Advocacy Group Supports Recent DOJ Agreement

The executive director of The Arc of Northern Virginia says it welcomes last week's agreement between the Commonwealth of Virginia and the U.S. Department of Justice that will 

The Arc executive director Rikki Epstein says the organization, which serves  people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has long advocated more housing and community-based options.

"We envision this as being an opportunity for local providers and non-profits to be integrally involved," said Epstein, who is a resident of Reston. "The Arc has always been involved in group homes and figuring out what needs support needs to be in place."

The Justice Department's investigation found that Virginia violated federal law by needlessly housing so many disabled citizens in institutions. 

The agreement is meant to provide better, more localized care for 5,000 Virginians with intellectual and development disabilities. It is estimated that more than 1,000 currently reside in state-run facilities in Virginia. The agreement mandates that Virginia provide nearly 4,200 waivers to pay for localized care, crisis management services, housing assistance and greater employment opportunities for those receiving treatment.

The institutions, including the Northern Virginia Training Center in Fairfax, will close over the next several years. One facility, the Southeastern Virginia Training Center in Chesapeake will remain open.

Epstein says much of what community care will look like has already been in place in Virginia for a while.

"To the commonwealth's credit, this has been looked at and planned for," she said. "The DOJ decision really accelerates the speed at which it will be happening."

Epstein points out that moving the disabled to community care is a national trend, part of seeing citizens with special needs as people - not patients. She says Virginia is one of only four states that has not closed on institution to date. 

"Many states have closed all of them," she said. "But this is not about a place. It is not about four walls. It is about having the resources to live safely and effectively and maximize your potential. That can happen in a group home or with your family or in your own apartment."