Employment Resources for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Health Needs

Virginia is an Employment First State. We believe everyone can work and contribute meaningfully to their communities– including individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health needs, substance use, or criminal justice involvement. Employment should be the FIRST option people explore before considering other community day services. 

DBHDS does NOT provide employment services directly, but we work with other state agencies and community partners to help people with: 

  • Handicaps de développement 
  • Besoins en matière de santé comportementale 

Nous soutenons l'emploi en 

  • Offrir une formation et une assistance technique aux individus, aux familles, aux prestataires et au personnel des agences 
  • Promouvoir l'accès à un emploi intégré et compétitif 
  • Suivi et communication des taux d'emploi et des résultats à l'échelle de l'État 
Female clerk with Down syndrome in apron passing two disposable cups of coffee to guest of cafe over counter while serving clients

Who Can Benefit from Employment? 

Jobs may look different for people with DD or BH needs, but the benefits are the same. Some people may need extra support at work – and that’s okay. People with DD or BH needs can benefit from working just like anyone else.  Employment can provide: 

  • Un sentiment d'utilité et d'estime de soi 
  • Indépendance 
  • Stabilité financière 
  • Santé et bien-être 

Avec le bon emploi et les aides appropriées, le travail peut être un élément positif de la vie de chacun !

Disabled man and woman working in workshop

L'aspect de l'emploi 

Even though work may look differently for someone with DD or BH needs – their rights are the same as everyone else, and they should be treated the same. Employment should be: 

  • Dans la communauté, dans un emploi choisi par la personne 
  • Rémunération équitable et égale à celle d'autres personnes effectuant un travail similaire et disposant d'un bagage similaire 
  • Inclusif et intégré, avec des possibilités d'interaction avec les collègues, tant sur le plan social que dans les activités liées au travail. 
  • Growth-oriented, with opportunities to learn and advance 

La meilleure façon de soutenir une personne est d'apprendre à la connaître - ce qu'elle aime, ce en quoi elle est douée - et d'entamer une conversation sur le travail et les objectifs actuels et/ou futurs liés à l'emploi. 

Not everyone will want to work in a traditional job working for someone else. Your job might also look different if you choose to work for yourself. If you do choose to start your own business or even work as an entrepreneur, you can receive employment support to help you. 

Planification des prestations 

Sometimes people worry that working will impact their Social Security or other benefits they need to live. It’s important to know that you CAN work without your benefits being impacted.  

There are professionals who can help you learn what to do if you want to work and protect your benefits, and the rules that you must follow. These professionals are certified as either a WISA (Work Incentive Specialist Advocate) or WIPA (Work Incentive Planning and Assistance). Both can provide you with important information about work and benefits planning. 

Le Livre Rouge – Guide des incitations au travail | SSA 

Démystifier les trois PLUS grands mythes concernant les prestations d’invalidité et le travail | Choisissez le travail ! – Ticket pour le travail – Sécurité sociale 

Conseil en avantages sociaux et chemin vers l’emploi | Choisissez le travail ! – Ticket pour le travail – Sécurité sociale 

Comment entamer une conversation sur l'emploi 

Virginia DBHDS Employment Chart

List of Acronyms

AcronymeFull Meaning
ADLActivities of Daily Living
APSAdult Protective Services
ADALoi sur les Américains handicapés
ARAuthorized Representative
ATLa technologie d'assistance
BCBABoard Certified Behavior Analyst
BSPBehavior Support Plan
PACCorrective Action Plan
CHATCrisis Assessment Tool
CEPPCrisis Education and Prevention Plan
CHRISComputerized Human Rights Information System
CILCenter for Independent Living
CIMCommunity Integration Manager
CICompliance Indicator
CITCrisis Intervention Training
CLCommunity Living (HCBS Waiver)
CLOCommunity Living Options
CMCase Manager
CMSCenter for Medicaid and Medicare Services
COVLCCommonwealth of Virginia Learning Center
CPSServices de protection de l'enfance
CRCCommunity Resource Consultant
CSBConseil des services communautaires
CSB ESCommunity Services Board Emergency Services
CTHCrisis Therapeutic Home
CTTCommunity Transition Team
Département des Services pour le Vieillissement et la Réhabilitation (DARS)Department of Rehabilitation and Aging Services
Département de santé comportementale et de services de développement (DBHDS)Département de la santé comportementale et des services de développement
DDHandicaps de développement
DDSDivision of Developmental Services, DBHDS
DMASDépartement des services d'assistance médicale
DOJDepartment of Justice, United States
DSServices d'aide de jour
DSPDirect Support Professional
DSSDépartement des Services Sociaux
DWEntrepôt de données
ECMGestion améliorée des dossiers
EDCDElderly or Disabled with Consumer Directed Services
EFAGEmployment First Advisory Group
EPSDTEarly and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment
ESEmergency Services (at the CSBs)
ESOEmployment Service Organization
FRCConsultant en ressources familiales
GHGroupe Accueil
GSEGroup Supported Employment
HCBSHome- and Community-Based Services
HPRHealth Planning Region
HR/OHRBureau des droits de l'homme
HSNHealth Services Network
IADLIndividual Activities of Daily Living
ICFÉtablissement de soins intermédiaires
IDIntellectual Disabilities
IDDIntellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities
AcronymeFull Meaning
IFSPIndividual and Family Support Program
IRIndependent Reviewer
ISEIndividual Supported Employment
FAIIndividual Supports Plan
RAPPORT DE RECHERCHE INTERNATIONALEIndividual Services Review
KPAKey Performance Areas
LIHTCLow Income Housing Tax Credit
LTESLong Term Employment Services
MLMCMy Life My Community (website)
MOUProtocole d'accord
MRCComité d'examen de la mortalité
OCQIOffice of Continuous Quality Improvement
ODSOffice of Developmental Services
OHRBureau des droits de l'homme
OIHBureau de la santé intégrée
OLOffice des licences
OSIGOffice of the State Inspector General
PASRRPreadmission Screening and Resident Review
PCRPerson Centered Review
PCPPrimary Care Physician
PHAPublic Housing Authority
POCPlan of Care
PMIPerformance Measure Indicator
PMMPost-Move Monitoring
PSTPersonal Support Team
QARQuality Assurance Review
QIAmélioration de la qualité
QICQuality Improvement Committee
QIIQuality Improvement Initiative
QMDQuality Management Division
QMRQuality Management Review
QRTQuality Review Team
QSRExamens des services de qualité
RACRegional Advisory Council for REACH
REACHRegional Education, Assessment, Crisis Services, Habilitation
DPRequest For Proposals
RNCCRN Care Consultants
RSTRegional Support Team
RQCRegional Quality Council
SASettlement Agreement US v. VA 3:12 CV 059
SCSupport Coordinator
SELN AGSupported Employment Leadership Network, Advisory Group
SEVTCCentre de formation du sud-est de la Virginie
SIRSerious Incident Report
SISSupports Échelle d'intensité
SWSheltered Work
SRHSponsored Residential Home
VCUUniversité du Commonwealth de Virginie
VHDAVirginia Housing and Development Agency
WaMSWaiver Management System
WIPAWork Incentive Planning and Assistance
WISAWork Incentive Specialist Advocate