Welcome to the Olmstead Web Site

2008 Strategic Plan Updates and Progress Reports Submitted to the Governor

The 2008 Updated CROSS-GOVERNMENTAL STRATEGIC PLAN TO ASSURE CONTINUED COMMUNITY INTEGRATION OF VIRGINIANS WITH DISABILITIES has been submitted to the Governor. The 2008 Updated Plan was developed jointly by the Community Integration Implementation Team and the Community Integration Advisory Commission, which received public comment on the Plan. Alternate formats may be requested by email at: julie.stanley@governor.virginia.gov or by phone at:  804-371-0828.

Virginia Easy Access Launched

The Secretaries of Health and Human Resources and Information Technology have launched a new website that brings together resources for long term supports by allowing people to access them in one spot.  Virginia Easy Access is a web portal that allows seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers to access information about providers and other supports in the community.  Housing, transportation, and emergency preparedness are also included.  The web portal is supported by VirginiaNavigator and 2-1-1 Virginia.  You can search for supports and service by zip code on VirginiaNavigator and call or e-mail questions to 2-1-1 to find out more information.  To access the Virginia Easy Access website, please visit: http://easyaccess.virginia.gov/

2008 Meeting Schedules Announced

• 2008 Community Integration Advisory Commission Meeting Schedule.
• 2008 Community Integration Implementation Team Meeting Schedule.

Virginia launches website describing community living choice project for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Virginia is one of thirty-one states participating in a five-year, $1.75 billion Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration project designed to create a system of long-term services and supports that assist individuals to transition from certain long-term care institutions into the community. This project supports Virginia’s Olmstead initiative and complements the efforts of the recently awarded Systems Transformation Grant that aims to improve the infrastructure for community-based long-term supports. Virginia’s MFP project, administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services, will make over $28 million in federal Medicaid funds available to support Virginia’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.

For more details and the most current information on the MFP project, please visit http://www.olmsteadva.com/mfp.

Own Your Future

No one ever said aging would be easy, but there are steps you can take to age well! Take time now to prepare for your long-term care needs. Long-term care refers to a broad range of supportive medical, personal, and social services required by people who are unable to meet their basic living needs for an extended period of time. Learn more about how you can Own Your Future by reviewing the resources available at www.vda.virginia.gov/oyf.

Executive Directive 6 issued by Governor Kaine

On May 18, 2007, Governor Kaine issued Executive Directive 6, directing five Secretariats, 22 state agences and 2 state Councils to continue their collaborative efforts with the Community Integration Advisory Commission, local governments and local agencies to complete and annually update a comprehensive, cross-governmental strategic plan designed to assure continued community integration of Virginians with disabilities. The Plan and annual updates are due to the Governor by August 31 of each year. Read the full document in word format.

Appointments to State Boards and Commissions

Are you interested in applying for an appointment to a Board or Commission? One of the functions of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth is to assist the Governor in his appointments of over 4,000 individuals to serve on Virginia's boards and commissions. That Office is deeply committed to the principle of including all segments of the Commonwealth's population into government, because this is what makes the theory of self-government a reality. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ed Turner, the Governor's Special Advisor on Disabilities, at ed.turner@governor.virginia.gov, or at (804) 371-2666.

• If you wish to serve on a board or commission, or recommend qualified candidates to serve, please visit http://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/

Emergency Management

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has a website with helpful information for Virginia’s citizens to prepare for and deal with a variety of potential emergencies. Information that is specifically helpful for people with disabilities is included.

   

Tim Kaine	Marilyn B. Tavenner	Patrick O. Gottschalk	Pierce R. Homer	Dr. Thomas R. Morris
Virginia Governor	Secretary of HHR	Secretary of Commerce & Trade	Secretary of Transportation	Secretary of Education