Parent Resources
Agencies
The Arc of NCV is committed to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by ensuring that they are valued members of our community and are able to reach their full potential. They offer periodic advocacy workshops and stay connected with state advocacy initiatives.
DSS helps people overcome adversity to secure a strong future. They assist with gaining self-sufficiency, protect adults and children from abuse, and provide benefits to meet basic needs. DSS handles Medicaid applications and EDCD waiver applications.
Childfind Program (Ages 2 – 21)
Do you suspect your child has a disability?
Infant Toddler Connection (ITC) serves children birth through 2 years of age.
If your child is of school age (5-21) and is home-schooled, attends a private school within the boundaries of Fauquier County, or attends a Fauquier County Public School call the public school in which you are districted.
Autism
AACAP Autism Resource Center dedicates itself to helping families understand the signs, symptoms, and diagnosis of autism.
Autism Now provides resources and information for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, their families, and other targeted stakeholders.
Autism Speaks promotes solutions for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support, increasing understanding and acceptance of people with ASD, and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.
CDC is committed to providing essential data on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), search for possible causes and factors that put children at risk for ASD, and develop resources that help identify children with ASD as early as possible.
Healthy Children.org is an American Academy of Pediatrics parenting website that publishes research driven articles on various health topics including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Behavioral Health
ACMH provides information, support, resources, referral, and advocacy for children and youth with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and their families.
NFFCMH provides supports and services for children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges and their families.
NIMH is the lead federal agency for research on mental health disorders and is part of the National Institutes of Health. Its mission is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illness through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure.
AFB advocates for policies that promote accessibility, equality, and opportunity. AFB speaks up for children who are blind or visually impaired, to make sure they have the resources they need, including textbooks and classroom materials.
The mission of DBHDS is to support individuals by promoting recovery, self-determination, and wellness in all aspects of life. DBHDS compiles resources available to individuals and families seeking help with matters of mental health.
Blind & Visually Impaired
The American Council of the Blind works to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.
DBVI is an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia, which provides services and resources for Virginians who are blind, vision impaired, or deafblind to achieve their desired levels of employment, education, and personal independence.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing
The mission of the NAD is to preserve, protect, and promote the civil, human, and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing people in the United States of America. It is their vision that the language, culture, and heritage of deaf and hard of hearing Americans will be acknowledged and respected in the pursuit of life, liberty, and equality.
The NIDCD’s mission is to improve the lives of those experiencing hearing loss and other communication disorders. It conducts and supports research in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech and language and supports efforts to create devices that assist individuals with hearing loss or other communication disorders.
VDDHH works to reduce communication barriers for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. They offer interpreter information, technology assistance, training opportunities, community education, workshops and more.
VDBP is a statewide program designed to provide technical assistance, training, distance education, and networking information to families, teachers, and service providers of individuals, birth through age 21, who have both a hearing loss and vision loss.
Dyslexia
Bookshare is a project supported by the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Special Education Programs. It provides customized reading experiences for students with diagnosed reading barriers.
The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with learning disorders and mental health.
The mission of IDA is to create a future for all individuals who struggle with dyslexia and other related reading differences so that they may have richer, more robust lives and access to the tools and resources they need.
Their mission is to increase awareness of dyslexia and its true nature, specifically to illuminate the creative and intellectual strengths of those with dyslexia, to disseminate the latest scientific research and practical resources, and to transform the treatment of all dyslexic children and adults.
Early Childhood
Child Find is part of a federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). This law protects the rights of students with disabilities. Child Find is the program that requires all school systems to make active and ongoing efforts to identify, locate, and evaluate children who are in need of special education.
Inclusive Schools Network is a web-based educational resource for families, schools, and communities that promotes inclusive educational practices. It includes information on inclusive practices at the early childhood level.
The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia provides early intervention supports and services to infants and toddlers from birth through age three who are not developing as expected or who have a medical condition that can delay normal development. These supports and services are available for all eligible children and their families regardless of the family’s ability to pay.
Medicaid Waivers
Waivers allow state funds to be used for support of people with disabilities at home and in their community rather than in designated institutions.
Contact The Arc of NCV to learn more about Medicaid Waiver programs.
Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC+) Waiver
CCC+ Waiver is for individuals of any age with a medical need and who need assistance with activities of daily living.
Developmental Disability (DD) Waiver
DD Waiver is for individuals with developmental disabilities and young children with a substantial developmental delay. Call Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services (RRCS) to set up a DD Waiver screening appointment.
Military Families
Military One Source is an online compilation of resources for military families that covers a wide range of topics. These resources include specific information that pertains to military members who have an exceptional family member in need of special support.
The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) supports military families with special needs family members. EFMP provides families with information about, and referral to, local services. Enrollment in the EFMP is mandatory for active duty service members who have dependent family members with ongoing medical, mental health, or special educational needs.
By partnering with school liaison officers, military leaders, educators, and community organizations, the Virginia Department of Education provides resources and support for military service children and their families during all stages of transition and deployment.
Organizations
The mission of Moms in Motion, LLC, is to enhance the outcome for all their clients and families by using person-centered practices while providing service, sharing resources, continually expanding knowledge, and networking. Their primary area of growth is in advocating in school systems for younger clients, assisting young adults with transitioning to independence, and helping aging clients to be cared for by the people who love them. They serve clients of all ages: children, young adults, and the aging.
The mission of NCLD is to improve the lives of children and adults nationwide with learning and attention issues – by empowering parents and young adults, transforming schools, and advocating for equal rights and opportunities.
PEATC’s mission is to build positive futures by empowering individuals with disabilities through education and training. Their special focus is children with disabilities. PEATC offer services and support for families and professionals, easy-to-understand research based information and training, and opportunities for strategic partnerships and advocacy for systemic improvement.
T/TAC’s goal is to contribute to the success of students with disabilities by improving educational opportunities. Their website includes webinar links and other informative articles that may be beneficial to students and families.
Understood.org is for parents whose children are struggling with learning and attention issues. Understood supports parents in making effective choices for their children by providing resources, access to experts, a secure online community, and practical tips.
Social Skills
The CSEFEL website contains links and resources for families to use in developing social and emotional skills with children from infancy trough preschool age.
The Speech and Language Kids website provides a variety of resources for developing language. It provides ideas and activities for developing social skills including understanding social rules, using correct body language, using appropriate language, and using empathy to interact with others.
Transition & Adult Services
The Bridges Program is an RRCS service with a site in Warrenton, VA. This program offers day support services for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The program is generally funded through a Medicaid waiver.
In conjunction with VDOE, CTI’s mission is to provide information, resources, demonstrations, and research on pathways to employment that support youth with disabilities.
Didlake’s Community Inclusion program encompasses skill development/personal enrichment, expressive arts, community involvement, and educational and recreational activities. The program is generally funded through a Medicaid waiver.
IEC is a community-based, non-profit, non-residential service and advocacy organization operated by and for the people with disabilities in the state of Virginia. The vision of IEC is to assist people with disabilities to access appropriate community services, exercise their civil rights, participate in all aspects of society, and advocate their value to society. IEC service area covers Fauquier and Prince William counties as well as the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
DARS supports students as they move from high school to the world of work and adult life. DARS’ Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program offers high school students a variety of employment-related services and resources that may include career counseling, vocational evaluation, job training options and more.
WWRC offers vocational training options for Virginians with disabilities as well as vocational evaluations, guidance and counseling, life skills training, and drivers’ training as a post-secondary option. In addition, it has a program for high school age students with disabilities called PERT. PERT is a 10-day evaluation that assesses vocational, independent living, and recreational skills.
Twice Exceptional
NAGC provides an overview and explanation of the characteristics of a twice-exceptional child along with strategies parents can use to support their child’s growth and development.
TECA provides resources and community support to parents of twice-exceptional (2e) children. It promotes understanding and interventions for the social, emotional, and academic support of twice-exceptional students.
VDOE has established guidelines for the identification and instruction of students identified as twice exceptional. They have compiled a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document entitled Supporting the Identification and Achievement of the Twice-Exceptional Child.