KBY Consults

03/22/2026

Hmm 🤔 Thoughts?

03/16/2026

Autism is a developmental disability that looks different for every person. Support needs, skills, and goals are so individualized. Some people may call themselves Autistic, and others may call themselves a person with autism. People with autism deserve respect, inclusion, and opportunities just like anyone else. Every person deserves a society that takes time to learn about their personal autism experience.

What is one thing you wish more people understood about autism? Visit The Arc of Virginia website to learn more about supports and advocacy across our state. www.thearcofva.org

03/12/2026

Our Statewide Continuing Education Workshops continue Friday, March 20 at 12 p.m. ET! Register here: https://dsa-virginia.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/njrg7WsdTg-cnqI-_N2hoQ #/registration

Our presenters will share information about the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities and Disability EmpowHer Network’s programs for disabled women and girls: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:4783e0ff-79f7-47f3-9dbd-58b5ee9dec09

03/12/2026

✨ Introducing the KBY Consults Access Fund

At KBY Consults, we work with students who benefit from individualized educational support. Many of the students we serve have diverse learning needs and thrive with one-on-one instruction and specialized learning strategies.

However, we know that many families who need this support the most are sometimes unable to access it due to financial barriers.

The KBY Consults Access Fund was created to help change that.

This fund allows community members, supporters, and donors to help sponsor educational services for students who would otherwise not be able to receive them.

Contributions to the Access Fund help provide:
• Individualized tutoring
• Specialized academic support
• Learning resources and structured activities
• Educational advocacy and guidance for families

Every contribution helps make meaningful learning opportunities available to more students.

If you believe in expanding access to education and supporting students with diverse learning needs, we invite you to support the KBY Consults Access Fund.

Ways to help:
✔ Donate to the Access Fund
✔ Share this post with others
✔ Connect with us to learn more about the work we do

Together we can create more opportunities for students to learn, grow, and succeed.

💙 Thank you for supporting access to education.

03/12/2026

✨ Introducing the KBY Consults Access Fund

At KBY Consults, we work with students who benefit from individualized educational support. Many of the students we serve have diverse learning needs and thrive with one-on-one instruction and specialized learning strategies.

However, we know that many families who need this support the most are sometimes unable to access it due to financial barriers.

The KBY Consults Access Fund was created to help change that.

This fund allows community members, supporters, and donors to help sponsor educational services for students who would otherwise not be able to receive them.

Contributions to the Access Fund help provide:
• Individualized tutoring
• Specialized academic support
• Learning resources and structured activities
• Educational advocacy and guidance for families

Every contribution helps make meaningful learning opportunities available to more students.

If you believe in expanding access to education and supporting students with diverse learning needs, we invite you to support the KBY Consults Access Fund.

Ways to help:
✔ Donate to the Access Fund
✔ Share this post with others
✔ Connect with us to learn more about the work we do

Together we can create more opportunities for students to learn, grow, and succeed.

💙 Thank you for supporting access to education.

03/07/2026

Deciding between the Standards of Learning (SOL) and the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) is a significant IEP team decision because it directly affects diploma options and future opportunities. Most students with disabilities participate in the SOL curriculum and take SOL tests, with or without accommodations. Remaining on the SOL track keeps pathways open to a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma, which are typically required for admission to most 2- and 4-year colleges. The VAAP, on the other hand, is designed only for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities and is aligned with reduced academic standards called the Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL). Students who participate in VAAP are working toward an Applied Studies Diploma, and participation may affect future employment and post-secondary education options.

If the IEP team is considering the VAAP, they must complete the VAAP Participation Decision-Making Tool together to determine eligibility. This structured document ensures the decision is based on clear criteria, not on factors such as low test scores or a disability label alone. The majority of students should remain on the SOL path with appropriate supports and accommodations. If this conversation is happening at your child’s IEP meeting, ask to review both resource documents, request a copy of the participation tool, and make sure you fully understand how the decision connects to diploma options and your child’s long-term goals.

Learn more with our resource documents!
👉 SOL - https://ow.ly/F74K50Yqq16
👉 VAAP - https://ow.ly/b1el50Yqq14

03/06/2026

This is what individualized instruction looks like in action.

During this Osmo coding activity, my student is working on:

• Sustained engagement in a structured task for more than five minutes
• Participating in both preferred and mildly non-preferred activities
• Reading sight words and number recognition
• Constructing simple sentences using symbol-based coding commands
• Problem-solving and sequencing
• Managing multiple steps to achieve a defined goal

Even though the “words” are symbols, she is reading them, organizing them into meaningful sequences, and forming functional sentences that directly control the avatar on the screen.

This is literacy.
This is executive functioning.
This is persistence.
This is confidence building.

The KBY Consults Access Fund helps make opportunities like this possible for students who benefit from individualized, specialized instruction.

03/05/2026

Need help with Social Security benefits? We’ve got you!

Applying can feel confusing - get free, personalized guidance from experienced attorneys in small-group sessions to help you complete your application with confidence. Sessions last up to 50 minutes and take place at The Arc of Northern Virginia office.

Forms will be provided to registered attendees in advance. Please bring completed forms to review during your session.

Questions or need help registering? Contact Jamie Colgin, DD Community Resource Navigator, at jamie.colgin@thearcofnova.org or 703-208-1119 x126

Register for your time sloat at https://form.jotform.com/260435789230157

03/03/2026

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!

People with developmental disabilities have always been part of our communities — and always will be.

Join the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, VBPD and communities across the country as we share stories that connect the past, present, and future: https://nacdd.org/2026-dd-awareness-month-were-here-then-now-always/

03/02/2026

Families of children receiving special education services find themselves in a world of complicated policies, confusing acronyms and terms, and piles of paperwork.

The Building Strong Parent Advocates training provides information to help families build a solid foundation to understand the special education process while empowering them to be their child’s best advocate.

Upcoming session: March 2, 2026 - March 23, 2026
🔗 REGISTER: tinyurl.com/ywz6x8y2

This self-paced training takes about 6 hours to complete and can be accessed online anytime during the 3-week timeframe.

02/27/2026

It’s Resource Friday!

Spring IEP season is almost here. February is a great time for families to review goals, prepare questions, and start thinking about the next steps.

When you have that IEP in place, you may want to keep it with other educational, medical, and legal records in an organized format that’s easy to access. If so, PEATC - Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center has you covered with a digital portfolio that keeps everything straight:
https://peatc.org/services/special-education/ -toc__heading-anchor-2

02/25/2026

Yes! As a Board Member, I want to hear from you!! 😊

Our Board members want to hear from you! Did you know the Board accepts public comment to help inform our state plan priorities, our policy work, and our funding priorities?

Read our public comment policy: https://vbpd.virginia.gov/contact/public-comment/

You can submit public comments in writing through the Board’s Contact form:
https://vbpd.virginia.gov/contact/

Public comments will also be received at approximately 10:30 a.m. ET during our March 4 board meeting, which will be held virtually on Zoom. Learn more about the meeting and how to join: https://commonwealthcalendar.virginia.gov/Event/Details/76557