Family Engagement
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Description: Virginia school divisions are required to have a special education advisory committee. The purpose of the committee is to provide an opportunity for parents and other school board appointees to have a voice in the way that school divisions provide services to students with disabilities. LSEAC members are appointed by local school boards. The committees provide reports and recommendations to their school boards. The purpose of the SEACs Guide: A Guide for Local Special Education...
Description: VDOE is replacing the 2021 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools with model policies that support positive and safe learning environments for all students while respecting the rights and values of parents.
Description: Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities - The Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities guide was developed in order to assist families of children with disabilities with understanding keys to their children's academic success, as well as decisions that they will have to make throughout their children's careers in public education. Information is provided that will assist parents with understanding not only what decisions will need...
Description: For LGBTQ+ Students: engaged and supportive families provide needed understanding, care and resilience. supportive families can mitigate other risk factors for LGBTQ+ youth. lack of family support can lead to conflict, running away, homelessness increasing the overall risk for mental health problems, including depression and suicidal ideation, among LGBTQ+ youth. (Excerpted from John Taylor's Side by Side Presentation: School PRIDE in the 21st Century Strategies to Ensure Inclusive School...
Description: These are a variety of commercially available online tools that can help with student engagement, assessment, and instructional materials. EdPuzzle provides high-quality lessons, interactive learning, student accountabillity and easy-to-read analytics. There is no charge for Basic, but there are other paid levels with additional features. Kahoot! can help to review lesson content, reinforce learning and increase focus and motivation. There are charges for the various levels of the program....
Description: Parent Resource Centers (PRCs) exist in nearly forty school divisions in the Commonwealth of Virginia. PRCs work to foster collaborative connections between families of students with disabilities and their schools. PRCs assist families by providing resources, training, and support. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) supports PRCs through the provision of funding for personnel and activities/products that support families of students with disabilities in Virginia. The VDOE also provides...
Description: An Ombudsman is a person who serves as a designated neutral party who advocates for a fair process and provides confidential, informal assistance and support to parents, guardians, advocates, educators, and students with disabilities. The Parent Ombudsman for Special Education serves as a resource to parents in non-legal special education matters.
Description: These resources include Parent Handouts on Attendance and Toolkits for Parent Engagement, Attendance, and Military familes as well as for handouts for parents and students in different grade levels and in a variety of languages (English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Chinese). There are also flyers to help parents decide if their children are too sick, pledge cards and interactive exercises. Strategies for Connecting with Students & FamiliesSchool districts should consider revamping...
Description: It's been said that "necessity is the mother of invention". When the pandemic struck last year, practitioners in early education and early childhood special education, and parents came together to support young children and their families through remote service delivery. This multi-part video series, developed by Larry Edelman, features preschool staff and families from five states and illustrates their working together to use technology to make the virtual learning experience exciting,...
Description: Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success - This toolkit helps families and schools work together to support children’s literacy success in and out of school. You will learn: Tips for starting or enhancing discussions about literacy instruction and intervention Ways to increase your joint understanding of evidence-based literacy practices Strategies for addressing concerns about children’s literacy development together This toolkit includes: An Online...
Description: The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) created this document for families about virtual learning vocabulary in English and in Spanish.
Description: This Northern Virginia Family Resource Directory is provided as a free service to families and professionals by Formed Families Forward with financial support of SCAN of Northern Virginia. The Directory provides information and contact information for organizations, agencies and private practices offering programs, services and other resources for children, youth and families. There is a special focus on providers who serve families formed by adoption, foster care and kinship care who are...
Description: TalkingPoints is an education technology nonprofit with a mission to drive student success by using accessible technology to unlock the potential of family engagement in children’s education. Our multilingual technology platform connects and empowers families and teachers by using human and AI-powered, two-way translated communication and personalized content. This unique approach eliminates barriers including language, time, mindsets, and capacity to foster strong family engagement in...
Description: Many of these materials were developed to support educators and families during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they can be used to support virtual delivery of intensive intervention for students in virtual learning programs, as a result of adverse weather events, or to extend practice opportunities and learning at home. Going Virtual: Considerations for Adjusting DBI Implementation Sample Virtual Lessons Collecting Progress Monitoring Data Virtually Using Sample Lessons to...
Description: Jill’s House is a Christian non-profit that provides short-term, overnight respite care for families raising kids ages 6-17 with intellectual disabilities in the DC metro area, and around the country. Parents regularly receive 24-48 hours to rest and recharge, while their kids are engaged in fun activities, tailored to their interests and abilities.
Description: This includes 5 Key Practies and 10 Ideas for Educators to Assist with Culturally Responsive Family Engagement. Build Relationships and Be Present. Recognize, Honor, and Promote Existing Knowledge. Identify and Use What Works for Each Family. Promote Culture of Awareness Learning, and Sharing. Foster Community by Building Social Capital.
Description: This webinar focuses on how family engagement can make a difference for students and communities across the Commonwealth. Dr Steve Constantino is the presenter for this webinar that was recorded on Nov. 8, 2019.
Description: A core component of a high-quality early education experience is that children are provided opportunities, experiences and materials that allow them to engage deeply within developmental/early learning domains to build their school readiness skills. Virginia's Foundation Blocks for Early Learning articulates the skills and knowledge young children need to demonstrate by the end of preschool in order to be successful in kindergarten. Using effective curricula helps ensure that children are...
Description: VCU-ACE has resources for families about raising and supporting young children with ASD. They also have resources for educators and providers as they learn more about ASD and how to use evidence-based practices. For Parents: Raising a child diagnosed with ASD can be confusing and overwhelming. Many times, parents and family members struggle to understand the diagnosis, how to support their child's success, and how to problem-solve through challenges. Information from our seminars, webcasts, and...
Description: Remote Learning Guidance:Students with disabilities often have complex needs regarding accessing the curriculum. The individual needs of students are varied and present challenges for families currently working to provide instruction in virtual and remote learning environments. Families need to feel comfortable requesting more frequent communication and increased support from educators who are assisting with instruction in the home. The purpose of this document is to help families identify ways...
Description: The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. Developmentally Appropriate Approaches to Literacy: Books Articles Blog Classrooom Favorites: Articles To Share with Families Articles Most Recent Articles
Description: It’s fascinating to watch young children learn about their world and develop new skills. And, it’s natural to find variation in the pace of development of different skills. The information and resources in this section will help parents and educators understand and support preschool-aged children's development. Early Literacy Early Math Early Childhood Resource Locator
Description: Research shows that engaging families in education is critical not only to a child’s success, but to the entire family’s economic and social well-being. The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) promotes family education solutions across three approaches by engaging families, educators, administrators, and advocates to drive results and ultimately reduce education inequities. Our work supports multigenerational learning for families from early childhood through adult...
Description: Parents can obtain ID cards for their children under age 15 at any DMV customer service center. The cost of a child ID card is $2 per year (minimum $10; maximum $16). In addition to serving as an identity document, the child’s photograph is stored in DMV’s database. If the child becomes missing, DMV can retrieve the image from the database and transmit it to law enforcement anywhere in the U.S. Child ID cards will expire on the last day of the customer’s month of birth in a...
Description: The National Child ID Program has distributed over 70 million inkless in-home child id kits since its founding following Amber Hagerman’s disappearance in 1997. These inkless kits do not enter a database and a stored at home by parents, providing them with a gift of safety they hopefully never have to use. The kits take two minutes to complete and allow parents to safely store in their own home the vast majority of their child’s vital information should law enforcement ever need it...
Description: The National Early Literacy Panel looked at studies of early literacy and found that there are many things that parents and preschools can do to improve the literacy development of their young children and that different approaches influence the development of a different pattern of essential skills. Identification of the domain of early literacy skills Six early skills predictive of later literacy achievement Five early skills moderately predictive of later literacy achievement Instructional...
Description: Figuring out what's going on with your child can feel overwhelming. That's why we're here to help. Introducing Take N.O.T.E., a simple step-by-step tool to help you figure out if the struggles you’re seeing might be signs of a learning and thinking difference. N- Notice O- Observe T- Talk E- Engage
Description: TIES Center Increasing the time, instructional effectiveness, engagement, and state and district support for inclusive practices is the goal to eliminate the research to practice gap for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Realizing this goal requires high expectations and a presumption of competence for each student, which then leads to the provision of equitable opportunities and collaborative support. These expectations, opportunities, and support are critical in the realization...
Description: Communicating with teachers can present some challenges, but continually working with them can create opportunities.
Description: Virtual IEP Meeting Tip Sheets (A Collaborative Effort Across OSEP-Funded Projects) Virtual Meetings: Strategies, Tips and Resources (The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education, CADRE) Resources for Families and Students (Progress Center: Promoting Progress for Students with Disabilities) IEP Accommodations During Distance Learning (Understood.org) Virtual Learning and Accommodations Guide (Assistive Technology Network of Virginia) How to Support Students in Virtual IEP...
Description: Distance learning brings new challenges to special education. One of the biggest challenges is how to implement accommodations for students who have an Individualized Education Program. Innovative thinking and an understanding of available tools can make accommodations work during distance learning. Plus, many of these online strategies and tools can help provide accommodations during in-person learning. The charts provided give some examples of how commonly used accommodations can work in both...
Description: As we transition from summer to the new school year, your child may face challenges with adjusting to a new routine. We have some resources that may help you and your family so they can continue to thrive. Child Won’t Follow a Routine or Schedule? Try These 5 Tips Download: Picture Schedules for Daily Routines Getting Ready for School Getting Ready for Bed Afterschool Routine Cleaning Up Room 8 Ways to Make School Morning Routines Easier Organization Printables: Resources for Families...
Description: A Four-Pronged Approach to Supporting Your Child’s Technology Use As a parent, you might be wondering what apps and games are age-appropriate for your child. How you can help your child enjoy technology and media in a safe way? FCPS recommends a four-pronged approach for supporting children. This approach will help your child become a smart, safe and balanced user of technology. Parents using the four-pronged approach will: Establish expectations by developing and enforcing media and...
Description: The Recorded Webinars include: Learning at Home in a Trauma Sensitive Environment webinar and discussion Our Shared Space –A Home and Virtual Classroom webinar and discussion Supporting Positive Behaviors during Learning at Home webinar/discussion A Conversation between Families & Educators: Strengthening Strategies for a Socially Distant Summer! webinar Planning the High School Transition to Post-Secondary Education webinar recording Getting Ready to Help Your Child Learn at Home...
Description: The goals of the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) are to assist states and programs in their implementation of sustainable systems for the implementation of the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children (Pyramid Model) within early intervention and early education programs with a focus on promoting the social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes of young children birth to five, reducing the use of inappropriate discipline...
Description: Family participation is an essential feature of the development and implementation of high-quality educational programming for students with disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that families, and students when appropriate, participate in the development, monitoring, and the implementation of individualized education program (IEP). Although this participation is a legal requirement, collaborative partnerships between families and school personnel also...
Description: Circumstances may prohibit participants from attending special education meetings in person. In these situations, technology allows one or all of the individuals to participate through the Internet or telephone. Many types of meetings can occur virtually, including IEP meetings, mediations, resolution sessions, and due process hearings. While each of these types of meetings is unique, virtual meetings share common traits and considerations. Here we have collected resources, tips and...
Description: English Learners (ELs) may face unique challenges and have distinct social emotional needs. School closures and social distancing could exacerbate the stresses of learning a new language and navigating a different culture as well as heighten inequities and disparities.
Description: Designed for family members, this 10 minute video explains the Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS) and offers concrete tips and strategies to engage with school partners more effectively. The video features family members and school staff from around Virginia, sharing their own lived experiences and suggestions for building stronger connections between families and educators to improve outcomes for all students. A fact sheet accompanies the video. A Fact Sheet to Accompany Family...
Description: Good mental health is critical to every child's success in school and life. This is particularly true for students with disabilities, who, according to recent research, are more likely to experience social isolation from peer and suffer from depression in adulthood. Students with disabilities may need additional support to process the news and adapt to the many changes we are all facing. Professional working with students with disabilities (SWD) need to proactively support both academic and...
Description: If you or a loved one are having a tough time affording groceries right now, know that you’re not alone! Help is available, and nonprofit VirginiaNavigator can guide you. Here are 3 things you can try. Find food assistance programs near you. On VirginiaNavigator.org, enter your ZIP code and search for “food.” Apply for SNAP benefits. The average monthly SNAP benefit for Virginia residents is $128 per person. Learn more about SNAP and find out if you qualify. No Kid Hungry will...
Description: A tremendous amount of social and emotional development takes place during the early years of a child’s life. The emotional well-being of young children is an important consideration for educators and caregivers supporting early learners (pre-K - grade 3) during this critical time.
Description: The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has put together a resource listing that will help you and your child to prioritize your mental wellness. In addition to keeping children physically safe during the pandemic, it is also important to care for their emotional health. The threat of COVID-19, long-term social distancing, and prolonged disruption to the school routine may create significant stress and impact children's mental well-being.
Description: Research indicates that military-connected children are at higher risk of physical, psychological, and behavioral health issues than their civilian counterparts and could be at potential risk for toxic stress. The COVID-19 pandemic has likely increased the potential for stress among military families, especially those whose service member(s) are on the front lines working to care for those who are ill.
Description: This guide highlights 5 key practices for teachers and families to support all students, including students with disabilities, at school and home. For each practice, the guide provides (a) tips for teachers to support students with disabilities during instruction; (b) tips for families that educators can share to support or enhance learning at home, especially during periods of remote instruction; and (c) free-access resources that include strategies shown to be effective by research (e.g.,...
Description: The resources are organized by the following topics: Early Childhood Education Resources Counseling Resources Online Learning Resources Math Education Resources Culturally and Diverse Learner Resources Health and Physical Education Resources
Description: This brief provides guidance to parents, family members, and caregivers about using the power of play to build resilience and support healing. Some of the ideas outlined in the brief include: Create opportunities for young children to communicate their fears and express their big feelings in constructive ways. Support children in releasing the extra energy charge that accumulates in their bodies after a stressful or traumatic experience. Teach infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children...
Description: The Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA) is an uncommon coalition of organizations committed to resource sharing and community-building that supports the efforts of the education community to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
Description: Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Confident Parents Confident Kids: A site for parents actively supporting kids' social and emotional development Edutopia (George Lucas Educational Foundation) (Social and Emotional Learning Resources) Mindful Schools Reduce Student Anxiety (and Your Own) During Uncertain Times (Common Sense Media) Social Emotional Wellness Considerations for Parents and Caregivers Quick Guide & Video (Virginia Department of Education, VDOE)...
Description: This site is focused on skills promotion and prevention, not on problems. Problems will be addressed but in a way that uses the situation as a “teachable moment” for the child and the whole family. In short, suggestions are meant to be used right away and easily to support you in optimizing your child’s social and emotional learning AND your family’s connectedness.