These webpages identify external resources on specific topics of interest to foster, kinship and adoptive families.
A great one page comparison table for families and professionals from the Center for Transition Innovations at VCU.
The road to adulthood for youth with disabilities is filled with opportunity, and parents play a key role. PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment is ready with the information families want, presented in a way families can use. The site features a wide array of transition-related resources for families and youth.
Formed Families Forward was pleased to be featured on the Fairfax Public Access television show “Your Need to Know”. Learn more about how FFF started and the wealth of services and programs we offer to foster, adoptive and kinship families!
This fact sheet from PACER Center offers an overview of the process to secure protections under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (commonly referred to as Section 504). It shows what happens from the time a child is referred for evaluation and is identified as having a disability through the development of an Accommodation Plan and periodic reevaluation.
This Joint federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMS) informational Bulletin provides guidance to states and school systems about addressing mental health and substance use issues in schools. It provides examples of approaches for services in schools and describes some Medicaid authorities that states may use to cover services.
Several best practice models, including multi-tiered systems of supports, are discussed.
The Virginia Family Network (VFN) is a statewide network of families who support, educate, and empower other families with children and youth with mental health needs while also promoting family-driven and youth-guided policy throughout the child-serving systems. The initiative is designed to “meet the family where they are” through activities such as providing support groups, training, resources, and mentorship from other families with children and youth with mental health needs. We are committed to ensuring that no matter where a family lives, they have access to the support and information that they need so that no family ever feels alone. VFN is Virginia’s Statewide Family Network and voice for families.
VFN is a program of NAMI Virginia.
At Portland State University, the Pathways to Positive Futures center aims to improve the lives of youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions through rigorous research and effective training and dissemination. Our work is guided by the perspectives of young people and their families, and based in a positive development framework.
From the Child Mind Institute.
In the wake of a traumatic event, your comfort, support and reassurance can make children feel safe, help them manage their fears, guide them through their grief, and help them recover in a healthy way. This guide was assembled by psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health experts who specialize in crisis situations. It offers simple tips on what to expect, what to do and what to look out for.
This FFF “Less than 5” minute video lesson highlights some key information and hints for preparing for Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.
A self-paced online module, created by the Military Families Learning Network’s Early Intervention team to explore childhood trauma, disability, and trauma-informed practices in early childhood settings.
The interactive module includes four units that cover the prevalence and impact of trauma, manifestation of trauma in young children, providing trauma-informed supports, and preventing future trauma. It is designed to be a high-level overview of the topic and a starting point for professionals working with young children and their families.
From the Virginia I’m Determined project, the Pathways to Success is a series of online learning modules for parents and caregivers.
The Pathways to Success are set up for you, at your own pace, to learn about how to support your child in becoming more self-determined. If you are just beginning, you can follow the Parent Path in the order it has been created, and if you just want to learn more about a certain aspect, you can simply skip to that part and grab the information you need
Families Rising (formerly NACAC) has compiled information about subsidies/adoption assistance by state.
Resources on adoption assistance
This fact sheet reviews key eligibility and services provided under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It focuses on the supports for youth and young adults with psychiatric disabilities.
The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) webpage houses information from the American Academy of Pediatrics to raise awareness, promote surveillance and screening, and ensure that all affected children receive appropriate and timely interventions.
Slides from a 2011 National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) webinar presented by M. Elizabeth Ralston, PhD, Dee Norton Lowcounty Children’s Center
Lisa J. Bernard, EdS, Charleston County School District
Ben Atchison, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Western Michigan University
Audra Langley, PhD, UCLA
Full webinar recording is available at https://learn.nctsn.org/mod/nctsnwebinar/view.php?id=9454
Webinar slides
The Southwest Michigan Children’s Trauma Assessment Center was established to provide assessments for children who have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences. The CTAC team also provides professional training and coordinates projects in order to create trauma-informed systems and services.
The Center’s website includes a variety of resources as well as information about how to access the Center’s services.
This Child Welfare Information Gateway fact sheet for families describes how adoption assistance in the form of subsidies may help make adoption possible for families who are considering adopting a child from foster care. The factsheet explores how to secure financial assistance and adoption tax credits and how to use a State’s fair hearings process to challenge decisions related to such assistance. It also includes information on deferring adoption assistance and suggests helpful resources.
Adoption Assistance
The CreatingAFamily.org website compiles a list of fiction and nonfiction books about foster care and adoption. Books are described and suggested age ranges are listed. Books for adults are also suggested.
Best Adoption Books for Children and Adults (links to all book collections)
Suggested books for children, youth and adults on foster care
Suggested books for children, youth and adults on adoption
Suggested books for children and youth adopted from foster care
This 19-item measure assesses agency and individual factors related to trauma-informed systems. Appropriate for education, family, child welfare, health and other services systems. The linked article provides psychometric data re: the instrument.
Trauma-Informed System Change Instrument
Richardson et al., journal article re TCSCI
This schools checklist is designed by
Lesley University, Center for Special Education and the Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative of Massachusetts Advocates for Children and the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School