Special Education Enhancement Plan: Feedback Opportunity

Fairfax County Public Schools is developing a Special Education Enhancement Plan to help ensure an excellent educational experience for all students with disabilities.

As part of this effort, FCPS is seeking feedback from employees, families, and community members on Part 1 of the Draft Special Education Enhancement Plan.

Please complete this form by Friday, February 17, to provide input on FCPS’ priorities regarding special education including vision, mission, core values, goals, and objectives. Thank you in advance for lending your voice to this important work. 

Visit the Special Education Enhancement Plan webpage for more information.

 

 

All the opportunities below are FREE unless noted.  

In most cases you must register if registration information is provided.

When other events are announced they will be posted with these at:

https://fairfaxcountysepta.org/upcoming-community-events/

 

Ongoing and On Demand

 

The Arc@School Advocacy Curriculum    $99 for 6 months

Build up your special education knowledge, know the law, and learn to advocate for the services and supports your child needs at school.

Purchase:  https://thearcatschool.org/advocacy-curriculum/?

 

Family Coaching — 8-12 week program

Work weekly one-on-one with a coach to identify individualized goals and create a targeted family plan.

Register:  https://a109092.socialsolutionsportal.com/apricot-intake/e8afd273-4daa-4525-a1f1-b8ee33528344

 

Fairfax County’s Pre-Notification 9-1-1 Program 

Enroll now in this new public safety program for individuals with disabilities. 

Details & Registration:  https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/911/emergency-health-profile. 

 

Dyslexia & the IEP: How to Make Sure the IEP Is in Tip-Top Shape

Webinar, available 24/7

Access:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frehRL58UTs

 

NAMI Basics

This 6-session course is for adults who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms (including ADHD and ASD).

Register: https://www.nami.org/Videos/NAMI-Basics-OnDemand

 

Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training

Learn about special education law, rights and responsibilities; tests to measure progress and regression; SMART IEPs; and strategies for effective advocacy.

Info: https://www.wrightslaw.com/webex/law.adv.index.htm   $50-$90

 

The Parent Playbook — 9 Module Online Course on Autism

From the VCU Autism Center for Excellence. An introduction on Autism Spectrum Disorder for families, including tips for caregivers, characteristics, interventions and recommended programs and services.

Access: https://vcuautismcenter.org/te/courses/parent_playbook.cfm

 

Ongoing Community Support Groups for Youth & Parents

 

All these support groups are open to newcomers, and they are free, except where noted.  No diagnosis is required to participate.  Participants are typically 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 to be respected.

 

Support Groups for Youth

 

ASNV Teen Time for youth, age 13-19 with ASD, meets virtually Saturdays, 11 am to noon.  Contact:  info@asnv.org Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9466001682; Meeting ID: 946 600 1682; One tap mobile at (301) 715-8592

 

Escape Room Book Club (with hybrid-media) for neurodiverse teens, ages 12-18, to connect with their peers, meets monthly on the 4th Thu. At 4:30 pm at Brambleton Library, Brambleton.  Contact:  austin.ferraro@loudoun.gov for current books 571-258-3998

 

 

Support Groups for Parents

 

AAC Parent Group meets occasionally on Saturdays.  Contact: Amanda amandam@skillbuildersllc.com or 703-941-7757 ext. 316

 

African American Culturally Focused Virtual Parent Café meets Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 pm.  Register at least 24 hours in advance by email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-7720

 

Alpha Moms  This support group for adoptive parents meets monthly in McLean. Contact:  robin4brady@gmail.com

 

Arlington Epilepsy Support Group, a list-serve, can be accessed at ARLepilepsy@googlegroups.com

 

Autism Dads meets one evening monthly.  Contact:  George Buzby at 571-419-1257 or gbuzby@aol.com

 

Autism Society of NoVA Support Group meets on the 2nd Saturday of the month, 1:00-2:30 pm via Zoom.  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9466001682; Meeting ID: 946 600 1682; One tap mobile (301) 715-8592

 

Business Networking Event for Special Needs Parents

Alternate Fridays, May 29 and following, 9:00-10:30 am Via Zoom.  Connect with fellow special needs parents and business owners, build your referral network, and share best practices.  Contact:  https://thearcofloudoun.org/networking/ 

 

Cafés Virtuales Para Padres:  Miércoles de 7:00-8:30 pm.  Regístrese con al menos 24 horas de anticipación:   BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov o 703-324-7720

 

CHADD: Children & Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

  • Alexandria CHADD Parent Support Group  4th Mon. of each month at 6:30 pm.  Contact:  Susan,  ADHDParentMountVernon@gmail.com  or call 303-903-9972.
  • West Fairfax/Burke CHADD Parent Support Group  1st & 3rd Thur. of each month at 8:00 pm Contact:  Cathy,  ocgreulich@aol.com 

CSB Family Support Group at Gatlan Center  2nd and 4th Wed. of each month 6:00-7:30 pm via Zoom Contact:  Samar.Chwairy@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-799-2882.

 

D.A.D.S.  Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome 3rd Tue. each month, 7-9 pm via Zoom. Contact:  George gbuzby@aol.com or call 703- 545-6089.

 

Dr. Dan’s Support Group for Parents Raising Challenging Children meets via Zoom on Mondays, 1-2 pm, Register:  http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07eh2rnzqrk9vdghmb/a0179kbgrhnj1/questions

 

Fairfax Juvenile Court Parent Support for problems including runaway behavior, truancy, alcohol/drug abuse, and serious behavioral problems at home, at school, or in the community. Sign up for a phone consultation at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a44abab29abf85-juvenile

 

Family F.I.R.S.T. Fridays Autism Support Group meets on the 1st Friday monthly, noon-12:45 at Gum Spring Library 24600 Millstream Dr. Stone Ridge

 

Family Recovery & Support Group meets weekly via Zoom on Mondays 6:30-7:30 pm for family and friends of those receiving CSB services for addictions.  Contact:  Natalie.Holmes@fairfaxcounty.gov   www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/recovery/family-support-virtual-group

 

Formed Families Together consists of monthly peer support groups for adoptive, kinship, and foster caregivers and parents. Virtual support group meets the 1st Sunday evening monthly. In-Person support group meets the 3rd Wednesday evening monthly. Register:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/formed-families-together-support-groups-tickets-147657582805

 

Grupo de Chat para Padres:  Unete a nuestro nuevo GRUPO DE CHAT mediante la aplicación de WhatsApp y podras mantenerte al tanto de todo lo que PEATC Latino esta haciendo. Entra al GRUPO: https://bit.ly/2VoU2vw   (Chat Group for Latino Parents)

 

Grupo de Educación y Apoyo a Padres en Española se reúne el cuarto sábado de cada mes, de 10 a 11 am en Zoom en https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9466001682 ID de reunión: 946 600 1682

 

Heads Up and Talk It Out — Teen and Parent Recovery Groups

These are concurrent virtual groups for teens (ages 14-17) who are working through emotional, mental health or substance use challenges and their parents every Thursday 6-7 pm.  Info:  https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/recovery/heads-up-talk-it-out

 

Kinship Café meets online 6:30-8:00 pm the 2nd Wednesday of the month for those raising the children of relatives and friends. To attend, call 703-324-7720 or email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov .

 

NAMI:  National Alliance on Mental Illness builds better lives for affected families. Arlington Parent Support Group meets two Sundays a month at 7:00-8:30 pm.  Contact:  Michelle Best mczero@yahoo.com

NAMI Family Support Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays on Zoom for parents of children living with mental health challenges including ADHD, ASD, etc.  https://zoom.us/j/94509229914 

NAMI Parent & Caregiver Support Group meets on the 4th Thursday monthly. Email namicva.org or call 804-285-1749 

 

OCD Family Support Group meets the 1st Mon. of each month, 7:30 pm.  Contact:  ela.mike@verizon.net   or  call 202-215-5859

 

Parent Café (for all Fairfax County parents and guardians) meets via Zoom in English on Mon., 7:45-9:15 pm, and en español, miércoles, 7:00-8:30 pm.  Register at least 24 hours in advance by email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-7720  

 

Parents in a Pandemic is for families of children or young adults with developmental and/or behavioral challenges.  They meet twice monthly, 5:30-6:30 pm on Wednesdays. Register:  https://thearcofnova.org/november-december-dates-for-virtual-parent-support-group-meetings/

 

Parents of Autistic Children (POAC-NOVA) Parent Support Group meets on Saturdays occasionally.  Contact:  Brianne Russel-Morris administrator@poac-nova.org .

 

Parents of Autistic Teens meets some Sat. of each month.  Contact:  Maria Dubuc 703-970-3676 or Admin@ASNV.org

 

REACH Parent Support Group meets monthly to support parents of individuals with developmental disabilities who also have mental health or behavioral issues.  Contact: Dr. Pourmand  mojgan.pourmand@eastersealsucp.com