RESOURCE WEBPAGES, by TOPIC

Understanding Me fillable FASD guide

From FASD Success (https://www.fasdsuccess.com/), this fillable packet provides families an opportunity to share unique and critical FASD-related information about their child or youth with teachers and staff.

Find more about this guide at https://www.fasdsuccess.com/understandingmefasdguide.

“All About Me” template

This fillable “All About Me” template from FFF gives families and students a simple way to share critical information with teachers, staff and others who can benefit from the essential key facts about a child or youth.

This was shared as part of our “Just So You Know… Strategies for Nontraditional Families to Share Their Information with Schools” training. It can be used by any family or student.

Fill in the blanks
Instructions
Sample completed All About Me

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Educational Strategies handbook from Sanford School of Medicine

The educational strategies presented in this handbook are intended to be helpful to all teachers who work with students who may have a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). If this is your first time teaching a student with an FASD, this guide should be extremely helpful. While many of the strategies are general and are appropriate to use with all students who may share some of the learning needs of students with an FASD, they should be especially helpful to use with students who have been diagnosed with an FASD, from Sanford School of Medicine, Univ of South Dakota.

Effective Strategies Checklist: Children and Youth with Developmental Disorders and Challenging Behaviors

Children and youth who have intellectual disabilities or developmental disorders are at elevated risk for co-occurring psychiatric or behavioral problems. These young people pose a serious challenge for administrators, program directors and clinicians, especially when they present with aggressive or disruptive behaviors. When appropriate community services have not been organized, these youth can be among the most difficult and costly to serve. Across the country, their families report relentless stress, partly because it is very difficult to obtain the help they need. This paper provides resources and strategies that have improved outcomes and lowered costs, while diminishing risk for institutional placements, referrals to juvenile justice and child welfare.

Checklist for Kinship Caregivers Working with the Schools

Developed by Va Department of Education’s Family Engagement Network (FEN) and Formed Families Forward, this checklist is for any kinship caregiver who is enrolling a child or youth in schools and working with schools to get appropriate services and supports.

Checklist for kinship caregivers in PDF
web link to Checklists

Promoting Equity in Education Through Family Engagement video

This 9.5 minute video is designed for school personnel and families. It offers an overview of education equity and suggests strategies for facilitating greater educational equity through meaningful family engagement practices. The video features the voices and lived experiences of students, parents and caregivers, and school leaders. Strategies are organized by key components of family engagement in multitiered systems of supports.

The video has captions available in English and Spanish.

A fact sheet accompanies the video.

The video is produced by Formed Families Forward in our role as family partner to the Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS) project.

VIDEO with English and Spanish captions
Promoting Equity through Family Engagement Video FACT SHEET
Feedback survey. Tell us what you think!

Trauma Training Videos & Fact Sheets: Trauma Sensitive Approaches for Home and School

Trauma Sensitive Approaches for Home and School videos– produced by Formed Families Forward as part of our work with the Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports project. Under 10 minutes in length, each video provides an introduction to critical trauma content.

The videos include:
1) Understanding Trauma
2) Responding to Trauma
3) Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools

Three fact sheets are designed to support the Trauma Sensitive Responses at Home and School video series.

Individual Fact Sheets are available as separate documents, and all three fact sheets in one document. Accessible text versions of all fact sheets are also available in English and Spanish.

Video Series
Fact Sheets for Videos 1 through 3
Video 1 Fact Sheet Understanding Trauma
Video 2 Fact Sheet Responding to Trauma
Video 3 Fact Sheet Trauma Sensitive Schools
Video 1 Fact Sheet Understanding Trauma accessible version
Video 2 Fact Sheet Responding to Trauma accessible version
Video 3 Fact Sheet Trauma Sensitive Schools accessible version
SPANISH Video 1 Fact Sheet accessible version
SPANISH Video 2 Fact Sheet accessible version
SPANISH Video 3 Fact Sheet accessible version
ARABIC Video 1 Fact Sheet
ARABIC Video 2 Fact Sheet
ARABIC Video 3 Fact Sheet

Family Engagement with Schools: Strategies to Build Partnerships Video

Designed for family members, this 10 minute video explains the Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS) and offers concrete tips and strategies to engage with school partners more effectively. The video features family members and school staff from around Virginia, sharing their own lived experiences and suggestions for building stronger connections between families and educators to improve outcomes for all students. A fact sheet accompanies the video. Spanish and Arabic captions are available via YouTube settings.

We welcome your feedback on the video at https://tinyurl.com/yah2542o .

Family Engagement video link
Accessible video transcript
Fact Sheet to Accompany Family Engagement with Schools video
ARABIC Video fact sheet
SPANISH Video Fact Sheet, accessible Word format
Feedback Survey; Tell us what you think!

Strengthening Family Engagement in VTSS videos

This series of videos features six key elements to engage families in Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS). Designed for use by educators and families, the three videos highlight specific strategies for school teams to consider as they build momentum around family-school partnerships and strengthen skills to meaningfully engage families in multi-tiered systems.

Spanish and Arabic captions are available via YouTube settings. A fact sheet accompanies the videos.

Produced by Formed Families Forward, family partner to the VTSS project, in conjunction with Atom Stream Communications, LLC.

Link to Videos
Fact Sheet to accompany videos
Accessible Fact Sheet to accompany videos
Video 1 transcript
Video 2 transcript
Video 3 transcript
SPANISH Fact Sheet, in accessible Word format
ARABIC Fact Sheet

Family Engagement at Safe and Supportive Schools Conference

Slides used at the March 19, 2019 VDOE Safe and Supportive Schools Conference in Williamsburg.

Virginia Special Education Regulations

From the Virginia Department of Education, this launch page offers a copy of state regulations for implementation of IDEA, and other state and federal special education policies.

Trauma Training Videos from FFF – Trauma Sensitive Approaches for Home and School

Trauma Sensitive Approaches for Home and School videos– produced by Formed Families Forward as part of our work with the Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports project. Under 10 minutes in length, each video provides an introduction to critical trauma content.

The videos include:
1) Understanding Trauma
2) Responding to Trauma
3) Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools

Reducing Anxiety in the Classroom

February 05, 2018

February 2018

Reducing Anxiety in the Classroom presentation by Happy Minds Counseling and Consulting, hosted by FFF.

The Happy Minds Counseling and Consulting mailing list

NAMI of Northern Virginia

NAMI of Northern Virginia offers a number of support groups for families and individuals struggling with mental illness. Find the list of support groups as well as other resources form NAMI of Northern Virginia.

Family Engagement vs. Family Involvement

April 01, 2024

This FFF image distinquishes family engagement from family involvement approaches.

Competitive Integrated Employment Transformation hub

March 27, 2024

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

Video Guide to the Special Education Evaluation Process for Families from VDOE

March 01, 2024

From the Virginia Department of Education:

The Video Guide to the Special Education Evaluation Process for Families provides additional guidance to support accurate and consistent eligibility determinations and access to special education services across school divisions.

These video modules will provide parents, families, and other stakeholders with a brief but comprehensive overview of the special education process on the following topics:

Introduction (Overview of the Series)

Identification

Evaluation

Eligibility

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Reevaluation, Early Intervention, and

What’s Next.

Each module is designed to be viewed as a stand-alone resource or viewed in succession.

Transitioning to Adulthood: Options and Resources from Panel Experts webinar

March 06, 2024

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

Working with Kinship Caregivers Checklist for Schools

This checklist developed by Virginia Department of Education’s Family Engagement Network (FEN) and Formed Families Forward offers schools a checklist for school staff to use when working with relative or kinship caregivers raising children and youth.

School checklist for Working with Caregivers in PDF
web link to Checklists

VDOE Credit Accommodations criteria

On January 28, 2021, the Board of Education revised eligibility criteria and processes for the administration of locally-awarded verified credit due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. Please see the Board of Education’s Emergency Guidelines for Locally-Awarded Verified Credits for details on locally-awarded verified credit options.

This webpage clarifies options for locally-awarded verified credits needed for Virginia’s advanced studies diploma and standard diploma requirements.

VDOE webpage re: Credit Accommodations

Family Members on Teams video & factsheet

This 9 minute Family Members on Teams video was produced by Formed Families Forward, as family partner to the Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS) project. The video features a staged meeting and interviews with family members and educators sharing practical suggestions for including family members on decision-making teams. The accompanying fact sheet overviews the strategies shared in the video.

Let us know what you think of the video HERE.

Family Members on Teams video
Family Members on Teams fact sheet

Let’s Talk About Talking webinar

February 28, 2024

Originally delivered live on February 28, 2024 by pediatric Speech Language Pathologist Beth Stribling, the Let’s Talk About Talking: How Families Can Nurture and Support Communication Skills webinar offered families guidance on developmental language development milestones. Specific strategies for supporting pragmatic language were shared.

Presentation slides
Webinar recording
What is a Speech Language Pathologist? handout
Communication Milestones by age Handout
Expressive and Receptive Language Delays handout
What's Difference Between Speech and Language? Handout

Interventions for school-aged children with FASD

January 31, 2024

This webinar originally broadcast live on January 31, 2024, was presented by Dr. Molly Millians, Emory University. Dr. Millians reviewed evidence-based school interventions as well as family and mental health supports for children and youth with prenatal alcohol exposure.

Webinar slides
Recording of webinar

How to Advocate for FASD Accommodations in Schools webinar

January 24, 2024

Presented live on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 by Shannon Iacobacci from Embracing the Brain, this session offers tips on how to advocate for a child or youth with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in schools. Shannon reviews special education processes and provisions, and gives specific suggestions for IEPs and 504 plans.

Webinar presentation slides
Webinar recording
Dear Teacher template from Shannon Iacobacci

Intro to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) webinar

January 16, 2024

Broadcast live on January 16, 2024, this webinar presented by Dr. Stacia Stribling, FFF’s Training and Administrative Coordinator, covered fundamental aspects of disorders associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.

Webinar presentation slides
What is FASD? Webinar recording

Taking Care of a Grandchild guide from Va DARS

From the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services, this guide offers Virginia-specific guidance and links to services and supports for kinship care families.

Kinship Respite Program from Va DARS

February 01, 2024

A program of the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS):

As of February 2024, this program is available to kinship/relative caregivers.

The Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program (VLRVP) provides reimbursement vouchers to Virginia caregivers for the cost of temporary, short-term respite care provided to individuals of any age, with a documented disability or medical condition.

The goal of this program is to increase access and reduce barriers to respite care, as well as enhance education and awareness about respite care. Respite funding is limited to $595.00 per family through June 30, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. This program prohibits the use of these funds for rent, cleaning, medical supplies, food, or other household expenditures. Due to its limited funding, not all eligible applicants will be approved.

Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher program DARS webpage
Fillable applications for the Lifespan Respite Voucher Program
Voucher Program Flyer Feb 2024

Video Guide to the Special Education Evaluation Process for Families

January 01, 2024

From the Virginia Department of Education, these brief videos cover aspects of the process for special education evaluation and eligibility.

Link to Video Guide

FASD and law enforcement: Moving from Reactive to Proactive webinar

February 07, 2024

This webinar was originally broadcast live on February 7, 2024. Presented by Lucy Beadnell of The Arc of Northern Virginia, this webinar offered historical perspectives on interactions between law enforcement and persons with developmental disabilities. Practical recommendations for families to prevent arrests were shared.

Presentation slides
Recording of webinar

Connection, Curiosity and Compassion presentation at LCPS Mental Wellness conference

January 27, 2024

Presented at the Loudoun Co. Public Schools Mental Health and Wellness conference on January 27, 2024, this presentation focused on how to regulation and connect with your children, so they feel safe, seen and valued.

Presentation slides

Paving the Way to College and Careers: Families and Schools Together curriculum

This progressive, 9th-12th grade curriculum, offers high school counselors with five, 1.5 hour lessons they can deliver to parents/students to help them get ready for college/careers. The lessons are structured to achieve five main goals: 1) Strengthen the parent/student relationship by providing a safe and structured space for dialogue; 2) Establish a strong connection between parents/students with their high school counselors; 3) Increase student/family knowledge of the academic and developmental milestones they will encounter in high school; 4) Develop skills and strategies necessary to be on track for a post-secondary education/career; and 5) Successfully complete a PSAT/PLAN, SAT/ACT, FAFSA, and college/technical education application or job application.

Paving the Way webpage

Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative for housing

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

Parenting Tips for Kids with FASD

From nonprofit Creating A Family, this tip sheet offers 7 strategies for parenting children and youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Parenting Tips fact sheet

Military Families with Disabilities Resources

October 02, 2023

This page on the Center for Family Involvement website offers links to video and print resources designed for Virginia military-connected families who are raising children and youth wtih disabilities. Additional resources from Formed Families Forward and PEATC are also linked.

Military Family Resources
Mental Wellness and Trauma-Informed Practices in Military Families video from FFF
Turning 18 in Military Families fact sheet from PEATC