Vaccinate Against Covid-19! |
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What Are the Phases of Virginia's Covid-19 Immunization Campaign?
Find your Local Health District - Which one covers CRAAG's Region?
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Update from CRAAG's December 2, 2020
Inclusive Housing Forum
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At the end of 2020 CRAAG and DBHDS District 1 Housing hosted a virtual Inclusive Housing Forum featuring Paula Manion and Donna Budway, two dynamic parents representing City Center NOVA (CCN), now rebranded as Our Stomping Ground. It drew 70 registrants and an audience of 44+ self-advocates, family members, DD providers, developers, affordable housing advocates and other community members.
CRAAG’s primary goal is to make tangible progress on expanding housing options and associated services for adults with DD. This goal and various objectives will be discussed at the Jan. 27th CRAAG meeting. All are welcome, including those who attended the Dec. 2 Forum! If you are willing, be prepared to share your vision for housing for your family member with DD. Plan to attend this meeting. Email CRAAG for the Zoom meeting link.
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CRAAG 2021
Meeting Calendar
for January to June
January 27 from 10 a.m. to Noon.
Housing for adults with DD will be discussed at the Jan. 27th CRAAG meeting. All are welcome, including those who attended the Dec. 2 Housing Forum! If you are willing, be prepared to share your vision for housing for your family member with DD. Plan to attend this meeting. Email CRAAG for the Zoom meeting link.
February 24
March 24
April 28
May 26
June 23
CRAAG meetings are on the 4th Wed. of the month from 10 a.m. to Noon. Email CRAAG to get a link and instructions for joining the meeting!
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Advocacy Links for Virginia's
2021 Legislative Session
January 13 - February 27
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For maximum awareness of pending legislation, public meetings, advocacy alerts, and much more during this year's General Assembly (GA) session, CRAAG has compiled a list of links that will help you follow the GA's decision making.
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Most Read Article in November |
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CRAAG is now tracking the most read article in each newsletter. We're publishing a link to the last newsletter's winner in case you missed it, and want to read it. Updates from the October 28, 2020 Meeting was November 2020's Most Read Article!
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Connect, Engage, Learn, Change!
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Charlottesville Parks and Recreation’s January 2021 newsletter has links to virtual art and music, crafts, and recreational programs for ages 8+ and older. Subscribe to get the monthly newsletter emailed directly to your inbox.
Virginia Institute of Autism (VIA) and Attorney Neal Walters invite family members or professionals to a FREE virtual workshop and Q & A on Wednesday, February 17th from 11-1 p.m. The topic is special needs trusts, guardianship, and financial and government benefit issues that arise for a loved one with a disability after adulthood. Email Hilary Nagel by February 15th to receive the workshop link.
PREP’s Spring 2021 newsletter announced four two-night virtual workshops from January to April. The Promoting Independence Through the Use of Visual Supports covers four different basic visual supports for individuals with ASD and other executive functioning deficits. Two supports will be discussed each night with an open Q&A session following the presentation. Visual Supports covered include: visual schedule, first-then, countdown strip, and visual directives. Subscribe to receive the monthly newsletter in your inbox.
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The GA Needs to Act on JLARC's
Recommendations and Policy
Options for Special Education!
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Special Education and the Virginia Department of Education are on the hot seat due to Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC). In December JLARC presented findings that confirmed long-held concerns from parents and special education advocates. The JLARC report, the first study of special education in 36 years, was the result of a U.S. Department of Education investigation finding fault with Virginia. The complete list of JLARC’s 27 recommendations and policy options is available here!
JLARC found significant problems, including:
- Poor quality of Individual Educational Programs (IEPs);
- Inadequate transition planning for students leaving high school;
- Lack of oversight and monitoring for special education services delivered in all regions of the state;
- Lower graduation rates and scores on state assessment for students with IEPs as compared to non-disabled peers;
- Shortages of licensed special educators across the state;
- Poorer outcomes for Black students with disabilities and for students with more severe needs; and
- Inadequate standards for the "Applied Studies Diploma” awarded to 20% of high school graduates with IEPs. The diploma is not accepted by any of the state’s post-secondary institutions, and students pursuing higher education need to complete the GED program to continue their education. Parents were not informed of the diploma’s shortcomings.
This is disheartening to say the least. It took years of complaints for parents to get the U.S. DOE to look into this. We need action now!
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About CRAAG
CRAAG began in 2010 in collaboration with CA Human Services (formerly Commonwealth Autism). CRAAG’s mission is to raise awareness and enhance the quality of life for people with autism, developmental disabilities, and their families in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson counties. As a volunteer action group, our members are families, self-advocates, and professionals who are interested in all age groups and levels of need. The daily concerns of CRAAG's active volunteers inform our focus on the needs of adults. Our advocacy is person-centered and aimed at maximizing independent living with supports, meaningful employment, social connectivity, and community engagement.
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