Below, please find new resources for families of students with disabilities in Virginia.

2023 MOVE - Youth and Family Summit

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) welcomes all students with disabilities to participate in MOVE, a three-day summit sponsored by the VDOE to help students unlock their potential to overcome barriers, become self-determined, and graduate high school to be college and career-ready.  While the event is open to and intended to support all students with disabilities from across the Commonwealth, the program is oriented to provide support to African-American males with disabilities.

All costs associated with lodging and meals are covered, as well as reimbursement for mileage to and from the event.

Date: July 16-18, 2023

Location: Virginia State University

Event type: Face-to-face event

Ages: 14-21 years old

If you would like to be considered to attend this in-person event, please complete the 2023 MOVE Summit application by March 20, 2023.

New Resource for Families

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has recently developed a new resource for families whose children are being placed in a private day school by their Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams.

Please visit When Your Child is Placed in a Private Day School: A Guide for Families for this valuable information. 

New Resources on Trauma and Disabilities

Formed Families Forward is excited to share their new Critical Crossroads video and print resources. The products address the intersection of disability and trauma and offer families, youth, educators, and other community providers high quality practical tools for understanding trauma in children and youth with disabilities. Specific trauma-informed strategies for special education evaluations and for individualized education programs (IEPs) are offered. Videos feature voices of regional families and experts.

Resources are available in Spanish and English. Critical Crossroads was made possible through a grant to FFF by the Potomac Health Foundation.

New Interactive Special Education Mediation Toolkit

The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) announces the publication of their latest parent-friendly resource, Special Education Mediation Toolkit. This toolkit provides detailed information on everything you need to know about why, when, and how to request a Special Education Mediation.

This toolkit has been reviewed by the Office of Dispute Resolution (ODRAS) and the Office of Facilities and Family Engagement (SEFFE) in the Department of Special Education and Student Services (SESS) at the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and will answer many of your questions about the process. 

You can download your  Special Education Mediation Toolkit or you may request a paper copy by contacting PEATC at partners@peatc.org; telephone at (800) 869-6782.