New Initiative:

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board is participating in a nationwide campaign to help change the term Mental Retardation to Intellectual Disabilities. Effective April 2008, the Board will refer to all individuals who previously met the clinical diagnosis of mental retardation as individuals with intellectual disabilities.The term intellectual disabilities covers the same population of individuals who were diagnosed previously with mental retardation. Every individual who is, or was, eligible for a diagnosis of mental retardation is eligible for a diagnosis of intellectual disabilities. We anticipate that next year, the Virginia General Assembly will make the name change official. At that time, we will change our program and service names.

Mental Retardation Services

Mental Retardation Services seeks to promote services and supports which enable people with intellectual disabilities and their families to attain a personally desired and valued quality of life. Read our Vision, Mission, and Values here.

Mental Retardation Services offers the following services directly and/or through contracted partnerships:

• Case Management
• Residential Services
• Day Support/Employment Services
• Self Directed Services
• Community Support Services
• Quality Assurance

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Case Management

Case Management is a service which ensures that individuals are connected to and involved in appropriate services and supports which maximize opportunities for successful community living. It is the point of entry into Mental Retardation Services. If you need to apply for Mental Retardation Services, click here for information about the intake process.

Case Managers arrange for and complete assessments, determine eligibility, develop interdisciplinary team plans, and coordinate and monitor needed supports. Case Managers assist with referrals to and discharge from State facilities. Case Managers respond to emergency needs.

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Residential Services

Residential Services consists of services provided directly by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board as well as services provided by private providers under contract with Fairfax County.

Services provided include:

Residential Group Homes
Residential group homes are small group living arrangements in single family homes for individuals. Support and training is provided to individuals in a 24-hour staffed residence. Individuals are provided assistance in activities of daily living, skills training, and community integration activities.

Residential Support Program
Residential support services may be provided to individuals living in apartments, town homes, and other residences leased in the individual’s name or to an agency. Support is provided at various times throughout the week on an individualized basis to help individuals live as independently as possible. Supports provided include menu planning, general health care management, grocery shopping, scheduling medical appointments, arranging transportation and paying bills.

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Day Support/Employment Services

Day Support services include structured activities which address training, self help, and therapeutic needs for individuals with disabilities. Employment services include sheltered and supported employment, providing paid work. Supported employment can be provided as part of a group or individually based. These services are provided under contract with several private non profit agencies. Fairfax County contract management staff monitor these services, as well as providing guidance, direction, and technical support.

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Self Directed Services

Self-Directed (SD) services are an alternative to, not a replacement for, traditional day support and employment services. The individual/family is ultimately responsible for determining services needed (with input from the individual’s Community Services Board case manager and Interdisciplinary Team), identifying a service schedule, and selecting individual service providers. SD services increase and expand individualized service options and plans, bring greater control and supervision of services to the individual/family, allow greater flexibility in scheduling and receiving services, and can be provided in the community closer to the individual’s home. 

SD services hold significant potential to further individualize service plans so that services are, better suited to meet a particular individual/family’s determination of needs and circumstances, build upon an individual’s and community’s natural supports, and reorient service use and expenditures toward services individuals and their families generally prioritize as most needed.

SD services are non-specialized services that are typically, but not exclusively, provided during the day on week days. SD services can include, but not be limited to, training in functional self-help and daily living skills, task learning skills which improve motor and perceptual skills, community integration, awareness, and safety skills, work and work environment skills, and social and interpersonal skills. SD services may also facilitate the individual’s participation in community based recreational activities, work or volunteer activities.

SD services are available to individuals with intellectual disabilities who meet CSB service eligibility requirements, currently receive or who will be authorized to receive day support or employment services funding and currently receive “local” funding from Fairfax County.

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Community Support Programs

Transportation Services
Transportation services for persons with disabilities can be arranged directly through WMATA for MetroBus and MetroRail. Riders may use the fixed bus and rail routes at a reduced rate with proper documentation. In addition, eligible riders may use MetroAccess for door to door service for specific times. For further information please access http://www.wmata.com and click on the Accessibility tab for further information. FASTRAN is the paratransit system for Fairfax County human services. Individuals should contact case management for further information about eligibility for FASTRAN services.

Respite
The Respite Subsidy Program offers assistance for families in need of temporary relief or assistance. All respite services are provided under a contract with Hartwood Foundation, Inc.

Community Outreach
Mental Retardation Services offers presentations and trainings on relevant topics to any interested person, family member or community groups about our services and how we deliver the service to the individual. Let us know if you would be interested in a presentation.

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Quality Assurance/Training

Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance provides oversight and works with program staff to better monitor what is happening in the various service areas (Case Management, Residential, Day Support/Employment, Transportation) for directly operated and private providers. Individuals who receive services are to be assured of freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. They are to be provided a safe and healthy environment where they live and work. Quality Assurance will work with staff members to ensure this happens and that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect and that the services are person-centered and support individuals in making choices and achieving their personal goals. Services shall provide individuals opportunities to participate and build and maintain relationships in their community.

Training
Training is mandated for all personnel working with individuals receiving services. The trainings are to improve staff knowledge, skills, and abilities in order to best support individuals whether they are being served at home or at work. Mental Retardation Services offers a variety of trainings to its staff and to the private provider network.

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