The Friday FYI
February 9, 2024
Visit our website & Facebook page for the latest updates!
Visit the Hanover County Parent Teacher Resource Center website for the latest announcements about upcoming workshops & webinars and the links to register. Don't forget to check out our Facebook page, too!
Please note: If you have "early access" (before Friday) to the Friday FYI, please be sure to revisit this page after Friday morning at 7:30am when the Friday FYI is officially published! We will continue to update each edition until Friday morning when the link is distributed through HCPS Blackboard Connect. Thank you!
SEAC Membership Recruitment
The Next Steps Transition Conference and Resource Fair will be March 2, 2024, at Hanover High School. Conference sessions on a variety of topics related to transition for students of ALL ages will be offered. Exhibitors will be on site from 9:00am-1:00pm, and families can visit their tables to get information about the organizations and the activities they provide.
Learn more about the Next Steps Transition Conference & Resource Fair by visiting the event website: bit.ly/NextStepsTransitionConference
You will find information about the conference sessions being offered, recommended tracks for each grade level, and link to the websites of the agencies & organizations that will have resource tables at the event.
PRE-REGISTER for the Next Steps Transition Conference & Resource Fair HERE.
Registration is not required but will help us in planning for the event.
NEW Resource from the VA Department of Education
The Virginia Department of Education has posted a series of videos designed to help families understand the special education process from start to finish. Videos are less than 3 minutes long and cover all phases of the special education process from Identification to Eligibility to Individualized Education Programs. Visit the Virginia SPED Family website or the PTRC IEP & Family Resource Guide page to find the links to all of the videos!
AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Series
The Inclusive Learning Team will be offering more information on AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) in 2024. Click the link to register for one workshop, or all three, and to submit your AAC questions! AAC Workshop Series
- February 29th: Virtual Q&A (Google Meet), 12:00-1:00pm: Send us your questions and register here. A link will be sent one week before the event to those who register.
- March 28th: Adults only field trip to the grocery store. Meet up at the Rutland Kroger at 10:30am, and practice using AAC as we grocery shop!
- May 9th: Ideas for Summer Fun. Location & time TBD.
HCPS Preschool Behavior Series & Preschool Resources
Other Preschool Resources
Check out the 1-2-3 Magic Parenting Tips Blog for information and resources related to everything from positive behavior & routines to dealing with daily stress.
Visit the Children's Museum of Virginia website for parenting tip sheets like this one, "Tired of Hearing or Saying No?" and other helpful resources.
Using AT (Assistive Technology) Resources at home
Visit the Step Up AT website for resources on using AT (Assistive Technology) at home to support early literacy and to learn more about ways to engage young children in reading. There are other video resources on AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication), Writing Tools, and tools for students with vision or hearing impairments.
Transition Resources
- PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) is offering a course for students called "Do You Want to Work?" that will explain vocational rehabilitation services and more. Find out more on the PEATC website.
- The VCU Center on Transition Innovations has a free, online, self-paced course all about Transition Planning. Visit their website to learn more about Fundamentals of Transition Planning.
- PEATC's (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) new Transition Newsletter with a focus on Vocational Rehabilitation Services and links to upcoming courses related to transition.
- Transition University will be open February 24-April 28, 2024. This free, self-paced course provides families and professionals with information to help make transitions easier for students with disabilities. Information about decision-making options, transitioning to independent living, and connecting to community services will be shared.
- Join PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) for a live webinar, Connecting the Dots: Transition to Adulthood Edition, to hear more about the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center and how WWRC helps students to prepare for the transition to life after high school! February 15, 2024, from 6:00-7:00pm.
- HCBS (Home & Community Based Settings) Regulations: An Overview for Individuals with DD and Their Families March 7, 2024 | 6:00 p.m. The DBHDS (Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services) Office of Community Network Supports (CNS) in the Division of Developmental Services (DS) is partnering with the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to offer virtual training on the Home and Community Based Settings Regulation Final Rule (HCBS Final Rule). In this virtual training, you will learn what the HCBS Final Rule is and how it applies to individuals receiving DD waiver services. There will also be a discussion about person-centered plans, HCBS and guardianship, the individual HCBS modification process, common areas for remediation, and provider requirements. REGISTER HERE
- The Spectrum of Decision-Making Options in Virginia: Supported Decision-Making to Guardianship and Everything in Between March 19, 2024 | 6:00 p.m. Join DBHDS (Department of Behavioral Health & Human Services) to learn more about the decision-making options available to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Virginia. Learn the difference between capacity, competency, and consent, as well as how people can get help making decisions from the least restrictive options (i.e. supported decision-making) to the most restrictive options (i.e. legal guardianship). REGISTER HERE
Think College from RAISE
Think College is presenting a webinar "Flexible Supports for College Success" on March 6, 2024. Key topics addressed in the webinar:
- Supported Education: Learn how peer mentors and educational coaches provide individualized support to students.
- Campus Resources: Discover disability services accommodations and campus support center offerings.
- Student Perspectives: Hear stories from current students on their experience using and accessing campus support services.
On Monday, March 18, 2024, at 2:00pm, Think College will offer more information about the Think College campaign which is designed to help students with intellectual disabilities think about attending college. During this webinar attendees will hear about:
- The current situation regarding college options for students with intellectual disability.
- New resources from the Think Higher. Think College. campaign.
- Options that exist for students with intellectual disability, how to guide students to pursue college, and what the college experience is like for a student with intellectual disability.
For more resources, visit RAISECenter.org or ThinkCollege.net.
Winter Courses from PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center)
Visit the PEATC website to learn more and to register for these upcoming courses:
- Early Childhood Academy: Online, self-paced, and FREE! This course will be open from January 19-February 23, 2024. This course is for families of young children (birth through age 6) with disabilities or developmental delays.
- Winter Special Education Workshop Series : This is a series of live-streamed, virtual courses: Measurable IEP Goals (February 21), Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings (March 6), and Dispute Resolution Options in VA (March 20).
- Let's Talk About Sex: Sexual Health & Wellness Training for families of students with disabilities. Topics related to online safety & social media, puberty, consent, and relationships will be addressed. Access the online, self-paced training module (1.5-2 hours) between February 1 and February 29th, then join PEATC and the Region 3 PRC for a virtual Q&A on February 29th from 6:30-7:30pm
Local Activities & Programming
Minds of All Kinds at the Science Museum of VA
Visit the Science Museum of Virginia on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 4:00-8:00pm for "Minds of All Kinds," a sensory-friendly night developed just for children with disabilities. Visit their website for more information about all of the activities that will be available and to register for the event. The event is free, but registration is required.
Autism Society of Central VA
The Autism Society of Central Virginia has reorganized their website, so you can find activities and events for your student's age group. Visit the ASCV Programming page, and click on the tab for your child's age to explore all of the wonderful things the ASCV has to offer!
Jacob's Chance
Broom Ball, Bowling, and Basketball! Visit the Jacob's Chance website for more information about their winter recreation activities, including basketball and Taekwondo. Jacob's Chance has a variety of other events & activities throughout the year, including social gatherings for various ages, family events, and more!
Virginia Down Syndrome Association
The Virginia Down Syndrome Association has January events listed on their calendar page. Visit their website to learn more!
Summer Camp Information!
It's not too soon to start thinking about summer...and we can always use some warm thoughts in the middle of winter. Information about Summer Camps & Activities will be added here as we receive them, so check back often!
VA Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
YMCA Summer Camps/ EveryBuddy Camp
Very Special Camps (NOT local to Richmond, VA)
Camp Free2BeMe (ages 14 and up, young adults with autism)
Autism Society of Central Virginia (*registration is not yet open)
Miracles in Motion (*registration is not yet open)
Hanover Parks & Rec (ongoing programs): Be sure to click the Therapeutic Recreation tab
Contact the Parent Teacher Resource Center
HCPS Parent Teacher Resource Center
Email: hanoverprc@hcps.us
Website: https://www.hcps.us/departments/instruction/special_education/parent_resource_center
Phone: 804-365-4596
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HanoverParentResourceCenter