Redesign of Virginia's waiver program for people with disabilities takes effect

Virginia launched a newly designed program this week for thousands of people with disabilities as part of a years-long negotiation with the federal government.

The new program takes Virginia one step closer to completing the requirements laid out in a 2012 settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice over the way the state doles out money for services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

An advocate for disabled Virginians said the new program is a positive development for a system she believes is in “crisis,” but she worries more will be needed from the state to adequately meet the needs of the 12,255 families on a waiting list for services.

Under the new program, the state’s roughly 40 community services boards will serve as the single entry point for all families seeking “waivers,” or slots, for services, said Connie Cochran, assistant commissioner of developmental services for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

Read more: http://www.roanoke.com/news/virginia/redesign-of-virginia-s-waiver-program-for-people-with-disabilities/article_a0a50cdd-bf18-5a7e-880c-451aa9341649.html