The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services

Our Services

Services for the Aging

Aging Services
Aging Services help Virginians find the information and services they need to lead healthy and independent lives as they grow older. Our mission is to foster the dignity, independence, and security of older Virginians by promoting partnerships with families and communities. The Virginia Division for the Aging (VDA) works with 25 local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) as well as various other public and private organizations to help older Virginians, their families and loved ones find the services and information they need. The division is a central point of contact for information and services. The Division for the Aging is designated by the federal government as the agency to oversee all state programs using funds provided by the federal Older Americans Act and the Virginia General Assembly. Area Agencies on Aging contract with the division to provide services for older Virginians and their families in communities throughout Virginia.

Services for People with Disabilities

Respite Services New Respite Services now offered
The Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program is funded through a federal grant awarded to the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging — Home and Community Based Services. The Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program was created to provide reimbursement vouchers to home-based family caregivers for the cost of temporary, short-term respite care provided to their family members with disabilities (children and adults, including elderly persons).

As of April 2013, the Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher program application is no longer available due to the funds having been exhausted.

If you have already applied and your application has been approved, the forms for reimbursement are available in Microsoft Word or PDF via Adobe Reader. To download the most recent version of Adobe Reader for free go to http://get.adobe.com/reader/ Get Adobe Reader for Free

This project is supported by a grant, number 90LR002801, from the Administration on Aging, Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration on Aging Policy.

Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Reimbursement Forms

The PDF version may be filled out online and then printed out. The Word version may be printed out and then filled out by hand.

The application for the Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher program is no longer available because the funds have been exhausted.

The Reimbursement Form and the Satisfaction Survey:

The Reimbursement Form and the Satisfaction Survey should not be submitted to DARS until after you have been informed by phone, mail or email that your application was reviewed and approved and then after you have actually received the respite services. To be eligible for reimbursement, you must FIRST be notified your application has been approved and then both the Reimbursement Form and the Satisfaction Survey must be completed and returned after the respite care services have been received. This is for respite services above and beyond what you may already be receiving. This program cannot reimburse for respite services that occurred PRIOR to the date you were notified your application was approved. Reimbursement forms must be received by DARS no later than July 31, 2013 to be eligible for reimbursement.

  1. Reimbursement Form Open the file as a Word document Open the file as a PDF document
  2. Satisfaction Survey Open the file as a Word document Open the file as a PDF document

To have the forms mailed to you or for questions on the application or reimbursement process, please contact Kristie Chamberlain, Toll Free: 1.800.552.5019, Direct: 804.662.7154 or Email: Kristie.Chamberlain@dars.virginia.gov.

The Definition of Re-spite (noun):
*Respite is planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with a special need in order to provide temporary relief to the family caregiver of that child or adult. Respite services may be provided in a variety of settings, on a temporary basis, including the family home, adult day centers, respite centers or residential care facilities. Respite is a key component of family support and home and community based long-term services and supports. Respite services strengthen family systems while protecting the health and well-being of both caregivers and care recipients. *Definition from ARCH National Respite Network & Resource Center.

To have the forms mailed to you or for questions on the application process, please contact Kristie Chamberlain, Toll Free: 1.800.552.5019, Direct: 804.662.7154 or Email: Kristie.Chamberlain@dars.virginia.gov.

Respite/Caregiver Resources

Respite/Caregiver Resource Websites

Employment Services
Employment Services help people with disabilities get ready for, find, and keep a job. We have a residential training and medical rehabilitation center known as Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, as well as Offices located across Virginia. The Agency also partners with a network of community rehabilitation providers, also known as Employment Services Organizations (ESOs) . These organizations provide Employment and Vocational Services throughout the state. For students with disabilities moving from high school to further education, work or independence, DARS collaborates with schools in providing Transition Services. DARS also works with federally funded One Stop Centers to provide workforce services to persons with disabilities. In partnership with the Virginia Community College – Workforce Development Services, DARS supports this effort with the Disability Employment (DEI) and Program Navigator (DPN) Initiatives.

Community Based Services
The DARS Community Based Services Division administers several programs that support individuals with significant disabilities to maximize their independence, employment, and full inclusion into society. Individuals do not have to be recipients of Vocational Rehabilitation services to be eligible for the CBS Division programs which include Brain Injury Services Coordination; Community Rehabilitation Case Management Services; Independent Living Services, Personal Assistance Services.

Assistive Technology / Devices and Equipment
Assistive Technology Services directly assist individuals with disabilities in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. An assistive technology device is defined as any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Disability Determination
Disability Determination Services process disability claims for benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Disability Programs.

Services for Employers

DARS Business Services
DARS Business Services is dedicated to helping companies increase their competitive advantage through promoting diversity in the workplace. Find out how the workforce of the future can work for you!