Community Groups
Government Agencies
- Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
- DD Waiver Resources
- Montgomery County Department of Social Services
- Montgomery County Public Schools Special Education
- Virginia Board for People with Disabilities
- Virginia Career Works
- Virginia Disability Services Agencies (DSA)
- Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC)
Service Providers
- ABA of SWVA
- Compass Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Center, Inc. (DHHSC)
- DD Waiver Resources
- DePaul Community Resources
- Elites Care LLC
- Moms in Motion
- New River Valley Agency on Aging
- New River Valley Community Services
- Pulaski Adult Day Service
- Strengthening Our System, Inc. (SOS)
- Virginia Parent Advocates, LLC
- Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research
- Wall Residences
Chapters of The Arc
The Arc is the nation’s leading advocacy and service organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc of New River Valley is an affiliate of both the national and state chapters.
Financial & Legal
- ABLEnow
- Ann Green, Attorney at Law at Anderson, Desimone & Green, PC
- Bettye Ackerman, Attorney at Law at Campbell & Ackerman
Miscellaneous
Misc
- Spanish – English DD Glossary – thoughtfully interpreted for greatest relevance and accuracy.
DD Waiver Resources
Get Help with DD Waivers
What can I do to get someone on the DD Waiver waiting list?
New River Valley Community Services in Blacksburg, VA is the local agency where you can apply to be placed on the DD Waiver waiting list. The other NRVCS sites (in Radford, Floyd, Giles and Radford) provide counseling, psychiatric referrals, case management, etc., but no intake for eligibility for services.
Call Chasity Lawson at the number listed on this page for more information. A DD Waiver Support Coordinator/Case Manager will then assist with determining an individual’s eligibility and enrollment process. An assessment for active case management needs will also be completed as well as referrals to any other services.
Need help understanding the maze of Medicaid services in Virginia?
We are happy to help with any questions you have, whether you are a person with developmental disabilities, parent, support person, teacher, or health professional. Email us at arcnrv@gmail.com.
The Arc of Virginia is an excellent resource for information about Virginia state DD services, the Medicaid system and Medicaid waiver services. Call Eva-Elizabeth Chisholm at 804-649-8481 Ext 101 or email echisholm@thearcofva.org.
Contact about DD Waivers
New River Valley Community Services
700 University City Boulevard
Blacksburg, VA 24060
info@nrvcs.org
Phone: 540-961-8300
Fax: 540-961-8465
Website: nrvcs.org
Chasity Lawson
ID/DD Services Supervisor, NRVCS
Phone: (540) 750-6198
cllawson@nrvcs.org
All other DD inquiries:
Tom Meadows
ID/DD Services Program Manager, NRVCS
Phone: (540) 961-8334
TMeadows@nrvcs.org
The Arc of Virginia
2147 Staples Mill Road
Richmond, VA 23230
info@nrvcs.org
Phone: (804) 649-8481
Toll free: (888)-604-2677
Website: thearcofva.org
Eva-Elizabeth Chisholm
Phone: 804-649-8481 Ext 101
Email: echisholm@thearcofva.org
Advocacy & Self-Advocacy
Tips for Telling Your Story, Tips for Letter Writing, Visiting Your Legislator
Tips for Letter Writing
- Address envelope to “The Honorable Delegate/Senator (name)”
- Address letter to “Delegate/Senator”
- Be concise
- Let your legislator know you appreciate his/her efforts
- Briefly explain your situation. See Tips for Telling Your Story (below) for ideas
- Ask to meet or speak with him/her over the phone if a meeting is not possible
- If you have not had a response within two weeks, call to follow-up
We have been told it makes a big difference when a legislator receives personalized, traditional letters from at least eight different constituents. Help us strengthen our voice. Ask nearby friends/family to join you in a letter writing campaign!
How to Visit Your Legislator
- Contact the office of the Delegate/Senator beforehand to make an appointment
- Consider inviting the legislator to visit you at your home
- Bring copies of your personal story and a picture
- Prepare an “elevator speech”. If you had only 90 seconds to get your point across, what would you say?
- Contact The Arc of Virginia for materials, assistance and advice on meeting your legislator
- Send a thank-you note afterwards
Tips for Telling Your Story
Self-Advocates
- If you are on a wait list, how would services help you?
- What are your dreams, hopes and goals? What support do you need to make these happen?
- Have you lived in an institution? What was that like? How is life different now?
Family Members
- What support services does your family member need to live A Life Like Yours?
- How would cuts to services affect you?
- Are you on a Medicaid Waiver wait list? How would Wavier services help you? What is life like for your family? How long have you been waiting?
- Would you ever “choose” an institution for your family member?
- Why is it important to provide community-based services in lieu of institutionalization?
Tips for Providers, Friends & Concerned Citizens
Providers
- What services do you provide? How do they help people with I/DD live A Life Like Yours?
- How would the people you support be affected by cuts to services?
Friends and Concerned Citizens
- Why do you feel compelled to speak out for people with developmental disabilities?
- As a constituent, why is your legislator’s support of people with I/DD important to you?
- Why is it important to provide community-based services to prevent institutionalization?
- As a taxpayer, how is investing in institutional models of care (which are known to be more expensive than community-based care) an ineffective/inefficient use of state dollars