Services
IEP Advisory Services
If you’re the parent of a child with special health care needs, you know that your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) has a considerable impact on his or her future. However, the process to develop an IEP is complex, and the IEP document contains many unfamiliar terms. It can be difficult as a parent to know how to participate most effectively in this very important process.
Medical Home Plus is dedicated to helping parents to be fully effective partners in a positive and constructive IEP process. We offer IEP Advisory Services tailored to the needs of each family. These services are provided by our staff who are highly experienced in the hands-on implementation of IEPs as well as the IEP development process itself. Our IEP expert staff has decades of experience working with children with special learning and behavioral needs, and we do not specialize in any one diagnosis area.
If you’re a parent feeling overwhelmed by the IEP process, you’re not alone! We’re here to help you every step of the way.
Our IEP Advisors can:
- Help you prepare for the IEP process by explaining it in a way that’s easy to understand
- Review your child’s previous IEP or other educational progress documents to begin to identify topics for productive discussion
- Review the draft IEP with you prior to the IEP meeting
- Attend the IEP meeting with you to provide support and to help you realize the full benefit of this meeting
- Advise you on how best to work with your child’s IEP team to finalize the IEP
- Review educational progress documents with you during the year
Resource Coordination
More often than not, families of children with special health care needs feel overwhelmed and are not sure how to enter into the process of obtaining a network of supports and resources. MHP serves as a hub for families and professionals alike who are seeking information and support for these special children. Our Resource Coordinators are parents of children with special needs themselves, making them uniquely qualified to assist others on their journey.
MHP connects families with the specialized resources and services that can help their child achieve their maximum potential. When families contact us they receive personal and confidential assistance from our highly experienced Resource Coordinators, supported by our expert staff of pediatric physicians. These services, which can involve substantial time and attention, are provided free of charge to Virginia families.
These services include crisis counseling for mental health and behavioral issues, working effectively with your child’s medical home, counseling on Medicare/Medicaid waivers and other care-financial issues, and referral services to practitioners and organizations specializing in areas of need to these families.
To learn more about our IEP Advisory Services and Resource Coordination, please contact:
info@medhomeplus.org
or call us today at (804) 330-5030
Transition Planning
MHP has a rich history of providing a community of support to the families we work with. Our families have consistently shared their concerns and questions for when their children inevitably age out of the public school system. They face losing access to supports or accommodations and parents worry what their child’s future will be like. Therefore, when faced with this knowledge of parents’ concern surrounding transition, we knew we had to take action.
In November of 2023, MHP launched a new branch of the IEP Advisory Scholarship Program to include Transition Planning Services. Quality Transition Planning includes connections to resources and lifelong development and practice of foundational skills needed to successfully navigate life in the community as an adult. This can include post-secondary education, career paths, independent living, and daily living skills. Better preparing our young adults and their families will lower the risk of experiencing poverty, homelessness, abuse, the criminal justice system, and more.
MHP is taking a unique, individualized, and proactive approach to ensure each young adult reaches their greatest potential. Our hope is for MHP’s Transition Planning to have positive ripple effects throughout the state to enrich the lives of our students, our families, AND our communities.
Special Families
A division of Medical Home Plus. We are a nonprofit organization promoting support and encouragement of families raising children with special healthcare needs through parent connections, monthly support groups, outreach events, and social media.
We are a free resource for parents or primary caregivers who have or are supporting a child with disabilities or special care needs (including adoption). Our staff is trained to support other families in accessing supports and services for their child and family. Special Families is knowledgeable about local and state resources.
For help finding localized special needs resources in Western Virginia, request to join our community:
Special Families focuses on:
- Families with special needs
- Connecting with experienced families
- Providing encouragement and support
How can a connection with Special Families help your family?
- Emotional support
- Information and referrals to services for your child
- Workshops and educational opportunities
- Support groups and social opportunities