Individual & Family Caregiver Training (IFCT) At a Glance
IFCT is a Family & Individual Supports (FIS) Waiver service that offers education and skills training for individuals and caregivers across the life span. It focuses on building self-advocacy, daily living, communication, and relationship skills—not on providing direct therapy. IFCT can be delivered in person or via HIPAA-compliant telehealth and may be authorized for up to 4,000 dollars per ISP year through the FIS waiver.
VATNs IFCT PROGRAM
VATN’s Individual and Family/Caregiver Training (IFCT) program offers wide-ranging, practical learning experiences designed to empower families and caregivers in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our offerings include sex education and human rights workshops, recreational and peer groups to build social and daily living skills, training on the use of durable medical equipment (DME), and expert-led sessions on best practices for inclusive care.
Each training is built around a foundation of accessibility and community inclusion—ensuring that all individuals, regardless of diagnosis or need, gain the skills, confidence, and resources they need to participate and thrive in every environment, from home to school to the community at large.
Individual & Caregiver Training
"Our individual and family/caregiver training program is devoted to making a lasting impact on how communities include and support people of all abilities. By equipping caregivers and families with practical strategies and confidence, we help make every environment—whether at home, school, or in the broader community—more welcoming and accessible for individuals with diverse needs and diagnoses. Together, we’re building a community where inclusion isn’t just an aspiration, but a lived reality for everyone."
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Heather Sheets
Lead Recreational Therapist
What to Expect in an IFCT Class
IFCT classes are designed to be practical, interactive, and accessible. You can expect a mix of brief teaching, discussion, and real-life practice, with space to ask questions and move at your own pace. We use plain language, visual supports when helpful, and a neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed approach so people feel safe, respected, and welcome.
How IFCT Fits With Your Other Services
IFCT works alongside your existing supports—such as therapeutic consultation, day services, counseling, ABA, or residential services—by focusing on education, planning, and skill-building for individuals and caregivers. It does not replace direct therapy or daily support; instead, it gives you the knowledge, strategies, and confidence to make the most of those services and to support meaningful change at home, in school, and in the community.
Current Classes
Below is a current class list of available trainings:
Sex Education & Body Rights
This class caters to individuals and caregivers to learn about consent, body autonomy, privacy, and healthy boundaries in clear, respectful language. Together, you’ll explore key topics (safe/unsafe touch, personal space, asking for help) and practice ways to talk about them at home. The goal is to build shared understanding, safety, confidence, and self-advocacy skills for everyone involved.
Wheelchair Workshop
In this hands-on workshop, participants explore wheelchair skills that support safety, independence, and everyday problem-solving. We cover positioning, navigating different environments, and advocating for needed adjustments or equipment. The focus is on practical tips, confidence-building, and honoring each person’s pace and abilities.
Improv Class
This playful class uses improv games to build emotional flexibility, perspective-taking, and communication skills. Participants practice trying new roles, handling unexpected changes, and expressing feelings in a low-pressure setting. Laughter, creativity, and connection are central to every session.
1:1 IEP Advocacy for Caregivers
In this individualized session, caregivers learn how to understand their child’s IEP, key rights, and the language schools use. We review current documents, clarify supports and services, and prepare questions or scripts for meetings. The focus is on building caregiver confidence to collaborate and advocate effectively with the school team.
Safety Care
In this hands-on session, caregivers and staff learn evidence-based strategies to prevent, manage, and respond safely to challenging behaviors. We focus on understanding behavior escalation, teaching proactive supports, and using the least restrictive interventions possible. Participants gain practical skills to ensure safety, preserve dignity, and maintain positive relationships—all while promoting a calm and therapeutic environment.
IFCT INTAKE PROCESS
Referral
Getting started with Virginia Therapeutic Network is simple and exciting! Begin by filling out our Referral Form, conveniently located at the top right corner of every page. This quick form helps us understand your needs and how we can best support you. Once submitted, our dedicated intake coordinator will promptly reach out to guide you through the next steps.
Authorization
After submitting your intake forms, we’ll work alongside your Support Coordinator to gather all documentation needed for service authorization. Our team prepares a comprehensive support plan and submits the authorization request to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) for review. DBHDS carefully evaluates your submitted information to ensure all clinical qualifications, regulations, and documentation requirements are met before approving services; you and your coordinator will be promptly informed once authorization is granted so you can begin your customized treatment journey.
Intake Forms
After your referral is accepted, we’ll initiate the authorization process with your Support Coordinator by your side every step of the way! While waiting for approval, you’ll complete two essential forms: the Release of Information and the Service Intake Packet. These forms ensure we have everything needed to tailor our services to your unique goals.
Begin Services
​Once authorization is approved, your journey officially begins! Your clinician or clinical team (if receiving multiple services) will contact you to schedule an intake meeting. During the first few weeks, you’ll collaborate closely with your clinician to complete a thorough assessment and develop a personalized treatment plan designed to help you thrive.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is IFCT?
Individual and Family/Caregiver Training (IFCT) is a waiver-funded service that offers education, counseling, and skills training to individuals and their caregivers to better understand disability, build self-advocacy, and improve support at home and in the community.
Who qualifies for IFCT services?
Individuals who are enrolled in the Family and Individual Support (FIS) Waivers and have a documented need for consultation to help implement their Individual Support Plan (ISP) are eligible for services.
What does a IFCT do?
IFCT provides structured classes and coaching on topics like behavior supports, communication, relationships, stress management, and systems navigation so individuals and caregivers feel more confident, informed, and equipped to give and receive care.
Does IFCT include direct therapy?
No, IFCT is not direct therapy; it is education and training that complements, but does not replace, clinical or therapeutic services like counseling, ABA, or psychiatry.
Where are IFCT services delivered?
IFCT services are offered in person in community settings and can also be provided via HIPAA-compliant telehealth with both audio and video, depending on the specific class and person-centered plan.
What is the caregiver’s role?
Caregivers are active partners—they learn alongside or about the individual, practice strategies, ask questions, and bring real-life challenges so they can better support the person at home, in school, and in the community.