Board for People with Disabilities’ Comments on  
Behavior Health & Developmental Services Comprehensive State Plan and  
Policy on Services for Children and Adolescents and Their Families 

 

Recently the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) provided public comments to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS, formerly the Dept. of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, DMHMRSAS) regarding two important documents produced by the Department: 

 

  ---  Draft DBHDS Comprehensive State Plan, 2010-2016 

 

  ---  Revised State Board Policy 1007(SYS) 86-2, Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for Children and Adolescents and their Families 

 

To review the Virginia Board’s comments, go to www.vaboard.org/vapolicy.htm. 

 

The draft Plan can be found at www.dbhds.virginia.gov/OPD-StatePlan.htm. 

 

A copy of the current State Board Policy 1007(SYS) 86.2 can be found at www.dbhds.virginia.gov/adm-StateBoardPolicies.htm.  To obtain a copy of the planned revisions, please contact the Department directly.  DBHDS contact information can be found at www.dbhds.virginia.gov/ContactUs.htm. 

 

  ==================================================  

 

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 

 

Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)of 2008, which prohibits genetic information discrimination in employment, took effect on November 21, 2009, making it  illegal to discriminate against employees or applicants because of genetic information. Title II of GINA prohibits the use of genetic information in making employment decisions, restricts acquisition of genetic information by employers and other entities covered by Title II, and strictly limits the disclosure of genetic information. 

 

In the act, genetic information includes information about an individual’s genetic tests and the genetic tests of an individual’s family members, as well as information about any disease, disorder, or condition of an individual’s family members (i.e. an individual’s family medical history).  Family medical history is included in the definition of genetic information because it is often used to determine whether someone has an increased risk of getting a disease, disorder, or condition in the future. 

 

The law forbids discrimination on the basis of genetic information when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoffs, training, fringe benefits, or any other term or condition of employment.  An employer may never use genetic information to make an employment decision because genetic information doesn’t tell the employer anything about someone’s current ability to work.  Related workplace harassment or retaliatory actions are prohibited as well. 

 

For additional information regarding GINA, see www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/genetic.cfm. 

 

  ==================================================  

If you’re not a part of the PEATC E-News network, you just missed receiving an extensive list of scholarship resources for students with disabilities!  To receive PEATC E-News, go to www.peatc.org/peatc.cgim?template=PEATC_Press.signup. 

 

Parental Involvement in Secondary Transition 

Part I Survey Results:  Parents’ Experiences 
Part II Survey:  How do Professionals View Parental Involvement in Secondary Transition? 

 

In the winter of December 2008-2009 the Parent Education Advocacy Training Center (PEATC, www.peatc.org) conducted an initial survey of parents to understand their experiences during secondary transition.  The goal of the survey was to ascertain promising strategies schools had adopted and the barriers parents reported which prevented their involvement during their children's secondary transition.  Survey results have been posted at http://peatcnextstepsparents.pbworks.com/. 

 

A follow-up survey currently in progress asks questions of transition professionals, educators, coordinators, and vocational rehabilitation counselors about their experiences with families and how parental involvement helps or a lack of involvement hinders their ability to support transitioning students with disabilities.  To participate in this second survey, go to https://survey.vcu.edu/cgi-bin/qwebcorporate.dll?idx=2SPCCM.  Results of the second survey will be reported in spring 2010. 

 

  ==================================================  

The following information was provided by the Virginia Coalition for Students with Disabilities, www.virginialac.org/vcsd/contact_vcsd/. 

 

Feedback Opportunity
for Parents, Teachers & Service-Providers of Students with Hearing & Vision Impairments 

 

The Deaf-Blind Project (www.twc-deafblind.state.va.us/), through the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University (www.vcu.edu/partnership/deaf_blindness.html), provides consultation, training, and information to parents, teachers, and service providers who have one or more children with sensory impairments.  Because funding is very limited, it has become more critical than ever that the most important issues are being addressed.  As a result, the following survey has been developed to identify the types of information that parents, teachers, and service providers may need. 

 

Please participate in this important stakeholder feedback opportunity by December 18, 2009 so the Deaf-Blind Project can plan training and consultation that is relevant and needed.  The survey will take about ten minutes to complete.  All answers are confidential and identifying information is not reported.  To complete the survey, go to www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229LSS8Y7CE. 

 

If you are not a parent, teacher, or direct service-provider of students with hearing & vision impairments, please forward this survey to others who are.  In appreciation for completing the survey, one parent and one teacher or service provider will be randomly selected to receive some informative resource material. 

 

For more information, visit the websites listed above or contact Sue Murdock at murdocksj@vcu.edu or 804-827-1425. 

 

  ==================================================  

 

Navigating a Special Needs Life 

January 29-30, 2010, University of Richmond 

 

This resource & job fair for parents, students, educators, medical professionals, and others is hosted by Northstar Academy in conjunction with the University of Richmond’s Jepson School of Leadership Studies. 

 

To register or for more information, visit www.northstaracademy.net/navigating-a-special-needs-life.html. 

 

  ==================================================  

If you received this news digest from a friend or colleague and would like to receive NEWS@VBPD directly in the future, please send us an e-mail at Info@VBPD.virginia.gov, and we would be happy to add you to our contact list.  If you would also like to receive messages sent to the Virginia Special Education Network (www.vaboard.org/vsenform.htm) that the Board jointly administers with the State Special Education Advisory Committee, please note that as well.  Keeping Virginians informed about disability services and issues is one of our most important responsibilities! 

  ==================================================  

 

For more information about the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, please visit our website at www.vaboard.org or contact: 

 

Tom Driscoll
Strategic Planning & Marketing Manager
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities
Washington Building, Capitol Square
1100 Bank Street, 7th Floor
Richmond, Virginia  23219
804-786-9380 (voice & TTY)
800-846-4464 (toll-free, voice & TTY)
804-786-1118 (fax)
thomas.driscoll@vbpd.virginia.gov
www.vaboard.org