WV F2F and P4P Programs

01/16/2026

Are YOU:
● A parent or caregiver that has a child with special healthcare needs?
● Able to support and empower another parent or caregiver?
● Kind, open-minded and a good listener?
● Emotionally able to connect with another parent raising a child with special healthcare needs?
● Interested in sharing your experiences as a parent or caregiver of a child
with special healthcare needs?
If so, then becoming a P2P Support Parent is for you!

💕February Parent to Parent Support Parent Certification
Thursday, 2/12/2026 at 10:00am via zoom
Registration required:
https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/6dxnO2OTRYaAJxsVsGZFOQ

Contact Parent to Parent Program Coordinator Ali Shipman with any questions
alicia.shipman@hsc.wvu.edu

01/16/2026

online ASL classes

🎉 Who’s ready to take FREE online ASL classes with the Oklahoma School for the Deaf? 🤟

Registration opens today! https://courses.osd.k12.ok.us/

Choose ASL 1, ASL 2, or both—and start your class immediately after registering. Learn at your own pace from anywhere.

🗓 Registration closes February 12 — don’t miss out!

👉 Sign up today and start learning ASL!

Many thanks to the Oklahoma School for the Deaf Foundation for their generous support in making these FREE online ASL classes possible!

01/16/2026

Our friends at the WV Autism Training Center are offering a free ASD webinar

Please join us (virtually) on February 19, 2026 from 7-8 pm, with Autism Specialist Cara Reel, for an Overview of ASD webinar.
This event is free to attend but you must register using the QR code on the flyer. Once registered, you will receive a link to the event.

01/15/2026

A couple of years ago, the Family to Family (F2F) program at the WVU CED created a video series all about navigating medical transitions from pediatric to adult healthcare.

Due to West Virginia's rural landscape and distance between specialists, accessing specialized healthcare for people with complex needs can be a huge challenge. This series features first-hand accounts from families of children with complex medical needs, providers, parents, and people with lived-experience who have made the transition to adult healthcare.

Thank you to the Hatcher family and Dr. Shorter for their participation and expertise shared in this clip.

Check out a free training series, resources, infographics, and view the full mini-documentary: https://cedwvu.org/families/medical/navigating-medical-transitions/

WV F2F and P4P Programs
Association of University Centers on Disabilities

01/15/2026

We want your input!

The WVUCED F2F/P4P Programs develop a Virtual Speaker Series for parents and caregivers. These sessions typically occur once a month, are about an hour and a half long and we bring in professionals to discuss a topic of interest.

What topics would you like to see discussed in the upcoming Virtual Speaker Series Sessions?

Let us know below!

01/13/2026

Join us!
Virtual Speaker Series
Planning for the Future:
Legal and Financial Tips You Can't Miss

Register to Attend
https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/oxNNvQpLSKucMp5t-tHj1g

February 3, 2026 Speaker Series Info:
Date: February 3, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Presenter: Anna Price, Attorney at Bowles Rice LLP

Topic: Planning for the Future: Legal and Financial Tips You Can't Miss
Estate planning can feel overwhelming, especially for families of children with special healthcare needs. This session will break down some of the basics, including guardianship, special needs trusts, and legal vehicles to assist with the future.

What you’ll learn:
• The steps to take and the resources that are available to help.
• What guardian and special needs trusts are and when to use them.
• How to plan for your child's future, no matter their age.

At the end of the discussion, we’ll have an open Q&A session where you can ask follow-up questions or just chat with the experts. You’ll leave feeling more connected, empowered, and ready to take on whatever comes your way.

These sessions are designed to fit into your lunch break, so grab a bite, tune in, and join a community of families who understand what you’re going through. Let’s take care of ourselves and each other, one lunch break at a time!

01/13/2026

Barbie and ASAN (Autistic Self-Advocacy Network) partnered to create the first ever Barbie with Autism!
How awesome for every child/adult, between self representation in a toy for a someone with Autism and for everyone else to better understand ASD and what it could look like.

01/12/2026

Don't forget to join us tomorrow, January 13, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. EST as we welcome Emily Siqi Lu from the Griffith Institute for Tourism in Australia for this month's CED Ability Grand Rounds!

Emily will be presenting research and discussing workers with disabilities in the tourism industry. All are welcome to attend this free virtual webinar and join in the discussion!

Register for free: https://wvu.zoom.us/meeting/register/3vsCru0-TU6jTAzDsa5Npg #/registration

Griffith Institute for Tourism
QUT (Queensland University of Technology)

01/12/2026

Every monday for the next couple of months we will be putting a spotlight on the free online training modules we offer for both families and providers. Stay tuned every Monday to learn more about what the training portal has to offer.

Child Development Training – IMPACT WV: Explore developmental milestones and learn about factors that influence typical and atypical child growth. Perfect for families and providers who want a deeper understanding of child development.

Take the training here: https://cedwvutraining.org/online-learning/child-development/

See all courses here: https://cedwvutraining.org/ced-online-learning/impact-wv/

COMING SOON: A Ma*****na in Pregnancy learning module will be released within the next month or two!

01/11/2026

Another Free Virtual Training!

01/10/2026

01/09/2026

The Huntington Museum is hosting a Sensory Evening

Join us for our January Sensory Evening on January 18 from 5-7 PM. Families can expect a limited number of guests, low lighting, and quiet rooms. This is a free event, however, tickets are required to ensure we keep this a low-capacity event.

Claim your ticket here: https://givebutter.com/SensoryJan26