COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARDS

There are 40 community services boards that serve the state of Virginia. In order to access case management services for an individual with mental retardation or a mental illness you must contact the agency the serves your area. Wall Residences can accept a referral from any Community Service Board in the state.

A complete listing of the Community Services Boards can be found at:

http://www.vacsb.org

The Virginia Information & Referral System: www.vaiandr.com

Virginia Office of Protection and Advocacy: http://www.vopa.state.va.us/

State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency: www.vadrs.org

Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services:http://www.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov/

Virginia Assistive Technology: www.vats.org

Virginia Board for People with Disabilities:http://www.vaboard.org/

The Autism Program of Virginia: http://www.autismva.org

The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center: www.peatc.org

The Arc of the United States: http://thearc.org/

The Arc of Virginia: www.arcofva.org/

Centers for Independent Living: www.vadrs.org/cbs/cils/htm

Partnership for People with Disabilities: www.vcu.edu/partnership

Autism Society of America: www.autism-society.org

Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia:www.efva.org

http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/cdservices/pcr.htm- This website was developed by the Partnership for People with disabilities.  It includes a link to a 4 page newsletter explaining the values that underlie all person-centered planning processes.

http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/ped/tsal/pcp/index.html- This is Cornell University’s Person-Centered Planning Education Site.  It includes 7 mini-courses including an Introduction to Person-Centered Planning, Self-Determination, several different approaches (ELP, MAPS, PATH, “Circles”) as well as a section on the connection between Transition and Person-Centered Planning.

http://www.allenshea.com/ - Website of Allen, Shea & Associates, advocates/researchers who provide professional services in the area of planning, research, training, materials development, and evaluation within the field of human services with an emphasis on disabilities.  Excellent resources and information – and numerous useful links

http://www.allenshea.com/CIRCL/knowyou.pdf- A recent posting linked from the site above.  This is a 102 page workbook designed to lead participants through a very thorough, consumer-directed, empowering and thoughtful person-centered planning process.   The book contains a wealth of information and a number of very useful resources.  A must for anyone with long-term support needs approaching transition from school or into a supported living situation. 

http://www.elpnet.net/  - This is Michael Smull’s website, the creator of the Essential Lifestyle Plan.  Clicking on the navigation button “Facilitators” will take you to several helpful links:  1.)  The workbook, “Listen To Me” that can be used with a person.  2.)  Sample plans.  3.) A person-centered workbook that can also be used as a literacy tool.  Clicking on the navigation button, “Trainers” will take you to a link, “Family Version of EZ Plan” which is a downloadable template designed to lead a user through development of a plan.  VERY USEFUL!

http://www.communityworks.info/articles/path.htm- The best online description of the PATH process that I have come across.  (Many online resources are mostly set up to sell products rather than impart information.  Remember that there are no “right” or “wrong” processes.  Use the resource guidelines to help you get ideas to direct your own process, based on what makes sense for your person.

http://www.thearc.org/publications/futureplanninghandbook.doc  A Family Handbook on Future Planning is a guide to help families develop a future plan for their sons or daughters with cognitive, intellectual or developmental disabilities that provides personal, financial and legal protections for these individuals after the parents either die or can no longer provide care or support.  It is designed to help families review and inventory the needs and strengths of their family member, determine what should be in a plan and then locate qualified professionals and resources to finalize the plan.

http://www.beachcenter.org/Research/FullArticles/PDF/FQL17_BeginWithEndinMind.pdf  Good article by a parent/professional on the process of planning, “Begin With The End In Mind” - by Ann Turnbull

http://www.beachcenter.org/research/?act=view&type=all&section=research  Many articles on families, planning, supporting people w/disabilities.

http://www.dreamms.org/ - Link to list of companies that develop teaching software & other computer supports for people with disabilities

http://www.inclusion.com/artcommonsensetools.html - Good overview of MAPS and CIRCLES, person-centered processes that are goal oriented and work well for people who have the capacity to be directors.

http://www.nichcy.org/transitn.asp#ts10 - Articles specifically on transition for people w/MR/DD - as a team effort

 http://thechp.syr.edu/rsapub.htm - Publications of John O’Brien & Connie Lyle O’Brien.   Excellent library on self-determination, person-centered planning and systems change. 

http://www.worksupport.com/Topics/fastfacts.asp - Fast Facts on SSI

http://www.worksupport.com/Topics/fastfacts.asp - The 411 on Disability Disclosure, a workbook designed to support people with how and when to disclose their disability.

http://www.vsb.org/clba/so18/HTML/SoYouAre18_files/frame.htm - "So You're 18: A Handbook on Legal Rights and Responsibilities”

http://www.dmas.virginia.gov/downloads/pdfs/tra-va_facility_226.pdf - Logisticare brochure, for people who may be using Medicaid funded transportation (to and from Medicaid funded services only).

http://www.valleyresourcenet.org/ - A great site on local resources and information about transition

http://www.circlesarounddundee.org.uk/pcp/ - Concise summary of Essential Lifestyles Plans, Maps, Path, Community Building and Circles of Support.

http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/ed/resources.cfm , a huge list of further caregiving resources

http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/who/ - Links to "The Story Project" and "The Story Project How-To Guide"  http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/who/SP_HowToGuide.doc 

http://www.dimagine.com/index.html  - David Pitonyak’s website.  Dr. Pitonyak is a deeply thoughtful and creative behavior therapist/scientist.  In his own words, “The largest part of my work involves meeting individuals who are said to exhibit "difficult behaviors."  Most of these individuals exhibit difficult behaviors because they are misunderstood and/or because they are living lives that don't make sense.  Often they are lonely, or powerless, or without joy.  Often they are devalued by others, or they lack the kinds of educational experiences that most of us take for granted.  Too often their troubling behaviors are the result of an illness, or even a delayed response to traumatic events.”  His site includes links to articles, resources and publications.  One especially useful document is titled “7 Questions,” and outlines development of a behavior support plan.