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.

The IFSP-Funding Portal is open until Friday, October 30, 2026!

All applicants on Virginia's DD Waivers Waiting List can create and submit an application until October 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Please scroll down to get more information in our IFSP-Funding update. 

Need help? On October 30, call center support is available until 4 p.m. and IFSP staff support is available until 5 p.m.

New to IFSP-Funding? Watch this short video, developed in collaboration with our partners at The Arc of Virginia!

Duration: 48s

As always, for additional information about services and supports, please visit mylifemycommunityvirginia.org.

Thank you,

The IFSP Staff

Reminder

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!

IFSP-Funding Update

Reminder: The IFSP-Funding Portal is currently open! All applicants on Virginia's DD Waivers Waiting List can now create and submit an application until October 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. We have included more information in our IFSP-Funding Update.

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, including the current Fall 2026 cycle. Our Funding Update has information and instructions for activating your card or getting a replacement.

All Funding updates will be sent via this mailing list and posted on our My Life, My Community IFSP-Funding page.

• Key Resource Connections for People on Virginia's DD Waivers Waiting List: We are excited to share the video recording and presentation slides from our October 2026 IFSP Regional Council event! 
  
  Did you miss the meeting? Are you looking for a specific presentation? Check out the YouTube timestamps and review the slides on My Life, My Community! 
  
  We would like to thank our presenters Jason Perkins, Heather Hines, Nickie Brandenburger, and Patrice Beard. We would also like to thank our IFSP Northern Regional Council and our host Jana for an informative evening!

Duration: 2h 11m

• Peer Mentoring Program: The Arc of Virginia is seeking people with developmental disabilities who are interested in helping others achieve their goals! They are also seeking people with developmental disabilities who are interested in working with a peer mentor to achieve their goals. For questions, email Natasha Cooper at ncooper@thearcofva.org.

• 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.

• Power Up With Tech! This free series is designed for people with developmental disabilities, families, and professionals who want to build confidence in using technology for independence. Upcoming topics include learning how to use the Amazon Echo Show 8 and the Amazon Fire 7 tablet. Trainings take place every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 12 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., so you can find a time that works for your schedule. For questions, please contact Shawn Kirk at skirk@thearcofva.org.

• 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 item comes from our Western Regional Council.

• The Journey Podcast: This new CTI podcast shares honest conversations with young adults and their families discussing their experiences navigating the transition to adulthood from college and careers to independent living — and everything in between! These stories highlight both the challenges and the successes that come with building a meaningful adult life. There are 3 episodes right now, but stay tuned for more to come!

• Nursing Services Survey: Are you on the DD Waivers Waitlist? OIHSN is interested in learning about your experience(s) accessing community-based nursing services across the Commonwealth while you are waiting for a DD waiver. Your responses to this short survey will help them grow their understanding of the strengths and challenges around nursing services. The survey should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.

• The Stroke Smart Virginia Partner Recognition Program: OIHSN highlights a stroke education program from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The Stroke Smart Virginia Partner Recognition Program (or Stroke Smart) celebrates businesses and organizations taking action to educate their staff and community about how to Spot a Stroke, Stop a Stroke, and Save a Life. Learn more about who can join the program and how to get connected with Stroke Smart!

• Nursing Service: Thursday, October 5 from 1 to 2 p.m.
• Falls: Thursday, November 12 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• COVLC My Care Passport: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week online.

• Supported Decision-Making Listening Sessions: Join DBHDS and The Arc of Virginia as we hear from you! We want to know about your experiences with supported decision-making (SDM) if:
• You don't know what SDM is;
• You have been given resources on SDM, but were not sure what to do with them;
• You have a SDM Agreement, Power of Attorney, Guardianship, or other type of support; or
• You are a supporter, Agent, Guardian, or another type of supporter (including a provider).

The October 26 sessions have already taken place, but there will be 2 more sessions on Thursday, November 5. Both sessions are 90 minutes. Sign up for the time that works for you!

• 6th Annual Walk N Roll & Friendship Fair: Join FCVA in Richmond's Byrd Park (1100 Hampton Street) for a free community event open to all ages and abilities! There will be a 1-mile walk and roll around Swan Lake and a friendship fair with food, shave ice, games, animals, live music, and more! The first 200 people to register will receive a free swag bag (limit of 2 per family).

Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

• Postsecondary Transition Survey: DARS wants to hear from you! They want to learn what information would be most helpful and easy to access for students with disabilities and their families as they transition from high school into postsecondary education, training, employment, day programs, independent living, and life-skills programs. Families, educators, Community Services Board staff, and service providers are invited to complete this survey. Your answers will help shape better transition information and supports for Virginia's students and families. The survey is available in English and Spanish. If you need it in a different language, please email Suvarchala Lankalapalli with the specific language you need.

Level Up Virginia, the Center on Transition Innovations (CTI) at VCU, and Radford University

• Next Steps Day: Charting Your Path Beyond High School: This event in Southwest Virginia is for students with disabilities and families interested in exploring what's next after high school! Come to Radford University's "The Bonnie" Hurlburt Student Center (Clement St., Radford, VA 24141) on Friday, November 13 for a day of learning and in-person connections with college and training representatives and community groups. You'll also attend short sessions packed with practical tips for life after high school! Snacks will be provided. This event is free to attend, but you will need to register by Friday, October 30.

The disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV)

• 2026 Disability Rights and Resources Summit: dLCV has announced the date for this year's annual virtual summit: Thursday, November 19! Anyone in Virginia who wants to learn more about available resources and services for people with disabilities is welcome to attend. Sessions are led by dLCV staff and partners with expertise and lived experience. This year's theme is "Back to the Basics: Your Rights in a Changing Landscape."

Finding the information you need can be overwhelming. Not sure where to begin? Read our Developmental Disabilities (DD) First Steps resource guide to learn about the Individual and Family Support Program at DBHDS and other important resources, supports, and services offered in the Commonwealth of Virginia! 

Click this button, or use your mobile device to scan this QR code.

To learn more about the IFSP, visit us online at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services - IFSP