Center for Disability Leadership - CDL

04/17/2026

Mr. Rogers talks about mental health in a way we can all understand!

🫶Fred Rogers Friday🫶

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable.

When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

04/16/2026

At VCU, Dixon was selected for the Ruth Harris Scholars Program, a collaboration between the Virginia Department of Education, the Training and Technical Assistance Center at VCU and the School of Education dean’s office. It provides scholars, all of whom are VCU teacher education students in special education, elementary or secondary education, with no-cost professional development opportunities.

“RTR allowed me to work and paid for my schooling. It was a way for me to go and finish what I started 20 years ago,” Dixon said. “RTR made it accessible, because otherwise it would not have been accessible financially.”

Dixon graduates this spring from VCU with a bachelor’s degree in special education and teaching.

As an RTR resident, she is currently teaching Tier 1 special education, primarily students with dyslexia-specific learning disabilities, at Glenkirk Elementary School in Prince William.

In addition to teaching full-time at Glenkirk and attending VCU classes remotely, Dixon co-owns and operates with her husband the Ever After Alpaca Farm.

The farm was featured last year on the TLC reality show “Baylen Out Loud,” which follows a young woman with Tourette syndrome.

“We do tours. We make products. We have a great time,” Dixon said, adding that it’s been a challenge to juggle the demands of teaching, completing 15 to 18 credit hours of classes per semester and running the farm.

“I literally don’t know what I’m going to do with all of my free time after graduation, because I have had none for two-and-a-half years.”

At VCU, Dixon was selected for the Ruth Harris Scholars Program, a collaboration between the Virginia Department of Education, the Training and Technical Assistance Center at VCU and the School of Education dean’s office.

It provides scholars, all of whom are VCU teacher education students in special education, elementary or secondary education, with no-cost professional development opportunities.

FULL ARTICLE: news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-teacher-residency-program-helps-heidi-dixon-fulfill-a-dream

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

04/16/2026

We want to hear from YOU! Join our Commonwealth Listen Tour virtual session on April 20 as we connect with teachers and gather your input on how we can work together to strengthen public education in Virginia.

Your voice shapes the future of our students.

Register here: https://ow.ly/MWMZ50YKr6n

04/16/2026

Sensory AccessAbilities: The Mini-Unconference is just a few weeks away! Join us on May 6th for this virtual professional development, where you get to choose the conversations as participants collaborate to share successes and problem solve challenges.

Two sessions: Choose one or both!
Lunch Session: 11:30 AM- 1:00 PM
After School Session: 3:30-5:30 PM

Registration Link: https://tinyurl.com/MiniUnReg

04/16/2026

Coffee Talk: "3 Tech Trends to Watch for IDD, ASD & Exceptional Students." Featuring Adam Brooks from Bark—a former Special Education teacher—this session is designed for caregivers, professionals, and anyone navigating digital milestones.

💡 Did You Know?

Individuals with IDD or ASD often spend more time online than their neurotypical peers. Is your tech strategy ready for that?

☕Join our FREE Coffee Talk with Bark - Parental Controls. We’re discussing the 3 Tech Trends shaping digital life for exceptional students.

📅 When: May 28, 1pm EST
📱 Focus: Safety, skill-building, and independence with Bark products
🔗 Register: https://ziply.pk/gahsOb

Comment below: What’s your biggest tech struggle right now? 👇

04/14/2026

FREE family therapy 🧐

04/14/2026

We are looking for division leaders, educators, parents, students, and community members to share their current education related experiences.

These sessions are an opportunity to share what is working well and to contribute to the conversation about how state leaders should be thinking about ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education and the supports they need to succeed. Listening Session discussion topics will include:

Identifying what’s working well and where challenges remain;
Shaping ongoing supports in literacy and math instruction;
Understanding how well students are prepared for college or careers after high school;
Considering how the state evaluates and supports schools through accountability and accreditation processes; and
Discussing effective strategies to recruit and retain world class teachers, school leaders, and school support staff.

We want to hear from YOU! Join our Commonwealth Listen Tour virtual session on April 15 as we connect with parents and gather your input on how we can work together to strengthen public education in Virginia.

Your voice matters—and we’re listening.

Register here: https://ow.ly/SLOh50YIqyA

04/13/2026

Celebrating Ed Roberts 🤩

04/09/2026

Brief history of Autism Awareness Month! 🤩

🎉April is Autism Awareness Month ~ Did you know?

Autism Awareness Month was founded in APRIL 1970 by Bernard Rimland, Ph. D., a psychologist and autism researcher.

He chose April to coincide with his son's birthday, as well as the start of spring —a time for new beginnings.

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

04/06/2026

Interesting 🧐

According to a study by the University of Southern California’s Norman Lear Center, Hollywood is getting better at portraying mental health.

04/02/2026

Truly inspiring 🤩

03/31/2026

Free support! 🥰

Have a child or loved one with a disability? Overwhelmed? We’ve got you!

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities