Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Explore Renters Rights WV, our new home for legal information around all things rental housing!

X

Special Education (FAST)

About FAST

The FAST Program (Family Advocacy, Support, and Training) is a statewide parent and youth network that engages families in the planning, management, and evaluation of their child’s mental health treatment and service needs, including special educational requirements. FAST has five regional advocates, an attorney, and a statewide resource specialist and serves all 55 West Virginia counties.


How FAST Can Help

FAST Advocates can provide a diverse set of services, including: 

  • Working with families and school officials to develop individual education plans (IEPs). 
  • Facilitating discussions between schools and families about how to manage a child’s problem behaviors in a way that is fair and designed to keep the child in public school. 
  • Helping resolve legal concerns that directly impact a child’s academic success, including problems with accessing appropriate education services, issues of custody and adoption, and acquisition of benefits, transportation, and housing. 
  • Providing linkage and referrals to appropriate services. 
  • Assisting with transitions between schools and school districts. 
  • Identifying supports to prevent dropout, truancy, and disciplinary actions, and to encourage postsecondary education.
woman holds smiling child with Down Syndrome, they look at each other with happy expressions


FAST Eligibility

group of diverse elementary school kids stand in hallway with their teacher


Young children and students (0-21 years) who live in West Virginia, have a mental health, co-occuring or co-existing diagnosis, and who are struggling or experiencing discrimination in school or early learning programs because of their mental health challenges are all eligible for FAST services. There are no income requirements for this program.  

Please note: priority for services will be given to families participating in Safe at Home WV or children’s wraparound initiatives.


A FAST Client Story

A quote graphic that says "You look at your child and think time is ticking away, and he's not making any progress in school. Rhonda stepped in and really helped us. Between her and the good Lord, we're starting to get some real help for our son. From Matt, a FAST program client.


Matt and Amber learned about the FAST Program by chance after someone from their community messaged them on Facebook. Their son, Asher, has autism, and they struggled with finding the right services and plan for his education on their own.

After their FAST advocate, Rhonda, joined the effort, things changed for the better. Matt and Amber finally felt like their son was making progress and feeling happier, both in an out of the classroom.

Read their story.

Stay up to date with Legal Aid West Virginia monthly newsletter for all the latest legal news, resources, and information.

Group 3 Created with Sketch.
Languages