The Whole Family Foundation VA

06/17/2026

"I would love a free afternoon at the pool, but...."

"Saturday afternoon? Um... I not sure...."

Would you like to get a break and enjoy a couple hours away from caregiving? They understand! Caregivers from "Hidden Pearls" -- held at Grace Communion Hanover -- are offering FREE respite care for children ages 5 to 21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities THIS SATURDAY, June 20th, from 1-4 PM. The program is offered every 3rd Saturday of the month.

Program volunteers are trained and have background checks. The originators, who have an adult child with a disability, are part of the Hanover Community Collaborative -- organizations partnering with The Arc of Hanover to collaborate on meeting more needs of self-advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in Hanover County.

STILL TIME TO REGISTER, and it's required to attend. To register, please call 585-520-1236 or 585-520-1237.



Grace Communion Hanover

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.

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.

04/23/2026

04/23/2026

DBHDS Division of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking volunteers to become members of the Waiver Slot Assignment Committee (WSAC) who have knowledge of or experience with services for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Responsibilities include reviewing information presented of nominees for vacant and available Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver and hold confidential all information reviewed. DBHDS provides training specific to the DBHDS mission, all responsibilities, and the positive impact these waivers and services have to promote inclusion within our community.

WSAC members can determine how little or how much time they would like to volunteer. On average a WSAC lasts about four hours per Community Service Board (CSB). Virginia has 40 CSBs who at anytime throughout the year could have a WSAC to assign new or vacant DD Waivers.

WSAC members should not be current CSB, DBHDS employees or board members, not current employees, owners or board members of an agency providing waiver services, or a family member of an individual currently on the DD Waiver Waitlist.

Apply today at https://forms.office.com/g/kytz8AUv57

04/21/2026

It's your last week to get registered for the Lake Anna Elite Anglers 5th Annual Day of Fishing for Children with Special Needs event. Don't wait as registration spots are limited,follow the link previously posted to get signed up today.

04/21/2026

Abby, Elmo, Julia, and friends from Sesame Workshop share new resources to help explain autism in kid-friendly ways and support how we can connect, help, play, and be kind to one another! ✨ They also share tips to help parents and providers plan activities to support all children in group activities.

📲 Check them out @ https://sesameworkshop.org/topics/autism!

AND.... there's a new downloadable communication board with core vocabulary and our favorite Sesame Street characters.️ 🎊
➡️ https://sesameworkshop.org/resources/sesame-street-communication-board

Communication boards are a great way to help us communicate and to build literacy skills!

Materiales están disponibles en Español.

04/17/2026

📣Understanding Vision & Hearing Loss in Young Children
A PEATC Connecting the Dots Webinar

Helping families & professionals support children with dual sensory loss!

Young children learn by seeing, hearing, and exploring. When a child has both vision and hearing loss, they learn in unique ways and may need extra support. We’re connecting the dots to give families the confidence, tools, and resources available to help their children thrive!

📅Tuesday, May 5, 2026
⏰12:00 pm (noon) EST

👉Register - go.peatc.org/VisionHearingLoss

04/06/2026

Independent Living
A free online training for students with disabilities age 12-22 who live in Virginia!

Monday, April 20, 2026 | 6:00 - 7:00 pm EST (Eastern Standard Time)

Join us to discuss various independent living skills that will benefit you as you prepare for adulthood.

Topics include what vocational rehabilitation (VR) is and how they can help, soft skills for employment and reaching your greatest level of independence, and the importance of building self-advocacy skills for the future.

REGISTER HERE: https://tinyurl.com/2yt9ts95

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Presented by PEATC in partnership with the Parent Resource Center of Montgomery County Public Schools