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Resources Available for Those with Special Needs
Every October, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) celebrates National Special Needs Month to raise awareness of issues that impact the special needs community and their caregivers. Isolation is a common problem that arises within this community, despite the fact that there are actually many different organizations and resources available to serve this population.
Through our clients, we have become aware of the following programs that service the special needs community. We cannot personally vouch for any of these organizations, and there are likely many other programs and organizations in our community that we have unintentionally omitted from this list. However, we hope this can be a helpful way for our clients and their families to know that they are not alone.
The Arc of Virginia: The Arc of Virginia advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities. There are several local chapters across the Commonwealth, each of which provides many different social programs, events, and supports for clients and their families. Click here to see a list of local Arc of Virginia Chapters. Each chapter has its own website where you can learn more about the services and programming it provides.
Best Buddies: Best Buddies aims to create friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. This is often facilitated through a school, but a person does not need to be affiliated with a school in order to become someone’s “Buddy.” Buddies are in contact either in person, by phone, via email, or by social media at least once per week for a year. Click here to join a local chapter. In addition, this program offers leadership development and employment opportunities for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Papa Pals: Papa Pals provides support and companion care as part of certain health insurance plans, including Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and some commercial health plans. “Pals” can assist older adults or those with disabilities by providing transportation and assistance with light housework and meal preparation, in addition to other “instrumental activities of daily living” (IADLs).
Colonial Behavioral Health Opportunities Unlimited – Day Services: Colonial Behavioral Health is the local Community Services Board (CSB) which services James City County, York County, the City of Williamsburg, and the City of Poquoson. Other CSBs service other geographic areas within Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth of Virginia. While the CSBs provide a variety of different case management and counseling programs, we are specifically highlighting their day services program, which provides a safe place for individuals with developmental disabilities to go once they are too old to attend public school. To be eligible for this day services program, participants must have the Building Independence Waiver, Community Living Waiver, or Family Individual Support Waiver.
Hello, It’s Me: This is a brand new social media platform for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is intended to help teach social skills, and to connect people with similar interests, regardless of where they live. In addition to the baseline monthly membership, members can pay additional fees for one-on-one relationship coaching if they want some more personalized assistance in making friends or starting a romantic relationship. The platform also hosts virtual and live social events.
We encourage caregivers and family members to do careful research and ongoing monitoring of these or any other type of social activity for their loved one with special needs. We are a social people, and meeting people either in person or online can have an immensely positive impact on all of our lives. However, there are untrustworthy people who try to scam and take advantage of anyone they can, especially those in vulnerable situations.
If you have had a positive experience with any other organization that provides support to the special needs community, please let us know. We are always looking to provide helpful, up-to-date information and resources to our clients and their loved ones..
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