HOME EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION OF VIRGINIA (HEAV)

The Home Educators Association of Virginia has been working hard for many years helping home educators in Virginia. Membership in this organization is $25/yr. Some of the benefits members receive are:

• Full time paid lobbyist in Richmond during the General Assembly Session
• Constant monitoring of the legislature and school boards to maintain the freedom we have to teach our children
• Bimonthly newsletter, The Virginia Home Educator
• Annual spring convention and huge curriculum fair with terrific speakers, workshops on everything from "How to Get Started" to "Choosing a College". Plus a massive used book sale where you may sell as well as buy used materials.
  They have available a packet for new home schoolers that is full of information on home educating. It includes the Virginia Standards of Learning and sample magazines as well as general information that may be of help to you.

HOME SCHOOL LEGAL DEFENSE ASSOCIATION (HSLDA)

The Home School Legal Defense Association is a national organization which defends home educators all over the nation as they are confronted by school authorities. The cost is $100/yr/family ($85 if you are a member of GRHE). To join, you fill out an application that includes necessary information for HSLDA to have in case they should have to defend you in court. On the basis of your application, they will notify you as to whether you are accepted into the association. They will not accept you if you are already having legal problems with the school system. You must join before you are confronted with a legal matter. You also may not be accepted if you are a single parent, and the other parent does not approve of home schooling. You need to consult with HSLDA personally to determine your eligibility. As a member, HSLDA will give you limitless legal advice, communicate with school officials on your behalf if necessary, and should you have to go to court over a home education matter, they ,will defend you at no charge. If you do not need them, your money is used to defend other families around the country who are having legal problems. HSLDA also sends members a bimonthly publication, The Home School Court Report which keeps members updated on what is happening legally around the country with home education.

HSLDA has a special program for widows that helps provide curriculum for home educating mothers who have lost their husbands. This is their way of obeying the scriptures that instruct Christians to care for the widows and orphans. If you are a widow, contact HSLDA about the program. It may ease your financial burden, enabling you to better care for your family.

OTHER AREA HOME EDUCATING ORGANIZATIONS

HERF: Home Educators of Rainbow Forest

AFRICAN-AMERICAN SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

We have several African-American families in our organization, but there is not a local support group specifically geared to their specialized needs. However, there are two national organizations that we are aware of that provide resources and information to black families.

NETWORK OF BLACK HOMESCHOOLERS (NBH)
P.O. Box 28325
Richmond, VA 23228
e-mail: NBH4@yahoo.com
Membership $20.00/year

Membership provides newsletter and discounts to events, NBH materials, and conferences. NBH members share information on history and curriculum and develop friendships through the Internet, telephone, or support groups. Future plans include a data-base of African-American studies and inventors.

NATIONAL BLACK HOME EDUCATORS RESOURCE ASSOCIATION (NBRERA)
6943 Stoneview Ave.
Baker, Louisiana 70714
Phone: 225-778-0169
E-mail: nbhera@internet8.net
Newsletter: $35/year for 4 quarterly issues

Offers information and services on: Getting started in home education; networking with national organizations and pairing new home schooling families with veterans; publications with current updates and information on state and national news and events affecting the nation's home educators; and teaching materials and curriculum recommendations.