Every March, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is a time to celebrate inclusion and share resources that help individuals with developmental disabilities thrive in our community.
But for many families, one of the most important resources—Medicaid waivers—can also be one of the most confusing.
If you’ve ever wondered “Where do I even start?” or “Why is this process so hard to understand?”—you’re not alone.
What Are Medicaid Waivers?
Waivers allow states to use Medicaid to pay for services not normally covered under Medicaid. Often, people don’t realize that Medicaid does not typically cover many of the day-to-day services that allow people to live in their communities. These waivers aim to keep people out of institutionalized care.
We know that people flourish in community. Waivers provide money for the supports needed to make that happen.
Virginia has two main waivers for people with developmental disabilities, the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) Waiver and the Developmental Disability (DD) Waiver.
Having two waivers—with two different points of entry—can be confusing. It’s important to know that you don’t have to choose between these two waivers. In fact, many people get the CCC Plus waiver while they are on the waiting list for the DD waiver, because there isn’t a waiting list for the CCC Plus waiver.
For the CCC Plus waiver, you should contact your local department of social services.
Community services boards are the point of entry for the DD Medicaid waiver, and that’s what we will address in the rest of this post.
Why DD Medicaid Waivers Matter
In Virginia, DD Medicaid waivers make it possible for individuals with developmental disabilities to access essential services like:
- Residential supports
- Respite care
- Day support programs
- In-home services
- Assistive technology
Without a waiver, these services can be extremely expensive—often out of reach for families.
Waivers help open the door to support, independence, and a better quality of life.
The Challenge: Many Families Don’t Know Until It’s Urgent
One of the biggest challenges we see is timing.
Families often don’t learn about waivers until their child is:
- Getting ready to graduate high school
- Aging out of school-based services
- Or already in need of more intensive support
By that point, they’re facing a difficult reality: there is a waitlist, and it can be long. The waitlist is not first-come, first served. Instead, it is based on the severity of need.
We recommend people get on the list as early as possible, even if you don’t need services immediately.
A Process That’s Been Hard to Navigate
We’ve heard from many individuals and families who feel overwhelmed by the waiver process.
Questions like:
- Who do I call?
- When do I call?
- How do I apply?
- What do I ask for?
- What happens next?
A Simpler Way to Get Started
We’ve made an important change to make things easier: There is now just one number to call to start the process.
No matter where you live in our service area*, you can connect with the right team and begin getting the support you need. Call 540-479-8568 and select option 1 to schedule a screening for the waiver.
Because taking that first step shouldn’t be the hardest part.
*Our service area is the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. If you live in a different Virginia locality, your CSB or behavioral health authority is the place to go to be assessed for the DD waiver. You can find your local CSB or BHA here.
A Guide to Help You Every Step of the Way
To make things clearer, we created a simple, easy-to-follow guide that walks you through:
- What Medicaid waivers are
- The different types available in Virginia
- How to get started
- What to expect along the way
If you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed, this is a great place to begin.
Explore our guide to Medicaid waivers here:
Spreading Awareness This Month—and Beyond
During Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we usually take a moment to appreciate the importance of making services available and accessible. That also holds true for information.
Because when families understand their options, they can plan ahead and make better decisions for the future.
If you know a family with a child or young adult with a developmental disability—especially someone approaching graduation—sharing this information could make a real difference.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
We’re here to help you take the first step. And the ones that come after.