Regarding the recent tragedy that involved 2 HES students:
Thank you to all the parents, teachers, staff, and community members who came out to the vigil on June 24 to support and remember our precious children and mother whose lives were lost. We hope you will find these resources for your family useful.
From Fairfax Falls Church Community Services Board:
Grief resources, available through the Dougy Center, are free and available to anyone. You can access them at https://www.dougy.org/grief-
From Herndon Neighborhood School Readiness Project:
The following resources have reliable information that can be shared with families with young, preschool-age children about topics related to helping young children cope with grief and related trauma.
- Helping Children Cope With Grief | Child Mind Institute
- Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers | The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (nctsn.org)
- Helping Young Children Grieve and Understand Death | NAEYC
- Helping Kids Grieve | Sesame Street in Communities – Sesame Street in Communities
- Center for Loss & Life Transition
Thank you all for all you do to support young children and their families,
Rosemary A. Kendall, Ph.D.
Facilitator, Neighborhood School Readiness Project
Office for Children
Neighborhood and Community Services
12011 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax VA 22035
703-402-2109
703-324-8432
From Herndon Elementary School:
FCPS Crisis Intervention Services: https://www.fcps.edu/
National and Local Crisis Resources: https://www.fcps.edu/
FCPS Mental Wellness Consultations this Summer: https://www.fcps.edu/blog/
The FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services is offering virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from June 28th through August 6th. Parents and students have an opportunity to schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker by phone or videoconference. Consultations are offered in two ways:
1. Directly to parents of students in any grade level. This consultation provides an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.
2. Directly to students in middle or high school. This consultation provides an opportunity for middle and high school students to receive guidance and support for concerns related to anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions, or the transition back to school in the fall. Strategies and tools can also be provided to address academic challenges such as organization and time-management.
All parents and secondary students are encouraged to take advantage of this service. There is no cost. Click here to request a consultation. You may also leave a message at 571-423-4276.
Upcoming Community Events
Ongoing and On Demand courses follow this monthly list of events.
When other events become available they will be posted at: https://
The FCPS Parent Resource Center is still open, and it continues to provide direct assistance to families, educators, and community members. The staff there can help you find answers and solve problems. [email protected] You can now check out ebooks as well as printed books, CDs, and DVDs. 703-204-3941
Mental Wellness Consultations this Summer
June 28 to August 6
Parents of students may have a 45-min consultation by phone or online video with a school psychologist or social worker. Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/
Special Needs Trusts & ABLE Accounts
Fri. Jul. 2, 10 am-Noon
Explore ways to plan for your child’s long term financial security, steps to carry out your plan, and options to minimize taxes. Register: https://thearcofnovatrust.org/
Inattentive ADHD: Why ADD is Misdiagnosed and the Best Ways to Treat It
Thu. Jul. 8, 1 pm, with replay link
Learn how inattentive ADHD is diagnosed, why it has nothing to do with IQ, why it is often missed, and how to effectively treat it. Register: https://goto.webcasts.com/
Building Strong Families and Competent Kids
Sat. Jul. 10, 10-11 am
This workshop will focus on the families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Join Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
The Basics of the Medicaid Waiver
Tue. Jul. 13, 10 am
Find out about waivers for people with disabilities, the services they provide, how to apply, and tips on dealing with waiting lists. Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/
Ten Things to Consider Before Moving to Virginia with a Developmental Disability
Tue. Jul. 13, Noon
This information is also helpful for people moving within Virginia, or people thinking of leaving Virginia and moving to another state. Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/
9 Ways to Prime Your Child for a Positive School Year
Thu. Jul. 15,1 pm, with replay link
Gain specific steps you can take now to make this coming school year more productive for your student. Register: https://www.additudemag.com/
Morning at the Museum — Portrait Gallery and Cooper Hewitt
Sat. Jul. 17, 10:30 am
This program is for students, ages 4-12, with cognitive or sensory processing disabilities and their families. Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Motivating Your Child with ADHD: What Ignites Interest in and Energy for Learning
Tue. Jul. 20, 1 pm, with replay option
Explore what sparks kids’ interest, what keeps them motivated, and how to help them get into gear more easily and more often. Register: https://www.additudemag.com/
The Truth About Underage Drinking
Thu. Jul. 22, 6:00-7:30 pm
Learn all sorts of things about underage drinking so that you can know what to watch for and help your teens to steer clear of. Register: http://bit.ly/FPC-07-22
A Parent’s Guide: School Discipline and the Juvenile Legal System — 5 class series
Thu. Jul. 22, 6:30-7:30 pm
If your child gets in trouble at school, learn now about the school-to-prison pipeline and what you need to know to advocate for your child. Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/
Talk Saves Lives — In Spanish
Una introducción a la prevención del suicidio
Jue. 22 de jul. 7-8 pm
Aprenda sobre la prevención del suicidio, incluidos los factores de riesgo, las señales de advertencia y cómo mantenerse a salvo. Registrese: https://ncactsl07222021.
Morning at the Museum — Postal Museum and Spark Lab
Sat. Jul. 24, 10 am
This storytime and opportunity to create an invention is for young children with cognitive or sensory disabilities and their families. Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Critical Decision Points for Families of Students with Disabilities — Part I of 2
Tue. Jul. 27, 6-8 pm
Learn about some of the keys to a child’s academic success, when specific decisions will be needed, and the information you will need. Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Screen-Savvy Parenting
Tue. Jul. 27, 7-8 pm
Learn about the different kinds of screen time, the pros and cons of screen time, and rules that support family relationship building. Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Building Work-Based Learning Opportunities in the Home, School, and Community
Wed. Jul. 28, 2:00-2:45 pm
Learn about the benefits of work-based learning for students with disabilities, especially those that build independence and employment skills. Register: https://vcurrtc.org/training/
Family Ties: Managing and Advocating for Your Child with ADHD in the Extended Family
Thu. Jul. 29, 1 pm, with replay link
Gain ideas on how to develop coping strategies for events with extended family and strategies for improving problematic patterns. Register: https://www.additudemag.com/
Ongoing and On Demand
Dyslexia & the IEP: How to Make Sure the IEP Is in Tip-Top Shape
Webinar, available 24/7
Access: https://www.youtube.com/
Accommodations for Recreational Classes and Camps with Fairfax County Parks
Accommodations include physical accessibility, ASL interpreters, assistive devices, sensitivity training for classmates, and staff training. To request accommodations, email [email protected] or 703 324-8563
Scholarships for Classes with Fairfax County Parks
Children of families that receive public assistance (medicaid, free school lunch, SNAP, TANF) are eligible to take one set of classes per quarter for a $15 registration fee. Information: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/
NAMI Basics
This 6-session course is for adults who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms (including ADHD and ASD). Register: https://publiccourseapi.nami.
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training
Learn about special education law, rights and responsibilities; tests to measure progress and regression; SMART IEPs; and strategies for effective advocacy. Info: https://www.wrightslaw.com/
The Parent Playbook — 9 Module Online Course on Autism
From the VCU Autism Center for Excellence & Virginia Autism Council. An introduction on Autism Spectrum Disorder for families, including tips for caregivers, characteristics, interventions and recommended programs and services. Access: https://vcuautismcenter.org/
Support Groups
All these support groups are open to newcomers, most are online, and they are free, except where noted. No diagnosis is required to participate. Participants are typically given the opportunity to share their story, experience support, and glean guidance (as desired) from group members regarding both community and school resources. Confidentiality should be confirmed.
Support Groups for Youth
Therapeutic Recreation: Preschool Learn and Play for children ages 2-5 with a parent meets virtually on Saturdays at 10:30 am. Register: https://bit.ly/PSLearnPlay .
Support Groups for Parents
AAC Parent Group meets occasionally on Saturdays. Contact: Amanda [email protected]
African American Culturally Focused Virtual Parent Café meets Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 pm. Register at least 24 hours in advance by email [email protected]
Alpha Moms This support group for adoptive parents meets monthly in McLean. Contact: [email protected]
Arlington Epilepsy Support Group, a list-serve, can be accessed at [email protected]
Autism Dads meets one evening monthly. Contact: George Buzby at 571-419-1257 or [email protected]
Autism Society of Northern Virginia Virtual Support Group 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, 1:00-2:30 pm via Zoom. Meeting ID: 83085728013
Business Networking Event for Special Needs Parents
Alternate Fridays, May 29 and following, 9:00-10:30 am Via Zoom. Connect with fellow special needs parents and business owners, build your referral network, and share best practices. Contact: https://thearcofloudoun.org/
Cafés Virtuales Para Padres: Miércoles de 7:00-8:30 pm. Regístrese con al menos 24 horas de anticipación: [email protected]
CHADD: Children & Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Alexandria CHADD Parent Support Group 4th Mon. of each month at 6:30 pm. Contact: Alyssa [email protected]
com or call 303-903-9972. - Loudoun County CHADD Parent Support 3rd Sun. evening of the month. Contact: Bonnie Little 571-306-2932 or on Facebook @loudounahdhsupport
- West Fairfax/Burke CHADD Parent Support Group 1st & 3rd Thur. of each month at 8:00 pm Contact: Cathy, [email protected]
CSB Family Support Group at Gatlan Center 2nd and 4th Wed. of each month 6:00-7:30 pm via Zoom Contact: [email protected]
D.A.D.S. Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome 3rd Tue. each month, 7-9 pm via Zoom. Contact: George [email protected] or call 703- 545-6089.
Dr. Dan’s Support Group for Parents Raising Challenging Children meets via Zoom on Mondays, 1-2 pm, Register: http://survey.
Fairfax Juvenile Court Parent Support for problems including runaway behavior, truancy, alcohol/drug abuse, and serious behavioral problems at home, at school, or in the community. Sign up for a phone consultation at https://www.signupgenius.
Formed Families Together are monthly peer support groups for adoptive, kinship, and foster caregivers and parents. Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Virtual support group meets the 1st Sunday evening monthly.
In-Person support group meets the 3rd Wednesday evening monthly.
Chat Group for Latino Parents — in Spanish
Grupo de Chat para Padres: Unete a nuestro Grupo de chat mediante la aplicación de WhatsApp y podras mantenerte al tanto de todo lo que PEATC Latino esta haciendo. Entra al Group: https://bit.ly/2VoU2vw
Support Group for Spanish Speaking Parents— in Spanish
Grupo de Educación y Apoyo a Padres en Española se reúne el cuarto sábado de cada mes, de 10 a 11 a.m. en Zoom en https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Kinship Café meets monthly on the 2nd Wed. 6:30-8:00 pm for those raising children of friends or relatives. Contact: 703-324-7720 or email [email protected]
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness builds better lives for affected families. Arlington Parent Support Group meets two Sundays a month at 7:00-8:30 pm. Contact: Michelle Best [email protected]
OCD Family Support Group meets the 1st Mon. of each month, 7:30 pm. Contact: [email protected] or call 202-215-5859
Parent Café (for all Fairfax County parents and guardians) meets via Zoom in English on Mon., 7:45-9:15 pm, and en español, miércoles, 7:00-8:30 pm. Register at least 24 hours in advance by email [email protected]
Parents in a Pandemic is for families of children or young adults with developmental and/or behavioral challenges. They meet twice monthly, 5:30-6:30 pm on Tuesdays. Contact Diane Manning [email protected] .
Parents of Autistic Children (POAC-NOVA) Parent Support Group meets on Saturdays occasionally. Contact: Brianne Russel-Morris [email protected] .
REACH Parent Support Group meets monthly to support parents of individuals with developmental disabilities who also have mental health or behavioral issues. Contact: Dr. Pourmand [email protected]