WV F2F and P4P Programs

11/03/2025

Register Now!
Come join us for De-Escalation Techniques. This free, interactive online training explores ways to recognize and manage one’s own stress as well as ways to de-escalate a crisis.
Participants can expect to learn how to recognize compassion fatigue and burn out. Assess your level of stress and anger, along with the effects and ways to manage those effects. The crisis cycle will be discussed along with tools and techniques to de-escalate a crisis.
School professionals, first responders, social workers, therapists, and direct support providers are encouraged to attend.
After attending, you will be able to:
• Differentiate between compassion fatigue and being burned out
• Recognize a power struggle and ways to avoid it
• Identify ways to effectively de-escalate a situation

2 Social Work CEUs will be available for this webinar.

Visit Our Website for More Information or to Register
https://pbs.cedwvu.org/pbs-trainings/de-escalation-techniques/

Date: November 18, 2025
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Training Location:
Zoom (a link will be provided after registration)
(Please note: The online registration page typically closes a few days in advance of the webinar or when registration reaches maximum capacity.)
For Questions
E-mail: PBS@hsc.wvu.edu
Phone Number: 855-558-4296
Website: pbs.cedwvu.org
The PBS Program is funded through a grant with the WV Bureau for Behavioral Health.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from Everyone at the WVUCED and F2F/P4P Programs!

10/30/2025

"Welcome to Holland" is an essay written in 1987 by American author and social activist Emily Perl Kingsley, about having a child with a disability.

Upon completion of the recent Parent to Parent Leadership conference, this video was shared with us and we wanted to share it with all of you...

Welcome to Holland, read by Emily Perl Kingsley
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.canva.com%2Fdesign%2FDAG3Nj4Ykv8%2FOU6j1NGjiJ-ZZNm-7Pbjsw%2Fwatch%3Futm_content%3DDAG3Nj4Ykv8%26utm_campaign%3Ddesignshare%26utm_medium%3Dlink2%26utm_source%3Duniquelinks%26utlId%3Dh4ecf93ab7f&data=05%7C02%7Cams00212%40hsc.wvu.edu%7Cb5a905e31ddf40d1edb908de1739baa0%7Ca2d1f95f851044248ae15c596bdbd578%7C0%7C0%7C638973734049362106%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C60000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=r%2BpMg57n7qFein7lNqLMQUiGV5mSPAOlooTb3Vt1LMU%3D&reserved=0

Thank you Parent to Parent USA!

10/30/2025

The Parent to Parent of West Virginia staff recently attended the 2025 Parent to Parent USA Leadership Institute.

The Leadership Institute is a flagship event—bringing together Parent to Parent organizations, staff, and partners from across the country for two inspiring half-days of connection, professional growth, and community.

This year’s theme, “Reconnecting, Recharging, Reshaping the Future for Families,” reflects the shared commitment to innovate, reflect, and grow—together.

Staff members were able to take part in panel discussions, engaging breakout sessions, learn about premier research and reflect on the powerful work being done and find renewal in the mission that no parent feels alone ever.

10/30/2025

Each October we celebrate Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month by raising awareness about AAC and informing the public about the different ways that people communicate.

AAC can be unaided or aided. Unaided forms of AAC do not require equipment or technology. Examples of unaided AAC include speech, body movements, or eye blinks. Aided AAC options include the use of low-, mid-, or high-tech tools and devices. Examples of aided AAC include tablets with text-to-speech software, adaptive switches, or image sheets that a user can point to when communicating.

Two local providers in Morgantown, WV conduct AAC evaluations and consultations:

Chatter & Chalk and the WVU Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic.

If you've received an AAC recommendation and are currently working with a speech-language pathologist, you may also be eligible to borrow a device through the West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) virtual loan library.*

*- devices are always free for anyone to borrow, but having an AAC recommendation will help streamline this process to connect you with the appropriate device!

West Virginia Assistive Technology - WVATS
WVU Health Sciences
Chatter & Chalk

10/29/2025

📢The WVUCED F2F/P4P programs are looking for speakers for our Virtual Speakers Series for the New Year!

The session titles are...
1. Planning for the Future: Legal and Financial Tips You Can't Miss
2. Preparing for Life After High School: Helping Your Child Transition to Adulthood
3. Understanding Healthcare and Resources for Your Family
4. Advocating for Your Child: Finding Your Voice
5. Talking with Your Child About Their Disability or Special Healthcare Needs

If you are interested or know of an agency that would be interested in presenting on any of these titles, please message us. All sessions take place via zoom and are typically 1-1.5 hours.
We ask that you have extensive knowledge about the topic and are able to develop a PowerPoint presentation to go along with the session.

10/28/2025

If you haven't done so already, be sure to sign up to learn all about the use of Assistive Technology from the West Virginia Assistive Technology - WVATS Program

November Virtual Speaker Series!

Session Title: A Brief Overview of Assistive Technology for Families and Caregivers of Children and Adults with Special Healthcare Needs

Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EST

Presenters: Doug Cumpston and Allie Morlock, West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS)

Assistive technology (AT) can open up a world of possibilities for children and adults with special healthcare needs. This session will provide an overview of the wide variety of assistive devices and tools available to help individuals with mobility, communication, learning, and daily living tasks. We’ll discuss the latest technologies, how to determine which devices may be most beneficial for your loved one, and how to access these tools through healthcare providers and community resources. Whether your child is young or an adult with special needs, this session will help you understand how AT can enhance their independence and quality of life.

Join us for a laid-back, virtual speaker series designed specifically for families and caregivers of children with special healthcare needs. We know that life is busy, so we’ve made this series perfect for your lunch break—short, practical, and packed with info you can actually use. Every session will cover a topic that’s top-of-mind for families, featuring expert speakers and real-life tips from other caregivers. Whether you need advice, resources, or just a little support, these sessions are here to help make your life a little easier.

Register now: https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/YumBwvcTQveomu_E9WlnXg #/registration

10/28/2025

Medical transitions (which may include changes in health care providers, treatment settings, or levels of care) can be particularly challenging for individuals with disabilities due to their unique medical, emotional, and logistical needs. Ensuring a smooth transition is crucial to maintaining continuity of care, preventing gaps in treatment, and enhancing overall health outcomes.

A well-coordinated transition plan that addresses the specific requirements and preferences of individuals with disabilities not only promotes their physical and mental well-being but also upholds their dignity and autonomy.

Check out our Medical Transitions page to view West Virginia and national medical resources (included provider databases), watch videos about navigating transitions from pediatric to adult healthcare, and browse some transitions toolkits: https://cedwvu.org/transitions/medical-transitions/

10/27/2025

In the new episode of the Adjusting the Sails podcast, we hear from Darice, a mother raising two autistic children and a wife to an autistic husband. In this heartfelt and often funny conversation, Darice shares her family's experiences navigating quirky symptoms and school challenges to advocacy, life skills, and celebrating individuality. This episode reminds us that every autistic person's story is unique, even when they share the same roof.

Listen to the episode: https://sites.libsyn.com/429900/if-youve-met-one-person-with-autism-try-meeting-three-in-the-same-household

Also available on Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Audible.

10/27/2025

Some things to keep in mind this Halloween

Let’s make this a week filled with kindness and opportunities for every child to shine!

10/26/2025

With the government shutdown impacting SNAP benefits for November, and potentially longer, we want to share some food resources for West Virginians.

The Mountaineer Food Bank operates a mobile food pantry that travels to different WV locations weekly. Check the photo here for this week's schedule.

Catholic Charities runs multiple food pantries throughout the state. Check out the full details on locations, times, etc.: https://www.ccwva.org/programs/food-assistance/

Monongalia County residents can find a detailed list of food pantries courtesy of Empty Bowls Monongalia: https://www.ebmon.org/food-pantries

The Hearts of Appalachia Project has a listing of food pantries in multiple WV counties: https://www.heartsofappalachia.org/west-virginia-food-resources

Mountaineer Food Bank
Catholic Charities West Virginia
Empty Bowls Monongalia
Hearts of Appalachia

10/24/2025