IFSP-Funding is changing!
As you may know, the Individual and Family Support Funding Program (IFSP-Funding) at DBHDS assists individuals on a waiting list for a Virginia Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Developmental Disability Waiver (“DD Waiver Waiting List”) and their families with accessing resources, supports, and services. The program supports the continued residence of individuals with developmental disabilities in their own homes or in the family home of the individual. (To learn more about some of these resources, supports, and services, please visit the My Life, My Community website.)
This message is to make you aware of upcoming changes to IFSP-Funding, and to share links where you will be able to provide input on these changes when the public comment period opens.
IFSP-Funding Program Regulations Update
To remain compliant with the U. S. Department of Justice’s Settlement Agreement with Virginia (United States of America v. Commonwealth of Virginia, Civil Action No. 3:12cv059-JAG) (https://dbhds.virginia.gov/doj-settlement-agreement/), DBHDS was directed by the 2022 General Assembly within Item 313.NN. of the 2022 Appropriation Act (Chapter 2, 2022 Special Session 1 Acts of Assembly) to utilize emergency authority to promulgate regulations that change the current distribution of annual Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP) funds from a "first-come, first-served" basis to one based on program categories and set criteria. An emergency action was approved by the State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in July. That emergency action is currently going through Executive Branch Review and will become effective when signed by the governor. Because the IFSP-Funding application process is based on those pending amendments, DBHDS cannot begin the funding cycle and accept applications until the emergency regulation is effective. Preparations are in place to launch the funding cycle as soon as the regulation is effective. You can visit this link to view the current status and the pending amendments.
IFSP-Funding Public Comment Forum
Based on the IFSP State Council’s recommendations and information gathered during the public input period, DBHDS drafted IFSP-Funding program guidelines to establish annual funding priorities. The Department submitted this draft guidance document for publication in a public comment forum. In addition to establishing funding priorities, the IFSP-Funding program guidelines will establish eligibility criteria, the award process, appeals processes, and any other protocols necessary for ensuring the effective use of state funds. All criteria must be published prior to opening the funding opportunity, as required by the General Assembly mandate. You can visit this link to review the language in the draft guidance document titled “IFSP Funding Guidelines (FY2023)”, or to comment on the guidelines. You will receive another email from IFSP when the public comment period begins.
Comments for any public forum on regulatory actions or related documents like those mentioned above may be submitted through Virginia's Town Hall website or by mail, fax, or email as listed in the specific announcements. To receive electronic notices of updates to this regulation or guidance, you can register as a public user on Town Hall; don’t forget to check the box for updates from this department. To read more about participation in public comment forums in general, click on this link.
