Center for Excellence in Disabilities at WVU

11/14/2025

The WVU CED is seeking donations for its annual fundraiser to bring joy to former foster youth in West Virginia during the holiday season.

The Mentoring and Oversight for Developing Independence with Foster Youth (MODIFY) program at the WVU CED provides ongoing services and resources specifically to meet the needs of eligible former foster youth of West Virginia who are interested in furthering their education. One of the program’s purposes is to provide education and training vouchers to youth who exit foster care at age 18 or older so they can attend a West Virginia college, university, or vocational training.

“I look forward to this drive every year,” said Michelle Fleece, MODIFY program manager. “It gives us a chance to recognize these youth and all the hard work they put towards overcoming the obstacles in their lives and bettering themselves while working towards their educational goals.”

Many youth in the program have limited or no family support and often do not receive any gifts for the holidays. MODIFY’s annual donation drive disperses raised funds to the program participants in the form of gift cards so they can purchase something for themselves during the holiday season.

“These funds allow these former foster youth to reward themselves or help them buy an item they’ve been wanting but couldn’t afford,” said Fleece. “The holidays are supposed to be a joyful time of year, and this drive shows these youth that people care and are thinking about them.”

Transitioning to adulthood can be a challenging time for young people who age out of foster care. According to the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council, they have a higher risk than their peers of experiencing homelessness, mental and physical health problems, substance use disorder and more. In fact, a study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that up to 46% of former foster youth experienced homelessness at least once by the age of 26.

“We see so many different walks of life in this program,” said Fleece. “Some live alone, some go back to extended families, and others have built families of their own. All of them truly enjoy receiving this surprise gift each year. It really does make a difference. I hope this year that we can reach even more people and make a bigger impact.”

Donations will be accepted through December 14, 2025 and are tax deductible through the WVU Foundation: https://give.wvu.edu/wvucedholiday

WVU Foundation

11/13/2025

Join the MoCrazy Strong Foundation and the WV Traumatic Brain Injury Services program on January 22–23, 2026 at Canaan Valley Resort for Alive to Thrive, a welcoming weekend of adaptive skiing, peer connection, and practical brain-injury support.

Designed for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI), their families, rehabilitation professionals, students, and community partners, the weekend pairs accessible on-snow instruction (with Challenged Athletes of WV and WVU Physical Therapy students) and fun social activities (snow-tubing, an evening film + keynote) with a one-day professional CEU TBI conference: Pushing the Peak: Elevating Brain Injury Science and Support.

Get tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/alive-to-thrive-wv




MoCrazy Strong
WV TBI Services
Canaan Valley Resort
Challenged Athletes of West Virginia

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11/13/2025

The Regional Transition Navigator Services (RTNS) team is a participating partner for this year's Youth Hope Month!

They're raising awareness about youth homelessness by sharing their commitment card photos and participating in Wear Green Day, which happens today!

Feel free to join in by sharing your own photos of yourself wearing green and/or with a commitment card (available in the Youth Hope Month toolkit linked below). Be sure to tag both 1800Runaway.org and RTNS and use the hashtags and

Youth Hope Month toolkit: https://www.1800runaway.org/prevention-education/youth-hope-month

1800RUNAWAY.org
Regional Transition Navigator Services

11/12/2025

Don't forget to join the Family to Family program for another Virtual Speaker Series webinar next Tuesday, November 18 at 11 a.m. as they welcome Doug Cumpston and Allie Morlock from the West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) team! They'll be talking all about assistive technology (AT) and how it can be used for communication, mobility, and daily tasks.

Register for free: https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/YumBwvcTQveomu_E9WlnXg #/registration

West Virginia Assistive Technology - WVATS
WV F2F and P4P Programs

November Virtual Speaker Series!

Session Title: A Brief Overview of Assistive Technology for Families and Caregivers of Children and Adults with Special Healthcare Needs

Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EST

Presenters: Doug Cumpston and Allie Morlock, West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS)

Assistive technology (AT) can open up a world of possibilities for children and adults with special healthcare needs. This session will provide an overview of the wide variety of assistive devices and tools available to help individuals with mobility, communication, learning, and daily living tasks. We’ll discuss the latest technologies, how to determine which devices may be most beneficial for your loved one, and how to access these tools through healthcare providers and community resources. Whether your child is young or an adult with special needs, this session will help you understand how AT can enhance their independence and quality of life.

Join us for a laid-back, virtual speaker series designed specifically for families and caregivers of children with special healthcare needs. We know that life is busy, so we’ve made this series perfect for your lunch break—short, practical, and packed with info you can actually use. Every session will cover a topic that’s top-of-mind for families, featuring expert speakers and real-life tips from other caregivers. Whether you need advice, resources, or just a little support, these sessions are here to help make your life a little easier.

Register now: https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/YumBwvcTQveomu_E9WlnXg #/registration

11/12/2025

Thanks to everyone who joined us for yesterday's CED Ability Grand Rounds discussion! Next up, we welcome Dr. William S. Brooks and Dr. Ashley Parish from the University of Alabama at Birmingham as they present on the Come Roll With Me (CRWM) program and identify practical strategies for integrating disability-focused curricula and lived experiences into medical education to promote inclusivity and culturally competent care.

CRWM's goal is to connect the able-bodied and disability communities to bridge gaps in communication, appreciation, and respect for how we all navigate life.

Register for this free, virtual discussion happening on December 9, 2025 at 2 p.m. EST: https://wvu.zoom.us/meeting/register/cqlQaWQdRa-ixx-cbIEeBw #/registration

Come Roll With Me
UAB - The University of Alabama at Birmingham

11/11/2025

As National Family Caregivers Month continues, we want to share this upcoming virtual event hosted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

This Friday, November 14 at 2 p.m. EST, you'll hear from four different couples where one partner is living with paralysis. These honest conversations will shine a light on ways couples stay connected, communicate, and navigate caregiving to keep their relationships strong and supportive.

Register for free: https://bit.ly/4ownprp

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

11/11/2025

Happy Veterans Day to all who served!

Disability Employment Services at the WVU CED is dedicated to helping people with disabilities, including disabled veterans, find meaningful employment. Free services include employment counseling, skill assessments, career exploration, resume writing, interview preparation/mock interviews, job-seeking assistance, and information on disabilities in the workplace.

Learn more: https://cedwvu.org/employment-services/

National and West Virginia disabled veteran facts:
- In 2024, 5.5 million veterans had a service-connected disability. That is 31% of all veterans in the country.
- West Virginia is home to 109,457 veterans. That is 7.7% of the state's population.
- 28.9% of West Virginia veterans have a service-connected disability.
- Pocahontas County has the highest percentage of veterans living in the state per county, with 11.7%. Morgan, Jefferson, Pleasants, Calhoun, and Summers all had veterans accounting for 10% or more of their population.

Stats courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Housing Assistance Council.

11/10/2025

Emergencies and disasters are things that we all fear, but having a plan can help make sure we are prepared to take care of those who are important to us.

Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, November 11, at 2 p.m. EST for the next CED Ability Grand Rounds webinar as we welcome Dr. Sally Lindsay from the University of Toronto as she discusses emergency and disaster preparedness among children and youth with disabilities and chronic conditions, their caregivers, and service providers.

Don't miss this great discussion!

Register for free: https://wvu.zoom.us/meeting/register/cqlQaWQdRa-ixx-cbIEeBw #/registration

Please join us for the next CED Ability Grand Rounds webinar as we welcome Dr. Sally Lindsay from the Holland Bloorview Children's Rehabilitation Hospital and the University of Toronto as she discusses emergency and disaster preparedness among children and youth with disabilities and chronic conditions, their caregivers and service providers.

Dr. Lindsay's presentation will happen next Tuesday, November 11 at 2 p.m. EST.

CED Ability Grand Rounds are always free to attend, but registration is required in advance. All are welcome to join us for this interactive webinar!

Register: https://wvu.zoom.us/meeting/register/cqlQaWQdRa-ixx-cbIEeBw #/registration

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
University of Toronto

11/10/2025

The WVU CED has introduced a new online course, "Patient Care for Patients with Disabilities in Rural Primary Care," as a flexible training opportunity.

This training is free for all students and medical residents.

This training will equip providers with the knowledge and skills to:

- Assess the unique needs of patients with disabilities.
- Develop tailored care plans to improve health outcomes.
- Overcome common challenges in rural primary care settings.
- Enhance patient engagement and satisfactions.
- Improve care coordination with specialists and community resources.

Why this micro-credential matters:

- 1 in 5 adults has a disability, and this number is projected to increase.
- Rural areas face significant disparities in access to disability care.

What you'll gain:

- 5 hours of interactive online content.
- Certification CE credits and/or community service hours.
- Ongoing support and networking opportunities.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and improve patient care. Enroll now and start making a difference in the lives of patients with disabilities!

Register: https://wvu.geniussis.com/PublicStudentSignUp.aspx?AffiliateID=LR10P3

WVU School of Medicine
WVU School of Nursing
WVU School of Public Health
West Virginia University- Occupational Therapy

11/07/2025

Exceptional Possibilities WV is hosting their annual Adaptive Toy Giveaway event on Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the South Charleston Recreational Center in South Charleston, WV!

Qualifying individuals will receive a free adaptive toy that is specially made to be used with an adaptive switch. The event will also feature sensory and adaptive activities for all to enjoy.

Free to attend, but you must register to receive a toy: https://forms.gle/iBydKXsgPxU2Z7sf8

Our third annual Holiday Extravaganza will take place in just 1️⃣ short month! This event features fun holiday-themed activities as well as our Adapted Toy Giveaway! 💛💙🎄🍪🎨🧸🎁

Please complete the registration below to participate:
https://forms.gle/iBydKXsgPxU2Z7sf8

11/07/2025

Our friends at the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University are hosting a free "Overview of autism spectrum disorder" webinar at 6 p.m. on November 17, 2025.

Tune in to learn more about ASD characteristics, prevalence, and how to engage with and support individuals with ASD.

Register for free: da35d237-cf32-460b-b1d1-ba41c34cb1de@239ab278-3bba-4c78-b41d-8508a541e025" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/da35d237-cf32-460b-b1d1-ba41c34cb1de@239ab278-3bba-4c78-b41d-8508a541e025

West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University

11/06/2025

The WVU CED is hiring for multiple positions across our various programs that help West Virginians with disabilities and their families! Are you ready to join our team?

- (Hybrid) Parent Network Specialist - Eastern Panhandle
The purpose of this position is to provide resources and support to improve the quality of life for families and children enrolled in the Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) program through the WV Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR). Children who qualify include children with complex medical conditions and/or children in foster care. We will hire in Berkeley and surrounding counties.

- Peer Recovery Coach & Doula Specialist
The Peer Recovery Coach & Doula Specialist provides compassionate, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed peer support and advocacy services to women with current or past substance use disorders who have infants and/or young children (ages 0-5). This position leverages lived experience with recovery and/or substance use, along with Doula expertise, to empower mothers to achieve and maintain long-term recovery, strengthen parent-child bonds, promote healthy family dynamics, and navigate complex systems of care. This role serves as a bridge between the client and support services, including medical, mental health, childcare, housing, and social services.

- Assistant Professor WVU School of Medicine - Human Performance (Division of Disability Studies)
West Virginia University School of Medicine – Health Professions located in Morgantown, WV, is seeking a full-time, non-tenure track (12-month) Assistant Professor for the Department of Human Performance, Division of Disability Studies to contribute to a well-established program with a tradition of excellence in teaching, research/scholarship, and service. The successful candidate will contribute to the mission of WVU, and the program housed within the School of Medicine.

- Administrative Assistant (Positive Behavior Support program)
The purpose of this position is to perform clerical and administrative functions following established policies, procedures, and methods in support of the principal investigator, manager, and staff of the Positive Behavior Support program.

- Administrative Assistant (CED front desk)
The Administrative Assistant serves as the welcoming and resourceful first point of contact for individuals visiting or contacting the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED). This position plays a central role in ensuring a positive and welcoming experience for clients, families, students, and staff by greeting visitors, responding to inquiries, connecting individuals to appropriate programs, and supporting center-wide initiatives.

Learn more and apply: https://cedwvu.org/about-ced/jobs/

WV F2F and P4P Programs
IMPACT WV
WVU School of Medicine
Positive Behavior Support - PBS Tips & Tools