These webpages identify external resources on specific topics of interest to foster, kinship and adoptive families.
These online modules from the Virginia Department of Education’s Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports project. They are designed for school personnel to support the journey to becoming a trauma-sensitive school.
The six modules are focused on the following topics:
The Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (MHDD) National Training Center offers free training, resources, and other information to improve mental health services and supports for people with developmental disabilities. By serving as a national clearinghouse, it offers access to the most current evidence-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices that address the mental health needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. The Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center (MHDD-NTC) is funded by the Administration for Community Living, US Department of Health and Human Services.
Originally broadcast live on August 3, 2021, this webinar features presenters from The StudyPro reviewing critical executive functioning skills and specific strategies for increasing organizational and study skills.
More information about The StudyPro can be found at https://thestudypro.com/.
Webinar recording
Webinar slides handout
A description of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), from the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development. TBRI is a an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. TBRI uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors.
This article from NACAC describes the 3-5-7 Model used to treat children and youth.
The 3-5-7 Model is designed to help professionals and parents work with children and youth to address these issues of grief and loss. It is an evidenced-informed, guided practice approach that supports the work of children and parents in grieving their losses and rebuilding their relationships in an effort to achieve well-being, safety, and permanency. The model incorporates theoretical underpinnings from child development, attachment, separation and loss, trauma, family systems, and relationship development.
Published by Va Department of Education in Spring 2021.
From the disAbility Law Center of Virginia, this short guide provides an overview of federal law and policies that provide for accessible summer camp experiences.
Happy Camper guide
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
Broadcast live on March 18, 2021, this webinar from FFF covered the topics of referral, evaluation and eligibility for special education.
Webinar recording
Getting through the Gate slides
From the Regional Educational Lab (REL) Appalachia Cross-State Collaborative, several resources from Spring 2020 on Addressing Student and Educator Trauma.
Menu of Trauma Informed Programs for Schools
Common Trauma Symptoms and Strategies for Educators
Resources on Addressing Student and Educator Trauma from REL Appalachia
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 the US Administration for Community Living and the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Advisory Group, a compilation of resources for kinship care families.
From the Family Engagement Network, convened by Virginia Department of Education. FFF participates in the Family Engagement Network.
Broadcast live on December 7, 2020, this webinar from FFF’s Beth Spivack and Kelly Henderson, offers suggestions for managing holiday stressors in foster, adoptive and kinship families.
Webinar recording
Presentation slides handout
From Generations United, updated in 2021.
This chart is designed to help kinship foster parents compare adoption and transfer of legal custody as two options that kin caregivers and the children in their care can pursue to exit foster care and create permanent families. In Virginia, children can exit foster care with their kin caregiver through adoption or transfer of legal custody.
Presented live on November 18, 2020 by Wendy Wegman from Tourette Association of America. This 6th webinar in Formed Families Forward’s Facing Fall series covered prevalence and characteristics of Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders. She shared information about co-occurring disorders including ADHD, OCD and other mental health conditions. Ms. Wegman also covered strategies for accommodating special needs during virtual learning.
Webinar recording
Session handout
Webinar presentation slides
This white paper explores current barriers, evidence for the benefits of kinship care, historical information on the foster care system, best practices and principles, and highlights the kinship work currently being done at UMFS. It addresses Virginia-specific barriers to kinship care.
From July 2020, this report examines (1) what is known about the numbers of grandparents and other kin serving as primary caregivers for children, and the reasons for that care; (2) challenges kin caregivers face and how officials report addressing them in selected communities; and (3) the extent to which HHS has supported states’ efforts to use relevant federal programs and initiatives.
GAO analyzed U.S. Census Bureau survey and HHS administrative data; reviewed relevant literature, federal laws, regulations, guidance, and other documents; and interviewed officials from HHS, national organizations, and in four states (Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, and Ohio) and communities, selected for their relatively large numbers of grandparent caregivers and to reflect geographic and demographic diversity.
GAO Report
This fillable Word document can be used to create and customize a written agreement between student, parent/caregiver, and school staff. Customize areas and actions and clarify recognitions and rewards.
This brief explains questions asked on the US Census American Community Survey about grandparents as caregivers. Data from 2018 is shared.