WV F2F and P4P Programs

02/06/2026

Show us your red ❤️

❤️ Tomorrow is National Wear Red Day! ❤️

💥 Heart disease is the #1 killer. CHDs are the #1 birth defect. It’s time to unite together.

How you can make an impact:
👉 Wear red
👉 Snap a photo
👉 Share it to spread awareness & hope

Every post, every photo, every heart counts. Let’s turn the world red for CHD! ❤️🥰

02/05/2026

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer trained Support Parent, register for the upcoming class!

Support Parent Certification Class
February 12th 10:00am-12:00pm via zoom
https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/6dxnO2OTRYaAJxsVsGZFOQ

Contact Ali Shipman for more information
alicia.shipman@hsc.wvu.edu

Are you a parent or caregiver of a child with special healthcare needs? Interested in sharing your experiences and expertise with other parents and caregivers who are on a similar journey?

If so, becoming a volunteer Support Parent with the Parent to Parent program could be for you!

If you're interested in applying to become a Support Parent, or if you'd like to be matched with one, please fill out the application: https://cedwvu.wufoo.com/forms/s6yritw17rhcev/

Questions? Reach out to Parent to Parent program coordinator, Ali Shipman, at alicia.shipman@hsc.wvu.edu or 304-293-4692 ext. 60654.

WV F2F and P4P Programs
Parent to Parent USA

02/05/2026

Oklahoma School for the Deaf are offering FREE ASL classes online

🎉 Who’s ready to take FREE online ASL classes with the Oklahoma School for the Deaf? 🤟

Registration opens today! https://courses.osd.k12.ok.us/

Choose ASL 1, ASL 2, or both—and start your class immediately after registering. Learn at your own pace from anywhere.

🗓 Registration closes February 12 — don’t miss out!

👉 Sign up today and start learning ASL!

Many thanks to the Oklahoma School for the Deaf Foundation for their generous support in making these FREE online ASL classes possible!

02/05/2026

This Sunday!

Please join us for the Fifth Annual Inclusion on Ice sponsored by Encova Foundation from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8! All are welcome to this free event. Check out the event page for more info. Stay tuned for a heartwarming story about a Wheeling Nailers hockey player who found a "new gear" on the ice after pushing a young girl with cerebral palsy down the ice at last year's event.

Image: Promotional flier, light blue background with white snowflakes, Inclusion on Ice logo, photos of children being assitesd on the ice. All event info can be found at Fifth Annual Inclusion on Ice sponsored by Encova Foundation.

02/05/2026

The Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Budget bill has passed, including full funding for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) like the WVU CED.

We couldn't have done it without you! Last summer, after we got the news that the proposed federal budget would eliminate all funding for UCEDDs and other vital disability partners, we created the Protect Disability Digital Toolkit. It contained social media graphics, sample letters to send to legislators, key facts, and more. We also asked you about your experiences with the CED so we could share your stories far and wide. This made a real difference.

Thanks to your efforts, UCEDDs, Protection & Advocacy orgs (like Disability Rights WV), and Developmental Disability Councils (like the WV DD Council) can continue to provide important services and support to people with disabilities and their families in the state with the highest disability rate in the country.

Association of University Centers on Disabilities
WV Developmental Disabilities Council
Disability Rights of West Virginia

02/04/2026

February is American Heart Month

02/03/2026

Please join us for CED Ability Grand Rounds next Tuesday, February 10 from 2-3 p.m. EST as we welcome Dr. Robert Gould from the University of Illinois Chicago Dept. of Disability and Human Development!

Dr. Gould will be presenting on "Disability Inclusion, Corporate Responsibility, and Workplace Flexibility: Analyzing Theory and Practice."

All are welcome to join the discussion!

Register for free: https://wvu.zoom.us/meeting/register/cqlQaWQdRa-ixx-cbIEeBw #/registration

UIC Department of Disability and Human Development

02/02/2026

West Virginia Advisory Council for the Education of Exceptional Children (WVACEEC) is hosting a free virtual fair for parents, caregivers and educators.

Registration below

Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8aUqldRcTWmN1hn5-Xp5RA #/registration

01/30/2026

If you haven't registered for this session yet, there is still time.

"Planning for the Future: Legal Tips You Can't Miss" with Anna Price, Attorney at Bowles Rice LLP.

Register now: https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/oxNNvQpLSKucMp5t-tHj1g

Join us!
Virtual Speaker Series
Planning for the Future:
Legal and Financial Tips You Can't Miss

Register to Attend
https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/oxNNvQpLSKucMp5t-tHj1g

February 3, 2026 Speaker Series Info:
Date: February 3, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Presenter: Anna Price, Attorney at Bowles Rice LLP

Topic: Planning for the Future: Legal and Financial Tips You Can't Miss
Estate planning can feel overwhelming, especially for families of children with special healthcare needs. This session will break down some of the basics, including guardianship, special needs trusts, and legal vehicles to assist with the future.

What you’ll learn:
• The steps to take and the resources that are available to help.
• What guardian and special needs trusts are and when to use them.
• How to plan for your child's future, no matter their age.

At the end of the discussion, we’ll have an open Q&A session where you can ask follow-up questions or just chat with the experts. You’ll leave feeling more connected, empowered, and ready to take on whatever comes your way.

These sessions are designed to fit into your lunch break, so grab a bite, tune in, and join a community of families who understand what you’re going through. Let’s take care of ourselves and each other, one lunch break at a time!

01/29/2026

Let us know what topics you would like to learn more about!

We want your input!

The WVUCED F2F/P4P Programs develop a Virtual Speaker Series for parents and caregivers. These sessions typically occur once a month, are about an hour and a half long and we bring in professionals to discuss a topic of interest.

What topics would you like to see discussed in the upcoming Virtual Speaker Series Sessions?

Let us know below!

01/29/2026

Do you know a parent or caregiver raising a child with special healthcare needs that would benefit from talking with another caregiver who has gone through a similar journey?

The Parent to Parent Program can help!

We do 1:1 matches and have several trained volunteer Support Parents waiting to share their stories and offer support.

01/29/2026

As recent storms have brought snow, ice, and dangerously low temperatures to many parts of West Virginia, it is important to know what resources are available to help in case you experience an emergency this winter.

People with disabilities and vulnerable populations like the elderly should have emergency plans in place. If bad weather is incoming, make sure you have refills for your prescriptions in case you get stuck at home. Several of these resources offer advice on how to make plans and prepare for these emergencies.

WV211 is always a great place to start. You can also dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 to connect with their services 24/7.

Some basic common tips for emergency preparedness for people with disabilities includes:

- Have a "go bag" ready to go that includes your most essential items in case you need to evacuate immediately.
- Make sure your prescriptions have been refilled and you have a long enough supply to last in case you can't get to the pharmacy for a while due to weather or natural disasters.
- Know where your local emergency shelters are located and what their specific hours of operation might be.
- Make an evacuation plan for different potential disaster scenarios.
- Communicate with family, friends, and neighbors.

View full list of resources: https://cedwvu.org/news/story?headline=emergency-winter-resources-for-people-with-disabilities

WV211
Disability Rights of West Virginia
WV Developmental Disabilities Council
Association of University Centers on Disabilities