Virginia 2003 | advancingstates.org

Virginia 2003

<H3>Virginia</H3>   <H4>Task Force</H4> House Bill 30, signed by the Governor on May 7, 2002, directs the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services to convene a task force to develop a plan for serving people with disabilities that is consistent with the Olmstead decision. Its 65 members include consumers, family members, advocates, providers and 15 state agencies that are responsible for providing services to individuals with disabilities in the Commonwealth. The task force must submit its final recommendations to the governor, the chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees, and the chairman of the Joint Commission on Health Care by Aug. 31, 2003 with an interim report being issued for public comment in April.   <H4>Implementation </H4> Legislation As noted, 2002 legislation requires the development of a plan. Successes The state has reduced institutional developmental disability placement by 30 percent during the past three years and has reinvested state mental health facility dollars into the community. Challenges The state has Grants from the Advocates for Human Potential and the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities to support its work with the Task Force. Funding for state programs that provide services is a challenge. Lawsuits A class action suit, Quibuyen vs. Allen, on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities who reside in institutions and who are on Medicaid waiver waiting lists, was dismissed in 2001 when the state agreed to change its procedures. Next Steps Virginia received a $1.25 million Real Choice Systems Change Grant from the federal government. This money is being used to fund the Consumer Choices for Independence Program.