The Draft FIS Application 
The Arc of Virginia's Comments 

The Arc of Virginia's comments about the Draft Family and Individual Supports Waiver application were submitted to the Virginia Dept. of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS).  Due to the length of the comments, they were emailed to DMAS. You may view the comments here. 

Parents of Minors and Spouses as Paid Providers

The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has proposed requirements for Legally Responsible Individuals (Parents of Minors and Spouses) to be paid personal care attendants for their loved ones using a Medicaid Waiver. 

If these proposed requirements are approved they would significantly impact families who are currently using this allowance. To understand these proposed rules and their potential impact, click on the resources below. 

How to Make Public Comment

These proposed requirements are part of the Waiver Application to CMS, the full application is below, but you can also read just the proposals related to this topic. These proposals are open for PUBLIC COMMENT until March 30, 2023.

Go to Townhall Website to provide a comment OR Email:[email protected]

Source Documents: 

DMAS Proposed Requirements

Waiver Application

2023 Public Policy Agenda

February 16, 2023

The Budgets are out and it is time to ACT! 

Email Budget Negotiators and ask them to FUND The Arc of Virginia's Priorities. 

General Assembly Session starts January 11th and it is time to advocate for a strong agenda that seeks to transform Virginia's System into a more effective and efficient system by building provider capacity and workforce, funding more waivers, and building long-term sustainability into our system.

There are several items on our agenda that work towards these goals and improve our system. You can read details about these items on the full agenda linked under resources below. 

Legislative Agenda Items:

• Match Supported Living Rate to most integrated Group Home rate (4 people)

• Workforce Development Campaign

• Business Start-Up or Expansion Incubator

• Drive Market Demand - Educate Individuals and Families

• Support the Additional 500 Waiver Slots

• Develop Core Services

• Increase Peer Mentor Rate

• Combine Spending CAPS for AT/EHBS

• Create Eligibility for Medicaid Works for DD Waiver Recipients

• Virtual Access to Public Meetings

• Remove "Handicap" Terminology from Code

How You Can Advocate

There are 3 Actions YOU can take to advocate for these vital issues: 

1st -  Attend Virtual Budget Hearing on January 5th (must pre-register on Jan 4th)

2nd -  Sign up for a DD Advocacy Day to meet with your Legislators to advocate for the issues that mean the most to you

3rd - Respond to Action Alerts - this is key to getting the votes needed on legislative items

You can prepare to advocate using the Resources below, click a link to download that item.   

Download Resources

Stay Informed during Legislative Session

If you receive the K/Now digital news updates you will get:

~ Weekly Updates on General Assembly

~ Action Alerts to act on