Event Calendar: PRC and APS Opportunities

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

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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

Adapted Ice Skating (Ages 3+) Sunday, December 21, 11:40am-1:40pm Activity #: 922226-031 Session – $1 (Skate rental included) Join TR at Medstar Iceplex for an afternoon of ice skating designed for families who have a member with a disability. Whether you’re stepping onto the ice for the first time or returning after a break, this is a great opportunity to spend time together and enjoy the season. What to Know Before You Go:• All participating family members must be registered• Helmets and personal safety gear are strongly encouraged (not provided at the event)• Skate rentals must be reserved in advance—on-site purchases are not available. Bundle up, bring your energy, and come share the rink with other families. Use this link to register.

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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

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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.

 

DECEMBER EVENTS

Navigating Care Denials and Reductions with the Medicaid Waiver – Monday, December 15

Trust Talk Tuesday – Tuesday, December 16

Transition Lunch & Learn – Thursday, December 18

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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Webinars Get a jump start on 2026 and register now for Formed Families Forward  annual January webinar series on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, or FASD. This year offers fresh new topics presented by experts in the field. Register once and you will receive reminders about all 4 webinars on Tuesday evenings at 7 PM throughout the month.Topics are: January 6- FASD 101: Understanding Symptoms and Providing Support January 13- Diagnosing FASD January 20- The Role of Occupational Therapy/OT in Supporting Those with FASD January 27 – FASD Virginia: Exploring a New Resource for Families

• 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.

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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

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NAMI Arlington – Parent Support Group
Parents/Caregivers of School Age Students and Teens (PK-12) for 2025-2026
December 15, 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])

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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)

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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.

English Special Education Series
Use this link to register

• December 17: Dispute Resolution Options in Virginia – Explore your rights and the tools available when disagreements arise. 

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!

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 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 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.

 

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.