Partnership for People with Disabilities

Linking People. Changing Lives.

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Self-direction and determination, along with support to families during this transition. Strategies that work!

Learn more from Michelle Cades and her personal experiences.

About Michelle Cades

Michelle Cades, a licensed clinical social worker, serves as Advocacy Co-Chair for Fairfax County SEPTA (Special Education PTA) following three years serving as their President, through the COVID pandemic. Michelle earned her MA in Learning Disabilities at Northwestern University and her MSW at Catholic University. After teaching students with learning disabilities in public and private schools, Michelle has focused her 20+ years of social work practice on the special education and food allergy communities, including working with Congregation Beth Emeth Preschool and Religious Schools, Capital Camps, Matan, United Synagogue Youth (USY), and Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). Her most beloved and meaningful work is parenting her three 2e (twice-exceptional) children. 

Resources

Center for Family Involvement at VCU, part of the Partnership for Persons with Disabilities- https://partnership.vcu.edu/programs/community-living/center-for-family-involvement/

Formed Families Forward- community resource center for foster, adoptive and kinship families raising children, youth and young adults with special needs- https://formedfamiliesforward.org/

Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center- statewide special education parent training and information center- https://peatc.org/

Virginia Department of Education’s Training and Technical Assistance Centers at Universities across the state- https://doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/tech_asst_prof_dev/ttac/index.shtml

Arlington Public Schools Telenovela- https://www.apsva.us/special-education/parent-resource-center/telenovela/

How to Start a Special Education PTA (SEPTA): https://www.pta.org/home/About-National-Parent-Teacher-Association/Governance/Types-of-PTAs/Start-a-Special-Education-PTA

Arlington County SEPTA- http://www.arlingtonsepta.org/

Fairfax County SEPTA- https://fairfaxcountysepta.org/

Prince William County SEPTA- https://www.pwcsepta.org/

Many school divisions operate Parent Resource Centers or Parent/Teacher Resource Centers, including:

Alexandria City Public Schools- https://www.acps.k12.va.us/departments/teaching-learning-leadership/office-of-specialized-instruction/special-education-parent-resource-center

Henrico County Public Schools- https://henricoschools.us/resource-center/

Roanoke County Public Schools- https://www.rcps.us/Domain/1098

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