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To request ADA accommodations and/or language interpretation for a Parent Resource Center event, please contact us at 703-228-7239 or [email protected] at least 7 days prior to event.
PreK to Kindergarten Transition Session for Families of Students Receiving Special Education Services
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Lunchtime Session: 12:45pm – 1:45pm (In person or online via Zoom)
Evening Session: 7pm-8pm (online via Zoom)
Use this link to register for the session
Do you have a PreK child receiving special education services who will transition to Kindergarten next year? If so, please plan to join us to learn more about the transition process and how to prepare and support your child during the transition from PreK to Kindergarten. This session will address the continuum of special education services in Kindergarten.
View English/Spanish event flier
Arlington Special Education Advisory Committee (ASEAC) Meeting
Tuesday, January 20: 7pm – 9pm
Use this link to register for the meeting
In Person and Virtual Meeting – via Zoom
Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Boulevard, Rooms 452/454, Arlington, VA 22204
During each meeting, ASEAC welcomes comments from the public regarding the needs of students with disabilities in APS. See the ASEAC Public Comment Guidelines at https://tinyurl.com/2p8k4fc3 for information about submitting public comments.
Any person who would like an interpreter and/or any person with a disability who needs accommodation to access the meeting should contact the Parent Resource Center at 703.228.7239 or [email protected] at least SEVEN business days in advance of a meeting to request assistance.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
- January 10: 9am to 5pm (SPANISH)
Wakefield High School - January 23: 9am t0 5pm
Syphax Education Center, Room 171 - March 5: 9am -3pm
Syphax Education Center, Room 171 - April 11: 9am – 5pm (SPANISH)
Wakefield High School - April 24: 9am – 3pm
Syphax Education Center, Room 171 - May 15: 9am – 5pm
Syphax Education Center, Room 171Session designed for adults who regularly interact with adolescents (age 12-18), hosted by APS for staff, families and community members. Learn to recognize and respond to mental health or substance use concerns in teens. Free to all participants. Click here to register in advance. For questions, contact Jenny Lambdin at [email protected]
Special Education Paperwork Organization Session
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Use this link to register for the session.
View event flyer
Join the PRC team for a hands-on workshop designed to help you get organized and feel confident about your child’s special education paperwork. We’ll help you find, print and organize important special education documents, and you’ll leave with a ready-to-use binder with your child’s special education paperwork.
During this session, you will:
- Work with staff to print and organize your records
- Learn what each document means and why it’s important
- Receive organizational materials and resources (Resources will be available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Amharic and Mongolian)
What to Bring:
- Any paperwork you already have at home
- Questions you might have
You’ll Leave With:|
✔ A fully organized binder of your child’s special education documents
✔ Tools to stay prepared for IEP and other special education meetings
✔ Resources and community connections
Arlington SEPTA 2026 Summer Camps & Activities Fair
February 7, 2026: 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Walter Reed Community Center
2909 16th Street S., Arlington, VA
Each year, Arlington Special Education PTA (SEPTA) hosts a FREE Summer Activities Fair open to the Arlington community to help you plan your family’s summer! Come learn about options for summer learning and adventure. SEPTA invites vendors from near and far– day camps and sleep-away camps, social skills, or outdoor adventure. There is something for every child. Featuring vendors from the VA/MD/DC area – summer camps, inclusion & adapted activities, therapies, groups, and special events.
Refreshments and activities will be available for the kids.
Registration is requested. Please register at this link.
COMMUNITY PARTNER WEBINARS/VIRTUAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES and MEETINGS
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
Parenting Wisely
Parenting Wisely, for parents/guardians of children ages 6 to 11.
This self-paced course is available 24/7, online, in English and Spanish.
Parenting Wisely English flyer
Parenting Wisely Spanish flyer
Check out Arlington County’s Parenting Toolkit
Therapeutic Recreation Corner
Office: 703-228-4740
TTY: 711
Email:[email protected]
Follow TR on Facebook!
- Visit the Therapeutic Recreation Facebook page to see recreational activities posted weekdays that can help you practice your skills or develop new skills ones. Their daily themes are:
- Monday: Self-Regulation skills
- Tuesday: Fine motor skills
- Wednesday: Gross motor skills
- Thursday: Communication skills
- Friday: Social skills
Parenting Wisely
Parenting Wisely, for parents/guardians of children ages 6 to 11. This self-paced course is available 24/7, online, in English and Spanish.
Parenting Wisely English flyer
Parenting Wisely Spanish flyer
Reoccurring programs: Visit here to learn more and sign up.
- TRUST TALK TUESDAYS
These small group discussions will focus on Special Needs Trusts and futures planning. Questions pertaining to general disability issues in regards to future financial planning are welcome. - CHAT WITH AN ATTORNEY
Parents can schedule a free 45-minute meeting with an attorney to receive advice and guidance on any number of special education topics for their student. - BASICS of MEDICAID WAIVER
In this one hour presentation, Lucy Beadnell, Director of Advocacy, will review what Waivers are, services Waivers offer, how to apply, and give tips for families on waiting lists for services. - Building Independence with the TFIL Team
The Tech for Independent Living Team invites you to join their monthly virtual event on the first Thursday of each month to discover the amazing Arc2Independence app. - Transition Lunch and Learn
These sessions are not recorded. Planning to transition from school to adult services can be overwhelming. Once your child exits the school system, adult services are based on eligibility criteria and funding availability. These small group sessions are an opportunity to begin creating a plan for the future. Learn what employment and meaningful day support services are available, how to explore post-secondary options, what transportation supports exist, how to help your child make decisions and advocate, when to apply for SSI and manage benefits, and what recreation activities are available. This informal opportunity is to ask questions and discuss with the facilitator and other participants. - Metro Travel Training
Interested in travel training? Come join our Tech for Independent Living (TFIL) team on a metro trip! Individuals with disabilities and a designated adult are invited to join our TFIL team on a short Metro trip. During this practice trip, individuals with disabilities will learn basic travel skills and will become more comfortable traveling on the Metro. SmarTrip cards will be provided. These in-person travel training events are FREE to attend, but pre-registration is required.
January Events
January Chat with an Attorney About Special Education – 1/14
The Family Village – 1/17, 10am – Transition Parents Support Group
Letter of Intent Workshop – 1/23, 10am
TFIL Talks: Employment & Professionalism – 1/27, 7pm
TFIL & WMATA Travel Trip – 1/28, 10am
February Events
Trust Talk Tuesday – 2/3, 10am
Building Independence with TFIL – 2/5, 12pm
Transition Lunch & Learn – 2/12, 12pm
Trust Talk Tuesday – 2/17, 10am
Cooking with Confidence: Valentine’s Day – 2/17, 10am
February Chat with an Attorney About Special Education – 2/18
TFIL Talks: Relationships & Communication – 2/24, 7pm
Estate Planning and Decision-Making for Families of Individuals with Disabilities – 2/24, 12pm
Learn more about The Arc’s events at this link.
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- Kinship Support Group
If you are raising the child of a relative or close family friend, you are a kinship caregiver! The Fairfax Kinship Support Group meets twice monthly on Thursday evenings. The virtual group meetings is held the first Thursdays. The in-person group meets on third Thursdays at a community center in Fairfax County. Child care and dinner are available at the in-person meetings. The Fairfax Kinship Support Group is open to kinship caregivers from any jurisdiction who are raising child for a family member or friend. Clinicians facilitate peer support on a wide variety of topics common to kinship care. - Formed Families Peer Support Group
The holiday season can be joyous and fun, but may also bring extra challenging and stress for those of us parenting in formed families. It may be a great time to connect with other parents and caregivers who have lived experience raising children and youth with unique, intensive needs. Join one or both meetings of Formed Families Together peer-led support group each month. The group is peer-led and just for foster, adoptive, and kinship parents and caregivers. The group meets: - VIRTUAL peer support group, first Sunday evenings, 7:30 – 9 PM
- IN PERSON peer support group in Fairfax, third Wednesday evenings, 7 – 8:30 PM
Learn more and register for both groups HERE.
- Learning Your Way, Formed Families Forward’s very own online learning course platform, is open now. Registration is free and includes access to the following courses:
- Special Education 101
- Constructive Communication & Collaboration
- Dispute Resolution
- Trauma 101 for Foster, Adoptive & Kinship Families
- Special Education Dispute Resolution for Foster, Adoptive & Kinship Families
- Kinship Care
- Other Health Impairments (OHI) – including lessons on ADHD, FASD, and Tourette Syndrome
The lessons are self-paced and include presentations, videos and other resources, interactive scenarios and resource links. Certificates of completion are available.
Lab School 2025-2026 Speaker Series
- January 28, 2026 | 6:00-7:00pm
Bounce Back Stronger: Proven Tactics to Build Resilience in Your Child
Nina Shiffrin, PhD, Psychologist and Director of Research, Alvord Baker
Register Now - February 18, 2026 | 6:00-7:00pm
Executive Functioning and Dysregulation: Understanding and Supporting Neurodiverse Students
David Black, PhD, Pediatric Neuropsychologist and Director, Center for Assessment & Treatment (CAAT)
Register Now - March 18, 2026 | 6:00-7:00pm
The Secret Power of a Growth Mindset at Home and School
Mary Cay Ricci, Educational Consultant, Author of NYT Best Selling Education Book, Mindsets in the Classroom and Ready to Use Resources for Mindsets in the Classroom
Use this link to register
NAMI Arlington – Parent Support Group
Parents/Caregivers of School Age Students and Teens (PK-12) for 2025-2026
January 19, 2026
3rd Mondays 7:00-8:30pm
Use this link to register
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.
Questions? Contact:
- Michelle Best ([email protected])
- Sandy Minners ([email protected])
NAMI Virginia Offers FREE training and support groups for Peers, Friends, Family, Parents, Caregivers, Youth, and Young Adults. Find more information about local training and support through your local Affiliate.
| NAMI Family Support Group for Parents and Caregivers of Youth under 18. |
- First and Third Wednesday of the month
7 – 8:30 PM on Zoom
This Family Support Group, following NAMI’s signature programming model, is for parents or caregivers of children under the age of 18. For more information, please contact Nicole Anjum at [email protected] or join here. Hosted by Virginia Family Network. - Parent Leader Network Call
Second Monday of the month 10- 11:30 AM on Zoom
Connect with other parent leaders, learn new skills, and find out about upcoming learning opportunities. For more information, please contact Nicole Anjum at [email protected] or join here.
Hosted by Virginia Family Network. - Book Club
Second and Fourth Thursdays 7-8 PM on Zoom
This is an online book club for parents and caregivers. The books will center on mental health and wellness, discovering yourself, and systems that parents and young people have navigated. This is a great opportunity to connect with other parents in a relaxed environment. The group is ongoing, so you can jump in at any point! For more information, please contact Nicole Anjum at [email protected]. - Virtual Coffee Chat for Self-Care
Third Thursday of the month 9 AM on Zoom
Connect in a relaxed, informal setting and discuss your own self-care journeys while drinking your morning coffee, tea, or water! Contact Nicole Anjum at [email protected] with questions and join here. - Monthly Lunch & Learn
Last Thursday of the month at noon on Facebook.
Lunch and Learn is a monthly, one-hour-long presentation on topics for parents and caregivers. Past presentations centered on trauma, restraint, and seclusion, self-care, school during COVID-19, and more. Please send questions to Nicole Anjum at [email protected] and Join us on our VFN Facebook Page. - Youth Move Virginia Youth & Young Adult Peer Support Group.
This youth support group creates a space for youth to take initiative in conversations, activities, and movements about mental health. Contact Miranda Schnoor at [email protected] for upcoming dates and any questions or register here.
Hosted by Youth MOVE Virginia - Apply for Youth MOVE Virginia’s Youth Advisory Board (Open until May 20)
See peatc.org/events for descriptions and more information.
January 2026 Events
Self-Paced Trainings – New topics released every Sunday at 5pm
- January 5th- January 26th – Building Strong Parent Advocates Self-Paced Training
Families of children receiving special education services find themselves in a world of complicated policies, confusing acronyms and terms, and piles of paperwork. The Building Strong Parent Advocates training provides information to help families build a solid foundation to understand the special education process while empowering them to be their child’s best advocate. This self-paced training takes about 6 hours to complete and can be accessed online anytime during the 3-week timeframe. - January 5th- January 26th – SEAC (Special Education Advisory Committee) Self-Paced Training
- January 5th- January 26th – IEP University (IEPU) Self-Paced Training
The IEP process can be difficult and stressful. Conflict may occur as a result of managing emotions while simultaneously following policy and procedures. IEP University was developed to help provide families and professionals with accurate and useful information around IEP development and meetings. This self-paced training takes about 6 hours to complete and can be accessed online anytime during the 3-week timeframe.
- February 6, 2026 – March 13, 2026 Early Childhood Academy is 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 online course, families of children with disabilities learn about supporting their child’s early learning and development and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond. This self-paced training takes about 7 hours to complete and can be accessed online anytime during the 5-week timeframe.
Live Events
- January 12th 6-7pm – Youth Empowerment Transition (YET) Council meeting
- January 14th 6:30-7:30pm – From Referral to Eligibility
- January 15th 6:30-7:30pm- From Referral to Eligibility: A Deeper Dive
- January 15th 6:30-7:30pm- Cracking the Code: 504s and IEPs
- January 21st 6-7pm – Addressing Behaviors Confidently
- January 28th 6:30-7:30pm- Anatomy of an IEP
Spanish-Speaking Family Resources
- PEATC Latino Outreach Facebook Page
- Beneficios de Discapacidad: Exenciones de Medicaid de Virginia
Martes, 20 de Enero del 2026 | 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Existen prestaciones del gobierno estatal disponibles para las personas con discapacidades. Es importante comprender que prestaciones como la asistencia personal y el apoyo comunitario pueden desempeñar un papel importante en la planificación del futuro. Navegar por los servicios estatales para discapacitados puede resultar difícil, llevar mucho tiempo y ser abrumador. En este taller se explican las exenciones de Medicaid de Virginia, los requisitos para acceder a los servicios y cómo obtener esta prestación estatal.*Interpretación al español disponible*Presentado por PEATC en colaboración con Winchester Public SchoolsEste taller virtual se presentará vía Zoom. No será grabado.
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.
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