What's New at DRS Archives

At 24, UR grad seeing clearly for first time

May 18, 2009, Richmond Times-Dispatch – Michael Davis, who was born practically blind, is spreading the word about a pair of glasses that let him see almost normally. Read more about Michael’s story and how with the help of bioptic glasses and support from DBVI he was able to see clearly for the first time.

Request For Proposals

DRS Issues RFP #10-003 for the provision of community-based services for Virginians with brain injury. Due date is Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 3 p.m. EST. An optional pre-proposal conference will be held Tuesday, May 19, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon in Suite 135 of the Culepeper Building, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA (located in same Forest Office Park as DRS Central Office).

Request For Proposals (RFP) #10-003 Community based rehabilitation services for Virginians with brain injury

RFP #10-003 Addendum #1

Addendum #2 Attachment A - Contractor Budget Template Spreadsheet to be used when responding to the RFP

Addendum #2 Attachment B - Revised Table

Addendum #2 RFP #10-003 Official Form

Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services Commissioner Encourages Others to Consider Their Use of the "R-Word"

National advocacy day works to eliminate derogatory use of “retarded” in casual conversation

Richmond, Virginia – March 31, 2009 marks a national day to bring an end to the use of the “R-word” in casual conversation. Led by the Special Olympics, “Spread the Word to End the Word” is meant to encourage people to stop using forms of the word “retarded” in a derogatory manner that is offensive to individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families and others.

“People often use the word ‘retarded’ or ‘retard’ in casual conversation without realizing how hurtful it can be to individuals with intellectual disabilities,” said Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services Commissioner James Reinhard, M.D. “The use of ‘retarded’ in a derogatory sense contradicts remarks of families who say their special needs family member lives a fulfilled life and is a source of joy and inspiration to others. I hope people will take this occasion to consider the prejudicial and inaccurate nature of this word.”

In the 2009 Session, the General Assembly passed legislation to change the name of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The new name eliminates the term retardation, more broadly reflects the department’s mission, and allows flexibility to grow into other service areas, like autism. The name change will be effective on July 1, 2009.

“Although our department’s name is not intended to be disparaging, the use of the term retarded is out of date and insensitive to individuals with intellectual disabilities,” said Reinhard. “We are grateful to the General Assembly and the many advocates who supported this name change.”

New Report: Virginia Cited as National Leader in Results-Based Budgeting

Governor announces Virginia was among four states highlighted in a recent report for its results-oriented approach to budgeting and management as an effective decision-making strategy for addressing current fiscal challenges. The report praised the Commonwealth’s “tradition of good governance,” and noted that Virginia Performs (an interactive website allowing citizens to review measurable performance targets and monitor the Commonwealth's progress in contrast to other states) "has created a culture of evidence-based decision making that allows Virginia’s leaders to systematically tackle the state’s budget crisis and increase agency productivity." To read the full news release, please click here.

Accessibility for Hunters with Disabilities

On January 4, members from the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and Wheelin’ Sportsmen of Virginia (an outreach program of NWTF) provided an accessible hunting opportunity for people who might not otherwise have the chance. About 10 hunters with mobility impairments, along with 20-30 hunting assistants, joined for a 5 a.m. hunt throughout the 223 wooded acres of the WWRC campus in Fishersville, Virginia. To access the full story, download the PDF. To view the news report, visit the WWRC YouTube page.

POSTED: Notice of Contract Awards for Work Incentives Specialist Services, IFB #09-196

Why disabled techies rock

TecAccess has found a lucrative niche connecting disabled workers with hightech job opportunities. Download the PDF or visit the article on CNN.com for more.

"The Money Follows the Person" (MFP) project is now underway.

http://www.olmsteadva.com/mfp/

Official launch of Virginia Easy Access

On August 13th the state officially launched Virginia Easy Access at an event hosted by Senior Connections in Richmond. Easy Access is part of the larger No Wrong Door initiative. It is a web portal developed by a panel of experts designed for seniors and adults with disabilities. Virginia Easy Access provides information about a variety of informational topics of particular interest to these populations including information on public benefits and programs. Easy Access provides individuals and caregivers the ability to search for specific services in every community through VirginiaNavigator’s provider database of over 21,000 providers and services. VirginiaNavigator is powered by SeniorNavigator which is currently expanding the database to include more providers of disability services. Read the full Press Release at the Governor's web site.

Virginia Gets Top Grade in Performance – Government Performance Project gives Virginia "A-" overall score–

RICHMOND– Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia again received the top score in the Government Performance Project’s “Grading the States 2008” report, the nation’s only comprehensive, independent analysis of how well each state performs in serving the public. In the first such rating in three years, Virginia achieved an overall grade of A- for performance. Two other states – Utah and Washington - received an A- grade, and the national average was B-. Virginia also received an A- ranking in the most recent “Grading the States” assessment in 2005. Read the Full Press Release.

The Governor's Plan for Workforce Development Workforce Investment Act: State Partner Memorandum of Instruction and Understandings.

This State Memorandum of Instruction and Understandings (MOU) is by and between the following Governor’s Cabinet Secretaries and the following agencies that provide workforce, employment and training activities or supportive services. For more information, please see the links below.

Memorandum of Instruction and Understandings (MOU) - WORD
Appendix C - Sample Local Memorandum of Understanding - WORD
State MOU Charts, Partner Info and Cost Data - EXCEL

Virginia Business selects TecAccess as Small Business Success Story of the Year.

Debra and Sara Ruh on the Cover of Virginia Business Rockville, VA - February 1, 2008-- TecAccess, an international leader in accessibility and workforce solutions, has been selected as both the regional and overall state winner of the annual "Small Business Success Story of the Year," by Virginia Business magazine. TecAccess, with its primary office located in Virginia, is featured in the February issue of Virginia Business along with other leading entrepreneurial ventures throughout the state competing in the rigorous competition. Read more on the TechAccess Web Site.

Virginia launches website describing community living choice project for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Virginia is one of 31 states participating in a five-year, $1.75 billion Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration project designed to create a system of long-term services and supports that assist individuals to transition from certain long-term care institutions into the community. This project supports Virginia’s Olmstead initiative and complements the efforts of the recently awarded Systems Transformation Grant that aims to improve the infrastructure for community-based long-term supports. Virginia’s MFP project, administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services, will make over $28 million in federal Medicaid funds available to support Virginia’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.

For more details and the most current information on the MFP project, please visit http://www.olmsteadva.com/mfp.

For just a few more dollars... unlimited horizons for deserving Americans

Read article by Sallie Rhodes, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR). Here is an excerpt: The public Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program, which is authorized by Congress, assists approximately 1.5 million individuals with significant disabilities annually by providing services and supports to overcome barriers to employment. Last year, VR helped 217,800 individuals go to work, earn good wages, and pay taxes that in a very short time will far exceed the VR dollars spent on their behalf.

Longitudinal Study of the Vocational Rehabilitation Service Program

Highlights and Significance. (PowerPoint Download)

Level A conformance icon, W3C-WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0

This File Was Last Modified: Monday August 03 2009