News Releases
GrandInvolve wins first place 2019 Best Practices Award
GrandInvolve, a volunteer group that brings older adults into Fairfax County elementary schools to improve the success of students, won the $5,000 first place Best Practices Award from the Commonwealth Council on Aging.
Richmond, Va. – Mar. 29, 2019
Public input sought for new Virginia Dementia State Plan
The Virginia Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission plans listening sessions this spring to hear from the public, particularly individuals with dementia and family care partners, about the draft of its Dementia State Plan for 2020-2024.
Richmond, Va. – Mar. 27, 2019
Adult financial exploitation reports jump 30 percent in SFY 2018
The number of financially exploited Virginians climbed 30 percent, on the heels of a 20 percent jump the previous year, demonstrating the challenges faced by those who seek to stop this wrongdoing.
Richmond, Va. – Mar. 5, 2019
Caregivers may apply for temporary voucher program for respite
Virginia families who care for a loved one with disabilities or chronic conditions can apply for up to $400 reimbursement for respite care under a limited voucher program from the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.
Richmond, Va. – Oct. 30, 2018
Grant to help streamline Virginians' access to services, supports
A two-year federal grant will enhance the public-private partnership No Wrong Door Virginia system, its technology and network of resources and providers, helping to streamline access for more Virginians to needed services and trained professionals in options counseling.
Richmond, Va. – Oct. 16, 2018
Virginia APS director receives national award
DARS' Paige McCleary, director of the Adult Protective Services Division, was recognized for her professional contributions by the National Adult Protective Services Association with its Joanne Otto Distinguished Service Award.
Richmond, Va. – Sept. 12, 2018
Batten named director of Division of Rehabilitative Services
DARS Commissioner Kathryn A. Hayfield named Dale “Dee Dee” Batten as the agency's new director for the Division of Rehabilitative Services, which offers vocational rehabilitation to assist people with disabilities to prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment. Batten had served as DARS' first deputy director for workforce development.
Richmond, Va. – Aug. 10, 2018
Grant will enhance Commonwealth's brain injury services, supports
Gov. Ralph Northam announced a three-year, $900,000 federal grant awarded to DARS to enhance access to services and supports for Virginians with traumatic brain injury. The grant seeks to maximize the health, wellness and independence of people with TBI, along with their family members and support networks.
Richmond, Va. – Jul. 25, 2018
Virginia high school students celebrate completion of national career program
Nearly 190 high school students in Virginia with intellectual and developmental disabilities participated in Project SEARCH during the school year to gain skills and work experience through internships in healthcare or business. Participants, their families and hosts will celebrate their efforts this spring at 20 sites across the Commonwealth.
Richmond, Va. – May 16, 2018
Rebuilding Together in November Wins First Place 2018 Best Practices Award
Rebuilding Together, a nonprofit in Northern Virginia, won the $5,000 first place “Best Practices” award from the Commonwealth Council on Aging for a program that helps low-income homeowners age in their homes safely.
Richmond, Va. – May 2, 2018
WWRC director receives national recognition for disability employment efforts
Rick Sizemore, director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, was recognized locally and nationally for his development and expansion of services and programs to help individuals with disabilities gain skills and workforce credentials necessary for employment in the new Virginia economy.
Richmond, Va. – Dec. 6, 2017
New DARS division aligns aging, community based services programs
The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services has established the Division for Community Living, combining its aging and community based services programs into a single division.
Richmond, Va. – Nov. 30, 2017
DARS wins grant to help fight leading cause of injuries among older adults
A three-year grant to the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services aims to help prevent falls, the leading cause of injuries and deaths from injury among older Americans.
Richmond, Va. – Sept. 18, 2017
New law aids fight against adult financial exploitation
DARS and Virginia's Attorney General Mark Herring remind Virginians of a new law that will aid investigations into the heinous crime of financial exploitation of older or vulnerable Virginians. The law requires any report of adult financial exploitation received by the state Adult Protective Services hotline or local departments of social services, regardless of the amount of financial loss, to be reported immediately to local law enforcement.
Richmond, Va. – Aug. 3, 2017
Robot rally caps 5-day IT academy for high school students with disabilities
A robot rally June 30 will cap a five-day robotics and cyber academy for more than two dozen high school students with disabilities seeking to learn skills and earn certification that could lead to jobs in high-demand fields in Virginia’s IT and manufacturing fields.
Richmond, Va. – Jun. 23, 2017
DARS congratulates Project SEARCH participants on completion of career program
About 150 high school students with developmental and intellectual disabilities participated in internships at 17 host sites in Virginia, gaining useful skills and work experience as part of the Project SEARCH program. This career program for high school students with disabilities offers hands-on training in various healthcare or business settings throughout senior year. DARS congratulates the participants on their success.
Richmond, Va. – Jun. 5, 2017
Join us in Roanoke for the Governor’s Conference on Aging
Gov. Terry McAuliffe will address the Virginia Governor’s Conference on Aging in Roanoke on May 22 at noon as representatives of government, business, nonprofits and academia gather to assess how well the Commonwealth meets the needs of older Virginians. Learn more about the event.
Richmond, Va. – May 17, 2017
DARS Facebook campaign wins statewide award
The communications staff for the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services won the Capitol Award of Merit for creative tactics at the 70th Virginia Public Relations Awards ceremony. The award recognized a 2016 DARS Facebook campaign designed to raise awareness of the agency’s services and programs and increase the agency’s Facebook followers.
Richmond, Va. – May 12, 2017
Commonwealth Council on Aging honors grocery delivery program for seniors
Senior Services of Alexandria won the top 2017 “Best Practices” award from the Commonwealth Council on Aging for its grocery delivery program, which offers food shopping and delivery service to older Alexandrians unable to shop for groceries themselves. This year’s first-place award of $5,000 honors Senior Services of Alexandria’s “Groceries to Go” program.
Richmond, Va. – May 8, 2017
Social Security Administration honors Virginia Disability Determination Services
The Social Security Administration honored Virginia’s Disability Determination Services division with its prestigious, national Phoenix Award for performance and customer service.
Richmond, Va. – Apr. 13, 2017
Gov. McAuliffe, Sen. Warner Announce No Wrong Door’s 100th partner
Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Senator Mark R. Warner today announced the 100th partner to join No Wrong Door, a public-private effort which helps Virginians gain streamlined access to needed services through a virtual network of resources connecting people, providers and communities. A new website explains the benefits for consumers, providers and communities.
Richmond, Va. – Apr. 12, 2017
