Events | POAC-NOVA

Fall Family Mini-Grants: Through September 15

POAC-NoVA's Fall 2026 Family Mini-Grant application cycle is open!

APPLY HERE

About the POAC-NoVA Family Mini-Grant Application

Who: This grant application is open to families of autistic loved ones living in the Northern Virginia region, who are in need of financial assistance to cover therapy co-pays, camps, supplies, such as sensory toys and diapers, and anything else that would help ease the financial stress on the family as it relates to supporting their autistic loved one. We will select 10 families per grant cycle. If you received a grant during our Spring 2026 cycle, you are not eligible to apply for the Fall 2026 cycle.

How much: $500

Deadline for this cycle: September 15, 2026

Notification: October 15, 2026

Distribution: Approximately October 30, 2026, via check

ATTENTION: Since this is a Google Form, you must sign in to Google to complete it. (You do NOT need gmail, just a Google account using whatever email address you have.)

For speakers of other languages:

The easiest way to translate the form is to open it in Chrome, right click and select “Translate to English,” then click the three dots, click Choose Another Language, and select the language from the dropdown. The form will be automatically translated. If it is not possible for an applicant to complete the application in English, they should complete it in their language of choice, and we will use Google Translate on our end.

Spread the word:

To those members who work with families as teachers, school administrators, social workers, providers, etc: If you know of a family who is in need of financial assistance to cover expenses related to supporting their autistic loved one, please share this with them.

September 12: Caregiver Support Group

Join Us!

The September POAC in-person Caregiver Support Group will be on Saturday, September 12, 10AM-12PM at the George Mason Regional Library meeting room at 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003.

This is an informal time for family caregivers to chat and exchange ideas with an understanding community. Please no advertising of business services at this meeting. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide childcare at this time, and this time is only for family caregivers. Please RSVP to supportgroup@poac-nova.org if you plan to attend. RSVPs are helpful, but not required. Please DO come if your plans change and you want to attend at the last minute!

September 26: Annual Back-to-School Meeting with FCPS

Join us for our annual Back-to-School Meeting with FCPS special education leadership from the Department of Special Services.

Saturday, September 26, 10AM-12:30PM

West Springfield Government Center (or Zoom)

6140 Rolling Rd, West Springfield, VA 22152

This year, we are partnering with Fairfax County SEPTA to co-host a panel discussion regarding FCPS’s Inclusive Schools Initiative program.

REGISTER HERE

Click here if you are interested in participating in the panel discussion as a teacher, staff, or parent/caregiver.

Click here if you have questions or comments to submit prior to the meeting.

October 8: Free Webinar on Regulation and Connection

Regulation and Connection: A Neuroscience Approach to Understanding Emotions and Behaviors by Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco, M.S., OTR/L, ASDCS

Thursday, October 8, 7:00-8:00PM

REGISTER HERE

Regulation is a hot-topic in parenting, but for all of the
attention it gets, it is not well-understood. Spend an
hour with occupational therapist and regulation
specialist, Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco, for an informed,
neuroscience-based discussion to not only deepens our
understanding of Autistic children, but to strengthen our support and connection.