The Arc South of the James

The Arc South of the James The Arc South of the James is a local chapter of The Arc, which promotes the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

06/16/2026

📅Save the Date! Our annual Parent and Youth Empowerment (PYE) Summit for Virginia high school students (ages 14-22) receiving special education IEP services and their parent(s) will be held on August 29, 2026.

Registration for first time attendees opens on July 7! If there are remaining tickets, registration will open to all starting July 21.

For more information, visit go.peatc.org/PYE26Reg

06/10/2026

A massive win for Virginia families! Yesterday, signed HB 37 into law, a bill introduced by . This bill permanently protects your ability to access Medicaid Developmental Disability (DD) Waivers even if you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Previously, a person with DD risked being kicked off their DD Medicaid waiver if they received SSDI benefits (often through a parent’s retirement or death) because it counted heavily against their income cap.

This new law ensures Virginia will permanently disregard extra SSDI income above the standard limit when calculating waiver eligibility.

06/03/2026

Upcoming Work Requirements
with Medicaid
Starting no later than January 1, 2027

What is Required?
* Complete at least 80hrs/month of:
* Employment (a regular job)
* Education (going to school or taking classes)
* Job training programs (learning a trade or skill)
* Community service (volunteering)
Who is Impacted?
* Adults aged 19–64 on Medicaid and do not fit into any of the safety categories on the right.

Who is Exempt?
* Pregnant or recently gave birth (postpartum)
* Disabled or "medically frail"
* A parent/caregiver of a child or a person with a disability
* An American Indian or Alaska Native
* Already meeting work requirements for food stamps (SNAP) or welfare (TANF)

Learn more:
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-launches-nationwide-framework-implement-medicaid-work-requirements

https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicaid-community-engagement-requirement-certain-individuals-interim-final-rule-comment-period-cms

06/03/2026

Are you ready to make your voice heard, build leadership skills, and connect with other young people with disabilities across Virginia?

Join the YET (Youth Empowerment Transition Council) at PEATC! We're looking for youth and young adults with disabilies, ages 14-26, who want to:
⭐ Strengthen self-advocacy skills
⭐ Share their ideas and advise PEATC on issues affecting youth
⭐ Build lasting friendships
⭐ Become active leaders in their schools and communities
⭐ Grow confidence and leadership skills

Meetings are held monthly (every second Monday unless otherwise stated).

Your experiences matter. Your voice matters. Your future matters.

➡️Interested in joining our next meeting NEXT WEEK, June 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM? Fill out the form here: forms.office.com/r/tt8i1at46m

05/27/2026

Help create dynamic statewide network of self-advocacy advisors working together to strengthen leadership, coaching, and communication skills across Virginia. Funded through a grant to The Arc of Virginia from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, this program provides robust training for new and experienced advisors focused on building skills and advancing the self-advocacy movement.

Join us on May 28 or June 4th by signing up here:
https://forms.gle/2vXWjSx4dHB2qhXFA

05/26/2026

Everyone deserves to see themselves represented in conversations about relationships, dating, and connection. Sharing this opportunity in case it is a fit for someone in our community.

05/20/2026

Support can make all the difference in the early years. 💜

If you’re caring for a young child with developmental delays, disabilities, or additional support needs, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Join PEATC’s Connecting the Dots webinar to learn about the New Path Family Support Network, a program of The Arc of Virginia that provides family-centered support, resources, information, and connection for caregivers of young children.

Together, we’ll explore how building a strong circle of support can help families feel informed, connected, and empowered.

📅 Tuesday, June 9, 2026 @ 12:30 - 1:00 PM EST

🔗 Register here: go.peatc.org/CTDReg26

05/19/2026

This Thursday IFSP Community Regional Councils and the Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) invite you to attend a FREE virtual information session!

TOPIC: Finding What Works: Education for Students with Developmental Disabilities (DD)

DATE: Thursday, May 21 from 6 to 8:15 p.m. (Eastern)

DESCRIPTION:
Every student needs different things to succeed in the classroom! Learn how to navigate educational programs for students from early childhood education through kindergarten, up to age 22.

The Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP)'s Regional Councils are proud to feature two guest presenters who can tell you about current programs in Virginia how to find what works best: Tammy Burns, M.Ed. from PEATC - Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center and Calypso Gilstrap from the Virginia Department of Education - VDOE.

Students and family members will also discuss their experiences collaborating with Virginia's school systems. You'll hear success stories and gain helpful strategies to help you and your student feel more confident when choosing an education plan!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
• Students with developmental disabilities, their families, and caregivers who want to learn more about educational programs in Virginia;
• Parents, guardians, educators, and service providers seeking guidance on how to navigate educational pathways for students with developmental disabilities;
• Anyone supporting a student with developmental disabilities and is seeking information on available programs, the eligibility requirements, and how to advocate for what is best for your student(s); and
• Anyone interested in this topic!

REGISTER HERE: ifsp.tny.cc/may-21

SIGN UP FOR A REMINDER: If you would like an email reminder the week of the event, please sign up using this link: surveymonkey.com/r/ifsp-may21

ACCESSIBILITY: We are proud to feature remote conference captioning through Virginia Relay! If you need an additional accommodation to participate, please email us by Thursday, May 7th (or as soon as possible!): [email protected]

QUESTIONS: [email protected]

SHARE OUR FLYER: ifsp.tny.cc/may-2026

[Image description: White and blue flyer with green accents advertising the IFSP Coordinated Regional Council Meeting featuring Tammy Burns from PEATC and Calypso Gilstrap from the Virginia Department of Education.]

05/15/2026

Our Work Has Always Been in the Community. 🧡

05/15/2026

Join PEATC on June 11, 2026 at 6:00PM for Pathways to Employment and Independent Living, a free live webinar designed to help youth with disabilities build independence, gain job skills, and explore meaningful employment opportunities.

This session will cover the benefits of working, address common fears and myths, and share practical ways to remove barriers to getting and keeping a job.

REGISTER HERE: https://go.peatc.org/Pathways2026

This webinar will be presented on Zoom. It will not be recorded.

Address

Colonial Heights, VA
23834

Telephone

+18044461705

Website

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