These webpages identify external resources on specific topics of interest to foster, kinship and adoptive families.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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 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
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!
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
Slides used at the March 19, 2019 VDOE Safe and Supportive Schools Conference in Williamsburg.
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 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
February 2018
Reducing Anxiety in the Classroom presentation by Happy Minds Counseling and Consulting, hosted by FFF. Happy Minds Counseling can be found at https://happymindscounseling.com.
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.
Hosted by FFF and presented live on May 14, 2025 by Dr. Monique Lilakos, this webinar focused on stress management and self-care.
Session goals included:
– Provide information for caregivers
– Increase and enhance awareness of self-care
– Identify the benefits of self-care and self-regulation for communicating and problem-solving with school and other community partners
– Provide examples of types of self-care
– Provide a platform for caregivers to connect
Self Care webinar slides
Self Care webinar recording
This webinar was presented live on April 29, 2025, by Dr. Lisa Weed Phifer, NCSP, of Fairfax Co. Public Schools.
The content explored how trauma-informed practices and social-emotional learning (SEL) support student well-being and academic success. The session covered impact of stress and trauma on children, how it can manifest in their behavior, and the importance of creating safe and supportive learning environments. The session highlighted protective factors that foster student resilience and growth. Additionally, Dr. Phifer shared helpful practices at school that teach and reinforce essential skills such as self-awareness, self-management, and relationship building. Practical strategies were provided for parents and caregivers to strengthen these skills and nurture resilience in their children.
Presentation slides for Supporting Student Well Being
Webinar recording
When the parent or caregiver of a child with a disability does not agree with the results of the individualized evaluation of their child, as conducted by the school system, they have the right to obtain what is known as an Independent Educational Evaluation, or an IEE (§300.502). In an IEE, a professional, competent evaluator who is not employed by the school system conducts another evaluation of the child.
The webpage from the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) provides a brief overview and links to additional resources.
IEE overview
For Fairfax families of youth and youth who are under 25 years of age having a difficult time finding mental health or substance use care or support. This service is funded by Healthy Minds Fairfax If you live in Fairfax County, Falls Church City, or Fairfax City, Care Navigation services are available to you.
Youth and their families will be guided by a Care Navigator through a screening, care planning, referral and support process to reduce barriers to care and make finding the right services easier, less stressful, and with careful consideration of your unique needs. Care Navigators speak Spanish and Arabic, interpreters are available.
Care Navigation for Fairfax
BRAIN-online is a new web-based screening tool that assesses cognitive and behavioral features known to be associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). It was developed by Dr. Sarah Mattson and her team at the San Diego State University Center for Behavioral Teratology as a first step to determine if you or someone you care for might have an FASD. Developmental and behavioral health screenings are important because they can help with early identification of FASD, allowing for the best treatment options and outcomes.
BRAIN-Online
This fact sheet from the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations, this 10 page brief provides guidance to adults working with children who have experienced trauma. It offers specific suggestions for prevention strategies that might be helpful, as well as considerations for actions to take during times of activation or acute stress for young children who have experienced trauma.
Considerations for Working with Children who have Experienced Trauma
Presented live on March 4, 2025, this webinar is presented by Geoffrey Weber, Coordinator, Assistive Technology, Region 4 Training and Technical Assistance Center.
The session presents an introduction to assistive technology, understand its importance for your student, find out how they can access it, and learn about resources that can guide you through the process.
What Families Need to Know about AT slides
What Families Need to Know About AT webinar recording
This webpage from the Virginia Department of Social Services addresses common questions related to kinship care in Virginia. It includes links to important kinship resources and offers Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). It includes an overview of available financial supports, including Relative Maintenance Support Payment.
Virginia Kinship Resource Guide
Presented live on February 18, 2025, this webinar features guest expert facilitator Melissa Long, CTRS, CDP, CADDCT, BF-CMT, DCCS, DCC-CI, Director of Education and Support, Insight Memory Care Center.
The content covers age-related changes in memory and learning, and practices to keep the brain sharp! Ms. Long overviewed what to expect, what’s “normal,” and when it’s time to seek a doctor’s input.
Brain Health as you Age presentation slides
Better Brain Health handout
Recording of Brain Health webinar
In this technical assistance document (a companion to the Questions and Answers: Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities and IDEA’s Discipline Provisions, which outlines the legal requirements related to behavior support and discipline for eligible students with disabilities under IDEA), the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) provides information about resources, strategies, and evidence-based practices that (while not required by law) can help States, LEAs, schools, early childhood programs, educators, and families in their efforts to meet IDEA requirements and, in doing so, improve outcomes for children with disabilities.
Guide to Positive, Proactive Approaches
Presented live on January 28, 2025, as part of the Formed Families Forward Winter FASD Webinar series, this webinar was presented by Jessica Wilson, LCSW.
The presentation offers an overview of therapy options which have demonstrated success for treating fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, including the Families Moving Forward (FMF) program and the FASCETS Neurobehavioral model.
Presentation Slides for Understanding Therapy Options for FASD webinar
Recording of Understanding Therapy Options webinar
Presented live on January 21, 2025 as part of the Formed Families Forward Winter FASD Webinar series, this webinar was presented by Kelly Henderson, FFF Executive Director.
The presentation covered topics including:
Making Special Education Work for Students with FASD slides
Making Special Education Work recording
Presented live on January 14, 2025, as part of the Formed Families Forward Winter FASD Webinar series, this webinar was presented by Lindsay Zach (Consultant and Adoptive Parent) and Stacia Stribling (Formed Families Forward).
The presentation offers an overview of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and the accompanying challenges faced by children and youth who have FASD and their families, at home and at school.
Presentation slides
Webinar recording
These fact sheets from FFF and the WAZE to Adulthood project, led by the Parent Educational Advocacy and Training Center (PEATC) and supported by the US Rehabilitative Services Administration are designed for youth. They define person-centered planning and offer strategies and offer questions for students to consider, in written and virtual formats.
Person Centered Planning Visual Fact Sheet
Person Centered Planning Written Fact Sheet
These fact sheets from FFF and the WAZE to Adulthood project, led by the Parent Educational Advocacy and Training Center (PEATC) and supported by the US Rehabilitative Services Administration are designed for youth. They define self advocacy and offer strategies, in written and virtual formats.
Self Advocacy Visual Fact Sheet
Self Advocacy Written Fact Sheet
From the US Departments of Education and Health and Human Services:
ED and HHS have frequently collaborated to assist agencies in improving and aligning their policies and programs to better serve students in foster care. In June 2016, following the reauthorization of the ESEA, ED and HHS released joint non-regulatory guidance (2016 guidance) on the implementation of the Title I educational stability provisions. This guidance was developed to guide State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and child welfare agencies in their collaborative efforts to fully implement the Title I educational stability provisions.
This 2024 Guidance supercedes the 2016 joint guidance.
Guidance
From the US Children’s Bureau and the National Youth in Transition Database:
This tip sheet provides resources for state child welfare agencies and kinship navigator programs, offering guidance on assistance for adult sibling caregivers taking care of their younger siblings either in foster care or informal kinship care. States are encouraged to use this as a foundation to create their own guides for adult sibling caregivers. It includes questions to aid state agencies in exploring each category of support, promoting a tailored approach to addressing the diverse needs of caregivers in states, Tribes, and jurisdictions.
Resource Sheet
Presented live on January 7, 2025 as part of FFF’s January FASD webinar series, this webinar is presented by Jenn Werden, MSW, from The Florida Center on Early Childhood. The session provides an overview of prenatal exposure to alcohol, including specifics on diagnoses of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, as well as symptoms and impacts.
Presentation slides
Understanding FASD webinar recording
From The Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center:
This fact sheet on Partnering with Schools offers key takeaways from the second of five sessions for social service professionals who want to improve outreach to kin caregivers, conducted in 2024. The fact sheet gives suggestions for how kinship caregivers and kinship organizations can partner with schools, and overviews a tiered approach to engaging kinship caregivers in schools.
Partnering with Schools fact sheet for kinship
Weblink to fact sheet
From The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University.
This handout series, developed with support from the LEGO Foundation, provides suggestions games and play-based activities based on a child’s age. The activities for younger children are designed for adults to engage in with children. Activities for later ages allow the adults to step back, enabling children’s independence to blossom as they transition to playing more often with peers.
There are individual handouts for babies, toddlers, children, and teens.
Ways to Play at each stage