From the Va Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), this site helps consumers understand and navigate long term care waivers for persons with developmental and other disabilities.
From the site: Commonwealth’s system of services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities is undergoing significant transformation as Virginia redesigns its waiver system under the My Life, My Community initiative. The term My Life, My Community encompasses an overarching vision whereby people with developmental disabilities live, work, play and thrive in their communities, just as others do, with the support they need.
The site features a publication Navigating the Developmental Disability Waivers: A Guide for Self -Advocates, Families and Support Partners.
Navigating the Developmental Disability Waivers: A Guide for Self -Advocates, Families and Support Partners.
This fact sheet from the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) provides families and students an overview of the 5 C’s of what skills a Virginia graduate should have.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information on who is considered “Parent” for financial aid.
If you are considered a dependent student for FAFSA® purposes, you will need to provide information about your legal parent(s) on the application. A legal parent is your biological or adoptive parent, or your legal parent as determined by the state (for example, if the parent is listed on your birth certificate). If you have a stepparent currently married to your legal parent, you generally also must provide information about him or her.
More info and how to apply
The In’s and Out’s of Social Security Disability, SSI and DAC Benefits by Sheri Abrams, Esq.
Supporting the Education of Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions:
State of the Science
presented by Marsha Ellison, PhD, Michelle Mullen, MS, CRC, CPRP, and Kathleen Biebel, PhD of the Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center at U Mass (formerly The Transitions RTC)
Originally broadcast on January 7, 2016
Description:
The majority of college students with serious mental health conditions do not finish school, jeopardizing their long-term employment. Can supported education services help?
Marsha Ellison, Michelle Mullen and Kathleen Biebel, researchers and trainers of supported education services, will host a 2-part webinar series presenting the state of the science 2nd state of the practice of supported education and related strategies for achieving post-secondary education goals of young adults with SMHC.
The Learning & Working Transitions RTC at University of Massachusetts Medical Center focuses on youth and young adults ages 14-30 who have serious mental health conditions, conducting cutting-edge research on age appropriate programs that support education, training, and working during the transition to adulthood.
Community Services Boards (CSBs) throughout Virginia offer a range of services for adults and youth with mental health challenges, as well as for those with intellectual disabilities and substance abuse problems. Emergency services are available.
Community Service Boards
Outside-The-Box College Accommodations: Real Support for Real Students: Tools for School from the Transitions Research and Training Center at University of Massachusetts
Learn your Rights: A Guide for Youth in Foster Care from the Virginia Poverty Law Center
How to Keep A Job: A Young Adult’s Guide, from the Transitions RTC
My Next Move, what do you want to do for a living? A career search site.
Think College: College options for people with Intellectual Disabilities
A Life 4 Me: for middle schoolers with disabilities and their parents
By Youth, For Youth: Employment guide from the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability
Dude, Where’s My Transition Plan? Guide from Formed Families Forward and PEATC.
The youth-friendly guide covers many of the basics of transition preparation and planning, including:
Foster Care to Success: America’s College Fund for Foster Youth.
All Foster Care to Success scholarships share one application; we will determine the program(s) for which you are eligible based on the information you provide.
Foster Care to Success
Apply here
Helping Youth Transition to Adulthood: Guidance for Foster Parents, a fact sheet of Child Welfare Information Gateway.
This factsheet provides guidance on how foster parents can help youth build a foundation for a successful transition to adult life outside of foster care. It describes the challenges youth face, how the adolescent brain affects them during this time, and Federal laws and programs. It also provides concrete ways they can partner with youth.
Great Expectations program for Virginia foster youth pursuing community college and other post-secondary education options.
Services for Older Youth, VDSS. These include the Independent Living Program for youth 14 and older and education programs such as the Community College Tuition Grant and Education and Training Vouchers (ETV).
Project LIFE, sponsored by Virginia Department of Social Services and United Methodist Family Services. The mission of Project Life is to enhance the successful transition of older foster youth to adulthood by a) increasing the capacity of professionals working with youth to engage in sound, evidence-based practices and b) by promoting permanent connections, effective preparation for transition to adulthood, and meaningful youth input into state and local policies and practices.