The Arc and PWCS Special Education Department - Parent Resource Center invite you to attend a very special workshop/webinar: "ABLE Accounts & Special Needs Trusts" with Rebecca Lyons, ABLENow, and Tia Marsili, Director of Trusts, The Arc of Northern Virginia - March 24, 2023

  • For Americans with disabilities, future financial planning can be a daunting experience. This is particularly true when trying to maintain federally-based benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), programs that limit the amount of personal assets a recipient can have before reducing the amount covered by these program. Two vital money management tools available to persons with disabilities are special needs trusts (SNTs) and ABLE accounts. While both programs allow users to increase their financial options while protecting their eligibility for public benefits, there are many important differences to be aware of when choosing which to use, or indeed whether to use a combination of the two. For many beneficiaries, establishing both an ABLE account and a SNT (or two) to meet their various needs can work in harmony. Join Tia Marsili, Director of Trusts at The Arc of Northern Virginia, Rebecca Lyons from ABLEnow as they discuss the differences between ABLE accounts and special needs trusts, and what the best options may be for your family's needs.
  • When: Friday, March 24, 2023 (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
  • Where: Virtual Via Zoom.
  • Register

If you missed the Virtual Circle of Support Conference

  • You can still access the keynote address (added November 18, 2021) and all the pre recorded work shops.
  • Please visit The Arc - Circle of Support
    • Click on the orange button to access the virtual conference portal
    • I am keeping the link active for as long as I can.
    • There are some great workshops and the keynote with Ronnie Sidney II is not to be missed!

TTAC Resource Spotlight

(A resource brief to support virtual professional learning for division partner staff and families)

Presented by Virginia Department of Education Training and Technical Assistance Center George Mason University.

Family Resources for Virtual and Hybrid Special Education.

  • VDOE: COVID-10 Resources for Parents, Families, and Caregivers
    • Virginia Department of Education webpage for families that is continually updated with critical COVID-19 information and resources for families with students with disabilities.
  • MCPER: "Helping Your Kid With..." Videos for Families
    • The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk (MCPER) provides videos to help families use effective practices to teach students at home due to COVID-19. Topics covered include: Early language and literacy, building vocabulary and comprehension, activity transitions, cooperating with difficult tasks, and many more.
  • IRIS Module: Parents: Supporting Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic
    • This module offers tips for family members to support children learning at home during the COVID-10 pandemic and answers questions such as: "what is my role, how can I support my child socially and emotionally, and how can I found out what my child should be learning?"
  • Formed Families Forward: Webinar Recordings and Accompanying Materials
    • Formed Families Forward, a partner organization with Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS), provides relevant pandemic specific webinars on topics such as: "Learning at Home in a Trauma Sensitive Environment." "Our Shared Space - A Home and Virtual Classroom," "Supporting Positive Behaviors during Learning at Home," "Planning the High School Transition to Post-Secondary Education," and "getting Ready to Help Your Child Learn at Home."
  • Assistive Technology Network, VDOE: Virtual Therapy Webinars
    • Topics include: "Exploring Platform Options for Virtual Therapies, "Coaching Facilitators to Maximize Virtual Therapy Sessions," "Interactive Activities to Keep Students Engaged During Virtual Therapy Sessions," and a downloadable Virtual Learning and Accommodations Guide
  • For additional excellent resources visit the VA Family Special Education Connection and TTAC Online.