Hosted in collaboration with Amherst County Public Schools, the three community sessions provided a dedicated space for staff and families of students with disabilities to connect. The goal was twofold: to celebrate what is currently working well and to identify concrete opportunities to grow stronger school-family partnerships.

A Focus on the Future This initiative is part of a larger federal grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. The project’s primary focus is to define what inclusive and meaningful family engagement looks like in the modern educational landscape.

There is a particular emphasis on supporting middle and high school students as they prepare for life after graduation. Transitioning to adulthood is a critical time for students with disabilities, making the collaboration between families and school staff essential for success.

Turning Feedback into Action The conversations in Amherst were just the beginning. The Partnership is now moving into the "co-design" phase of the project. Representatives are meeting with Amherst leaders to review the feedback gathered during the listening sessions and develop targeted support systems.

Based on the community's input, upcoming initiatives will include:

• For Families: New training opportunities focused on understanding educational rights and effective transition planning.

• For School Staff: Professional development centered on compassionate engagement and strategies for collaborating effectively with families.

Contact Information For additional information regarding Project CONNECTS or upcoming initiatives in Amherst, please contact the project team:

• Dana Yarborough: dvyarbrough@vcu.edu

• Kim Dupre: duprekm@vcu.edu

• Kris Herakovich-Curtis: kherakovich@vcu.edu