, and if you just want to learn more about a certain aspect, you can simply skip to that part and grab the information you need
From the Va Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), this site helps consumers understand and navigate long term care waivers for persons with developmental and other disabilities.
From the site: Commonwealth’s system of services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities is undergoing significant transformation as Virginia redesigns its waiver system under the My Life, My Community initiative. The term My Life, My Community encompasses an overarching vision whereby people with developmental disabilities live, work, play and thrive in their communities, just as others do, with the support they need.
The site features a publication Navigating the Developmental Disability Waivers: A Guide for Self -Advocates, Families and Support Partners.
Navigating the Developmental Disability Waivers: A Guide for Self -Advocates, Families and Support Partners.
The In’s and Out’s of Social Security Disability, SSI and DAC Benefits by Sheri Abrams, Esq.
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:
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).