Board approves Pre-ETS grant recommendation, a DARS no-cost extension and two scholarships

The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities on June 3 approved several funding actions recommended by its Investment Committee: a $200,000 award for a Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) proposal, a 12-month no-cost extension for a Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) grant, and two $2,000 self-advocate scholarships.

Director of Administration Jason Withers told the Board that five proposals were received for the Pre-ETS RFP, requesting roughly $914,789 in total while available funds were about $200,000. The Grant Review Team recommended funding the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) for $200,000 to deliver Pre-ETS services; the Board approved the recommendation after a motion by Thomas Leach. The minutes show Ms. Rachel Loria abstained from that vote.

Withers also presented a 12-month no-cost extension request from the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services for the project 'Expanding Capacity for Customized Employment Services to Virginians with Disabilities,' citing procurement and contracting delays and a revised completion date of Sept. 30, 2027. The Board approved the extension; Ms. Rachel Loria and Mr. Richard Kriner recorded abstentions and Mr. James Hall recused himself from that vote.

Finally, the Board approved two self-advocate scholarship requests submitted by Come As You Are: $2,000 to support five self-advocates in 'Work Ready, Future Strong' (Sept. 9–Dec. 2, 2026, at Virginia Wesleyan University) and $2,000 to support four self-advocates in 'Life Skills BRIDGE' (Sept. 22–Nov. 12, 2026). Motions to fund both scholarship requests carried.

The actions reflected the Board’s investment priorities for FFY 2027 and its ongoing role in grant monitoring and expenditure oversight.