Writing on the Wall: Spring 2022

Director’s Corner
John Weatherspoon
The DD Rescue Plan developed by
the ARC of Virginia and vaACCSES,
which we supported, did not make it
through the Senate Finance Committee.
I want to thank Senator Hanger
and Delegate Sickles for putting this
forward and their ongoing support
for our services. In a conversation
with a provider regarding this failure
from our legislature they made the
statement, “If not now, when?” It is a
valid question. The State was/is flush
with funding and there appeared to be
support the likes of which we had not
seen for something this comprehensive
in support of Waiver Services. It
would have made our services more
competitive in the hiring market for
Direct Support Professionals and recognized
the importance of those DSPs
in the provision of Waiver Services.
Now we find ourselves in a situation
where advocates are attempting to
prevent a large portion of Waiver
Services taking a significant cut, back
to the funding rate of June 2021.
At this time Sponsored Residential
Services and Small Group Homes
along with Community Engagement,
Community Coaching, In-Home,
and a handful of other services appear
safe and to be in the budget with
rates recommended from the Rate
Study. Even though the rate model
for Sponsored Residential failed
to recognize Direct Support
Professionals correctly within the
model there was still a small increase
recommended within it. We hope to
be able to share the outcome at our
All Provider Meeting scheduled for
April 29 in Roanoke.
We are excited to once again see
providers in person on April 29! It
has been too long since we have been
together in person. We have an amazing
agenda planned with time worked
in for reconnecting and enjoying the
snacks from Hotel Roanoke. I look
forward to seeing you there!
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!
BJ proudly waves the flag of his favorite
country: Australia!
BJ has a passion for all things
Australian and a dream of moving
there someday. Recently, he met
with Senior Program Manager Becky
Weaver. During their conversation,
he clearly stated his rights (and gave
permission to share here):
(I have the right) “To be treated like
a human being, not to be harmed or
abused. I have a right to be safe. I
have a right to go to both colleges
after my delayed graduation is done
at 2023, and I have a right to date a
curvy African American girl either at
Virginia or the University of Oregon
so I can take her with my Aunt Cookie
and Aunt Paulina and the rest of
my groupies to Australia, including
Francesca in the capital of New South
Wales in Sydney, Australia. I have
2
the right to receive mails, to have my
own luxury apt. condo/complex with
a rooftop terrace that I might need on
my bucket list. I have a right to have
visitors from Australia and North
America like Ms. Karen so they can
teach me how to cook baked ziti Australia
style... it’s like American baked
ziti but with kangaroo meat. I have a
right to believe in LGBTQ and human
rights and gay rights.”
Empowering for self advocacy is a
key value for our agency. Quotes like
these show the excellent work our
program management staff does to
be sure every individual understands
their rights and has the opportunity to
express them fully. BJ is clear about
what he wants and we can’t wait to
try that baked ziti!