Below, please find valuable information and resources for families of students with disabilities.

Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities One-Pager Library

The Critical Decision Points (CDP) for Families of Children with Disabilities curriculum was developed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) through a grant provided by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) in order to assist families with understanding keys to their children's academic success, as well as the decisions that they will have to make throughout their children's careers in public education.

The VDOE is in the process of developing a CDP One-Pager Library that will be housed on the VDOE's Information for Families webpage. These one-pagers will provide families with quick reference guides that explain the keys to academic success, as well as the various critical decision points.

Four additional one-pagers have recently become available!  Please check out the following:

I Disagree with an Eligibility or IEP Team Decision

Understanding your Rights

Promoting my Child's Independence and Self-Determination

Regular Attendance

Several more one-pagers are forthcoming and will be sent via future Engage Your Family newsletters.

Current and Upcoming Training Opportunities

The Parent Education Advocacy Training Center (PEATC), in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), is offering the following training opportunities for families and educators:

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Training

Attention SEAC members and advisors:  Don't miss this opportunity! This self-paced SEAC training is aimed at helping SEAC members understand the role of the local SEAC in Virginia and to build a more efficient and effective advisory committee.

Register today for the Special Education Advisory Committee Virtual Training.

Early Childhood Academy

Parents are their child's first and most important teachers, and the early years are a critical time for growth and development. Helping children learn and grow doesn't have to be complicated or done alone.

In this free, virtual five-week learning program, parents and caregivers will learn useful tips and ideas for supporting their child's development. This course is designed so that busy families can learn on their own schedule with new sessions opening weekly and available anytime, day or night. Participants who complete all sessions will receive a certificate of completion with six contact hours. 

Register today for Early Childhood Academy.

Transition University

Transition University is a five-session self-paced online series to help families navigate the transition process for their school age child and prepare for the adult world.

Life is full of transitions. Join us for this online course that focuses on providing family-friendly transition information to help make transition planning easier. Sessions contain video content, written content, discussion opportunities, and resources. Register today for Transition University.