Center for Family Involvement

10/16/2026

🎉We are so proud of our deep connection to Parent to Parent USA (P2P USA)! 💙 As a proud P2P USA alliance member, CFI believes strongly in building community, cross-sharing resources, and lifting up families nationwide.

A massive shout-out to our very own Rebecca Stickler for serving on the national planning committee for the recent Volunteer Support Parent Summit, and to our Director Nickie Brandenburger for her leadership serving on the P2P USA Board of Directors!

We were also thrilled to see all six of our Virginia Family Navigators join volunteers from across the country for the annual Volunteer Support Parent Summit, an invaluable virtual gathering dedicated to peer support, networking, and expert-led sessions on vital topics like navigating grief, understanding trauma, father engagement, grandfamilies, and LGBTQIA+ disability advocacy.

Stay tuned as we partner more closely with P2P USA to cross-promote and support families and advocates everywhere!

P2P Website: www.p2pusa.org

Image Description: CFI and P2P logos and How does P2P support work?

Referred Parent is matched with a Support Parent.

A Referred Parent is a person who would like to connect with another family for support. Support Parents are individuals in the caretaking role that have lived experience with disabilities or special healthcare needs. They are volunteers that completed the Support Parent training.

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Partnership for People with Disabilities Association of University Centers on Disabilities Parent to Parent USA

10/16/2026

We want to hear from you!

During the 2026 General Assembly session, House Bill 996 (HB 996) was passed to help improve the transition from high school to adult services and opportunities for students with disabilities. The legislation directs the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), the Virginia Department of Education, and other partners to develop a plan for clearer transition guidance, better information and resources, stronger connections with Community Services Boards, and an online resource to help students and families understand their options after high school.

The goal is to help more students with disabilities successfully move into postsecondary education, training, employment, day programs, independent living, and life-skills programs.

We are asking families, educators, Community Services Board staff and service providers to complete a brief survey. Your feedback will help us understand what information is hard to find, where barriers exist and what resources or supports would make the transition process easier.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share it with others who may want to provide input. Your experience can help shape better transition information and supports for Virginia’s students and families.

The survey can be accessed using this link or the QR code https://bit.ly/4s1hSvX

The survey is available in English and Spanish. If you need the survey in a different language, please email [email protected] with the specific language needed.

10/15/2026

🔦SHINING the SPOTLIGHT: Courageous Parents Network (CPN)—an invaluable nonprofit offering guidance for families and clinicians navigating pediatric medical complexity. 🌟

Supporting families and clinicians navigating a child's serious medical condition can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to walk the path alone. 💙

CPN offers incredible, diagnosis-agnostic digital resources, video libraries, and community programming designed to empower caregivers every step of the way.

Explore their life-changing portals—including Navigating Medical Complexity, NeuroJourney, and Coping with Loss—to find guidance, palliative care insights, and a true sense of community.

Discover their compassionate, bias-free resources: courageousparentsnetwork.org

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

10/15/2026

Navigating hearing levels and early intervention can feel overwhelming for families, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone! 💙

Our newest resource guide breaks down everything from everyday sound ranges to hearing aids, FM systems, and cochlear implants—making it easier to understand your child’s hearing journey and know what support is available.

Get Prepared Here: Scan the QR code on the graphic or click the link to explore the guide and find free tools for your family’s journey! 📚

LINK: https://tinyurl.com/resource-guide-0-5

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Partnership for People with Disabilities VCU School of Education

10/14/2026

The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) invites Virginia Medicaid advocates and community stakeholders to attend a virtual Town Hall on October 22, 2026, from 6:00–7:00 p.m.

The session will provide an overview of upcoming H.R. 1 Medicaid changes, including new federal work requirements and six-month renewals for Medicaid Expansion members. Participants will learn about key implementation dates, who may be affected, available exemptions, and resources to help eligible Virginians maintain their Medicaid coverage.

During registration, participants may submit questions in advance for Virginia Medicaid subject-matter experts to address during the Town Hall. While we may not be able to answer every question during the session, DMAS will do its best to address the topics that are most important to advocates and the members they serve.

To register for this session, please visit 4298ef62-cbe6-46c7-ad05-f66d692acc69@620ae5a9-4ec1-4fa0-8641-5d9f386c7309?utm_campaign=ccc_eng&utm_content=70004094&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=20260923" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/4298ef62-cbe6-46c7-ad05-f66d692acc69@620ae5a9-4ec1-4fa0-8641-5d9f386c7309?utm_campaign=ccc_eng&utm_content=70004094&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=20260923

10/14/2026

Hundreds of parents raising children with disabilities joined a rally at the Arkansas capitol last month to demand state officials fully fund programs that allow people with disabilities to live at home as required by federal law.

More than 2,400 people in Arkansas – and 650,000 nationwide – appear on waitlists for those Medicaid services.

10/14/2026

Today is the day! Registration is officially OPEN for the AUCD 2026 Conference!

Join us in Washington, D.C. from November 8-11 for "Impact Through Innovation and Partnership." Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned professional, come connect, learn, and grow with over 1,000 leaders in the disability field.

Secure your spot today: aucd.org/conference/registration



ID: AUCD 2026 Annual Conference poster with “Impact through Innovation and Partnership,” dates Nov 8–11 in Washington, DC, a photo of people in a meeting with laptops, and bold text “Registration is Open!”

10/14/2026

10/13/2026

How can we bridge the gap in rural health care? 🌾 Building a strong, community-driven workforce is key to expanding vital behavioral health services where they are needed most.

In our latest resource from the Center for Health Care Strategies, The Rural Pearl with Lisa Richard explores how leveraging peer support specialists, community health workers, paramedics, and care coordinators can transform care delivery.

Discover practical strategies for providers and health systems to strengthen rural behavioral health access.

ARTICLE: www.chcs.org/resource/increasing-access-to-rural-behavioral-health-care-through-a-community-based-workforce/

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: Partnership for People with Disabilities VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)