The Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP) at DBHDS provides a monthly news digest to highlight resources, events, and trainings that may be of interest to self-advocates with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families. | | Thank you,
The IFSP Staff | | |
If your contact information changes (e.g., your email and/or mailing address), please remember you can contact your CSB and/or Support Coordinator to update it in WaMS! By doing this, you will be able to receive important information about the resources you or someone else are eligible to receive while on the Waitlist.
P.S. Don't forget to update your Choice form at least annually! Updating this form will help you remain active on the Waitlist. Visit My Life, My Community for links to this form, the optional Needed Services form, and instructions!
| | | | The IFSP-Funding Portal opened on October 1, 2025 and closed on October 30, 2025. Applications were approved and funds were issued on December 5, 2025. Please read our Funding Update for more details and the latest information about this funding cycle. | | |
IMPORTANT: Were you approved for IFSP funds that were issued in December 2025? If you were awarded funds during that funding cycle, you must activate/register your card as soon as possible! Failure to activate/register your card may result in your ineligibility for future funding cycles. Please read this announcement for information about activating your card or obtaining a replacement.
Reminder: All Funding updates will be sent via this mailing list and posted on our My Life, My Community IFSP-Funding page.
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The IFSP State and Regional Councils | | -
Save the Date: Our next virtual Regional Council information session will take place on Thursday, July 16 from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Teams. We will be learning about safety planning and emergency preparedness! This event will be hosted by our IFSP Eastern Regional Council. As always, it is free and open to anyone interested in attending. Please stay tuned to our Facebook page for the official flyer and final announcement! In the meantime, we invite you to register or sign up for a reminder!
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Finding What Works: Education for Students with Developmental Disabilities: The video recording from our May 21st information session is available! You can click on the video or use this link to play the recording. We will post the event slides to our My Life, My Community webpage. In the meantime, if you're curious about virtual learning programs, you can review Calypso Gilstrap's handout containing helpful guiding questions.
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We'd like to give a special thank-you to our presenters, panelists, our hosts at the IFSP Southwestern Regional Council for an informative and empowering evening! | |
The Arc of Virginia
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Peer Mentoring Program: The Arc of Virginia is seeking people with developmental disabilities who are interested in helping others achieve their goals! Learn more about the program and eligibility requirements at The Arc of Virginia. For questions, email Natasha Cooper at ncooper@thearcofva.org.
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Tech Mentoring Program: Peer Mentors can choose to be certified as Tech Mentors! Tech Mentors specialize in helping to identify everyday technology solutions-smartphones, tablets, apps & home devices — for greater independence at home, at work and in the community. Through this support, Tech Mentors help develop practical digital skills that promote greater self-reliance and inclusion.
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Power Up With Tech! This summer, turn digital skills into real world confidence. This FREE training series is designed for people with developmental disabilities, families, and professionals. You will learn about internet basics, cybersecurity, email basics, smartphones, videoconferencing, and more! All sessions take place on the third Wednesday of each month at 12 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., so you can find a time that works for your schedule. Register here. For questions, please contact Shawn Kirk at skirk@thearcofva.org.
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Family to Family Network of Virginia (F2F Network)
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Family Mentoring Program: Getting support from someone who's been in your shoes can make a difference! Learn how the Family to Family Network of Virginia at the Center for Family Involvement can help.
| | This section of The IFSP Digest features items submitted by our IFSP Regional Councils! We hope the content in this section is inspiring, interesting, or useful. This month's items come from our Northern, Central, and Eastern IFSP Regional Councils. | |
BBC News
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Paralympian could become first astronaut with disability to live and work in space: John McFall is one step closer to becoming the first astronaut with a disability to live and work in space! Last year, McFall was declared medically fit to fly. Now, a new agreement between the U.K. government and a U.S.-based commercial space company could help secure funding for his spaceflight.
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The Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority (ATLFA)
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ATLFA Loan Applications: People with disabilities can apply for a loan to obtain assistive technology through the ATLFA! It provides affordable loan options for people who may not qualify for traditional financing. You can apply for any type of equipment that supports a disability, such as: recreational equipment, vision aids, communication and hearing devices, or vehicles with accessibility modifications. Please note: All loan application materials must be completed on paper and sent to the ATFLA.
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Disability Belongs
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Preparing for Severe Weather: Spring and summer months often bring severe weather events. People with disabilities may need to consider extra factors when preparing for disasters, such as medical equipment and medication. This article provides additional guidance for people with disabilities who are preparing for natural disasters. (P.S. Want to hear more about safety planning for emergencies? Consider attending our July 16 information session!)
| | DBHDS Office of Integrated Health Support Network (OIHSN) | |
May 2026 Newsletter Highlights
Read more about these highlights in OIHSN's newsletter!
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Mental Health and Behavior Science: May is when we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. OIHSN shares some of the behavioral science topics that have changed mental health research and treatment, including: anxiety, brain injury, depression, gambling, stress, substance use, and even weather-related behavior. They also share some mental health resources available in Virginia.
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Health Trends: May is also National Skin Cancer Prevention and Awareness Month! Skin cancer is the most common and preventable type of cancer in the United States. OIHSN lists different types of skin cancers, and how you can visually identify them when checking your body.
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June 2026 Caregiver Trainings
Get more details and registration information about the trainings below (and more!) through this link.
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Pressure Injuries: Tuesday, June 16 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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Urinary Tract Infections: Thursday, June 26 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
| | Opportunities, Events, and Resources for Professionals, Self-Advocates, and Families | |
The Center for Disability Leadership at VCU
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The Inclusion Project: We highlighted The Inclusion Project in our February 2026 feature for National Youth Leadership Month! Now they are looking for 7 student leaders who want to lead inclusion in Virginia schools! This opportunity pays $25 per hour. Students with disabilities between the ages of 16 to 22 are encouraged to apply. For questions, please email inclusionproj@vcu.edu.
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The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS)
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Virginia SUN Bucks: This program helps eligible families pay for groceries during summer break. Each eligible school-age child will receive a one-time benefit of $120. Now families can apply online! To find out your eligibility, you can take an eligibility quiz. Beginning Monday, June 15, you can call the SUN Bucks Call Center at 866-513-1414. For more information, visit VirginiaSunBucks.com.
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The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)
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College Planning Guide Recommendation Survey: VDOE is partnering with other agency partners, educators, and families to develop a user-friendly college planning guide for students with disabilities. Your feedback will help future college students get the preparation they need! Please complete this survey before it closes on Friday, June 19.
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The Arc of Virginia
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Safetypower Online Trainings: The Arc of Virginia is offering a free training for people with disabilities and their family members! Attendees will learn about skills to help practice safety out in public. It is also available in Spanish. Both trainings are free and held online using Zoom.
| | COVID-19 Information and Resources | | While the IFSP has done our best to share information on COVID-19 resources, this information is not a substitute for medical advice. Stay up to date and visit virginia.gov/coronavirus. | | -
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides some easy to read information for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Find them here!
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We understand that finding the information you need is not always easy. Not sure where to begin? Read our IFSP: First Steps guide to learn about the IFSP program at DBHDS and other important resources, supports, and services offered in the Commonwealth of Virginia! Visit mylifemycommunityvirginia.org/ifsp-first-steps, or use your mobile device to scan this QR code. | |
| Thank you for reading the IFSP Digest! | | |
Do you have a program, resource, or event you want to share with individuals with DD and their families? The IFSP might be able to share it in our monthly Digest or on Facebook! Tell us more at IFSPCom@dbhds.virginia.gov.
If you liked the information in this digest, give us a follow on Facebook by clicking the Facebook icon underneath these buttons! To receive updates about events in your community, also follow your regional IFSP Council’s Facebook page. (Not sure which region you're in? Find out on My Life, My Community!)
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