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• Governor Seeks Candidates for Board Vacancies, including VBPD
• Governor Announces Grant Promoting Hiring of Individuals with Disabilities
• Virginia State Government Employment Initiative Training Information
• Join the Virginia Special Education Network!
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Governor Seeks Candidates for Board Vacancies, including VBPD

The Commonwealth is gearing up for the 2011 round of appointments to boards and commissions. The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) will have 8 vacancies effective July 1, 2011. If you are interested in being considered for a Board appointment, please be sure to apply!

Applicants who applied last year do not have to reapply. The Secretary of the Commonwealth is continuing its online application system; please apply online at www.commonwealth.virginia.gov. Appointments will begin in April so for fullest consideration, please complete the online application by April 1.

If you have any questions about the application process, or if you need assistance or reasonable accommodations to complete your application, you may contact the Director of Appointments, Jennifer Aulgur at: Jennifer.aulgur@governor.virginia.gov. VBPD board vacancies which will be filled in the next round of appointments are:

Person with Developmental Disability (3 vacancies)
Parent or Guardian of Individual with developmental disability (3 vacancies)
Relative/Guardian of Individual with Mentally Impairing Developmental Disability (2 vacancies)

Remember, there are many Boards and Commissions in Virginia, besides the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities that can benefit from the perspective of individuals with disabilities, family members, and advocates. The website above provides a listing of all available vacancies and we encourage you to review the entire list to see if there are other Board in which you may be interested in contributing your knowledge and expertise!

We Want to Hear from You!

Every five years, the Board (VBPD) creates a new state plan as federally mandated. A DD Council’s state plan provides a basic framework for its principal funding, staff work, and member activities. In Spring 2010, VBPD held 5 public comment forums across the state; information gathered was considered in the development of the 2012-2016 state plan. The draft goals and objectives of the FFY 2012-2016 State Plan are now available through the web link below. Readers are encouraged to send public comment to the Board either via email, phone, or letter. Public comment will be accepted from March 31-May 15, 2011. Following compilation and consideration of the public comments received, the Board will amend the plan as appropriate and approve it to take effect on October 1, 2011.

FFY2012-2016 Draft State Plan Goals and Objectives 3-25-2011

Virginia launches website describing community living choice project for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Virginia is one of 31 states participating in a five-year, $1.75 billion Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration project designed to create a system of long-term services and supports that assist individuals to transition from certain long-term care institutions into the community. This project supports Virginia’s Olmstead initiative and complements the efforts of the recently awarded Systems Transformation Grant that aims to improve the infrastructure for community-based long-term supports.  Virginia’s MFP project, administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services, will make over $28 million in federal Medicaid funds available to support Virginia’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.

For more details and the most current information on the MFP project, please visit http://www.olmsteadva.com/mfp.   

Meetings and Events of Interest

Check out the Schedule of Events for meetings and special events in Virginia.

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Training Opportunities

• Training Businesses and Chambers of Commerce
• SSI/SSDI & Work Incentives for People with Disabilities

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