DOJ Settlement Agreement

In August 2008, DOJ initiated an investigation of Central Virginia Training Center (CVTC) pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA). In April 2010, DOJ notified the Commonwealth that it was expanding its investigation to focus on Virginia’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead ruling. The Olmstead decision requires that individuals be served in the most integrated settings appropriate to meet their needs consistent with their choice. In February 2011, DOJ submitted a findings letter to Virginia, concluding that the Commonwealth fails to provide services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. 

In March 2011, upon advice and counsel from the Office of the Attorney General, Virginia entered into negotiations with DOJ in an effort to reach a settlement without subjecting the Commonwealth to an extremely costly and lengthy court battle with the federal government. On January 26, 2012, Virginia and DOJ reached a settlement agreement. The agreement resolves DOJ’s investigation of Virginia’s training centers and community programs and the Commonwealth’s compliance with the ADA and Olmstead with respect to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Final Order and Settlement Agreement (8/23/2012)

Complete Set of Agreed Upon Compliance Indicators (1/14/2020)

In May of 2019, a federal court order was filed tasking the parties to the 2012 Agreement with creating a document system, or “library”, to ensure that the Commonwealth will perform all provisions of the Settlement Agreement.  

Please visit the Commonwealth of Virginia-United States Department of Justice Settlement Agreement Document Library to review documentation of the Commonwealth’s compliance.


DOJ Settlement Agreement / Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

To: Members, DBHDS Settlement Agreement Stakeholder Group

The next DBHDS Settlement Agreement Stakeholder meeting will be on Wednesday, June 29th 2022 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, in person at VACSB, or virtually via Zoom.

VACSB:10128-B W. Broad Street Glen Allen, VA 23060 

Google Meet link: https://virginia-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1617881011
Call in number: +1 551 285 1373‬ PIN: 086421#

Agenda and power points will be posted prior to the meeting. A limited number of copies of presentations and other handouts will be provided for members from the public who wish to attend; but copies may be printed ahead of time as well. When posted, the information can be found here.

March 2020

Agenda March 2020 (3/04/2020)

February 2020


Twenty-fifth report to the Court from the Independent Reviewer (December 13, 2023)

Twenty-fourth report to the Court from the Independent Reviewer (June 13, 2024)

Twenty-third Report to the Court from the Independent Reviewer (December 13, 2023)

Twenty-second Report to the Court from the Independent Reviewer (June 13, 2023)

Twenty-first Report to the Court from the Independent Reviewer (December 13, 2022)

Twentieth Report to the Court from the Independent Reviewer (June 13, 2022)

Nineteenth Report to the Court from the Independent Reviewer (December 13, 2021)

Eighteenth Report to the Court from Independent Reviewer (June 13, 2021)

Seventeenth Report to the Court from Independent Reviewer (December 15, 2020)

Sixteenth Report to the Court from Independent Reviewer (June 13, 2020)

Fifteenth Report to the Court from Independent Reviewer (December 15, 2019)

Fourteenth Report to the Court from Independent Reviewer (June 13, 2019)

Thirteenth Report to the Court from Independent Reviewer (December 13, 2018)

Twelfth Report to the Court from Independent Reviewer  (June 13, 2018)

10th and 11th Report to the Court from Independent Reviewer  (December 13, 2017)

Appendices for the 10th and 11th Report to the Court from Independent Reviewer (December 13, 2017)

Ninth Report to the Court from Independent Reviewer (December 23, 2016)

Eighth Report of the Independent Reviewer (June 6, 2016)

Seventh Report of the Independent Reviewer (December 6, 2015)

Sixth Report of the Independent Reviewer(June 6, 2015)

Fifth Report of the Independent Reviewer (December 8, 2014)

Fourth Report of the Independent Reviewer (June 6, 2014)

Third Report of the Independent Reviewer(December 6, 2013)

Second Report of the Independent Reviewer(June 6, 2013)

First Report of the Independent Reviewer (December 6, 2012)

Final Order and Settlement Agreement


This page provides links to documents and reports that identify the availability and quality of community services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) including gaps in services and recommendations for improvement.  The reports are produced for many purposes and are directed to a variety of different audiences but they all provide useful information to system stakeholders. 

Some of these reports are produced or updated on an ongoing basis at various intervals.  

Virginia Provider Data Summary

On November 9th, 2017, the Office of Provider Development in the Division of Developmental Services (DDS) at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) hosted the first Provider Data Summary webinar as a way to engage and inform Virginia’s developmental disabilities (DD) providers about the state of DD services across the Commonwealth. Provider Data Summary webinars are planned to continue on a semi-annual basis to provide a forum for sharing the results of ongoing analysis of gaps in DD services across all regions. Information from these webinars will be available here following each scheduled event in May and November. 

Assessment Reports: Identifying Service Capacity/Service Needs

 Assessment Reports: Quality

Virginia’s Plan to Increase Independent Living Options – Action Plan Update (January 2020) provides the plan and an update on the progress of the Commonwealth to increase Independent housing options for individuals with I/DD.


The videos provided below offer a basic overview of Settlement Agreement indicators with content tailored to three roles. There is one for individuals and families, one for DD providers, and one for Support Coordinators. Video scripts can be accessed at the additional links