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Infant & Toddler
Connection of Virginia
June 2026
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Test your Knowledge with our Poll Feature
Pick your answer and scroll below to find the correct answer and explanation!
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| When should flexible service frequencies (e.g., 10x/6 months) be used in IFSP planning? | | | | |
May was Early Intervention Awareness Month
Take a Look at How Systems Celebrated
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**Infant & Toddler Connection of Richmond Behavioral Health Associates Celebrates with Public Awareness Outreach
In this 12 On Your Side feature, we meet the compassionate professionals behind the program and the families benefiting from a person‑centered approach that not only supports early learning but empowers caregivers. Free to access and tailored around each child’s unique journey, RBHA's Early Intervention is transforming lives—and it all begins with a first phone call to learn more about eligibility and next steps.
Watch and read on to discover how RBHA shared this critical service is shaping brighter beginnings for Richmond’s youngest learners.
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**Infant & Toddler Connection of the Crater District and Greater Reach Community Services Board Holds Dedication of New Assessment Room in Celebration
ITC of Crater District celebrated Early Intervention Month by honoring the legacy of Kay Toombs with the dedication of Kay’s Babies Assessment Room.
This special space was made possible through funds donated to the Early Intervention Program at Greater Reach Community Services Board by the Kay F. Toombs Memorial Foundation Fund, now governed by the John Randolph Foundation. The Foundation has continued to support children and families receiving early intervention services throughout the Crater District.
Kay Toombs served for many years as the Local System Manager for Early Intervention at D19/Greater Reach Community Services Board. She was deeply committed to “her babies” and remained dedicated to this important work until the end of her life. Her husband, Mr. Lary Toombs, and family established the foundation in her honor following her passing in 2018 after a courageous battle with a rare form of adrenal cancer.
In attendance were Early Intervention and GRCSB staff, Terrelle Steward, Executive Director of GRCSB; Torri White, Children’s Services Director; Theresa D. Mason, Director of Developmental Disabilities Services; and Board of Supervisors members Gary Talley, City of Petersburg Chair, and Kenneth Robinson, Prince George's County.
This room is a lasting tribute to Kay’s heart, service, and commitment to children from birth to five with developmental delays and disabilities.
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**Infant & Toddler Connection of Cumberland Mountain Celebrates with a Community Screening Event
Although the picture is blurry, if you look close enough you might just recognize a longtime friend of Early Intervention who shares her passion and skills when she can while still enjoying retirement!
And ladies, we want to see a close up of those shirts!
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**Virginia's Early Intervention Professional Development Team Rocked Social Media
The VEIPD team celebrated EI Month by launching a social media campaign featuring more than 15 posts. Each week highlighted key aspects of Early Intervention, including explanations of EI and its impact on families, practitioners, and the state of Virginia. Explore the campaign posts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share.
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Speaking of Social Media Rockstars, two Local Systems went all out and Deserve Special Recognition:
**Infant & Toddler Connection of Chesterfield
Congratulations to ITC of Chesterfield for an outstanding Early Intervention Awareness Month! 🎉 The celebration kicked off with a Superhero Family Fun Night at the Children's Museum and continued with a month of impactful social media activities. The highlight of the month was the heartfelt personal stories shared by early intervention families, making a lasting impact.
Be sure to visit ITC of Chesterfield's facebook page to read the stories shared by families.
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**Infant & Toddler Connection of Harrisonburg Rockingham
ITC of Harrisonburg Rockingham successfully launched a month-long awareness campaign as well! Throughout the month, they focused on raising community awareness about early intervention for children from birth to three years old. Their goal was for the community to get to know the team and understand the mission of early intervention. They shared insights on supports and services and how their team supports families based on each child's unique needs. And let's not forget the introduction by discipline introducing each provider by name, role and picture.
Be sure to check out their facebook page to see my favorite post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18doLcrgyA/. Families were asked to share what their favorite place or thing to do for fun!! Families shared responses that were authentic, routines based and meaningful for their family!
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**The Children's Center and the Infant & Toddler Connection of Western Tidewater Celebrated with Team Building, Recognitions and a whole lot of Laughter and Self-care
The Children’s Center Early Intervention Team made up of Educators, Therapists, Service Coordinators and Insurance Analysts were treated to lunch and other goodies to celebrate EI Awareness month in May.
The team also celebrated some of the Team members work anniversaries; a speech therapist that has been with our center for 35 years!!!
The Executive Director and EI Managers wanted to show appreciation to the team for the “heart” work they do every day to nurture and educate the children and families living in Western Tidewater. It was nice to be still for a “minute” and enjoy some fellowship with team members that are always on the go.
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There's Still Time to Share Your Stories!
Did you or your community partners celebrate Early Intervention Month with any outreach activities? We'd love to showcase your efforts and teams! Please share your stories and photos with us at anne.brager@dbhds.virginia.gov for a feature in our July newsletter
| | Upcoming three-hour Elevated EI Workshop Coming Soon | | |
Strong child and family outcomes start with meaningful, individualized support. Join us on June 16th for a virtual training focused on developing effective IFSP outcomes and strengthening early intervention practices.
Participants will explore practical strategies, resources, and approaches to support children, families, and providers across settings.
June 16, 2026
8:30 AM–11:30 AM ET
Virtual Training
Register today! https://bit.ly/4dKA3Rn
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Monitoring Community of Practice (MCoP) Calls:
As a reminder, MCOP calls are held on the first Wednesday of each month beginning at 3:00PM. Our next call will be held on June 3rd. ITCVA MCoP calls are open to anyone who is interested in the topic(s) being covered.
Calls are recorded for those who are unable to attend. Please visit the Monitoring Community of Practice page of the ITCVA website for a list of upcoming topics, the Microsoft Teams meeting link and session resources.
June 2026
The ITCVA monitoring team is looking forward to seeing you at the ITCVA monitoring community of practice webinar on Wednesday, June 3rd, beginning at 3:00PM. The topic for this meeting will be an overview of the revised Part C determination form which we will begin using to report SFY26 local and state performance on June 30th. The call will be recorded for those who are unable to attend. Monitors will also be available for an "open mic" session where we encourage you to ask your monitoring-related questions of us and of one another.
| | SUPPORTING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT | | |
The Virginia Early Intervention Professional Development Center (VEIPD) offers a range of targeted resources designed to support understanding, assessment, and practical strategies that promote positive social-emotional growth in young children and strengthen family-provider partnerships. This month, let's continue down our:
Social Emotional Development Learning Pathway
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This practice brief provides prevention strategies to help children with challenging behavior who have been exposed to trauma and strategies for responding to children when they are trauma-activated.
| | | | A GEM YOU MIGHT HAVE FORGOTTEN? | | WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED? | | | |
It's hard to believe that Meaningful Moments, VEIPD's podcast, is already old enough to produce a "gem", but, as you all know, time really does fly by when you are having fun!
If you haven't already subscribed to Meaningful Moments, you really should now - and while you are there, you may want to listen to this one from last year -Blame it on the Brain: The Truth about Temperament.
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You told us in evaluation surveys that you want more PD on autism - and we delivered this spring with a series of Talks on Tuesdays webinars focused on screening and intervention for young children with characteristics of autism.
Check out the recordings here.
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Registration just opened for our next ElevatED EI workshop: Child and Family Outcomes: Why They Matter and How to Develop Them on June 16th from 8:30-11:30am.
This is an excellent workshop to view together as a team - grab a couple of colleagues, some snacks, and join us!
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Supporting Families in Need This Summer
Summer is one of the hardest seasons for families in Virginia. When school closes, many children lose access to the breakfast and lunch they rely on, and rising summer utility costs stretch already‑tight budgets. Programs like SUN Bucks, summer meal sites, and energy assistance are essential lifelines—but many families don’t know they qualify or feel hesitant to ask for help.
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What Practitioners Should Know About Available Supports
SUN Bucks provides a $120 summer grocery benefit per eligible child, helping families replace school meals.
https://www.dss.virginia.gov/relief/food-assistance/sunbucks/
Summer meal sites across Virginia offer free meals for all children 18 and under, no paperwork required.
https://www.dss.virginia.gov/relief/food-assistance/sunbucks/sun-meals/
Energy assistance helps households manage cooling costs during the hottest months, preventing shutoffs and keeping homes safe.
https://www.dss.virginia.gov/relief/ea/
Virginia Fresh Match (VFM) is a network of farmers markets, mobile markets and community food stores across Virginia. VFM locations offer nutrition incentives that double the value of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) dollars spent on fruits and vegetables. With VFM, SNAP shoppers can afford more fruits and vegetables, local farmers earn extra income and more dollars stay in the local economy.
Find a VFM location near you at www.virginiafreshmatch.org
These programs exist because the need is real. Statewide participation numbers show that hundreds of thousands of children qualify, reflecting how widespread food and energy insecurity is—even among families who appear stable from the outside.
| | POLL ANSWER AND EXPLANATION | | |
Answer: a. They should be used only when a family needs flexibility to support implementing strategies.
According to the Practice Manual – Chapter 7, service frequencies may be planned over a period of up to six months when this approach helps address a family’s known or expected need for flexibility. This flexible planning strategy supports families who may experience fluctuations in their ability to participate in services or implement IFSP strategies.
Importantly, Chapter 7 emphasizes that the decision to use a broader frequency range must be based solely on the family’s need for this flexibility as they work toward their IFSP outcomes. It is not a universal approach and should be used only when appropriate; in fact, the manual notes that this level of flexibility will not be necessary or suitable for all families.
Additionally, it clearly states that flexible service frequencies must not be used to meet the scheduling preferences or convenience of the local system or service providers. These parameters ensure that frequency planning remains aligned with family-centered practices and the intended purpose of supporting individualized outcomes.
Frequency Slides
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JOIN US IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
Virginia’s Part C early intervention system is built on the dedication and talent of professionals who believe in the potential of every child. If you’re passionate about supporting infants, toddlers, and their families, we invite you to bring your skills, your curiosity, and your commitment to a team that truly values your contribution. Together, we can help Virginia’s youngest learners thrive!
Join thousands of others and visit the ITCVA Employment Opportunities page today!
Click here to view current job vacancies. Let us help find you that perfect position!
Click here to request an online posting. Let us help connect you to qualified applicants!
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| INFANT & TODDLER CONNECTION OF VIRGINIA | Looking for the most up-to-date version of the Part C Practice Manual...upcoming meeting dates...or even a new career opportunity? You'll find plenty of helpful information on the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia's early intervention website! Be sure to visit and bookmark itcva.online. | | |
MEDICAID ENROLLMENTS
If you have questions about enrollments for children with Medicaid please
contact Brenda Ayala.
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EARLY INTERVENTION CERTIFICATION
For questions about certification of practitioners, contact Anne Brager- 804-664-2462.
For questions related to completing the online application, contact VATRACITsupport@ssg-llc.com or from 8AM-5PM ET by calling 804-508-7229.
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Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia is part of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
ITCVA Staff
1220 Bank Street, 9th Floor, P.O. Box 1797, Richmond, Virginia 23219-1797
Main Office: (804) 786-3710 • Main Fax: (804) 371-7959
| | Do you have colleagues who aren’t getting the Monthly Part C Update? Ask them to check their spam folder. If they're still not receiving it, have them email anne.brager@dbhds.virginia.gov. | |
DMAS Early Intervention Support
For specific Medicaid questions related to billing and supports for Early Intervention, please use the following email:
EarlyIntervention@dmas.virginia.gov
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1220 Bank Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 664-2462
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