Embedded Files
What does Compassionate Family Engagement Mean?
What does Compassionate Family Engagement Mean?
Watch and share the video from VDOE's Family Engagement Network
"There is a growing consensus that compassion, defined as conscientious sympathy for others with a desire to alleviate their distress plays a crucial role in effective teaching and can be monumental in improving the relationships between school personnel, students, their families, and communities. Compassionate family engagement means acknowledging that families bring valuable assets and information about their child to the table. That educators and families are equal partners in student learning and their success. "
Family Engagement Resources
Family Engagement Resources
Click the arrow to the right to find amazing websites and resources.
"PEATC is offering the Early Childhood Academy (ECA) this fall, a free five-week self-paced online course for families of young children (birth through age six) with disabilities or developmental delays. Beginning November 7 and open through December 12, 2025, the course helps families build a strong foundation for their child’s early learning, development, and transition to kindergarten."
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)
Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities Videos
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.
Military Family Resources!
The Virginia Department of Education’s Family Engagement Network (FEN) is pleased to present three new documents to assist military personnel moving to Virginia who have family members enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member program! Watch the video above to learn more and check out the documents below:
New Resource for Military Families!
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.
Engaging Families in the Transition Planning Process
"This week's resource is a Fast Fact PDF on Engaging Families in the Transition Planning Process. Through this resource, you will learn about involvement vs. engagement, the importance of families in the transition planning process, strategies to better engage families in transition planning, and the process of engaging families."
Parent Powered’s Basic Needs Guide
This guide helps families get connected to essential services — like food and housing assistance, mental health services, and job programs (available in English and Spanish).
Resource on Centers for Independent Living
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are an underutilized community resource for many people with disabilities. Our resource this week on the theme of independent living is a Fast Facts that summarizes how CILs can be used in transition planning. Check out the PDF today to see how you can better tap into this community resource!
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
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).
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.
NAMI’s Youth and Young Adult Task Force, including NAMI Next Gen, released some useful resources for back to school that can be used locally with your school staff, families and students.
Macy’s launched their campaign in support of mental health for back to school, featuring two of our very own NAMI Next Gen members – Bruny Kenou and Imaan Siddiqi
New and improved College Guide site was launched in English and Spanish, in partnership with The JED Foundation
Youth and Young Adult resources page was launched with resources for young people, their caregivers and school staff, with easy to follow categories
Specific back to school resources were shared that were created with Dr. Crawford, in Spanish TOO!
NAMI Virginia & VFN Resources for Families
NAMI Virginia & VFN Resources for Families
Advanced Parent Leadership Training (APLT) This training will teach parents/caregivers of children and youth with mental health needs the skills and competencies relevant to Providing individual support and making a difference for other families and local communities. More information on the next training coming soon. Register here
Virtual Parent Meetup - We invite you to our informal group where parents/caregivers of children with mental health challenges meet to discuss challenges, successes, offer tips, and gain support and connection. Contact Nicole Anjum with questions!
Fridays On Zoom Here!
Family Support Group Meeting for parents of children under 18, 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 7:00 PM Zoom-Click Here to Join! This support group is held every first and third Wednesday of the month.
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.
VFN Virtual Lunch & Learn Thursdays at 12:00 PM. You can join the event here on our Facebook Page! Contact Nicole Anjum at nanjum@namivirginia.org with questions.
Coffee Chat & Self-Care Thursday, Dec. 19th at 9:00 a.m. Join on Zoom here!
"Did you know you can view all our support groups open statewide on our website? Check out the full list now! There are many on different days and times and multiple for family members of youth."
Page updated
Report abuse