Help is on the way for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families living in Virginia who need support to improve their lives and wellbeing. State legislation was recently signed that expanded funding to provide services for individuals on the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Developmental Disability Waiver (often referred to as a DD Waiver) Priority One Wait List. This allows for significantly more waiver slots for Virginians with developmental disabilities. 

Addressing a Critical Need

Individuals on the DD Waiver Priority One Wait List have been given this designation in response to their high level of needed support. Support services are crucial for their daily living, personal care and community integration. With the expansion of available waiver slots, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) will work with stakeholders to arrange assistance for those who have been waiting for essential support.

The Virginia 2024-2026 Biennium Budget allocated $247 million for 3,440 Priority One Waiver Slots. Legislation also updated rules on utilizing the waivers, extending additional flexibility to individuals seeking services, and providing additional support for administering the waiver process.

Local Impact

The CSB coordinates community-based supports for individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities (the term "developmental disability" is now understood to include "intellectual disability" as well as autism and other developmental disabilities), and for individuals admitted to or discharged from state training centers and hospitals.

CSB Support Coordinators help individuals and families identify their needs and link them to needed services and resources in the community. Supportive services provided by the CSB and contractors include medical, educational, employment, housing, transportation, legal, and problem-solving skills development services.

Fairfax-Falls Church currently has 1,171 individuals on the Priority One Waiver Wait List. Waivers will be allocated on a schedule to support the reduction of individuals on the waitlist over the next few years. The waiver slots will be allocated to those with the highest level of need indicated by Critical Needs Score (CNS) through the Commonwealth Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Services (DBHDS) established Waiver Slot Allocation Committee (WSAC) process.

The expansion of services is expected to have a significant impact on the Fairfax-Falls Church community. For individuals with developmental disabilities, access to services means increased capacity for greater independence, improved quality of life, and enhanced opportunities for community participation. For families, it provides much-needed relief and support, allowing them to better care for their loved ones.

The CSB is the "point of entry" to apply for services for residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church who have developmental disabilities. The agency has a webpage dedicated to providing updates on the DD Waiver process and recent developments. To learn more about the application process for services for persons with developmental disabilities and to schedule an appointment, please call 703-324-4400 (TTY 711) to contact an Intake Support Coordinator.