We know families who are Caregivers of young adults with special needs who rely on personal care services for support in many basic activities of daily living. The care needs of these individuals include a vast variety of assisted supports, tasks and oversight; bathing, dressing and undressing, toileting and incontinence care, transferring, eating, turning and changing position, personal grooming, supervision, meal and snack preparation, cleaning up after meals, shopping, transportation and support to medical appointments, medication support and social activities.  

For many with High Support Autism this also includes 1-1 care directed at constant elopement issues and monitoring and support during epileptic seizures.  

These are 24/7 issues that cannot just be “reduced” simply due to a budgetary goal. For many, these are not extra services or conveniences but rather necessary supports that allow these individuals to remain safe and participate in daily life. These are not individuals with ordinary or temporary care needs. Their need for assistance has already been well established through multiple layers of eligibility and assessments.  

The Virginia “Developmental Disability” (DD) Waiver exist in large part to enable people with significant disabilities to remain safely in their home and communities RATHER than entering isolating, limiting and expensive institutions.