Board approves two assessments and advances State Plan work plan for FFY 2027

The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities on June 3 approved recommendations from two recently completed assessments and agreed on topics to guide its 2027 assessments and State Plan preparation.

Deputy Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs Jen Krajewski summarized the Barriers to Navigating the DD Waiver Waitlist assessment and the Supporting Family Caregivers assessment. After discussion about comparative systems in other states and possible policy responses, the Board unanimously approved the recommendations for both assessments and directed staff to finalize written reports for distribution to the Governor’s Office, Cabinet members, state legislators, the Commonwealth’s congressional delegation and posting on the Board’s website.

Policy Advisory Committee Chair Karen Grizzard and staff also presented proposed 2027 assessment topics for Board approval: (1) Residential Services in the DD Waiver, including the Community Housing Guide service, and (2) Day and Employment Services in the DD Waiver. The PAC framed the topics to update 2020 findings, assess workforce and funding changes since the pandemic, and examine implementation results following federal/Medicaid changes. The Board approved the two proposed 2027 assessment topics unanimously.

Nia Harrison, Director of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, briefed members on the State Plan work plan timeline and the Board’s role in selecting annual priorities and activities for the five-year plan. Staff emphasized that Board input will guide which activities are prioritized for FFY 2027.