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

 

 

 

 

---

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.

OCTOBER EVENTS

TFIL Talks – Tuesday, October 28 TFIL Outdoor Club – Wednesday, October 29 TFIL’s Travel Training Experiences – Friday, October 31

 

NOVEMBER EVENTS

Trust Talk Tuesday – Tuesday, November 4
Cooking with Confidence – Tuesday, November 4
Lunch. Learn. Inspire. – Thursday, November 6
Planning for the Future: Tax & Special Needs Trusts – Friday, November 14
TFIL’s Travel Training Experiences – Friday, November 14
Transition Parents Support Group: The Family Village – Saturday, November 15
Trust Talk Tuesday – Tuesday, November 18
November Chat with an Attorney About Special Education – Wednesday, November 19
Safetypowers Workshop: Positive Communication & Bullying Prevention – Saturday, November 22
TFIL Talks – Tuesday, November 25

---

 

Kids’ Adoption Network (KAN) Conference
Saturday, November 15, 2025 | 9am to 4:30pm

The Center for Adoption Support and Education’s annual Kids’ Adoption Network (KAN) Conference is coming up on Saturday, November 15!. KAN provides a fun, engaging day of learning and activities for children, teens, parents, caregivers, and prospective adoptive parents. Please note that lunch is included in the registration fee, and that the fee is waived for those who adopted through a local Dept of Social Services. Registration must close on October 31! Learn more and register:  https://bit.ly/caseKAN2025.

 

---

 

 

 

DisABILITY Law Center of Virginia
2025 Disability Rights and Resources Virtual Summit
November 13, 2025 | 12pm to 5pm
Use this link to register
This free, statewide event is open to the public who want to learn more about the available resources and services that dLCV and  partnering organizations offer to members of the disability community.

This year’s theme, “Here. Proud. Empowered.,” highlights dLCV’s commitment to amplifying the voices of people with disabilities through sessions that speak to their needs and challenges. The Summit features keynote presentations, interactive panels, and educational sessions on critical disability rights topics, with a focus on accessibility, equity, independence, and opportunity. Sessions will be led by dLCV staff and partners from across Virginia, providing both expertise and lived experience.Join us to learn more about disability issues and how we can work together to create a Commonwealth free of barriers for individuals with disabilities.

---

 

• November 9- Circle of Support Conference, hosted by The Arc of Greater Prince William, Woodbridge.

---

 

 

 

 

A Season of Thanks, A Celebration of Families Event
November 14, 2025: 5pm to 7pm EST
10304 Eaton Place, Fairfax, VA 22030
Use this link to register
FFF invites you to a special event honoring families formed through foster care, adoption and kinship care. They look forward to seeing you there.

---

Lab School 2025-2026 Speaker Series

• November 12, 2025 | 6:00-7:00 PM
  Growing Up in Public
  Devorah Heitner, PhD, Author of Growing up in Public: Coming Of Age In A Digital World and Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World
  Use this link to register
• 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
October 20, 2025
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.

Self-Paced Trainings – New topics released every Sunday at 5pm

• SEAC Training – registration open now; perfect for families AND staff.
• Transition University
  October 6, 2025 – December 8, 2025
  This free 5-session self-paced online course focuses on providing parent-friendly transition information to help make transition planning easier. This course is designed for parents/caregivers of elementary, middle, or high school students that receive special education services, and the professionals that support them. The goal is to share factual information on transition services and to help make the transition from school services to the adult services world less confusing. The training will take approximately 9 hours and can be accessed anytime during the 9 week timeframe.

 

Disability Benefits: Social Security and VA’s Medicaid Waivers Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 4:30 – 6:30 pm Families of children with disabilities need to have an understanding of government benefits that may be available to them as part of planning a future for their loved one. These benefits can help supplement a person’s income, qualify a person for extra help, and help them receive healthcare and community supports. Navigating the world of disability benefits can be tricky, time-consuming, and overwhelming. This workshop will help make that process easier. Join us as we discuss in clear understandable language: what are Social Security benefits, what are Virginia’s Medicaid Waivers, who is eligible, and how to apply. This webinar will be presented on Zoom. It will not be recorded.

English Special Education Series
Use this link to register

• November 5: Anatomy of an IEP – Break down each section of the IEP so you know what matters most.
• November 19: Measurable IEP Goals – Understand about developing meaningful goals and why they’re essential to progress.
• December 3: The Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings – Get strategies for effective communication and collaboration at the table.
• December 17: Dispute Resolution Options in Virginia – Explore your rights and the tools available when disagreements arise.

Friendship Building Strategies
Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Friendships help children feel connected and valued, but making friends can be hard for students with disabilities and for peers who may feel unsure how to reach out. This workshop will explore the challenges and importance of building positive peer relationships. Participants will learn practical strategies parents and educators can use to create opportunities for belonging, acceptance, and genuine friendships for all children.
This webinar will be presented on Zoom. It will not be recorded.

Turning 18 in Virginia: What Individuals with Disabilities Need to Consider Monday, November 17, 2025 | 4:00 – 5:30 pm Turning 18 is a big deal. An 18-year-old is legally considered an adult in Virginia and can make their own legal, financial, medical, and educational decisions. For some individuals with disabilities, this will not be an issue. Others may need support. This workshop will share basic information about things that need to be considered as your loved one turns 18. This webinar will be presented on Zoom. It will not be recorded.

 

Special Education Series in Spanish/Serie De Educación Especial EN ESPAÑOL – Otoño 2025
Registrate
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!

• Noviembre 5 – Descifrando el código: 504 vs. IEP
• Noviembre 19 – Anatomia de un Programa de Educacion Individualizado (IEP)
• Diciembre 3 – Planificación de la Transición y el Programa de Educación Individualizado (IEP)

Spanish-Speaking Family Resources

• PEATC Latino Outreach Facebook Page

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

Building Strong Parent Advocates November 3, 2025 – November 23, 2025 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/

 

IEP University November 3, 2025 – November 23, 2025 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.

 

November 3, 2025 – November 23, 2025 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.