Event Calendar: PRC and APS Opportunities

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.

The PRC has included its 2026-26 family learning sessions. Please visit our Online Learning page to view recordings of recent sessions, and please check back in August for 2026-27 events.

Virginia Department of Education
Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities
Jul 29, 2026 06:00 PM
Aug 5, 2026 06:00 PM
Use this link to register

The purpose of the two-session Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities event is to assist families in understanding:

keys to your child’s academic success
decisions you may need to make regarding your child’s educational path
Critical Decision Points and WHEN they should be made
Information needed to make well-informed decisions for your child.

This is a Two-Session Virtual Training. The first session will take place on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, and the second session will take place on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Both sessions will be held from 6-8 p.m. Attendees will need to attend both sessions to complete the Critical Decision Points training. The ZOOM link providing access to both sessions will be sent to the email address provided during registration. Attendees can refer to the Critical Decision Points document that is found on the Virginia Department of Education’s website during the event- https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/45769/638241626967930000.

NOTE: A limited number of slots are available. They will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis with priority given to FIRST TIME participants! If your circumstances change and you are unable to attend this training, please notify Dr. Chiquita Seaborne at [email protected] or (804) 418-4672 no later than July 28, 2026, to cancel your registration.

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.

Toy Story 5 – Opening Weekend – Sensory Friendly
Saturday, June 20: 8:30am – 11:00am
AMC Tyson’s Corner 1
Routes 7 and 123
McLean, VA 22102
Use this link to register and learn more

The Waddell Group/Raymond James invites you to attend the sensory-friendly movie with coffee, an introduction to financial planning for families with special needs, and information from Arlington SEPTA and other resource providers.

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

TR Family Nights Out
Join TR for our monthly Family Night Out series, designed for families that include a member(s) with a disability. Each event offers a fun, welcoming space to enjoy recreation together while connecting with other families in our community. Family Night Out programs are designed for ages 3+. If your family includes a participant younger than 3, please contact TR at 703-228-4740 and they will be happy to assist you with registration. Check out the remaining events in this season’s series below.

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

download

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.

Learn more about The Arc’s events at this link.

Learning Your Way self-paced, online courses are a perfect, flexible way to gain new information this summer. Each of the 8 courses include multiple lessons with activities and knowledge checks. The current window to access critical education, disability, and parenting information will close June 30 and reopen in August. Use this link to register.Courses include:
- 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, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), and Tourette Syndrome
- Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP)
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.

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

Parent Child Journey
Free, online parent support group with Dr. Dan Shapiro
Mondays at 1 PM (Eastern Time USA)
Join at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82713114723

June 8: Social Skills Interventions – What Really Helps?
June 15th: When a Child’s Diagnosis Leads to a Parent’s – Differences in the Family
Learn more at: WWW.PARENTCHILDJOURNEY.COM

See peatc.org/events for descriptions and more information.

Spanish-Speaking Family Resources/Sessions

PEATC Latino Outreach Facebook Page

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