Help for Those Who Help Others

Va. Groups Get a Boost In Linking the Disabled To Services and Jobs

By Yamiche Alcindor

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Virginians with disabilities should have easier access to social services, more dental care, more support on the Internet and more job opportunities because of $350,000 in grants awarded by a state panel.

“All of these programs are focused on improving support so that people with disabilities can live successfully in the community,” said Tom Driscoll, strategic planning and marketing manager for the Virginia Board for People With Disabilities.

SeniorNavigator, the Northern Virginia Training Center, Phillips Programs and the Chesterfield County Community Services Board and Employment Services received funds to launch pilot programs.

The largest grant, $143,359, was given to SeniorNavigator, which operates Web portals and in-person centers to help seniors find social services. The system, which includes 52 Fairfax centers, enlists staff members at libraries and other locations as volunteers. When seniors visit, the volunteers help them find services on the Internet.

The money will help create a similar network of centers for people with disabilities. The system, VirginiaNavigator, will use volunteers in every county and city throughout Virginia to create 180 centers, said Adrienne Johnson, SeniorNavigator’s director of Web site operations.

“We are filling a gap by being a resource for them to go to and see what’s available in their area,” she said. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to build upon work done on the national and state level to encourage aging programs to serve people with disabilities.”

Johnson said the organization plans to create several VirginiaNavigator centers in Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties.

The centers will provide information for the disabled on independent living skills, employment services, housing opportunities and other x topics.

The Northern Virginia Training Center in Fairfax City received $65,541 to expand dental services to people with disabilities. The center, home to 170 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, provides dental services for residents and the community through an outpatient clinic.

The center will launch its program next year by expanding its outpatient dental services and training dentists and dental students in how to treat patients with disabilities.

“We want to educate the dental community in the area and expand services for this population group,” said Joy Felegie, the center’s grants and special projects coordinator.

Phillips, a nonprofit group that operates a private school in Fairfax County for students with emotional and behavioral problems, received $54,975 in grant money. It will use social networking sites such as Ning and Facebook to create support networks for disabled youths transitioning from secondary education to careers.

The Phillips program will encourage young people to reach out for personal and professional help using the sites, said Lisa Ott, the organization’s executive director of programs. Students will be encouraged to create forums, send messages and join groups online aimed at making their transitions easier.

“We want students to share what they are doing and showcase their talents and competencies,” Ott said. “Our hope is that the community will take notice of their contributions to the workforce and will see how digital technologies help them succeed.”

The Chesterfield County Community Services Board and Employment Services will use the $90,000 it received to expand employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities.

This year, the Virginia Board for People With Disabilities had $450,000 to distribute in grants, Driscoll said, and it is reviewing several applications it received in spring.

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