Developmental Services for Individuals and Families

The Part C Early Intervention Program includes services and supports to infants and toddlers from birth through age two who are not developing as expected or who have a medical condition that can delay normal development. Early intervention focuses on increasing the child’s participation in family and community activities. In addition, supports and services focus on helping parents and other caregivers know how to help the child learn during everyday activities. These supports and services are available for all eligible children and their families regardless of the family’s ability to pay. Services include the Office of Special Education Programs and Part C Early Intervention Programs. For more information, please see the Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia and My Life My Community. 

The Virginia Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Developmental Disabilities Waivers fund services and supports which help people with developmental disabilities to live independently in the community. The waivers offer supports such as medical care, employment opportunities, supports in the home, behavioral interventions, and assistive devices, depending on individual needs. 

For information about DD services across the life stages, visit My Life My Community  

Depending on your needs, there may be other services and Medicaid Waivers available.  Please visit the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) for information about other waivers. You also may be eligible for case management services through your local Community Services Board (CSB)  or Behavioral Health Authority (BHA) while you are on the DD Waivers waiting list.  

Individuals in the Commonwealth with a developmental disability have access to specialized crisis supports and services called REACH to address emergencies arising due to a mental health or behavioral health challenge. The Commonwealth is committed to providing individuals, families, and providers with the resources to help individuals of all ages and types of disabilities receive help quickly and effectively using a person-centered support approach to respond to emergency and chronic needs at the local level, allowing individuals to remain in their homes in the community.  

Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should always call 911. 

The Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP) is designed to assist individuals on the waiting list for one of the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Medicaid waivers access short-term resources, supports, and services that will help them maintain an independent life in the community.  The program consists of four main components: 

• The IFSP Funding Program provides financial assistance to individuals and families awaiting services through one of Virginia’s Developmental Disabilities waivers. Individuals on the waiting list may apply for financial assistance to cover eligible costs that help them maintain living in an independent community setting.   
• The IFSP Community Coordination Program supports the work of the State ISFP Council, the advisory group of state and community stakeholders that helps inform DBHDS policy addressing the support needs of individuals on the waiting list and the IFSP Regional Councils, local groups of individuals who are on the DD Waiver Waiting List, family members, caregivers, or providers, working at a grassroots level to increase supports in their communities. The goal of the IFSP Coordination Program is to streamline state and community supports to better leverage limited public resources.  
• The Family to Family mentoring program, through collaboration with the Center for Family Involvement and other partners, works with families to increase their skills as advocates, mentors, and leaders.
• The Peer to Peer Mentoring program connects individuals with DD to a peer mentor.

Additional Resources:

Peer Mentoring through The Arc of Virginia

Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention (LEAP) through the Partnership for People with Disabilities at VCU

To sign up for more information about IFSP, click here.

My Life, My Community offers information about waiver options, providers that can assist with service needs, connection to support networks, and other helpful resources for individuals with developmental disabilities. 

The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to assisting individuals with a developmental disability obtain independent housing in the community. Housing Specialists are located in each region of the state. Their goal is to assist individuals with DD who are part of the Settlement Agreement population acquire their own home in the community with needed supports.    
 
The Settlement Agreement target population for housing includes Virginians with a developmental disability who are at least 18 years of age or older and: 

1)     Living in a training center, intermediate care facility, skilled nursing facility and are eligible for one of the DD Waivers; 

2)     Currently receiving DD Waiver services; or 

3)     On a waitlist for DD Waiver services.  

For more information on available housing resources: DBHDS Path to Housing. Additional information on independent housing is available on My Life My Community.

In an effort to better support people with disabilities through employment and expand access to integrated, community-based employment opportunities, Virginia’s Employment First Initiative requires that employment is offered to individuals receiving developmental disability services before offering other available day service options.    

For more information on employment for individuals with a developmental disability: Employment First .

The Health Support Network (HSN) is committed to ensuring individuals with a developmental disability receive appropriate quality supports from qualified health providers that result in the delivery of barrier-free, community-integrated healthcare services. The HSN provides person-centered services to those with serious medical needs who are former residents of Virginia’s Training Centers, large Intermediate Care Facilities, and Nursing Facilities. The HSN also provides resources on health-related services for all individuals with DD in the state.  HSN programs include: 

• Fixed Rate Dental Program 

• Sedation Dental Program 

• Mobile Rehab Engineering (MRE)  

• Community Nursing 

Additional Health Services – Here you can find safety alerts, newsletters, health support network and long-term care information, and educational resources.