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ADVOCACY & PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Arc of the United States
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)
Autism Society of America
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
Commonwealth Autism Service
Virginia Association of Community Services Boards (VACSB)

A GUIDE TO VIRGINIA'S MEDICAID WAIVERS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, THEIR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS. This July 2007 guide focuses on five of the waivers currently available in Virginia. It gives an excellent overview of the services provided under these waivers and how to apply for them.
http://www.dmas.virginia.gov/downloads/pdfs/ab-ltc_medicaid_waiver.pdf

1. Mental Retardation (MR) Waiver
2. Day Support Waiver (For People with MR)
3. Individual and Family Developmental Disabilities Support (IFDDS or DD) Waiver
4. Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction (EDCD) Waiver
5. Technology-Assisted (Tech) Waiver

ARE YOU WAITING FOR SERVICES?
The Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction (EDCD) Waiver could provide support while you are on the waiting list for the MR or DD Waiver. Click here to read a PowerPoint presentation on the EDCD Waiver.  (You must have a copy of PowerPoint in order to read this presentation.)

EARLY AND PERIODIC SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT SERVICES
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Services (EPSDT) is a comprehensive and preventive child health program for individuals under the age of 21. EPSDT includes periodic screening, vision, dental and hearing services. In addition, under the Social Security Act Section 1905(r)(5), states are required to provide any medically necessary health care services listed at section 1905 (a) of the Social Security Act to correct and ameliorate physical and mental conditions even if the service is not included under the state’s Medicaid plan.  Find out if your child can get services through this program at the following link:
http://www.dmas.virginia.gov/ch-home.htm#EPSDT

A STUDY OF THE MENTAL RETARDATION SERVICE SYSTEM IN VIRGINIA
This study provides an overview of the current system of services, identifies gaps and needs, and makes recommendations for improving the service system, including the MR Medicaid waiver program.  The study was requested by the Virginia 2007 General Assembly.  http://www.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov/OMR-default.htm

EARLY INTERVENTION
Family Involvement Project
In an effort to strengthen and increase family involvement in Virginia's early intervention system, DMHMRSAS, Virginia's Lead Agency, funds the Family Involvement Program housed at The Arc of Virginia.  All of the ArcFIP staff are parents of children with special needs. Our staff are committed to serving families and providers in Virginia as we all work together to make a good thing, The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia , even better!

EDUCATION RESOURCES
http://www.heath.gwu.edu
The HEATH Resource Center is an online clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities.
Parent Education Training Center (PEATC)
Wrightslaw,com 
Special education law and advocacy
FetaWeb.Com   
The companion website to From Emotions to Advocacy- The Special Education Survival Guide by Pam and Pete Wright of Wrightslaw

ACCESSING NEW IDEA 2004 REGULATIONS

The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) has released the long-anticipated new federal regulations for Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), enacted by Congress in 2004.  Over the coming months, the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) and others will be watching closely and offering guidance as the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) reviews and modifies the state’s special education regulations to ensure compliance with IDEA 2004.

The regulations and additional information can be found by visiting the sites listed below.

IDEA, 2004 News, Information and Resources:  http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/idea2004.html
IDEA 2004 Fact Sheet:  http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/speced/ideafactsheet.html

Wrightslaw
IDEA 2004 Regulations: Summary of Major Changes
http://www.wrightslaw.com/idea/law/idea.regs.sumry.chngs.pdf

VDOE
Special Education Regulations Review Process
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/dueproc/regulationsCWD.html

VBPD
Policy and Legislation Information http://www.vaboard.org/vapolicy.htm

PARENT RESOURCES FROM VA-LEND
Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/valend.htm
The Partnership for People with Disabilities developed this program in collaboration with VCU Department of Pediatrics and the Title V Program, Virginia Department of Health, to provide an interdisciplinary education program to prepare health professionals for leadership and advocacy roles. This leadership program is committed to the preparation of health professionals including post-graduate trainees, to assume leadership roles within the health care system to serve children with developmental and related disabilities and their families. This commitment is derived from a belief that to improve health care for children and their families a critical number of professionals must receive advanced training that is interdisciplinary, culturally appropriate, family-centered, and community-based.  Va-LEND has developed two resource lists, a parent resource list and an internet resource list, which you may view at their website.

TRANSITION SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Take a look at this resource for individuals in the Northern Shenandoah Valley area.
www.valleyresourcenet.org
This website was created through a grant project administered by The Arc of Northern Shenandoah Valley and funded by The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities.  It is still under development and comments are requested.  It organizes state and local resources relevant to people who need supports to access community, especially those who may be new to self-advocacy.  The site includes a project manual for those who may be interested in starting similar projects.

STATE GOVERNMENT
Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)
Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS)
Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS)

VIRGINIA COMMISSION ON YOUTH
 In 2002, the General Assembly passed Senate Joint Resolution 99 directing the Commission on Youth to coordinate the collection and dissemination of evidence-based treatment practices recognized as effective for the treatment of children, including juvenile offenders, with mental health disorders.  Advisory groups of mental health experts were established to determine what to include in such a comprehensive compilation.

 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Treatments is tailored for parents, caregivers, educators, service providers and others seeking current research on evidence-based treatments.   This resource was published in late 2002 and subsequently posted as an HTML version on the Commission on Youth website.  It can be accessed at coy.state.va.us by clicking on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Treatments. The link is: http://coy.state.va.us/Modalities/contents.htm

PROGRAMS IN STATE GOVERNMENT FUNDED THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATION ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-402)  
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/add/addprogram.html

Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD)
Financial assistance is provided to each State to support the activities of a Developmental Disabilities Council in that State. Councils are uniquely composed of individuals with significant disabilities, parents and family members of people with developmental disabilities, and representatives of State agencies that provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities. The purpose of the Board is to act as an agent for systems change, capacity building, and advocacy on behalf of people with developmental disabilities and their families. The federal funding received under the Act is the source for the Board's Developmental Disabilities (DD) Grant Program. The Board has the discretion to allocate these funds through a competitive grant process, through solicitation of work, through direct expenditure, or through any combination of these approaches. 

Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (VOPA)
(An independent state agency responsible for the programs formerly operated by the Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities (DRVD), which no longer exists.)  Each state is funded to establish a Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System to empower, protect, and advocate on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities. This system must be independent of service-providing agencies. The P&As are authorized to provide information and referral services and to exercise legal, administrative and other remedies to resolve problems for individuals and groups of clients.

Partnership For People With Disabilities
(Formerly the Virginia Institute for Developmental Disabilities (VIDD))
The University Centers is a discretionary grant program providing for operational and administrative support to University Centers in the States as part of a national network to support interdisciplinary training, exemplary services, technical assistance, and information/dissemination activities.  The mission of University Centers is to serve as liaisons between academic expertise and institutions of higher learning and service delivery systems so as to positively affect the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families by increasing their independence, productivity, and
integration into communities.

Updated 04/01/08