New to Special Education?

As a committed parent or community member, we welcome your partnership in providing a positive and enriching experience for every child in need of services.  Within this section, you will find numerous local and state agencies and programs that are committed to helping parents find information, advocate for their children, and improve services for students with disabilities.

• Special Education Advisory Committee:  A committee of Henrico parents who advocate for students with disabilities.

• Parent Resource Center:  A center staffed by parents of students with disabilities who have received specialized training in the special education process. The center provides materials (books/CDs/DVDs) on loan and provides training based on parent needs.

• Partnership for People with Disabilities:  An acknowledged University Center for Excellence for individuals with developmental disabilities. This center has a myriad of programs, trainings and partnerships that provide services and products to individuals with disabilities and those who care for them.

• Partners in Policymaking: Training Advocates to Step Up to Leadership Roles. Participants are people who live in Virginia, have a developmental disability or are parents of young children with developmental disabilities. Individuals attending the program will participate in advocacy skill workshops, resource development, and leadership training.

• Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC):  A center devoted to empowering parents through knowledge and training to be partners in their child’s educational process.

• Parents Guide to Special Education pdf

• Troubleshooting Parents' Special Education Concerns Within A Local School Division pdf

• Parent Ombudsmen

• VDOE Training and Technical Assistance Centers:  These centers, funded through VDOE and staff with expertise in a myriad of subject areas, deliver training and support to school divisions and their staff.

• Latino Familia Liaison (Español) pdf
  

Want to learn more about your child's disability?
Information from licensed, credible sources allows you to make informed decisions in the best interest of your child.  Below are the most commonly diagnosed disabilities recognized by the Virginia Department of Education.  Each category contains information on the eligibility criteria, organizations that support research on the disability and other resources to help you support your child.  Visit The HCPS Department of Exceptional Education and Support Services or the Virginia Department of Education websites for more information about these disabilities:

Autism Spectrum Disorders	Developmental Delay	Emotional Disability
Intellectual Disability	Learning Disability	Multiple Disabilities
Other Health Impairment	Orthopedic Impairment	Sensory Disabilities
Speech-Language Impairment	Traumatic Brain Injury