As soon as possible. Thousands of people are on waiting lists for waivers. Do not wait until you desperately need services to apply. 

Your local community services board is the single point of entry for DD Waiver assessments. If you live in Fredericksburg or the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, or Stafford, we are your connection to waiver services. 

To schedule a screening for a Developmental Disability waiver, a written diagnosis is required. This must be a signed diagnosis from a licensed professional working within their scope of practice.  

You may call 540-479-8568 and select option 1 to set up a screening or email the required document to [email protected] to expedite the process.

Screenings typically occur  take approximately two to four hours, and the individual being screened must be present.  A list of required documentation will be emailed to you ahead of time.

Most likely, if you qualify for a waiver, you will be placed on a waiting list. This list is not chronological but is based on your level of needs. You will be placed on a priority level after your assessment. These levels are 1, 2, and 3 and they can change as your situation or need of supports change. 

People assigned with a priority level 1 will be considered when waiver slots become available. It is important to let your support coordinator know if your situation changes because that could change your priority level.

There are three types of waivers: Building Independence, Family and Individual Supports and Community Living. See a helpful graph of the waivers and which services they provide here.

Building Independence waivers are for adults 18 years and older who are able to live mostly independently.

Family and Individual Supports waivers are available to both children and adults. People with this waiver may live with their family, friends, or in their own homes. Some people may need functional, behavioral or medical supports.

Community Living waivers are available to both children and adults. People with this waiver usually require supports in their homes all the time and some may need to live in homes with staff to support them.

When waiver slots are available, individuals in the highest priority category are considered. Support coordinators write a summary of the needs which is submitted to the Waiver Slot Assignment Committee. This group of volunteers scores individuals based on their needs, and these scores determine who receives a waiver slot. 

This varies from year to year. The number of slots available is included in the state budget. Those slots are then allocated to 40 community services boards across the commonwealth, relative to the number of people on the waiting list. A few more waiver slots will become available throughout the year as individuals move out of state or pass away. 

There are a few emergency waivers. Please call to see if you qualify. Also, Virginia offers crisis services for individuals with developmental disability through the REACH program. 

Adult Crisis Line: 888-908-0486 or 988 

Children’s Crisis Line: 888-908-0486  or 988

Learn more about crisis services for individuals with developmental disabilities here.

There are three types of DD Waivers:

Building Independence

Family and Individual

Community Living

Placement in the waivers is determined by your level of need and the supports you desire. All three waivers offer assistive technology, environmental modifications, supported employment, group day services, community engagement, community coaching, and crisis services. 

The Family and Individual and Community Living Waivers also offer respite, personal assistance, companion care, nursing, and supported living services. The Community Living Waiver also offers sponsored residential and group home residential services. 

Please note: This is not a comprehensive list. Find a full list here.

The Individual and Family Support Program provides funding for those on the waiting list. These funds typically open up once per year. Go here to sign up for updates on the IFSP. Here are first steps for the program. If you still have issues, email [email protected] and someone will reach out with assistance.

RACSB offers respite services for adults with developmental disability. This service is funded by the waiver, but for families without a waiver, we offer a sliding-scale fee. 

There are also crisis services available through REACH. Individuals served by Rappahannock Area Community Services Board should contact the Northern Virginia REACH program:  (888) 908-0486 or 988.

You may also qualify for the CCC Plus Waiver while you wait. Please contact your health department or department of social services for details. 

If you have already been screened and placed on the waiver waitlist, you may update your status if you or your family member have had significant changes. You may call 540-479-8568 and select option 2 or email [email protected].

If you are on the DD Waiver waitlist and not receiving active Support Coordination and receiving CCC Plus Waiver services, please reach out to your service facilitator. 

Individuals moving into Planning District 16 (the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford) should go through our transfer process. If you are on the waitlist or currently receiving support coordination services from another community services board, your support coordinator must make the initial referral for transfer. 

Referring boards should call 540-479-8568 and select option 3 or email [email protected].

When you receive a DD waiver, you will initially work with an intake support coordinator to help you get your services set up. 

You will then be transferred to a support coordinator who will help you navigate waiver services, link you to potential providers, and work with selected providers to develop a plan for supports. 

You can expect your support coordinator to contact you monthly, visit face-to-face at least quarterly, and visit in your home at least once per year to ensure services are working smoothly. 

Support coordinators do not provide crisis services but will link you to resources in the event of an emergency. 

Support coordinators will return your call or email within two business days as they are often in the field visiting other individuals and families.