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Showing Results 101 - 150 of 209
Description: IECMHC is a prevention-based approach that pairs a mental health consultant with adults who work with infants and young children in the different settings where they learn and grow, such as child care, preschool, home visiting, early intervention and their home. Mental health consultation is not about “fixing kids.” Nor is it therapy. Mental health consultation equips caregivers to facilitate children’s healthy social and emotional development.
Description: You are the school’s most important education partner. Research shows that when families are involved at home and at school, children do better academically and socially. So how do you show your support? Connect early and often. Reach out to your child’s teachers at the beginning of the school year and reconnect with the teacher whenever you attend a school event.   Commit to communicating. Schools and teachers send messages to families in a number of ways—backpack...
Description: This includes recordings of webinar presentations and accompanying materials on a range of topics sponsored by Formed Families Forward (FFF) including: Back to School Improving Organization and Study Skills Screen-Savvy Parenting Collaborative Problem Solving with Agency Partners Special Education Eligibility And many more
Description: Bright Horizons has been changing the way the world works for 30 years. Way back in 1986, our founders saw that child care was an enormous obstacle for working parents. Providing on-site centers became just one way we responded to help whole organizations work better. Today we offer child care, elder care, and help for education and careers -- tools used by more than 1,000 of the world’s top employers and that today power many of the world's best brands.
Description: This 9.5 minute video is designed for school personnel and families. It offers an overview of education equity and suggests strategies for facilitating greater educational equity through meaningful family engagement practices. The video features the voices and lived experiences of students, parents and caregivers, and school leaders. Strategies are organized by key components of family engagement in  multitiered systems of supports. The video has captions available in English and Spanish. A...
Description: This document is designed to guide the Program Leadership Team around considerations for supporting children, families, and staff as they return to the program. The guidance includes Pyramid Model practices you know and encourages you to think about those strategies from a trauma-informed perspective. While the leadership team may not know who among children, families, and staff have or are experiencing trauma, a trauma-informed approach guides programs in providing a safe and nurturing...
Description: In January 2020, Virginia legislators passed House Bill 817 requiring the Department of Education (VDOE), in collaboration with the Department of Health and medical professional societies, to develop health and safety guidelines related to the use of digital devices in the classroom. The VDOE convened a Digital Devices in the Classroom Workgroup to develop guidelines.  The Digital Devices in the Classroom: Health and Safety Guidelines document addresses digital device use for different age...
Description: Frequently Asked Questions About Career Exploration for Youth with Disabilities Career exploration is an important step in helping a student fulfill long term employment goals. This exploration can help a student connect to a path that is appealing, fulfilling, and leads to a desired career. The following key questions and answers will help with decision-making and information gathering concerning academic and career choices. What is career exploration?Career exploration is one way to find out...
Description: These questions can be used to establish a relationship with families and encourage two-way communication. Edit this survey to fit the needs of your community and classroom. Remember: brevity is best. Only include the questions that you believe will best inform your relationship with your students and families. Bolded & italicized script should especially be edited. The attached Word version can be updated for the current school year.
Description: 1. Inclusive Practices in Successful Schools: Virginia Inclusive Schools Planning Guide Module (Stetson & Associates, Inc.) addresses the following components: (Note: This module works best in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Safari. If in Firefox, start the module, then click on the three loading dots. The module should play.) A Clear and Consistent Vision and Vocabulary for Inclusive Schools, Legislative and Accountability Standards, Strong Tier One Instruction, Student-Centered...
Description: This is a compilation of articles about the importance of self-care as well as helpful strategies for parents, family members and caregivers.
Description: When a child endures a traumatic experience, the whole family feels the impact. But adults hold the power to help lessen its effects. Several factors can change the course of kids’ lives: feeling seen and heard by a caring adult, being patiently taught coping strategies and resilience-building techniques, and being with adults who know about the effects of such experiences. The resources provided include printables, videos and more on topics to help families.
Description: Welcome to the online trauma learning modules for Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports, VTSS. They believe that becoming a Trauma-Sensitive School is a journey. These tools will help to develop the systems to gain knowledge, to build practices, and to have the skills to support a Trauma-Sensitive School. Within the learning modules, you will interact with content that is focused on developing a Trauma-Sensitive School. Supplemental activities, resources, and an action planner are included to...
Description: Family engagement is increasingly recognized as a critical link in advancing school reform efforts, and the current emphasis on successful strategies for school turnaround necessitates research-based information and practices on effective family and community engagement approaches that support student achievement and school improvement.   To assist in the goal of understanding how family and community partnerships can promote school improvement efforts, this literature review strives to...
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: Q. How can teachers and family support staff engage parents around children’s learning and development during COVID-19? When creating family engagement plans and strategies to support children’s learning and development under non-traditional circumstances, schools should make sure families have everything they need for their children to learn. Communicating with families around what type of support they need and how they would like to receive this support is important. The only way...
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: 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: Culturally Responsive Teaching: A Reflection Guide offers a set of reflection questions that make self­ appraisal, goal setting, and critical conversations across the eight competencies more concrete. We also share research evidence that describes the benefits of culturally responsive teaching. Now is the time to revamp efforts to foster a culturally responsive teacher workforce. We hope this resource enables teachers and those who support them to promote rigorous and relevant learning...
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: This module—a revision of Collaborating with Families, which was originally developed in cooperation with the PACER Center—addresses the importance of engaging the families of students with disabilities in their child’s education. It highlights some of the key factors that affect these families and outlines some practical ways to build relationships and create opportunities for involvement (est. completion time: 1 hour).
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...