Previous Event Recordings

On November 4, 2024, the Fredericksburg Area Council on Transition (FACT) welcomed Patti Hodge, from the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), for a presentation on Pre- Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Learn how these services help provide an early start at career exploration and preparation for adult life for school-age children with disabilities. For more information about getting your child (ages 14 through high school graduation) connected to DARS for Pre-ETS, contact your child's case manager, your school's transition specialist, or your local Parent Resource Center.

On October 30, 2024, Stafford County Public Schools Parent Teacher Resource Center, in partnership with the Fredericksburg Area Council on Transition, welcomed Attorney Matt Bellinger of BeneCounsel, Inc. as he shared information regarding guardianship, alternatives to guardianship, and information about disability benefits and special needs trusts. Access a printable copy of the presentation here: https://tinyurl.com/BellingerSlides2025

On April 23, 2024, the Fredericksburg Area Council on Transition (FACT) welcomed Monica Mann, Director of Family Services at Eli's Village to learn more about Microboards, how to create one, and the various supports available in Virginia. A Microboard is a formalized “circle of support,” a non-profit corporation consisting of a small group of individuals who assist an individual with disabilities in creating and implementing a life plan. Microboards start with person centered planning and uses a self-determined model to develop and expand community connections.

On February 27, 2024, the Fredericksburg Area Council on Transition (FACT) welcomed Theresa McGhee, Director of Employment and Counseling Services at Service Source; Win Stevens, from the Office of Accessibility Resources at Germanna Community College; and Erin Hudgins, Vocational Counselor from the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. These three speakers shared important information about the various postsecondary pathways available to individuals with disabilities, and answered questions from the audience.

On December 5, 2023 Fredericksburg Area Council on Transition (FACT) welcomed Lucy Beadnell, Director of Advocacy at The Arc of Northern Virginia, to speak about supported decision making, a tool that allows people with disabilities to retain their decision making capacity by choosing supporters to help them make choices which can be used as an alternative to guardianship. You can get a copy of the presentation and resources mentioned in this video here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17h5nMxRH2HpRpidS0Cy1biE-hsZCdXav/view?usp=sharing

On January 24, 2023, Fredericksburg Area Council on Transition (FACT) welcomed Dr. Adam Kaul, Medical Director and Consultant at REACH Central Region Virginia, to speak about anxiety and stress in teens and young adults with disabilities. Dr. Kaul provides psychiatric consulting, and medical oversight of multidisciplinary treatment teams for individuals with developmental and/or neuropsychiatric disabilities. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS PRESENTATION: -how to identify anxiety and other mental health concerns -what supports can be used to reduce or alleviate anxiety -what families and schools can do to help Additional resources: REACH - Crisis Services https://dbhds.virginia.gov/developmental-services/crisis-services/

On February 10, 2021, Fredericksburg Area Council on Transition (FACT) hosted speakers from the Region III Parent Resource Centers (Caroline County Public Schools Parent Teacher Resource Center, Spotsylvania County Public Schools Parent Resource Center, and Stafford County Public Schools Parent Teacher Resource Center) in the third session of the 2020-2021 Pathways to the Future virtual session series: "Full Life Ahead." Presenters introduced the Full Life Ahead workbook and guide to adult life for students with disabilities. This workbook was developed and written BY parents, FOR parents, by the Full Life Ahead Foundation of H.O.P.E. A copy of the presentation, as well as all of the resources and links that were shared in the video can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R3XSmz9Twk8q1hfEsDS19OKsNKYnTKy4/view?usp=sharing If you are in the Greater Fredericksburg Area and are interested in receiving a copy of the Full Life Ahead workbook, please contact your closest Parent Resource Center: Caroline County Public Schools Parent Teacher Resource Center: (804) 633-7083 Spotsylvania County Public Schools Parent Resource Center: (540) 582-7060 Stafford County Public Schools Parent Teacher Resource Center: (540) 899-6000 Otherwise, Full Life Ahead workbooks can be purchased online at https://fulllifeahead.org/store/. The Fredericksburg Area Council on Transition is a regional, multi-agency nonprofit organization that meets monthly at various community agency locations. Contact any of the Resource Centers for additional information regarding resources or upcoming meetings or events: Email: councilontransition@gmail.com Facebook:@FACTfred https://www.factfred.com