These webpages identify external resources on specific topics of interest to foster, kinship and adoptive families.
This webpage from the CDC offers a variety of resources on FASD including treatment, data/statistics, and real stories.
FASD webpage from CDC
This document from Virginia Department of Education provides a summary of resources and policy changes following the passage of House Bill 777 into law in 2024, Enrollment of and Provision of Free Public Education for Certain Students; Kinship Care and Foster Care.
The law provides that certain provisions of law relating to continuity of public-school enrollment and attendance, and immediate enrollment for students in foster care, apply to a student who has transitioned out of foster care and whose custody has been transferred to the student’s parent or prior legal guardian, or who has been emancipated.
If a student in a kinship care arrangement moves into a different school division during the school year as a result of safely returning home, being emancipated, or transitioning to a new kinship care arrangement, such student shall be deemed a resident in the previous school division of residence for the remainder of the school year for the purpose of tuition-free enrollment and attendance.
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 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 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.
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
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
A Chapter from Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): A Comprehensive Guide for Pre-K-8 Educators by RISE at Duke University.
This guide is designed for every educator (e.g., teachers, special education teachers, resource specialists, speech and language specialists, school nurses, psychologists, and occupational therapists) who works with K-8 elementary and middle school level students. The guide addresses the impact of prenatal exposure to alcohol and how it affects the K-8 grade student. Many educators believe they do not have students in their classes who have FASD, and they may even wonder why this guide would be useful in their own teaching and classroom management. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the United States. Despite health warnings, 20% of women drink alcohol while knowing they are pregnant. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is a high incidence of children (2-5%) in the United States with FASD and they are likely present in every classroom.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person who was exposed to alcohol before birth. These effects can include physical problems and problems with behavior and learning. Often, a person with an FASD has a mix of these problems.
Kids’ Quest on FASD from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information with what you should know, quick facts and other resources.
The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Toolkit was developed to raise awareness, promote surveillance and screening, and ensure that all affected children receive appropriate and timely interventions. From the American Academy of Pediatrics in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control.
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.
From the Virginia Department of Education, these brief videos cover aspects of the process for special education evaluation and eligibility.
Link to Video Guide
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