Virginia is an Employment First State. We believe everyone can work and contribute meaningfully to their communities– including individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health needs, substance use, or criminal justice involvement. Employment should be the FIRST option people explore before considering other community day services.
DBHDS does NOT provide employment services directly, but we work with other state agencies and community partners to help people with:
- Developmental Disabilities
- Behavioral Health (BH) needs
We support employment by:
- Offering training and technical assistance to individuals, families, providers, and agency staff
- Promoting access to competitive integrated employment
- Tracking and reporting statewide employment rates and outcomes
Who Can Benefit from Employment?
Jobs may look different for people with DD or BH needs, but the benefits are the same. Some people may need extra support at work – and that’s okay. People with DD or BH needs can benefit from working just like anyone else. Employment can provide:
- A sense of purpose and self-worth
- Independence
- Financial stability
- Health and well-being
With the right job and the rights supports in place, work can be a positive part of anyone’s life!
What Services are Available?
While DBHDS doesn’t provide services directly, we work with:
- The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)
- The Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
- DBHDS Programs
These services include:
How Employment Can Look
Even though work may look differently for someone with DD or BH needs – their rights are the same as everyone else, and they should be treated the same. Employment should be:
- In the community in a job the person chooses
- Fairly paid and equal to others doing similar work with a similar background
- Inclusive and integrated, with opportunities to interact with coworkers both socially and in job-related activities
- Growth-oriented, with opportunities to learn and advance
The best way to support someone is to get to know them – what they enjoy, what they are good at – and start a conversation about work and current and/or future employment-related goals.
Not everyone will want to work in a traditional job working for someone else. Your job might also look different if you choose to work for yourself. If you do choose to start your own business or even work as an entrepreneur, you can receive employment support to help you.
Benefits Planning
Sometimes people worry that working will impact their Social Security or other benefits they need to live. It’s important to know that you CAN work without your benefits being impacted.
There are professionals who can help you learn what to do if you want to work and protect your benefits, and the rules that you must follow. These professionals are certified as either a WISA (Work Incentive Specialist Advocate) or WIPA (Work Incentive Planning and Assistance). Both can provide you with important information about work and benefits planning.
The Red Book – A Guide to Work Incentives | SSA
Benefits Counseling and the Path to Employment | Choose Work! – Ticket to Work – Social Security
How to Start an Employment Conversation
Helpful Employment Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Employment Services Under the DD Waiver
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Preemployment Transition Services
Employment First
- Governor McDonnell’s Employment First Certificate of Recognition
- POLICY 1044 (SYS) 12-1 Employment First
State Employment Reports
State Employment Initiatives and Program Links
- VCU Center on Transition Innovations (CTI)
- VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC)
- Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)
Behavioral Health Employment Resources
List of Acronyms
| Acronym | Full Meaning |
| ADL | Activities of Daily Living |
| APS | Adult Protective Services |
| ADA | Americans with Disabilities Act |
| AR | Authorized Representative |
| AT | Assistive Technology |
| BCBA | Board Certified Behavior Analyst |
| BSP | Behavior Support Plan |
| CAP | Corrective Action Plan |
| CAT | Crisis Assessment Tool |
| CEPP | Crisis Education and Prevention Plan |
| CHRIS | Computerized Human Rights Information System |
| CIL | Center for Independent Living |
| CIM | Community Integration Manager |
| CI | Compliance Indicator |
| CIT | Crisis Intervention Training |
| CL | Community Living (HCBS Waiver) |
| CLO | Community Living Options |
| CM | Case Manager |
| CMS | Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services |
| COVLC | Commonwealth of Virginia Learning Center |
| CPS | Child Protective Services |
| CRC | Community Resource Consultant |
| CSB | Community Services Board |
| CSB ES | Community Services Board Emergency Services |
| CTH | Crisis Therapeutic Home |
| CTT | Community Transition Team |
| DARS | Department of Rehabilitation and Aging Services |
| DBHDS | Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services |
| DD | Developmental Disabilities |
| DDS | Division of Developmental Services, DBHDS |
| DMAS | Department of Medical Assistance Services |
| DOJ | Department of Justice, United States |
| DS | Day Support Services |
| DSP | Direct Support Professional |
| DSS | Department of Social Services |
| DW | Data Warehouse |
| ECM | Enhanced Case Management |
| EDCD | Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Directed Services |
| EFAG | Employment First Advisory Group |
| EPSDT | Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment |
| ES | Emergency Services (at the CSBs) |
| ESO | Employment Service Organization |
| FRC | Family Resource Consultant |
| GH | Group Home |
| GSE | Group Supported Employment |
| HCBS | Home- and Community-Based Services |
| HPR | Health Planning Region |
| HR/OHR | Office of Human Rights |
| HSN | Health Services Network |
| IADL | Individual Activities of Daily Living |
| ICF | Intermediate Care Facility |
| ID | Intellectual Disabilities |
| IDD | Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities |
| Acronym | Full Meaning |
| IFSP | Individual and Family Support Program |
| IR | Independent Reviewer |
| ISE | Individual Supported Employment |
| ISP | Individual Supports Plan |
| ISR | Individual Services Review |
| KPA | Key Performance Areas |
| LIHTC | Low Income Housing Tax Credit |
| LTES | Long Term Employment Services |
| MLMC | My Life My Community (website) |
| MOU | Memorandum of Understanding |
| MRC | Mortality Review Committee |
| OCQI | Office of Continuous Quality Improvement |
| ODS | Office of Developmental Services |
| OHR | Office of Human Rights |
| OIH | Office of Integrated Health |
| OL | Office of Licensing |
| OSIG | Office of the State Inspector General |
| PASRR | Preadmission Screening and Resident Review |
| PCR | Person Centered Review |
| PCP | Primary Care Physician |
| PHA | Public Housing Authority |
| POC | Plan of Care |
| PMI | Performance Measure Indicator |
| PMM | Post-Move Monitoring |
| PST | Personal Support Team |
| QAR | Quality Assurance Review |
| QI | Quality Improvement |
| QIC | Quality Improvement Committee |
| QII | Quality Improvement Initiative |
| QMD | Quality Management Division |
| QMR | Quality Management Review |
| QRT | Quality Review Team |
| QSR | Quality Service Reviews |
| RAC | Regional Advisory Council for REACH |
| REACH | Regional Education, Assessment, Crisis Services, Habilitation |
| RFP | Request For Proposals |
| RNCC | RN Care Consultants |
| RST | Regional Support Team |
| RQC | Regional Quality Council |
| SA | Settlement Agreement US v. VA 3:12 CV 059 |
| SC | Support Coordinator |
| SELN AG | Supported Employment Leadership Network, Advisory Group |
| SEVTC | Southeastern Virginia Training Center |
| SIR | Serious Incident Report |
| SIS | Supports Intensity Scale |
| SW | Sheltered Work |
| SRH | Sponsored Residential Home |
| VCU | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| VHDA | Virginia Housing and Development Agency |
| WaMS | Waiver Management System |
| WIPA | Work Incentive Planning and Assistance |
| WISA | Work Incentive Specialist Advocate |
