PCPS Parent Resource Center News
November 2026
Transition University - Fall Session 2026 (Self paced online course)
Transition University - Fall Session 2026 Join us for this FREE 5-session SELF-PACED online course that focuses on providing parent-friendly information to help make transition planning easier. This course is designed for parents/caregivers of elementary, middle, or high school students that receive special education services, and the professionals that support them. The goal is to share factual information on transition services and to help make the transition from school services to the adult services world less confusing.
October 5, 2026 - December 7, 2026
IEP University (Self paced online course)
IEP University PEATC, in collaboration with VDOE, has developed IEP University (IEPU) to help provide families and professionals with accurate and useful information around IEP development and meetings. IEPU is a self-paced online training with easy-to-understand guidance on the special education process, the IEP document, and ways to develop collaborative relationships among schools and families. IEPU will target practical strategies aimed at helping future IEP meetings be more positive, productive, and collaborative for everyone involved.
November 3, 2026 - November 23, 2026
Building Strong Parent Advocates (Self paced online course)
Building Strong Parent Advocates PEATC, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education, invites families to join us for our online training course, Building Strong Parent Advocates. Families of children receiving special education services find themselves in a world filled with complicated policies, confusing acronyms and terms, and piles of paperwork. Often, families find themselves looking for information and background knowledge to help them better support their children through the Individualized Education Program (IEP). 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.
November 3, 2026 - November 23, 2026
Early Childhood Academy (Self paced online course)
Early Childhood Academy
November 13, 2026 - December 18, 2026
You are your child’s first and most important teacher, and you help set a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success! In this 5-week online program, families of children with disabilities learn about supporting their child’s early learning and development and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.
Learn about:
- Parents as first teachers
- Importance of inclusive early education
- Developmental milestones
- Supporting language development and encouraging positive behaviors
- Benefits of Assistive Technology
- Preparing children with disabilities for school
- Early intervention and early childhood special education services
Understanding Your Rights as a Parent on the Special Education Team
Parent Participation in Special Education
November 5 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Parents are essential members of the special education team. This workshop helps families understand their rights and responsibilities throughout the special education process while providing practical strategies for meaningful participation. Participants will learn how to prepare for meetings, ask effective questions, collaborate with school staff, and address disagreements when they arise. Families will leave with greater confidence, stronger advocacy skills, and tools to help ensure their child's needs remain at the center of every decision.
Hosted by PEATC and Prince George County Public Schools
Addressing Behaviors Confidently IN PERSON event November 10th
Addressing Behaviors Confidently
November 10 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Hosted by PEATC in partnership with Henrico County Public Schools.
This presentation shares different ways to understand social and emotional needs and support your child’s growth and development. Learn strategies to calm difficult moments, make daily routines run more smoothly, and learn about the school-based support available, including Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs). You will leave with practical ideas and resources you can start using right away, along with a clearer understanding of how to work with your child’s teachers to help set your child up for success.
IN-PERSON Event:
Virginia Randolph Education Center
2206 Mountain Rd,
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Personal Finance VIRTUAL Workshops for Autistic Young Adults (Nov 12 and Nov 19)
In partnership with Synchrony, OAR is excited to offer a free virtual personal finance workshop series designed for autistic young adults.
Join us this fall for three interactive workshops focused on practical financial skills you can use in everyday life. Learn strategies for managing credit and debt, creating a budget that works for you, and building smarter saving habits. All workshops are free to attend.
These virtual workshops are designed to be interactive, with opportunities to participate in activities alongside the workshop facilitators. However, participation is always optional. Attendees are welcome to turn their cameras on or off and can choose how much they would like to participate. Each workshop will be recorded and archived on our website for those who cannot attend.
Register today and start building your financial skills. We hope to see you there!
Personal Finance Workshop Series_Registration_Handouts
Thursday, November 12 at 1:00 PM EDT
Register
Build Your Budget: A Hands-On Guide to Taking Control of Your Money
Thursday, November 19 at 1:00 PM EDT
Register
Save Smarter: An Interactive Guide to Building Better Money Habits for Real Life
Understanding Special Education
Understanding Special Education This workshop gives families a clear overview of how special education works in Virginia, from referral through services and IEP development. Parents will learn the basic steps, key terms, and their rights under special education law, along with practical ways to participate as an equal member of the team. Families will leave with a stronger understanding of the process, what to expect at each stage, and how to advocate for their child with confidence.
November 19 | 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Hosted by PEATC in partnership with JBLE Langley School Liaison Program Manager, Terrilyn Williams.
Turning 18 in Virginia: What Individuals with Disabilities Need to Consider
Turning 18 in Virginia: What Individuals with Disabilities Need to Consider Turning 18 is a big deal. An 18-year-old is legally considered an adult in Virginia and can make their own legal, financial, medical, and educational decisions. For some individuals with disabilities, this will not be an issue. Others may need support. This workshop will share basic information about things that need to be considered as your loved one turns 18.
November 19 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Hosted by PEATC in partnership with The Arc of Greater Prince William and Prince William County Public Schools Parent Resource Center.
Parent Ombudsman for Special Education (Virginia Department of Education)
What is an Ombudsman?
The Ombudsman for Special Education is a confidential informal resource for addressing concerns brought forth by parents regarding the special education processes and/or their child’s special education programming. The Ombudsman serves to facilitate the engagement of parents and school division personnel in collaborative communication that may lead to early resolution of disputes and/or clarification of misunderstandings. The Ombudsman is not a mediator and serves as a resource to parents in non-legal special education matters.
An Ombudsman serves as a ‘designated neutral’ who advocates for a fair process. The Ombudsman acts as a source of information and referral, aids in answering individuals’ questions, and assists in the resolution of concerns and issues. The Ombudsman serves as a resource to parents in non-legal special education matters. Does the Ombudsman represent the parents in issues with local educational agencies? No, the Ombudsman is not an advocate for any individual or organization and takes into account the interests and rights of all parties.
Specific Duties of the Ombudsman for Special Education
- Serve as a source of information and referral regarding state and federal laws and regulations governing special education.
- Provide information and support to parents of students with disabilities to help them understand and navigate the special education process.
- Provide communication strategies to parents and school divisions for resolving disagreements and special education issues.
- Assist parents in developing strategies and informal options to address issues and concerns.
- Promote collaboration and positive communication between parents and school division personnel in addressing special education issues.
- Provide information and resources on available options for dispute resolution, such as mediation, state complaints, and due process hearings when collaboration efforts fail.
- Serve as a resource for disability related information and referrals to available programs and services for individuals with disabilities.
- Identify, track, monitor, and report to the VDOE leadership on suspected systemic patterns of concerns that emerge from constituent contacts regarding special education services in local school divisions to aid in addressing noncompliance
Contact Information
Parent Ombudsman
Toll Free: 800-422-2083
Email: SpecialEducationOmbudsman@doe.virginia.gov
What is PEATC? Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
PEATC is a statewide nonprofit whose passion is to empower families of children with disabilities in Virginia. Our central focus is on families who are navigating the special education system and disability services.
Erika Jenkins is the Family Support Specialist for our area. She will have office hours at the Powhatan Library on the FIRST TUESDAY of each month from 12:30-2:30. Her phone number is (703) 923-0010.
- PEATC ( Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center ) : Register for the PEATC newsletter and PEATC calendar
- Erika Jenkins ( Phone: 703-923-0010 ) - PEATC Family Support Specialist for Region 1 Office hours: 1st Tuesday of each month @ Powhatan Library 12:30-2:30pm
LAST CALL! Special Education Parent Involvement Survey for the 2025-26 School Year
All parents of school-aged children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services in Virginia are requested to complete the VDOE annual Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. The survey will remain open through December 11, 2026. Please complete one survey for each of your children currently receiving special education services through the 2025-26 school year.
If you have questions regarding this survey, please contact Dr. Chiquita Seaborne, Family Engagement Specialist/Special Projects Coordinator, via email at Chiquita.Seaborne@doe.virginia.gov, or via telephone at (804) 418-4672.