Event Calendar

The events included below are shared for informational purposes, and listing may not be inclusive of all available community learning opportunities and inclusion of opportunities does not reflect endorsement by Arlington Public Schools.   

Arlington County Events

 

 

 

 

Arlington Unites 2024
Saturday, May 18, 2024 | 09:30 AM to 02:30 PM
Moving Beyond Conversations on Wellness for Children, Youth, and Families
Washington-Liberty HS | 1301 N Stafford St. Arlington, VA 22201

Join this event to showcase our shared commitment to building a stronger, more resilient community. Arlington Unites is a way for all members of our community to learn about resilience initiatives, and explore ways to make Arlington more ready and able to face challenges. Childcare and lunch will be provided to registrants.
Use this link to register (ONLY sign up if you will attend in-person; FREE signup means we will provide lunch and a tee shirt)

Sessions will be offered that address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and one or more of the following:

• Understanding traumas, how they impact families, and how to respond to prevent harm and promote healing.
• Understanding trauma, its impacts, and how to respond in an informed manner to mitigate harmful effects and promote healing.
• Improving connections and communication between youth and their caregivers and other trusted adults.
• Building awareness about youth substance use issues, and community resources and services to address them.

AGENDA (Subject to change)
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Check-in; Continental Breakfast; Info Tables (Information fair – featuring Arlington resources and community organizations)
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Welcome (remarks, acknowledgements, unveil ACEs campaign)
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ACEs/ACE Interface training Breakout
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Lunch (Pickup boxed lunch in Cafeteria)
12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Poster sessions, Discussion (gaps between youth and parent data); vendor recognition
1:15 – 2:30 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS 75 min (Proposed sessions:)

ADULTS

• Ways parents can support youth well-being; An overview of mental wellness and mental illness; input from youth re: parent-child communication; strategies to strengthen parent-child communication.
• Youth Substance Use Trends; actions, resources, responses
• Support youth mental wellness
• Overview of expanded resources and supports from agencies; how parents can partner with DHS and schools to continue support in the home

YOUTH

• Lift Up Virginia and Arlington teens: Co-led session with LUV and Storyboard project; youth/TNB showcase of actions in the community.

2:15 –  2:30 p.m. Evaluations & Certificates (In session rooms, share a closeout statement; collect assessment survey/feedback on paper or online)
You may request Reasonable Accommodation & Translation by MAY 10 (5 business days in advance of May 18 event.)

Visit this link to learn more.

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Therapeutic Recreation Corner
Office: 703-228-4740
TTY: 711
Email:TRinfo@arlingtonva.us
Follow TR on Facebook!

• Adapted Yoga begins Wednesday, April 17 at the Lubber Run Community Center from 5:30pm – 6:30pm
• Fitness for Everyone Spirit Club Fun and Fitness runs at the Langston Brown Community Center from 10am – 11am.
  • Saturday, April 27
  • Saturday, May 18
• Family Fun on the Lawn: Saturday, May 11 – 1pm
  Lubber Run Community Center10am
  Use this link to register
  TR Family Night Out wants you to get active! For the final event of the season, TR invites families to come out to the lawn at the Lubber Run Community Center from 10am – 1pm and participate in a morning of games on the lawn. We will provide a host of games and activities for families and groups to participate in such as softball, frisbee games, horseshoes, kickball, human foosball, and more! The games will be separated into stations which small groups can partake in rotations. How much fun can you cram in a Saturday? Join us and come find out!

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Arlington County Community Services Board/Developmental Disabilities Committee

Listen and Learn – Meaningful Day/Meaningful Lives
Tuesday, April 9  4:00-6:00 pm 
Everyone is welcome to learn about the many offerings and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to create meaningful lives through available day programs, services and activities. Find out about ways people with DD can enjoy their days with day support and self-directed services. We will hear from a panel of people with DD about their experiences in traditional day programs and a variety of other options. Program and service providers will present brief program profiles to highlight what they offer and why participants like their programs. We hope this offers a snapshot of opportunities for pulling together meaningful day options to promote meaningful lives. Hosted by the Developmental Disabilities Committee of the Arlington Community Services Board in partnership with the Arlington Department of Human Services/Aging and Disability Services. Virtual via Microsoft Teams.
Link to Meeting Room or call in (audio only) +1 347-973-6905, (enter ,361673830# when prompted

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April Events

Trust Talk Tuesday – Tuesday, April 16
Transition Lunch & Learn – Wednesday, April 17
First Responder & Safety Event Fair – Saturday, April 20
Viviendas Inclusivas para Todos – Monday, April 22
TFIL Talks – Tuesday, April 23
Chat with a Special Education Attorney – Wednesday, April 24
Social Security Basics – Wednesday, April 24
Trust Talk Tuesday – Tuesday, April 30

May Events

Strategies to Promote Healthy Sleep in Kids with Disabilities – Wednesday, May 1
Transition Lunch & Learn – Wednesday, May 1
Building Independence with the TFIL Team – Thursday, May 2
Supported Decision Making for All – Tuesday, May 7
Lunch. Learn. Inspire. – Thursday, May 9
Monthly MetroRail Travel Training – Friday, May 10Trust Talk Tuesday – Tuesday, May 14
How to Successfully Navigate Disability and Life Insurance Issues with the Experts – Tuesday, May 14
Transition Lunch & Learn – Wednesday, May 15
Transition Lunch & Learn – Wednesday, May 22
Trust Talk Tuesday – Tuesday May 28
TFIL Talks – Tuesday May 28
Quarterly Bus Travel Training – Wednesday, May 29

Arlington DADS Group
April 18th: 7pm
Ireland’s Four Provinces
Dads of students with disabilities will gather for dinner and conversation between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. Contact George Buzby to reply and/or learn more about the group at gbuzby@aol.com

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How to Survive and Thrive on Your Family Vacation: Your Ultimate Guide to Stress-Free Family Travel with Cheryl Gedzelman and Dr. Teri Bullis
Tuesday, April 16: 7:30pm to 9pm
Use this link to register
Learn how to:

• Plan activities and structure to maximize joy and minimize stress
• Recognize when and how to change the plan
• Clarify rules and consequences that will set kids up for success on the road and away from home
• Implement a reward system to keep behaviors positive

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EDUCATIONAL CONNECTIONS

Supercharge Your Child’s Executive Function Skills for a Successful End to the School Year (and Summer!)
Apr 24, 2024 01:00pm 
Use this link to register

Approaching the end of the school year presents a significant challenge for students, particularly for those with ADHD. As motivation naturally decreases, the demands of exams, testing, projects, and assignments only seem to intensify. This final quarter plays a crucial role in determining outcomes.

At this FREE parent event, we’ll explore executive dysfunction and its vital role in your child’s academic success, especially during fourth quarter crunch time.

Ann Dolin, M.Ed., President and Founder of Educational Connections, along with Rachael Moss, M.S., M.Ed., our Executive Function Coach, will cover:

✓ Understanding and identifying executive function challenges in your child

✓ Proven, research-based strategies utilized by our coaches to empower students and maintain motivation through the end of the school year

✓ Practical tips to make the most of the summer break, preparing your child for the upcoming fall by fostering study skills, time management techniques, and organizational strategies

Educational Connections webinars are recorded, and replay links are emailed to all registrants.

SAVE THE DATE: April 23 at 7 PM ET – Countdown to College: An Insider’s Guide to What Rising Seniors Should Be Doing Right Now

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Formed Families Forward is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster, kinship, and adoptive families of children and youth with disabilities and other special needs.

Online Learning Courses Open Now!
Learning Your Way is Formed Families Forward’s free online learning portal for parents, caregivers, youth and professionals. Registration is now open for Spring 2024, and it’s FREE! Enroll and access the interactive courses at your own pace. The Spring window is open through June 2024. Certificates of completion are available.
Learning Your Way includes six Courses on:

• Special Education 101
• Constructive Communication and Collaboration
• Trauma Basics
• Dispute Resolution
• Kinship Care
• Other Health Impairments

Formed Families Forward Support Groups

• • Parents and Caregivers: Details at www.FormedFamiliesForward.org

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Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) Parent Group

What is SPACE?

• It is an approach to treating anxiety in children and teens
• Uses a parent-only model
• Parent group with 8 weekly virtual sessions on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:00PM
• Exact Dates:To Be Announced

Through SPACE, you will:

• Increase supportive communication
• Decrease the need for accommodations
• Improve daily functioning
• Become a part of the solution

For more information or to register,please contact:
Laney Park, LCSW-C-jpark@JSSA.org
Claira Winget, LMSW- cwinget@JSSA.org

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NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Arlington Parent Support Groups
Still Meeting Virtually
This group is geared to parents whose child is experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, including: depression, anxiety, eating disorders, mood disorders and more. No diagnosis is required to participate. Participants are given the opportunity to share their story, experience support, and glean guidance (as desired) from group members regarding both community and school resources. Confidentiality is respected.

School Age Students and Teens (PK-12)
Sundays, 7pm – 8:30pm

• April 21
• May 5
• May 19
• June 2
• June 16
  

Register at: bit.ly/PSGArlingtonbit.ly/NAMIPSGArlington

Questions?? Contact:
Michelle Best
Sandy Minners
Robin Pentola

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IEP University
April 1, 2024 – April 22, 2024
Join PEATC for IEP University (IEPU), a FREE self-paced online course designed to help provide families and professionals with accurate and useful information around IEP development and meetings. IEPU provides easy-to-understand guidance on the special education process, the IEP document, and ways to develop collaborative relationships among schools and families. IEPU targets practical strategies aimed at helping future IEP meetings be more positive, productive, and collaborative for everyone involved. A certificate of completion for 6 hours will be provided for all who complete the training.

An Introduction to Virginia and North Carolina Special Education for Military-Connected Families
April 15, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Created with military families in mind, this workshop will help you learn the steps of the special education process. Attendees will gain a basic understanding of IDEA’s 2004 language on high expectations and become more familiar with their role as parents in the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). You will learn information about special education in Virginia, North Carolina, and DoDEA schools located in the United States. You will also have the opportunity to learn some practical strategies for participating effectively in IEP meetings.Presented by PEATC in partnership with Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) and the NSA Hampton Roads Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). This training will be presented on Zoom. It will not be recorded.

Real Work for Real Pay: From High School to Employment for Your Child with a Disability
Choose one session to attend:
April 18, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
April 25, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Join us for this free, live webinar to learn how your child with a disability can get a job in the community earning minimum wage or higher after graduating high school. Even students with the most significant disabilities can be a part of the workforce if they receive the proper support. In this session, you will learn about the benefits of competitive integrated employment (CIE), address fears and myths about working, and look at ways to reduce barriers to your young adult getting and keeping a job.Presented by PEATC in partnership with the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). These sessions will be presented on Zoom. It will not be recorded.

2024 Virtual Family Engagement Summit
April 20, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
PEATC, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education, is excited to present this year’s summit. This one-day virtual summit will highlight the essential elements that connect parents, caregivers, educators, and community leaders with the shared goal of nurturing authentic partnerships and promoting student achievement.Our nationally recognized speakers will emphasize the importance of cohesive support. Attendees will participate in sessions designed to unveil strategies for building effective support systems and explore ways to create synergy and robust support systems for student success.*Several attendee raffle prizes will be awarded throughout the day! You must be present to win*.

Early Childhood Academy
April 26, 2024 – May 31, 2024024 – May 31, 2024
Early Childhood Academy is a FREE self-paced online course for families of young children (birth through age six) with disabilities & developmental delays.You are your child’s first and most important teacher and you help set a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success! In this 5-week online program, families of children with disabilities learn about supporting their child’s early learning and development and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.

PEATC LATINX

Grupo de Chat para Padres: Únete a nuestro nuevo GRUPO DE CHAT mediante la aplicación de WhatsApp y podrás mantenerte al tanto de todo lo que PEATC Latino está haciendo. Entra al GRUPO: https://bit.ly/2VoU2vw

Serie de Educación Especial
PEATC presenta esta serie de talleres virtuales para padres y profesionales que desean aprender más sobre la educación especial en Virginia.¡Regístrese una vez para asistir a algunos o todos los talleres informativos! ¡Aquellos que asistan a todas o más de tres talleres, podrán participar de una rifa y ganar una tarjeta de regalo de $50!Jueves, Marzo 14: Diez Cosas que Debe Saber Sobre un IEP
Martes, Abril 16: ¡Su Voz Vale!
Cada taller comenzará a las 6:30 p.m. y tendrá una duración aproximada de 1 a 1.5 horas. Estas sesiones no serán grabadas.

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Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities

Part One: Wednesday, May 8, 2024 from 6-8 p.m.
Part Two:  Wednesday, May 15, 2024 from 6-8 p.m.
Join the Virginia Department of Education for a live, virtual training event. The purpose of this training is to assist families in understanding the following:

• What are some of the keys to your child’s academic success?
• What decisions will you need to make regarding your child’s educational path?
• At what point will you be making these decisions? In this training, we refer to these as critical decision points.
• What information will you need so that you can make the most well-informed decisions possible for your child?

You will need to attend both sessions in order to receive all the information.The Critical Decision Points Registration will be limited to 100 participants, on a first come, first served basis, with priority given to people who have not attended previously. Families who are new to the special education process, as well as those families who are more familiar are welcome. The training will be provided by Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) staff members. Additional details regarding this training will be provided upon registration.Questions regarding this event should be directed to Dr. Chiquita Seaborne by phone at (804) 418-4672, or by email at Chiquita.Seaborne@doe.virginia.gov.

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Community Health Fair
Saturday, April 20: 10am-2pm
Fleet Elementary School

VHC Health and the Kiwanis Club of Arlington are partnering together to offer a  a community health fair. The fair is open to the public and will offer free health screenings and family friendly activities. Please share the View the event flyers in English and Spanish at this link.