Summary of Services, Programs, and Initiatives Provided to Virginians with Disabilities

VIRGINIA OFFICE FOR PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY

(FORMERLY DEPARTMENT FOR RIGHTS OF VIRGINIANS WITH DISABILITIES)

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Assistive Technology (AT)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: The AT program provides assistance to individuals with disabilities seeking access to assistive technology devices and services, with emphasis on obtaining funding from vocational rehabilitation, special education, and Medicaid or Medicare.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: Yes - Annual Program Priorities and Case Selection Criteria
4. Target Population/s: Persons with Disabilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia
5. Method of Administration: State -- Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (formerly Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities)
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): Statewide
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): For SFY 2001, 17 persons received advocacy and/or legal representation services under this program and 286 individuals were served through outreach and training. In addition, a number students with disabilities who required assistive technology as part of their special education program along with other services, received assistance through our Developmental Disabilities program. Persons requiring assistive technology in their vocational rehabilitation program were served by our Client Assistance Program.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): 2001 Federal Grant Award: $50,000
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
   Consumer Services Division
   (804) 225-2042 or (800) 552-3962
   generalvopa@dsa.state.va.us

VIRGINIA OFFICE FOR PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY

(FORMERLY DEPARTMENT FOR RIGHTS OF VIRGINIANS WITH DISABILITIES)

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Client Assistance Program (CAP)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: The CAP program explains and protects rights to available benefits and services for persons who are clients of or applicants for services provided by the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI), Centers for Independent Living (CILs), or programs funded under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the Workforce Investment Act.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: Yes - Must be an applicant for, or recipient of services from DRS, DBVI, or a CIL.
4. Target Population/s: Persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia
5. Method of Administration: State -- Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (formerly Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities)
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): Statewide
7. 7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): For SFY 2001, 98 persons received advocacy and/or legal representation services under this program and 406 individuals were served through outreach and training.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): 2001 Federal Grant Award: $247,292
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
   Consumer Services Division
   (804) 225-2042 or (800) 552-3962
   generalvopa@dsa.state.va.us

VIRGINIA OFFICE FOR PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY

(FORMERLY DEPARTMENT FOR RIGHTS OF VIRGINIANS WITH DISABILITIES)

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Development Disabilities Assistance Program (DD)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: The DD program assists children and adults with developmental disabilities, who require special care, housing, treatment, and services and who have been abused, neglected, or discriminated against, due to their disability. VOPA can help by identifying resources for disability information; answering questions about services and benefits; explaining rights and responsibilities; and providing guidance on solving problems. For individuals whose issue falls within annual priorities and case selection criteria, VOPA may assist by investigating complaints; negotiating solutions to disagreements; and/or providing advocacy and legal representation services. For Infants and Children Under Age 5, developmental disabilities means individuals who have substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired conditions with a high probability of resulting in developmental disabilities if services are not provided.
   Persons 5 Years or Older, a developmental disability is a severe, chronic disability that:
   1. is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;
   2. is manifested before the person attains the age twenty-two (22);
   3. is likely to continue indefinitely;
   4. reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services which are of life-long or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated; and
   5. results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:
3. Self-Care-A substantial functional limitation in self-care is a long term condition which requires significant assistance to look after personal needs such as food, hygiene, and appearance. Significant assistance may be defined as assistance at least one-half of the time for an activity or a need for some assistance in more than one-half of all activities normally required for self-care.
4. Receptive and Expressive Language-A substantial functional limitation in receptive and expressive language is a long-term condition which prevents effective communication with another person without the aid of a third person or with a mechanical device, or a long-term condition which prevents articulation of thoughts.
5. Learning-A substantial functional limitation in learning is a long-term condition which seriously interferes with cognitive, visual, or aural communication, or use of hands, etc. to the extent that special intervention or special programs are required to aid in learning.
6. Mobility-A substantial functional limitation in mobility is a long-term condition which impairs the ability to use fine and/or gross motor skills to the extent that assistance of another person and/or a mechanical device is needed in order to move from place to place.
7. Self-Direction-A substantial functional limitation in self-direction is a long-term condition which requires assistance in being able to make independent decisions concerning social and individual activities and/or handling personal finances and/or protecting self-interest.
8. Capacity for Independent Living-A substantial functional limitation in capacity for independent living is a long-term condition that limits the performance of normal societal roles or which makes it unsafe to live alone to such an extent that assistance, supervision, or presence of a second person is required more than half the time.
9. Economic Self-Sufficiency-A substantial functional limitation in economic self-sufficiency is a long-term condition which prevents working in regular employment or which limits productive capacity to such an extent that is insufficient for self-support.
10. Service Preauthorization Required: Yes - Annual Program Priorities and Case Selection Criteria
11. Target Population/s: Persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia
12. Method of Administration: State -- Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (formerly Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities)
13. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): Statewide
14. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): For SFY 2001, 174 persons received advocacy and/or legal representation services under this program and 460 individuals were served through outreach and training..
15. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): 2001 Federal Grant Award: $637,072
16. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
    
    FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
    Consumer Services Division
    (804) 225-2042 or (800) 552-3962
    generalvopa@dsa.state.va.us

VIRGINIA OFFICE FOR PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY

(FORMERLY DEPARTMENT FOR RIGHTS OF VIRGINIANS WITH DISABILITIES)

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: The PAIR program allows VOPA to provide assistance and representation to Social Security (SSI/SSDI) beneficiaries with disabilities who are seeking vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, and other support services from employment networks and other service providers. VOPA, within available resources and case selection criteria, will provide advocacy and/or legal representation services to SSI/SSDI beneficiaries who have experienced employment discrimination based on disability; or been inappropriately denied Medicaid (1619b status) benefits and are at risk of losing their job due to a loss of Medicaid benefits or are unable to take a job because of the denial of 1619b status. In the future, when the "Ticket Program" is rolled out in Virginia, persons served with a "ticket" will be eligible for advocacy services under that program if they have problems related to the Employment Network providing those services.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: Yes - Annual Program Priorities and Case Selection Criteria
4. Target Population/s: Persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia
5. Method of Administration: State -- Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (formerly Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities)
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): Statewide
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): For SFY 2001, 1 person received advocacy and/or legal representation services under this program. The Ticket Program is not yet rolled out in Virginia. The agency is emphasizing systemic work under this program until the Tickets are distributed. This includes work on development of a Medicaid Buy In program in Virginia.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): 2001 Federal Grant Award: $105,650
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
   Consumer Services Division
   (804) 225-2042 or (800) 552-3962
   generalvopa@dsa.state.va.us

VIRGINIA OFFICE FOR PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY

(FORMERLY DEPARTMENT FOR RIGHTS OF VIRGINIANS WITH DISABILITIES)

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: The PAIMI program provides legal and advocacy services for people with mental illness who live in a hospital or other facility providing care and treatment for their illness. (Under federal law, an individual is considered to have a mental illness when diagnosed as such by a mental health professional who meets the eligibility standards set forth by Virginia statute). People who have problems while being taken to or from a facility, getting admitted to a facility, or within 90 days of leaving facility may also be eligible for PAIMI services. Depending on federal funding levels, persons with mental illness who live in the community independently or with family or friends may also be eligible. VOPA has the authority to investigate reported or suspected incidences of abuse and/or neglect of people with mental illness in residential facilities. Case level services may be provided to individuals whose issue concerns enforcement of federal and state statutory and constitutional rights; allegations of abuse and/or neglect; and/or the need for assistance to advocate for themselves.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: Yes - Annual Program Priorities and Case Selection Criteria
4. Target Population/s: Persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia
5. Method of Administration: State -- Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (formerly Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities)
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): Statewide
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): For SFY 2001, 146 persons received advocacy and/or legal representation services under this program and 522 individuals were served through outreach and training.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): 2001 Federal Grant Award: $551,296
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
   Consumer Services Division
   (804) 225-2042 or (800) 552-3962
   generalvopa@dsa.state.va.us

VIRGINIA OFFICE FOR PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY

(FORMERLY DEPARTMENT FOR RIGHTS OF VIRGINIANS WITH DISABILITIES)

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: The PAIR program allows VOPA to expand its services to individuals with disabilities in the community who are not eligible for advocacy services under our DD or PAIMI Programs and who are not receiving services under the Client Assistance Program. An individual with a disability who requires information, advocacy, or legal representation to overcome discrimination, barriers to living independently, or barriers to accessing benefits and services either government or from private businesses/organizations, may be eligible for assistance under PAIR.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: Yes-- Annual Program Priorities and Case Selection Criteria
4. Target Population/s: Persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia
5. Method of Administration: State -- Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (formerly Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities)
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): Statewide
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): For SFY 2001, 185 persons received advocacy and/or legal representation services under this program and 300 individuals were served through outreach and training.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): 2001 Federal Grant Award: $290,087
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
   Consumer Services Division
   (804) 225-2042 or (800) 552-3962
   generalvopa@dsa.state.va.us

VIRGINIA OFFICE FOR PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY

(FORMERLY DEPARTMENT FOR RIGHTS OF VIRGINIANS WITH DISABILITIES)

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Virginians with Disabilities Act (VDA)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: The VDA Act is the state law that makes it illegal to discriminate against individuals on the basis of a disability in employment; voting; programs or activities of the Commonwealth of Virginia; education; access to public places; access to transportation and housing.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: Yes - Annual Program Priorities and Case Selection Criteria
4. Target Population/s: Persons with Disabilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia
5. Method of Administration: State -- Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (formerly Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities)
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): Statewide
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): For SFY 2001, 13 persons received advocacy and/or legal representation services under this program and 1,974 individuals were served through outreach and training.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): 2001 Federal Grant Award: $211,177
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
   Consumer Services Division
   (804) 225-2042 or (800) 552-3962
   generalvopa@dsa.state.va.us

   

Tim Kaine	Marilyn B. Tavenner	Patrick O. Gottschalk	Pierce R. Homer	Dr. Thomas R. Morris
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