Most of us are familiar with President George Bush’s transformation of the federal government’s role in education, phrased as “…No Child Left Behind.” With a goal to focus on what works by spending federal dollars on effective, research based programs and practices, funds are targeted to improve schools and enhance teacher quality.
What happens to disabled children who will mature into adulthood and still require assistance with managing life? In Virginia, there are good things happening to secure a happy medium for disabled children and their families.
One program, Blue Ridge Services, provides financial resources to family members who are currently maintaining ongoing care for their disabled children who are age 18 and over. Extensive 3-4 day training is provided for the parents, with annual recertification provided by Blue Ridge Services. Generally, if a disabled person qualifies under the MR/DD waiver; their sponsor (often a parent) can leave the workforce to completely care for their child who may otherwise have to be placed in a facility.
For families who need help placing their disabled adult child into housing other than a nursing facility or group home, Junction Center for Independent Living, serves as an agent for the Virginia Housing Development Authority. They offer services to persons with disabilities, their families, and their community. Junction Center's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program has specialized programs that assist persons with disabilities with safe, sanitary and affordable housing.
For disabled children in Virginia, the list of resources is inspiring for their families. As the presidential candidates race toward the upcoming election, Virginians can hope that our new president supports federal and state funding that leaves no disabled child behind.
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The writer hit the nail right on the head. Disabled people should not be treated any worse then healthy ones. If anything they should be treated with more concern and care than those who can look after themselves. Treating these people with dignity and care differentiates our society from those societies where they still hide their disabled people in the back room. Blue Ridge Services is one of the great agencies in Virginia that pioneered providing excellent services to the intellectually and physically challenged and their families on the individuals and their family's needs instead of using the blueprint of nursing homes and hospitals. For this they are to be commended. As a home health provider they also deserve to be payed on time and with punctuality so they can pay their sponsors and the caretakers, so the care for the disabled can go on without interruption. Correct billing and a good billing company is a must in these cases.
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