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| December 2019 (a little early!) |
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Celebrate the Season with a Family Winter Holiday Open House
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The first week of December is so full, we couldn't wait to share our December E-News!
Come and kick off the winter holiday season with Formed Families Forward!
The Board and staff of Formed Families Forward invite you to our winter holiday OPEN HOUSE on Friday, December 6 from 6 - 8 PM, at our office building in Fairfax.
This festive friends-and-family gathering is complete with food, crafts, fun and games, and starting at 7 PM, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus!
So gather your family, your colleagues, and your cameras and join us on December 6. RSVPs are appreciated!
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Monday! Critical Decision Points for Families of Students with Disabilities
Parenting children and youth with special needs can be hard, and it's even more difficult without good information about the impact of key special education decisions!
On December 2 from 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM, join Formed Families Forward and the ALLY Center at The Arc of Loudoun for an intensive training on the Virginia Department of Education's "Critical Decision Points". Ideal for parents and caregivers raising children with disabilities of all ages, this training names key skills families need to master and details critical points for making decisions that impact children and youth along their entire school path.
The training is FREE and all registered participants will receive a VDOE Critical Decision Points Guide. Lunch is provided so we need your RSVPs!
REGISTER HERE. |
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Fall for Peer Support!
Stronger Together Groups for Youth and Parents and Caregivers
Our
Stronger Together peer support groups returned in October. Enrollment is open, so register now and join the fun and connection!
Two groups meet twice monthly on Tuesday evenings through May, one for parents and caregivers and one for youth and young adults ages 14-22.
Both groups are facilitated by clinical professionals, and are free of charge to participants. Dinner served. Pre-registration required. Learn more and register HERE.
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Q & A:
Ways to Support Formed Families Forward
Q: My wife and I really appreciate the trainings and support groups we attend at FFF. I recently refered a co-worker who is an adoptive mom to the free FFF consultations to help solve a school-related problem. She found the support she needed!
How can we support the work of Formed Families Forward?
A: Wow, thanks for the question and we are so glad FFF could help when your co-worker and your family both needed some support!
This is a great time to support FFF. Donations of time and treasure are welcome all year long but the holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to think of us.
If you shop online at Amazon, consider clicking through our Amazon Smile link. Customers don't pay any additional, but Amazon gives FFF a small percentage of the sale!
Tuesday, December 3 is #GivingTuesday. Consider making a donation to Formed Families Forward.
In addition to financial gifts, we welcome contributions of time and talent. Learn more about opportunities to guide and support the work of FFF through Board service HERE.
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Wrap up the Year with Regional Trainings and Events
We post trainings and events hosted by FFF and by our friends and partners on our website calendar. Just click on the EVENTS tab.
December 2- Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Special Needs, presented by FFF at ALLY Center at The Arc of Loudoun, Leesburg. Lunch provided!
December 4- Screening of documentary film FOSTER, hosted by Barker Foundation, Washington DC.
December 4- Turning 18 in Virginia: What Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families Need to Know, hosted by Prince William Co Schools Parent Resource Center and The Arc of Greater PW, presented by PEATC, in Woodbridge.
December 6- Formed Families Forward Holiday Open House, Fairfax.
December 9- Understanding the Eligibility and IEP Process, hosted by Alexandria City Public Schools PRC, Alexandria.
December 10- Understanding ACEs To Build Community Resilience, hosted by the Loudoun Trauma Informed Community Network, Leesburg.
December 11- Using a Multi-Tiered System of Supports to Support the Needs of All Learners, hosted by Loudoun County Public Schools Parent Resource Services, Ashburn.
December 12- Arlington SEPTA Annual Chat with Arlington Public Schools Superintendent, Arlington.
December 13- Twice Exceptional Students: What Parents Need to Know, hosted by Fairfax County Public Schools Parent Resource Center, Dunn Loring.
May 2- SAVE the Date for our annual Spring Forward Family Fun Day at GMU Science and Tech Campus in Manassas. Fun and connection for the whole family!
We post daily on Facebook. Follow us and don't miss any updates!
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Formed Families Forward provides training and support to northern Virginia families formed through adoption, foster care and kinship care who are raising children and youth with special needs. We also serve professionals who work with our families. Consultations and most trainings are free of charge to parents and caregivers raising children and youth with special needs.
Moving Formed Families to Better Outcomes
Reach us at www.FormedFamiliesForward.org, info@formedfamiliesforward.org or call (703) 539-2904.
Kelly Henderson, Ph.D., Executive Director
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This project is supported in part by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Opinions expressed herein are those of the project and do not necessarily represent the position of the U.S. Department of Education. |
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