These webpages identify external resources on specific topics of interest to foster, kinship and adoptive families.
These cards can be used as a tool to help you or your loved one with a disability in the event they encounter a law enforcement officer, EMT, firefighter, or other emergency responder.
ID card template form ND Disability Rights
Fillable ID card template from The Arc of Northern Virginia
US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) notification card
These three fact sheets, published in June 2024, offer specific guidance on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protections for students with Sickle Cell Disease, Cancer and Epilepsy.
The fact sheets include information on how the conditions may impact the student’s experience in school, what might a school need to do to address a student’s condition, and remedies if the school is not meeting its obligations.
Four additional fact sheets were published in December 2024 for students with Migrane, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Narcolepsy and students who Stutter.
Sickle Cell fact sheet
Epilepsy fact sheet
Cancer fact sheet
Stutter fact sheet
Narcolepsy fact sheet
Migrane fact sheet
Inflammatory Bowel Disease fact sheet
Originally broadcast live on August 13, 2024 this webinar features attorney Valerie L’Herrou of Virginia Poverty Law Center sharing timely information about navigating the system of financial supports, health care, legal issues, education concerns, barriers to finding help, and maintaining family relationships.
Recording of webinar
Child Custody Fact Sheet
Virginia TANF Payee Manual
Virginia Relative Maintenance Payment information
Grandfamilies Opioid Report
Know Your Rights as a Relative Caregiver from VPLC
Kinship Guardian Support Chart from VPLC
From the Parent Educational Advocacy and Training Center (PEATC), this 2024 fact sheet summarizes new guidance from the Virginia Department of Education on the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program. VAAP is a specialized assessment designed for students in grades 3-8 who have significant cognitive disabilities and are not in the Standards of Learning (SOL curriculum).
VAAP Resource Document
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
This Topical Paper from VCU Center on Transition Innovation addresses mental health prevalence among transition-aged youth. It overviews mental health and disability, and mental health and transition, and offers strategies for supporting students.
Considerations for Mental Health Support While Transition Planning
During the 2024 General Assembly, Senate Bill 39, introduced by Senator Favola and House Bill 27, introduced by Delegate Callsen, focused on increasing foster care prevention through kinship placements. The bills were passed and signed into law by the Governor on May 21, 2024.
The legislation offers protections for both the child and their family, reinforcing the goal of reunification.
This summary is based on information from Voices of Virginia’s Children.
Eligibility Criteria:
The proposed legislation outlines specific criteria for a child to be considered eligible for the foster care prevention program:
Key Provisions:
Once a child is deemed eligible, the local Department of Social Services and the relative with custody will enter into a written agreement. This agreement includes provisions for financial assistance under the Foster Care Prevention Program and may also include ongoing case management services, ensuring comprehensive support for kinship caregivers.
The local board is mandated to identify and provide necessary services and support for the child, the relative, and the child’s parent or guardian. Importantly, the legislation emphasizes due process, informing parents or guardians of their right to seek legal counsel before entering into the agreement.
Additional provisions in the agreement cover visitation arrangements, requirements for the child’s parent or guardian to meet for reunification, and safety plans in case of the child’s return home. The agreement is time-limited to an initial period up to 90 days, and provisions for extension, emphasizing the need for accountability and periodic review.
Amendments to § 63.2-900.1 of the Code of Virginia
This webinar, originally broadcast live on May 8, 2024 and hosted by Formed Families Forward, provides an overview of foster care in Virginia. Veteran DSS caseworker Shawn Nashwinter and foster/adoptive parent Melissa Lebling share specifics on training, eligibility and approval for foster or resource parents and address common questions.
Webinar Slides
Webinar recording
This FFF image distinquishes family engagement from family involvement approaches.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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