Family Engagement

"Do you respect the role the parent has in the education of their child with special needs? Do you actively invite parents to meet ahead of the IEP to set goals together? Do you accommodate their schedules and consider their cultural contributions or differences? Do you think about how to improve parent participation in the decision-making process? These are just a few questions that can help you think about parents (families/caregivers) as partners in their child’s education."

Warren Laidler

Cracking the Code:

504s and IEPs

Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:30 - 7:30 pm

"Confused about the difference between a 504 Plan and an Individualized Education Program (IEP)? You’re not alone!

Join us for a webinar that decodes these school supports. We’ll break down what each option is designed to do, who qualifies, the services and accommodations they offer, and how each one helps unlock success for students with disabilities. Uncover clues to help you determine which option might be the best match for your child’s learning needs and walk away with key information to make confident decisions and to advocate for your child."

Register Here

2026 Youth & Family Summit

Dates: June 9-11, 2026 (Tuesday evening – Thursday afternoon)
Location: Festival Conference & Student Center @ James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA
Attendees: We will accept up to 50 youth residing in Virginia, plus their families
Ages: 14-18-year-olds (as of June 9, 2026)
Cost: This event is fully sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education and the Partnership for People with Disabilities. Accepted families receive free meals and lodging (dorm rooms) during the event.

More Information & Application Here

NEW - Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

Executive Function Factsheet

SpEd Acronyms & Terms Guide

Special Education Webpage

Understanding the Parts of the IEP

Resource - Independent Living Life Skills Checklist
Resource - Least Restrictive Environment in Early Childhood Programs
Resource - Family Engagement Checklist
Resource - Referral to Eligibility Factsheet
Resource: The Next Steps to Independence Checklist (birth to 22)

Employment Checklist for SWDs

PEATC Training Calendar

Family Engagement & Support in Youth Mental Health Care

Access Guide Here

Resource for Military Families

Access the Checklist Here

PCSing with an Exceptional Family Member (EFM) Checklist - for families relocating CONUS (Stateside). If you are PCSing with an exceptional family member (EFM), this checklist may be helpful to you. Not all of the items in the checklist will apply to all PCSing families.

MIC3 – Another Tool to Add to Your PCS Toolbox

The Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission or MIC3 focuses on the educational challenges that military children face as they transition from installation to installation with their active-duty parents. The MIC3 is an agreement between the 50 states and the District of Columbia. It provides for the uniform treatment of military children as they transfer from state to state. The regulations and expectations also apply to students that are transferring to and from DODEA (Department of Defense Education Activity) schools. This compact addresses the areas of enrollment, graduation, and placement.

For more information on how the MIC3 impacts your family, contact your local School Liaison Officer or visit the MIC3 website.

Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities Videos

VDOE's Coordinator of Family Engagement, Tracy Lee, has recorded five video modules for families to access at home. They are currently housed on the VDOE's YouTube Channel.

VFN Resources and Tips for Parents and Caregivers

We strive to serve as a source of support and information for Families and Caregivers of youth and young adults with mental health needs. As a result, we have developed a number of fact sheets and webinars that provide information on topics and services that are relevant to parents and caregivers who have children and youth with mental health needs. Please also feel free to contact our Virginia Family Network Program Coordinator for more information at nanjum@namivirginia.org.

Lunch & Learn, Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m. Join this meeting on our VFN Facebook Page.
Coffee Chat & Self-Care, Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. Where: Join on Zoom here for a short meet-up for parents to connect in a relaxed, informal setting to discuss their self-care journeys while drinking their morning coffee, tea, or water! Contact Nicole Anjum at nanjum@namivirginia.org with questions.
Join the Family Support Group Meeting here for parents of children under 18 at 7pm. These meetings are held every first and third Wednesday of the month. Zoom-Click Here to Join!
VFN Book Club/2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month at 7:00 PM. Contact Nicole Anjum with questions or for the link to join us at our next book club.

To stay connected about additional information, events, programs, and self-care information all month long, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our full online programming list here.

Th e Parents’ Network (TPN)

For the past year, in partnership with The Archewell Foundation and others, the Center for Applied Research Solutions (CARS, NTTAC’s parent organization) has been working behind the scenes on this crucial project to build a safe and supportive space for parents and caregivers whose children have experienced internet harm.

NTTAC has been amplifying national attention, research and learning about the impact of social media use on youth mental health (see Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Youth and Unveiling the Impact of Social Media on Youth Mental Health).

POWER and Raising and Working with Children and Youth in Foster Care or Living with Kin:

Your Guide to Resources in Virginia. VAFamily-POWER-FosterCare Handout

The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) developed infographic summaries of the Department’s two handbooks to help schools reopen safely. The infographics give OSEP-funded parent centers, families, educators, and others quick access to the valuable information within those volumes.

The Center for Parent Information and Resources is hosting three informational videos for families of students with the most intensive needs, and the schools, educators, and other professionals who support these children. The videos are produced in collaboration with the National Center on Intensive Intervention (NCII), the TIES Center (the national technical assistance center on inclusive practices and policies), and the National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB). Also, check out an additional resource from the CEEDAR Center, the Family Guide to At-Home Learning, for students that will continue receiving virtual instruction during the school year.

CDC RELEASES UPDATED DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) updated developmental milestone checklists for infants & young children. These new milestones show skills 75% of children that age typically meet; previously, benchmarks were what 50% of children were doing. Check out the updated PEATC developmental milestone snapshot checklists for more information:

National Technical Assistance Center on Transition

Find helpful resources for transition planning, graduation, and post-school success for students with disabilities. You can search by topic, effective practices, and resource type.

"Recent research shows that schools that successfully engage families find that their students earn higher grades, score higher on tests, develop better social skills, and are more likely to graduate. The Family-School Relationships Survey was developed at the Harvard Graduate School of Education to provide schools with a clear picture of family attitudes about several key topics."

PEATC's Supported Decision-Making and Your Health

PEATC Transition to Adulthood Resource Documents

Parent Video Series to Support the Learning of Children with Significant Cognitive Disabilities at Home from the National Center on Education Outcomes (NCEO)

The National Center on Education Outcomes (NCEO) and the TIEs Center, both funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) have jointly published the first four videos in a series for parents of K-12 students with significant cognitive disabilities. The videos, which you will find below, address various aspects of supporting the learning of children with significant cognitive disabilities at home: