WVU Center offers help for families

MORGANTOWN -- Experts at the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities are uniquely positioned to address challenges faced by people with disabilities involved in the foster care system and to help them access important support services.

Each May, National Foster Care Month acknowledges those such as the WVU CED who help the more than 391,000 youth in foster care find permanent homes and connections.

"The WVU CED has a multitude of potential services for children and families who experience foster care. These services can be tailored to the particular needs and circumstances for individuals with disabilities of all ages," said Lesley Cottrell, director, WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities, professor in WVU Department of Pediatrics.

"Prevention of displacement from the home is also a key focus of our center. Assistive technology, counseling and behavioral services are all additional services available at the CED. These services can also help parents with disabilities who are at greater risk of losing their children to foster care placement."

"Some of the foster youth transitioning from care have a diagnosed disability and also had an Individualized Educational Plan in high school," said Michelle Fleece, MODIFY program manager, WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities.

"Many of these youth do not realize that they can also receive supportive services in college to help make the transition and their college education more successful. Our Mentoring with Oversight for Developing Independence with Foster Youth specialists help to navigate and guide these youth to resources that assist them in their education journey."

"We can change lives by opening a Specialized Family Care home for a child or an adult with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Providers experience growth and witness individuals flourish not only as a person with a disability, but as an individual who needed a loving and nurturing environment to achieve their possibilities," said Mary Gibbs, program manager, Specialized Family Care program, WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities

The WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED) has a variety of program offerings to help individuals with disabilities be as independent as possible in their own communities.

Most programs work with individuals outside of the medical setting to help ensure that they are able to participate fully in their lives. Programs often work together to provide coordinated services to individuals and families.

The CED provides evaluation and treatment through clinical and community services. Services are provided in-person and via telehealth.