The Arc South of the James

08/16/2025

Join the Creative Approach Development Center (CADC) for a free, one-day virtual mini-conference designed for childcare providers, early childhood educators, program administrators, and caregivers. Gain practical tools, strategies, and resources for supporting children with disabilities and mental health needs in your care.

You’ll learn how to:
- Recognize early signs of developmental, behavioral, and emotional challenges
- Use inclusive, trauma-informed practices in classrooms and centers
- Adapt activities and environments for diverse needs
- Collaborate effectively with families and support professionals
- Manage challenging behaviors while promoting social-emotional growth

Registration includes:
- Live access to all sessions
- Downloadable resources & activity guides
- Certificate of attendance (3.5 training hours)

Event Details:
Saturday, October 11, 2025
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM EST
Virtual on Zoom

Register: Zoom link below (also in bio) or QR code on flyer:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CAZFBC71Siu3OlymwPHELg



[ Alt Text ]
Flyer for the Creative Approach Development Center Virtual Mini Conference, “Supporting Children with Disabilities & Mental Health Needs in Childcare Settings,” October 11, 2025, 9:00 AM–12:30 PM EST, with presenter photos, details, and QR code.

[ Image Description ]
Peach flyer for the Creative Approach Development Center Virtual Mini Conference, “Supporting Children with Disabilities & Mental Health Needs in Childcare Settings,” on October 11, 2025, 9:00 AM–12:30 PM EST. Features cartoon children holding the title banner, headshots of presenters Dr. Zipporah Levi-Shackleford, Makahla Jackson, and Kathleen Gibson, event details, target audience, QR code, and CreativeApproachOnline.com.

08/15/2025

IMPORTANT! ⚠️
If you are the court-appointed guardian for a person with a disability, you are now required by law to complete the new Virginia Guardian Training.

The deadline for completing the training depends on when you were appointed to serve as guardian.
📆 Appointed prior to July 1, 2025: must complete training by January 1, 2027
📆 Appointed on or after July 1, 2025: must complete training within 120 days after the date of qualification

The training was developed by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and covers the following topics:
✔️ Responsibilities and duties of guardians,
✔️ How to complete annual guardianship reports,
✔️ How to include and encourage adults under guardianship to take part in decisions about their lives
✔️ Medical advocacy, and
✔️ Decision-making on behalf of other persons.

Learn more and access the registration form here: https://tinyurl.com/mrz8wsm3

08/14/2025

Addressing Behaviors Confidently
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Learn how to help your child be successful at home and school. This presentation will teach the basics of social and emotional skills like coping with feelings and making decisions. We will share examples of how to respond to interfering behaviors and big emotions and you’ll learn about school behavior support options available including Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP).

Leave with practical strategies for addressing behavior confidently and resources for supporting your child’s learning.

*IN-PERSON WORKSHOP*

Location:
Colonial Heights Technical Center
3451 Conduit Road
Colonial Heights, VA 23834

Refreshments and on-site childcare will be provided.

Registration: https://tinyurl.com/4zr7bamy

Presented by PEATC in partnership with Colonial Heights Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

08/04/2025

07/31/2025

For ages 2-7. Special Olympics Young Athletes is a sport and play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities (ID). Young Athletes introduces basic sport skills, like running, kicking and throwing. Young Athletes offers families, teachers, caregivers, and people from the community the chance to share the joy of sports with all children. Children of all abilities take part, and they all benefit. Each week will build on skills from the previous week. However, all are welcome to start at any point.

Thursdays, August 14– October 2. 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Hopewell Community Center. $20.
Registration ongoing.

Please use the following link to register: hopewellrecandparks.perfectmind.com

If you have any issues registering, please call the Hopewell Community Center at 804-541-2353, M-F from 7am-8pm and we will gladly assist you!

07/27/2025

07/18/2025

Hard to believe that school will be starting up before we know it. Let PEATC help you feel prepared for those IEP meetings.

FALL into Knowledge with our Special Education Workshop Series! 🍂 Turn over a new leaf in understanding special education.

Are you looking to better understand the special education process and how to support your child’s success in school? Don’t miss this five-session webinar series designed for Virginia families who want practical, easy-to-understand guidance on navigating special education services.

Webinar Topics Include:

🔹 August 20 – From Referral to Eligibility
Learn how the process begins and what to expect every step of the way.
🔹 September 3 – Anatomy of an IEP
Break down each section of the IEP so you know what matters most.
🔹 September 17 – Measurable IEP Goals
Understand about developing meaningful goals and why they’re essential to progress.
🔹 October 1 – The Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings
Get strategies for effective communication and collaboration at the table.
🔹 October 15 – Dispute Resolution Options in Virginia
Explore your rights and the tools available when disagreements arise.

Each workshop will start at 6:30 p.m. EST and will last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. These sessions will not be recorded.

🧩 Whether you’re brand new to special education or need a refresher, this series is for YOU.
🎯 Let’s turn confusion into confidence—one session at a time!

👉 Limited space available! Register now to reserve your spot: https://tinyurl.com/y2b6zaxv

For more information, visit peatc.org or email us at partners@peatc.org

07/16/2025

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has introduced the Blue Envelope Program, designed to assist drivers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder during traffic stops.

This initiative aims to foster safer and more comfortable interactions between drivers and law enforcement officers.

For more information on this program, please visit https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/BlueEnvelope

07/08/2025

07/01/2025

We're excited to announce our next virtual Coordinated Regional Council event ... transit nerds, this one's for you! 🚍

People with disabilities have trouble finding and accessing transportation solutions that are inclusive, reliable, affordable, and safe. What transportation options, resources, and alternatives exist in Virginia? Hop aboard and join the IFSP Community Regional Councils and Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) staff on Thursday, July 17th from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Get tips and resources from Katherine L. Newman at the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center NADTC and Jess Maffey from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation! Adults with DD will also tell us how they get around in their communities.

❓ Who should attend?
• People with developmental disabilities of any age who are interested in learning more about transportation-related tips, resources, and alternatives;
• Family members, caregivers, and friends;
• Professionals and other community members supporting people with developmental disabilities, including support coordinators/case managers, providers, and educators; and
• Anyone interested in this topic!

📌 Register here: http://tiny.cc/ifsp-july17

🗓 This event is FREE, but you must register. If you would like an email reminder the day of the event, please sign up using this link: surveymonkey.com/r/ifsp-july17

✉️ We are proud to feature remote conference captioning through Virginia Relay! If you need an additional accommodation to participate, please email us by Monday, July 7th (or as soon as possible!): IFSPCommunity@dbhds.virginia.gov

🔗 Share this link to a clickable flyer: http://tiny.cc/ifsp071725

[Image description: Blue flyer with yellow and green text bubbles advertising the IFSP Coordinated Regional Council Meeting featuring Katherine L. Newman from the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, and Jess Maffey from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.]

06/27/2025

PEATC's Youth Empowerment Transition Council empowers Virginia students with disabilities, ages 14-26, as they begin their transition from High School to Adulthood!

Meetings are held on Zoom every 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
(Next meeting: July 14, 2025)

Complete the interest form to join: https://forms.office.com/r/tt8i1at46m

06/25/2025

📢 Families, are you keeping up with DMAS changes?
Regulation updates, waiver changes, service authorizations—it’s a lot to keep track of. 😅
Let us help you stay informed and ahead.

📬 Subscribe to our newsletter on our website to get important updates straight to your inbox—so you never miss a change that could impact your family.

👉 Visit momsinmotion.net and scroll to the bottom of the homepage to sign up!