March 2024 ECNV Newsletter
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is observed in March in the U.S. This class of disabilities can refer to impairments in learning and behavior, such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and impairments in physical and/or intellectual functioning such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and Down syndrome. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about including people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life. It also creates awareness of the difficulties that people with disabilities still face in fitting into the communities in which they live.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week March 18-24, 2024
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, and organizations with the opportunity to recognize the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.
ECNV's I Am Self-Advocacy Program: March 2024
Program Overview
The IASA (I Am Self-Advocacy) Program is a Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) focused on helping students with disabilities, ages 14-22, hone their skills in self-advocacy through a combination of individual and group sessions. Funded by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), this program is offered to students referred by the Fairfax, Alexandria, Leesburg, and Manassas DARS offices.
Students in the IASA program work with their peer mentor in weekly one-on-one sessions at a speed and level that is individualized and conducive to their learning. During the weekly group sessions, they take what they have learned and delve deeper into program topics, participating in group activities and debates with their peers. By the end of the program, the students will have put together their own self-advocacy portfolio to include things they learned regarding self-awareness, disability awareness, self-determination, disability rights and responsibilities, how to be assertive, and how to engage allies and be an ally to others.
RAMP Mini Update: March 2024
Students went to Funland in Centerville, VA on February 16, 2024, to celebrate the end of another RAMP Milestone.
Students are currently engaging and practicing Interviewing skills. On February 24th, 2024, students participated in a career panel hosted by Lollie Rineehardt, the Virginia Williams High School Career Association Board President. Students were able to gain insight into Businesses like:
Sweet Jake’s Ice Cream/ Jake’s Gourmet – Robin Rinearson
Smithsonian Institute- Shahin Nemazee
Mentees were presented with a 3-5 min presentation and a Q&A. The event had a huge turnout, and we hope to establish a partnership that could open more doors to students, such as internship or volunteer opportunities to benefit ECNV.
Registration for the Spring Session of Money Matters is now open!
Thriving Solo will take place June 3-12 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Eligible referrals are FIS Waiver, DARS VR, or anyone interested in honing their skills in independent living. Please use the link below for online registration. Registration is REQUIRED. All interested individuals (or counselors) are welcome to ask questions at info@ecnv.org.
Use our Online Registration Form to sign up today!
Registration closes May 15, 2024.
Participants must be Northern Virginia residents.
Join Our Team: ECNV Seeks Dedicated Board Members
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Do you desire to advocate for the rights and well-being of people with disabilities (PWD)? If so, we invite you to consider joining our team at ECNV as a dedicated board member. As a non-profit organization committed to promoting independence, empowerment, and inclusion for PWD, ECNV relies on the expertise and enthusiasm of individuals like you to guide our mission forward. By serving on our board, you'll have the opportunity to contribute your unique skills and experiences and make a meaningful impact in the lives we serve. Join us in our mission to empower people with disabilities and help build a brighter future for our community. Apply to become a board member today!! (This is a volunteer-based role)
Board member job description ››
Fulfill A Need, Become A Caregiver
Did you miss the information session? No worries, the Webinar Recording and Powerpoint Slide Deck (Part 1) and Caregiver Slide Deck (Part 2) are here for your reference. If you have any additional questions, reach out to us at info@ecnv.org or call us at 703-525-3268.
Check Out ECNV's Cool Swag Available on Zazzle
Support ECNV by purchasing and wearing some of our unique clothes and accessories with the ECNV logo. There are lots of choices and five percent of the proceeds go back to ECNV to continue the awesome and meaningful work we all are doing for disability advocacy and justice in the northern Virginia area.
ECNV Volunteer-Led Peer Mentoring Program
ECNV is excited to announce that we accept sign-ups for our Volunteer-Led Peer Mentoring Program. Here's how you can get involved.
Are you interested in helping people with disabilities increase their independence and develop successful outcomes?
Do you have just a few hours to give per month?
Do you like encouraging people to help them feel empowered to reach their goals?
If you answered "YES" to any, or all of those questions above, please tell us more by completing the interest form, found here. Upon completing the form, someone from ECNV will be reaching out to learn more about you, and your availability and discuss topics you feel most knowledgeable about. We look forward to hearing from you and if you have any questions before completing the interest form, or the program overall, feel free to email or call us at info@ecnv.org, or phone 703-525-3268.
We look forward to receiving your interest.
Save the Date: Spring2Action 2024!
This will be our third time participating in Spring2ACTion and we are excited to be back. The funds that were raised in our previous experience with Spring2ACTion helped us to coach individuals within our multicultural families.
Spring2ACTion is on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from midnight to 11:59 PM. Early giving will begin on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 and run through Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 11:59 PM.
This year, we hope to continue our efforts in providing support and advocacy to several individuals within the disability community. Look for more to come.
COVID-19 Test Kits
Do you require a COVID test kit? ECNV is a COVID test kit supplier for individuals and organizations. For inquiries, please reach out us at info@ecnv.org
ECNV Upcoming Calendar
March 20 – ECNV Board Meeting from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm CANCELED
Check out our updated calendar page with the latest information and events.
ECNV Around Town
Vaccines for All!
During the month of February, ECNV has continued with its community vaccination campaign and distribution of COVID tests in Northern Virginia, thus fulfilling the mission of caring for diverse communities, guaranteeing access to vaccines and being able to access them for free home COVID-19 tests.
About the ECNV Vaccine Project
ECNV is part of USAging’s Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative (ADVC) network, that distributes funding to organizations across the aging and disability networks to support an array of vaccination education and promotion activities, including community vaccine clinics, in-home vaccinations, transportation to vaccination sites, and outreach and education for older adults and people with disabilities. The ADVC is funded through a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
ECNV focuses on providing access to the uninsured, underserved communities under the Bridge Access Program that provides vaccines at no cost to adults without health insurance.
Strengthening Relations
On Friday, February 2, 2024, ECNV was invited to participate at a meeting for community leaders organized by the Embassy of Colombia. This meeting was intended to strengthen the relations with government agencies and non-profits to expand services for the Colombian diaspora residing in the Washington Metropolitan area.
Himalayan Vaccine Clinic
On Saturday, February 3, 2024, ECNV co-hosted a Himalayan Vaccine Clinic. We provided vaccines to seniors with disabilities and the general population and distributed COVID-19 home tests to attendees.
Distributing COVID-19 Home Tests to Educators
ECNV wants to congratulate the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers and the Fairfax Education Association -- the FEU -- for their amazing 40,000-book giveaway at the Lorton Community Center on Saturday, February 10, 2024. We were invited to attend this amazing event to distribute COVID-19 home tests to the multicultural and diverse community of families who attended.
ECNV and Edu Futuro-Neighborhood Health Vaccine Clinic
On Saturday, February 17, 2024, ECNV delivered COVID-19 home test kits to Edu Futuro and Fairfax County partners for a Neighborhood Health COVID-19 vaccine clinic.
Community Connection Night
On Wednesday, February 21, ECNV participated in Community Connection Night organized by Fairfax County Public Schools at Providence Elementary School, where more than 150 families attended. This event was full of resources for students and families that included information on after‑school programs, mental health and behavior support, and assistance with basic needs such as health insurance and food security.
ECNV Partners with Second Story
During the February month, ECNV partnered with Second Story, hosting several community events mainly focusing on food security and health resources. ECNV distributed COVID-19 home tests to the public.
