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Family Guidelines

Settlement Agreement Provision

III.C.8.b
The Commonwealth shall publish guidelines for families seeking intellectual and developmental disability services on how and where to apply for and obtain services. The guidelines will be updated annually and will be provided to appropriate agencies for use in directing individuals in the target population to the correct point of entry to access services.

About Family Guidelines

DBHDS in collaboration with Virginia Navigator has created a website (My Life My Community) that provides information designed for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. It’s a central online hub for Virginians to explore services, support, and resources across the lifespan. Designed to be user-friendly and accessible, the site helps people find answers to common questions, locate local providers, and understand available options through Virginia’s DD Waivers. This website provides direct access to Navigating the DD Waivers Guidebook. The site is organized around life stages – from early childhood through aging – and offers tools to search for waiver and non-waiver services and resources. Individuals, families and other stakeholders can search for and find information based on their zip code, service type and/or topic of interest. The partnership between DBHDS and SeniorNavigator also includes a Call Center where trained staff are available to assist callers with navigating the site and finding resources that they need. The call center is staffed Monday through Friday (844-603-9248).

Authorization Authority

For additional resources, access the My Life My Community website:

DBHDS My Life, My Community

Processes, Protocols and Standards

Guidelines, Charters and Plans

Instruments and Tools