PRC Resources

NEW Edition!
Virginia Family Guide to Special Education

This publication is a revision of the former A Parent’s Guide to Special Education that was originally published in 2010. This new state guide was developed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to help those involved in special education, whether as families, teachers or school administrators, advocates, or students. Meeting the needs of children with disabilities requires an understanding of rights and responsibilities which include the child’s rights, and the school’s responsibilities to meet their needs. This guide includes a description of the special education process and what is required during each step of that process. Important timelines are highlighted throughout.

• • Spanish: Guía de Educación Especial para las Familias de Virginia
  • Vietnamese: Hướng Dẫn Dành Cho Các Gia Đình Tại Virginia về Giáo Dục Đặc Biệt
  • Urdu: ورجینیا فیملی گائیڈ برائے خصوصی تعلیم
  • Arabic: دليل عائلة فرجينيا للتعليم الخاص
  • Amharic: የቨርጂኒያ የልዩ ትምህርት የቤተሰብ መመሪያ

• Virginia Special Education Regulations
• Your Family’s Special Education Rights – Virginia Procedural Safeguards Notice  (PDF)
  Your Family’s Special Education Rights – Virginia Procedural Safeguards Notice – English version updated August 2024
  Your Family’s Special Education Rights identifies key parts of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), a federal law governing the education of students with disabilities. IDEA 2004 requires that families be informed of their special education rights, including how families and schools can resolve problems.
  • • Amharic
    • Arabic
    • Chinese
    • Farsi
    • Korean
    • Mongolian
    • Spanish
    • Urdu
    • Vietnamese
• Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities.
• View/download the NEW 2019 Parent Connection Resource Guide from SCAN of Northern Virginia
• Virginia Family Special Education Connection
• Virginia POWER (Parent Organizer with Educational Resources)
• Center for Family Involvement
• Department of Defense: Special Needs Parent Tool Kit – Birth to 18
• Foster Care: Raising and Working with Children and Youth in Foster Care or Living with Kin
• Get Involved
• Guidance for Military Families with Students in Special Education
• I Have a Question…What Parents and Caregivers Can Ask and Do to Help Children Thrive at School: A Parent Checklist
• National Standards, Goals, and Indicators for Family School Partnerships
• Parent Education Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) and PEATC Family Involvement Calendar
• Steps to Success: Communication with Your Child’s School
• Successful Innovations
• Tips and Strategies for Increasing Parent and Family Involvement in Virginia Schools
• Title I – Parent Involvement
• US Department of Education: Family and Community Engagement
• Virginia Family Special Education Connection
• Virginia PTA

Arlington County’s Department of Human Services/Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families
www.apcyf.org

• Adapting to the New Normal
• Structures and Routines
• Parenting Support Webinar Series – Incentives!
• Incentivos: Spanish/Español
• Estructura: Cosas y Espacios; Expectativas y Reglas

The Arc of Northern Virginia

• Supported Decision Making = Alternatives to Guardianship
  A 3-part series of webinars hosted by The Arc of Northern Virginia reviews the concept of Supported Decision Making, how and when it can be used, and how it intersects with guardianship. Presented by Jonathan Martinis, attorney and national Supported Decision Making (SDM) expert, Jonathan shares stories of SDM usage in practice to illustrate how people with disabilities and their families can use this practicable option.

• • Webinar #1- Introduction to Supported Decision Making
  • Webinar #2- Supported Decision Making in Education & Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Webinar #3- Supported Decision Making in Healthcare and Life Planning
• What is a Trust?
• What are Medicaid Waivers? Lucy Beadnell from The Arc of Northern Virginia reviews the basics of Medicaid Waivers: What a Waiver really offers; Eligibility; Applications; and waiting lists.

Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE):

• Free webinars

Formed Families Forward:

• Discovering Financial Resources to Support Children and Youth with Special Needs in Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Families webinar
• Planning the High School Transition to Post-Secondary Education

Virginia Cooperative Extension

• Positive Experiences for Children At Home: Presentation portion without Q &A
• Positive Experiences for Children At Home: Q&A and Sharing of Tips

Mental Health and Well-Being

• LEARN® Saves Lives Suicide Prevention Training for Parents/Caregivers
  • Making your home safer to prevent the risk of suicide
  • Asking your kid about suicide in a safe way
  • Recognizing the signs of a mental health crisis and practical steps to address it
• Student Life Skills to Survive & Thrive during COVID-19 and Beyond 

PEATC (Parent Education and Advocacy Training Center) On-Demand Webinars

• Laying the Groundwork for Transition (Length 41:33 minutes) https://www.worksupport.com/training/freeWebcast.cfm/121
• Exploring the Future & Creating a Timeline Katherine Wittig, Erica Lovelace (Length 43:33 minutes) https://www.worksupport.com/training/freeWebcast.cfm/122
• Challenging Tradition through Life Long Learning & Economic Empowerment Michael Morris, Elizabeth Getzel(Length 1:07:53sec) https://www.worksupport.com/training/freeWebcast.cfm/123
• From Segregated to Customized: The Shift to Personalized Employment Laura Owens, Executive Director APSE(Length 48:34 minutes) https://www.worksupport.com/training/freeWebcast.cfm/136
• In Support of Supported Decision-making Lisa Morgan(Length 39:50 minutes)https://www.worksupport.com/training/freeWebcast.cfm/137
• Assistive Technology & Transition: Evaluation, Identification, & Acquisition Dr. Joey Wallace (Length 29:40 minutes)https://www.worksupport.com/training/freeWebcast.cfm/138
• Opportunities Offered through Career Tech Ed Domenic Giandomenico(Length 29:50 minutes)https://www.worksupport.com/training/viewWebcast.cfm/139
• Transition and the Arts: Tapping into Creative Opportunities (NEW) Betty Siegal(Length 35:15 minutes) https://www.worksupport.com/training/viewWebcast.cfm/140
• Student Voice: The Transition to College Liz Getzel(Length 55:32 minutes) https://www.worksupport.com/training/viewWebcast.cfm/141
• Marian Vessels, Director DBTAC: Mid-Atlantic ADA Center (Length 39:36) https://www.worksupport.com/training/viewWebcast.cfm/161
• Don’t Leave School Without It-What’s in Your Wallet? Stacey Milbern, Community Outreach Director, Ryan Pinion, Director of Partnerships and Action, and intern Jessica Smith of the National Youth Leadership Network(Length 39:23) https://www.worksupport.com/training/viewWebcast.cfm/162
• Guardianship Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities Sue Swenson, former Ex. Director, US Arc, and former Commissioner of Administration on Developmental(Length 39:53) https://www.worksupport.com/training/viewWebcast.cfm/163
• Parents As Essential Partners in Transition Ann Turnbull, The Beach Center, Kansas(Length 42:26) https://www.worksupport.com/training/viewWebcast.cfm/164
• The New Ticket To Work Program – What’s in it for Young People Sallie Rhodes, CESSI Ticket to Work Program Specialist(Length 33:01) https://www.worksupport.com/training/viewWebcast.cfm/165
• Universal Design for Learning-a Pathway for Lifelong Learning Frances G. Smith, Ed.D.,CVE, Coordinator of Technology and Distance Learning VCU TTAC(Length 39:30) https://www.worksupport.com/training/viewWebcast.cfm/166
• Exploring the Future & Creating a Timeline Katherine Wittig, Erica Lovelace(Length 43:33 minutes) https://www.worksupport.com/training/freeWebcast.cfm/122
• Challenging Tradition through Life Long Learning & Economic Empowerment Michael Morris, Elizabeth GetzelI(Length 1:07:53sec) https://www.worksupport.com/training/freeWebcast.cfm/123
• From Segregated to Customized: The Shift to Personalized Employment Laura Owens, Executive Director APSE(Length 48:34 minutes) https://www.worksupport.com/training/freeWebcast.cfm/136
• In Support of Supported Decision-making Lisa Morgan(Length 39:50 minutes) https://www.worksupport.com/training/freeWebcast.cfm/137
• Assistive Technology & Transition: Evaluation, Identification, & Acquisition Dr. Joey Wallace(Length 29:40 minutes) https://www.worksupport.com/training/freeWebcast.cfm/138
• Opportunities Offered through Career Tech Ed Domenic Giandomenico Length 29:50 minutes) https://www.worksupport.com/training/viewWebcast.cfm/139
• Transition and the Arts: Tapping into Creative Opportunities (NEW) Betty SiegalArtistic(Length 35:15 minutes) https://www.worksupport.com/training/viewWebcast.cfm/140
• Student Voice: The Transition to CollegeLiz Getzel(Length 55:32 minutes) https://www.worksupport.com/training/viewWebcast.cfm/141

AAC Resources

• Physical Activity, Nutrition and Movement Resources Check out these awesome Action for Healthy Kids resources. Learn ways to keep moving and stay healthy while learning from home.
• CATCH Inclusive Health Video Series Check out some best practices for inclusion of kids with intellectual disabilities in physical activity sessions.
• Tools for an Active Home Games and calendar activities are available for families to use to make their home an Active Home. These resources provide meaningful movement opportunities that progress students toward physical education and social and emotional learning outcomes.

Visit the ADHD Services page

• Arlington County – Get Help Guide: Behavioral Health Resources
• Virginia Department of Education: Behavior Management, Functional Behavior Interventions and Behavior Intervention Plans
• Manifestation Determination

Bullying Prevention: The APS Approach and Tips for Parents

Visit the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Resource page

• CCC Plus and Developmental Disability Waiver Information
• The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), tailored to meet the needs of businesses, government entities, organizations, and individuals in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Check out the video below for more details on services, and find more information and resources on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for individuals with disabilities and older adults, educators, employers, businesses, and others.
• Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) is the parent information and training center serving families and professionals of children with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. PEATC promotes respectful, collaborative partnerships between parents, schools, professionals and the community that increase the possibilities of success for children with disabilities.
  • PEATC’s Back to School Planning Guide

Parent Teacher Conference Tips Parent-Teacher conferences are a great opportunity for families and staff to build relationships and focus together on student achievement and outcomes. In addition to discussing academics, parents can check in on their child’s social-emotional skills and ask about adjustment to their new grade, work habits, relationships with peers and adults, and demeanor at school. Here are some links to resources and tips.

Resources from Understood.org: 

• Printable: Prepare for Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Download: Parent-Teacher Conference Worksheet
• Parent-Teacher Conferences: A Guide for Families With Kids Struggling in School
• Teachers Weigh In: What I Wish Parents Asked at Parent-Teacher Conferences

Other Resources:

• Advice from ADDitude Magazine
• Advice from Reading Rockets
• Tips from Colorin Colorado
• Tips from the National Association of School Psychologists

Visit the Vision Services page

Please contact the Parent Resource Center at [email protected] or 703.228.7239.