In my 2+ years experience of providing MHSS in a rural area, I have found that there have been times when resources are more spread out relative to where clients live which affects the time that we spend together. I have typically used any extra time getting to and from resources to address other objectives that would not have otherwise been addressed. Many of these times, 3-4.99 hours is insufficient to meet all of a client's needs in a day, especially if they live 45 minutes from the closest specialist for a condition or the nearest food pantry that serves them on a particular day.

Additionally, seeing clients more frequently for shorter periods of time creates a dependence on the service, which is intended to move a client towards independence. It does not benefit a client to be seen four or five days a week for three hours per day if the goal is independence; especially if the objectives can be met more efficiently in three days if one of those days has more time spent with the client. Additionally, two days of two unit sessions and one day of a three unit session would cost the state less than four days of two unit sessions. This approach allows the client's needs to be met throughout the week without fostering dependence on what is supposed to be a long-term, but temporary, service and can help Virginia spend less money on the service, which I believe is the goal of this regulatory change.