Center for Family Involvement

06/03/2026

🎭THE WEIGHT OF THE MASK
- MASKING … WHAT YOU DON'T SEE

Check in all week for more in this series 🎉

WHAT IS MASKING? It is forcing yourself to copy social behaviors to fit in

It looks like "blending in," but it feels like a mental marathon

A lack of visible distress does not mean internal peace

THE "UNMASKING" PROCESS
When the mask drops, the genius appears!

When you mask, you aren't showing your authentic self; you're performing.

Unmasking is a slow process of discovery. It's not about suddenly acting "weird" in public; it's about reclaiming your authentic identity.

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Partnership for People with Disabilities Association of University Centers on Disabilities

06/01/2026

🔦 SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT💥
Huge shoutout to our Director, Dana Yarbrough! 🌟

Dana and the CFI team were just featured by the AUCD for their incredible work partnering with the Chickahominy Tribe.

By listening first and moving at the community's pace, they are building bridges and expanding culturally responsive disability support across Virginia.

Article title: The Partnership for People with Disabilities
Expands Work with Tribal Communities

ARTICLE: tinyurl.com/Dana-Yarbrough

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

06/01/2026

💥 7 Youth Needed! Want to lead inclusion in Virginia schools and get paid $25/hour?🎉

05/28/2026

Behind every resilient family is an incredible Support Parent. 🫶 Check out this amazing post from Parent to Parent USA and click below to give the ultimate gift of connection! 💜

💜 Give the Gift of Connection! 💜

Behind every family navigating a complex diagnosis or disability is a need for someone who truly understands. Our volunteer Support Parents are those lifelines—providing trained, trauma-informed, and deeply empathetic mentorship to families when they need it most.

We want to send these incredible mentors to the national Support Parent Summit, where they will gain crucial skills in self-care, active listening, and healthy boundaries to continue strengthening our community.

But we can’t do it without you. 🙏

Your generosity will help cover the costs to give a Support Parent the opportunity to learn, recharge, and connect with peers from across the country.

✨ How you can help:
👉 Click the link to donate today: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/gift-of-connection-send-a-support-parent-to-the-summit
👉 Share this post with your friends and family to help us spread the word!

Thank you for helping us support the parents who support everyone else. 🫶

05/27/2026

😮 WAIT, WHAT? If you qualify, the program covers 100% of your health insurance premium!

WHAT IS HIPP FOR KIDS?
INCLUDING the part taken from
your paycheck!

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

The Child Must:
• Live at Home
• Be Enrolled in Medicaid
• Be Under 19
• Reside in Virginia

The Parent Must:
Have employer-sponsored health insurance who pays at least 40% of the premium

LINK: www.dmas.virginia.gov

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

05/27/2026

If you haven't already, sign up for our next webcast on Independent Living and Housing Considerations when Transition Planning, presented by Kendel St. John, M.Ed., on June 10, 2026, at 2 PM!

Join to discover practical housing and independent living options for youth with disabilities in Virginia, along with funding supports such as Medicaid waivers, Section 8, and State Rental Assistance Programs (SRAP).

Kendel will be exploring the real options along the continuum, from independent living to group homes, and how to plan early with a case manager.

Register today to save your seat (link in comments)

05/26/2026

💥Access in Action ~ Greece has installed over 150 (with plans for nearly 300) solar-powered, remote-operated chair-and-track systems on public beaches, allowing wheelchair users to enter the ocean independently.

Independent Access: Users transfer from their wheelchairs onto a seat that glides along a fixed track into the water using a remote control.

Accessibility Chain: The installations often include wooden walkways and accessible changing rooms.

The project has grown into a major national initiative to make coastal tourism inclusive, allowing individuals to navigate the sea unassisted.

A map on the Seatrac website allows users to locate equipped beaches, which also provide video cameras to monitor sea conditions.

Who are we? link in bio 🤩
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

05/19/2026

😍Care Card ~ Understanding & Supporting Neurodivergence

Are you uncomfortable 😣 saying what you REALLY think? Let us do it for you! Just forward this to friends and family or share it with a comment on social media.

Please Do 🙌

CELEBRATE THE "SPARK": Encourage interests. Recognizing passions and incorporating them into activities can lead to engagement.

ALLOW "STIMMING" & FIDGETS:
Natural movements like humming, rocking, or using a fidget toy help regulate their nervous system.

PROVIDE MULTIPLE PATHWAYS:
Some students might excel at a verbal report or a drawing rather than a traditional written essay.

ALLOW FOR EXTRA TIME:
Neurodivergent brains might need extra time to read or process verbal prompts. Wait, allow time, and be patient.

BE FLEXIBLE: Learning and listening look different and eye contact can be uncomfortable. Doodling might help with focus.

Please Don't ✋

FORCE EYE CONTACT: This can unintentionally downplay the significant energy required to stay regulated or "mask."

DEMAND "WHOLE BODY LISTENING": Stillness doesn't equal learning. Many neurodivergent folks actually process information better when they are doodling, fidgeting, or pacing.

TREAT SENSORY NEEDS AS PREFERENCES: If someone says lights are too bright or a room is too loud, please take it seriously. This can cause physical and mental discomfort for some people.

I Can …

✅Partner on accommodations
✅Provide tools
✅Share "special interest" tips
✅Explain specific sensory needs

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

05/18/2026

😍Care Card ~ Supporting Families Dealing with Complex Medical Needs

Are you uncomfortable 😣 saying what you REALLY think? Let us do it for you! Just forward this to friends and family or share it with a comment on social media.

We will be posting unique Care Cards ALL WEEK!

Please Do 🙌

CREATE A CAREGIVER CARE PACKAGE: Drop off a bag with earplugs, sleep masks, face wipes, and other comfort items for long hospital stays.

PROVIDE FUEL: Give the gift of easy meals or gift cards for gas and food. Travel costs add up quickly.

MANAGE THE HOUSEHOLD:
Offer specific help with siblings, pets, lawn care, cleaning, etc.

CHECK IN: Keep calling or texting regularly, even if I don't respond. It helps me feel less alone.

BE SPECIFIC WITH HELP: Example: "I'm at the store, what can I drop off?" or "l have 2 hours on Tuesday to help with laundry."

Please Don't ✋

SAY "EVERYTHING WILL BE OK":
It might not be. This diminishes how heavy and complex my family's situation can be.

SAY "I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT": We do it because we have to; and our entire life is impacted. Saying this reminds us of how much we've adapted to manage these complexities.

COMPARE TO TYPICAL ILLNESS:
Please don't compare a complex medical journey to routine appointments or procedures. Everything we deal with is far more involved than the "typical" experience.

I Can ...

✅Do a specific errand
✅Provide a meal
✅Support a sibling
✅Drop off a care package

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

05/15/2026

😍Care Card ~ Supporting Caregivers of Aging Parents

Are you uncomfortable 😣 saying what you REALLY think? Let us do it for you! Just forward this to friends and family or share it with a comment on social media.

We will be posting unique Care Cards ALL NEXT WEEK!

Please Do 🙌

BE SPECIFIC WITH HELP: EXAMPLE: "I'm at the store, what can I drop off?" or "l have 2 hours on Tuesday to help with laundry."

KEEP INVITING ME: Please keep asking me to join, even if I usually say no. It reminds me I'm still part of the community.

HELP WITH "INVISIBLE" CHORES:
Take something off my plate like mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, or picking up a prescription.

OFFER "LOW-ENERGY" HANGOUTS: I might not be able to go out, but I'd love for you to drop by with coffee and chat for a while.

ASK ABOUT "THEM": Ask about my parent's life. It's nice to remember who they are and take the focus off of their current needs.

Please Don't ✋

SAY "LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO:” It puts the pressure on me to think of a task and ask for help. Just offer a specific action.

COMPARE TYPICAL AGING: If my parent is living with dementia or a major illness, please don't compare it to "normal" forgetfulness.

PRESSURE ME TO "TAKE A BREAK": I know I need rest, but I might feel guilty leaving. Just offer to be there so I can rest nearby.

I Can ...

✅Do a specific errand
✅Provide a meal
✅Sit with my parent
✅Hang for a short time

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities