Communities of Leaders in Autism
COMMUNITIES OF LEADERS IN AUTISM (COLA)
Regions will receive technical assistance through the development and facilitation of Communities of Leaders in Autism (CoLAs). CoLAs provide participants with the opportunity to share information and experiences. This allows members to learn from each other, and have an opportunity to develop personally and professionally.
Who is part of CoLA?
VCU-ACE staff; T/TAC staff; VDOE staff; and School division personnel who are considered leaders in their division in ASD. This includes autism specialists, instructional specialists, master teachers and individuals in administrative or quasi-administrative roles who provide consultation and support to teachers who support students with ASD.
What happens in a CoLA?
- Members share a common interest in the improvement of service delivery and use of evidence-based practice for students with ASD.
- Members create a strong community that fosters trust and encourages collaboration and sharing.
- Members develop a core of knowledge through skill development, problem solving, information and resource acquisition, and skill integration using both collaborative and self-directed learning activities.
CoLA Conference 2023
Hear from VCU ACE and Virginia Department of Education staff and CoLA leaders from across Virginia about the benefits of CoLA and the annual CoLA conference!
CoLA Conference 2023 Self-Advocate Discussions
Find Your Region
Option 1: Click on the portion of the map below that contains your city or county to receive information about your VDOE region.
Option 2: Choose your city or county from the following dropdown list. Then click the link that appears for information about your region.