Toddlers To Grandparents

06/06/2026

06/01/2026

🌎 Global Day of Parents

Today, on Global Day of Parents, we want to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary parents, guardians, and caregivers who dedicate themselves every day to supporting children with disabilities, chronic illnesses, developmental delays, and complex medical needs.

Parenting is never easy, but caring for a child with additional needs often means taking on many roles at once. You become an advocate at school meetings, a coordinator of appointments and therapies, a teacher, a cheerleader, a problem solver, and a source of comfort during difficult moments.

Behind every milestone is a parent who kept going when things felt overwhelming. Behind every success story is a caregiver who spent countless hours researching, planning, advocating, and supporting their child.

Some days are filled with victories, both big and small. Other days may bring challenges, uncertainty, or exhaustion. Through it all, parents and caregivers continue showing up with love, patience, strength, and determination.

Today, we celebrate:
💙 The parent attending countless appointments and meetings.
💙 The caregiver learning new skills to better support their loved one.
💙 The family advocating for services, accommodations, and inclusion.
💙 The parents who worry quietly and love fiercely.
💙 The caregivers who often put others' needs before their own.

Your hard work may not always be visible, but it is making a difference every single day. Thank you for your dedication, resilience, and unconditional love.

To all parents and caregivers, we see you, we appreciate you, and today we celebrate you.

05/10/2026

Today, we want to recognize and honor the incredible moms raising children with disabilities, chronic illnesses, medical complexities, and unique support needs.

Some days are filled with milestones and victories. Other days are filled with appointments, therapies, paperwork, advocacy, sleepless nights, and hard decisions no parent ever expects to face.

These moms become:
- Advocates
- Care coordinators
- Teachers
- Comforters
- Protectors
- Fighters
- And safe places for their children to land

They learn medical terms they never imagined needing to know. They celebrate victories that others may overlook. They carry invisible emotional weight while still showing up every single day with love and determination.

To the moms who:
- Rearrange schedules around therapies and appointments
- Fight for services and accommodations
- Stay awake worrying about the future
- Celebrate every small step forward
- Feel exhausted but continue anyway

Please know this:
💙 What you do matters.
💙 Your child’s progress matters.
💙 Your love matters.

And even on the days when you feel unseen, your impact is immeasurable.

There is no “perfect” way to navigate this journey. There is only love, persistence, and continuing forward one day at a time.

Today, we celebrate the strength, resilience, patience, and compassion of mothers walking this path.

You are appreciated more than words can say. 🌸

05/04/2026

What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of genetic connective tissue disorders that affect the body’s ability to produce strong collagen. Collagen is what gives structure and support to your skin, joints, blood vessels, and organs.

Because of this, individuals with EDS often experience symptoms that impact multiple areas of daily life, not just one system.

- Joint hypermobility, joints that move beyond a typical range
- Frequent joint pain, instability, or dislocations
- Soft, stretchy, or fragile skin
- Easy bruising
- Chronic pain and fatigue
- Digestive issues, dizziness, or heart rate irregularities (in some individuals)

EDS can look very different from person to person, which is why it is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed.

How You Can Support Someone with EDS
- Believe them, even when symptoms aren’t visible
- Be patient with changing energy levels
- Offer help without judgment
- Learn about their specific needs

05/01/2026

May is Mental Health Month, a time to recognize the role that mental health plays in our communities, our lives, and our overall health.

04/27/2026

To all our NOVA families

04/23/2026

We're Hiring in Northern Virginia (NOVA)

At Toddlers To Grandparents, we are passionate about creating a supportive, family-centered environment for both our clients and our team. Every day, we help families across Virginia navigate Medicaid consumer-directed services with compassion, understanding, and strong advocacy. We are looking for like-minded individuals who want to make a real difference in the lives of families in their own communities.

As a Service Facilitator, you will help individuals and families who receive Medicaid consumer-directed services manage their in-home care. You become their guide, helping them understand their waiver and program, supporting them with hiring and managing caregivers, keeping case records updated, and making sure Medicaid requirements are being followed.

This role includes managing a caseload starting around 30 members and growing over time. You will complete in-home visits, ensure care needs are being met, provide helpful resources, problem-solve challenges, and offer ongoing support to families. It is a position that combines community connection, organization, advocacy, and relationship-building. Every day brings the opportunity to truly make an impact.

We Are Currently Hiring In Northern Virginia:
- Alexandria / Arlington
- Fairfax
- Falls Church
- Vienna
- Springfield
- Round Hill
- And surrounding areas

Why Join Us?
- Flexible schedules
- Rewarding work with real community impact
- Supportive and friendly team environment
- PTO, medical benefits, retirement benefits, and more offered in a full-time capacity

If you are compassionate, organized, and dedicated to helping others, we would love to hear from you.

Email from Toddlers To Grandparents, LLC Make a difference       Join Our Team – We’re Hiring in NOVA! At Toddlers To Grandparents, we are passionate about creating a supportive, family-centered envir

04/22/2026

The Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP) Regional Councils and the Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) invite you to attend a FREE virtual information session!

Our next IFSP Council event of 2026 will be hosted by our IFSP Southwestern Region.

TOPIC: Finding What Works: Education for Students with Developmental Disabilities (DD)

DATE: Thursday, May 21 from 6 to 8:15 p.m. (Eastern)

DESCRIPTION:
Every student needs different things to succeed in the classroom! Learn how to navigate educational programs for students from early childhood education through kindergarten, up to age 22.

The Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP)'s Regional Councils are proud to feature two guest presenters who can tell you about current programs in Virginia how to find what works best: Tammy Burns, M.Ed. from PEATC - Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center and Calypso Gilstrap from the Virginia Department of Education - VDOE.

Students and family members will also discuss their experiences collaborating with Virginia's school systems. You'll hear success stories and gain helpful strategies to help you and your student feel more confident when choosing an education plan!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
• Students with developmental disabilities, their families, and caregivers who want to learn more about educational programs in Virginia;
• Parents, guardians, educators, and service providers seeking guidance on how to navigate educational pathways for students with developmental disabilities;
• Anyone supporting a student with developmental disabilities and is seeking information on available programs, the eligibility requirements, and how to advocate for what is best for your student(s); and
• Anyone interested in this topic!

REGISTER HERE: ifsp.tny.cc/may-21

SIGN UP FOR A REMINDER: If you would like an email reminder the week of the event, please sign up using this link: surveymonkey.com/r/ifsp-may21

ACCESSIBILITY: We are proud to feature remote conference captioning through Virginia Relay! If you need an additional accommodation to participate, please email us by Thursday, May 7th (or as soon as possible!): [email protected]

QUESTIONS: [email protected]

SHARE OUR FLYER: ifsp.tny.cc/may-2026

[Image description: White and blue flyer with green accents advertising the IFSP Coordinated Regional Council Meeting featuring Tammy Burns from PEATC and Calypso Gilstrap from the Virginia Department of Education.]