Participant Services

Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)  |   Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders / Behavioral Health Services  |   Supported Employment (SE) Services  |   Real Pay for Real Jobs EPIC Model Project


Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program helps individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened or DeafBlind prepare for work, find a job or keep a job. This support helps to increase an individual’s ability to live independently within their communities and enjoy sustainable employment. VR services may include vocational counseling, training, assistive technology, resources related to hearing loss, and job placement.

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program provides specialized vocational services with a Statewide Program Coordinator and Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf (RCDs) that are fluent in sign language.

Program staff collaborate with the DARS Transition Team to provide Pre-Employment & Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to students in the Commonwealth. They also provide community education and technical assistance to agencies, community organizations and employers involved with job training, job placement, and employment of persons who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened or DeafBlind.

Main Contact

Traci Branch
Statewide Program Coordinator
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services
8004 Franklin Farms Drive
Richmond, Virginia 23229
Traci.Branch@dars.virginia.gov
DARS Videophone: (804) 616-4838
DARS Cell/Text: (804) 968-8261
DARS Toll Free number: (800) 552-5019

Death and Hard of Hearing Services Team regional locations shown on the map of Virginia.

Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders / Behavioral Health Services

The DARS Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program helps individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders secure competitive, integrated employment that matches their strengths, interests, and goals. Employment is a key part of recovery, offering benefits like increased income, independence, self-confidence, community involvement, and positive social connections.

Specialized Support & Partnerships

In collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), DARS has substance use disorder dedicated Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and well as mental health dedicated Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors assigned to CSBs throughout the state. These dedicated DARS counselors have scheduled itinerary visits with their local CSB mental health and substance abuse programs and can include Recovery Courts, Behavioral Health Courts, Outpatient Services, Clubhouse/Day Programs, MAT, Case Management, Peer Recovery Centers, and Residential Programs. These direct services offered by our dedicated counselors foster referral collaboration, enhanced service delivery, and successful employment outcomes for shared participants.

Likewise, DARS has a strong presence with Probation and Parole offices and Virginia Works offices across the state where direct referrals are initiated, employment services coordinated, and employment outcomes are fostered.

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment

IPS is an evidence-based approach that supports individuals with serious mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders in securing competitive jobs based on their unique abilities, interests, and goals. It involves a partnership between the DARS, DBHDS, and mental health agencies. Participants receive integrated services from both VR and mental health providers.

Current VR & IPS Partnerships:

  • DRS Fairfax/Alexandria and Fairfax-Falls Church CSB
  • DRS Chesterfield and Chesterfield CSB
  • DRS Norton/Abingdon and Frontier Health (Planning District One Behavioral Health Services)
  • DRS Greater Richmond and Henrico Area Mental Health Services

Behavioral Health Services Team

The DARS Behavioral Health Services team includes the Statewide Behavioral Health Services Coordinator and the IPS Specialist & Trainer. This division consults on issues affecting individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, focusing on improving outcomes and efficiency in Vocational Rehabilitation services.

To achieve the statewide goals above, the Behavioral Health Services Team embraces the following tasks in addressing the targeted needs of persons with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders:

  • Serves as statewide consultant.
  • Monitors and evaluates provision of behavioral health services.
  • Promotes staff development and training.
  • Provides comprehensive supports to develop and implement IPS programs statewide - to include training, ongoing consultation, and fidelity reviews.
  • Reviews and provides updated guidance on VR policies.
  • Identifies services strengths, weaknesses, needs, and goals.
  • Promotes, enhances, and expands new service development.
  • Strengthens/expands community partners and joint efforts.
  • Serves as liaison to community partners and workgroups such as DBHDS, CSBs, NAMI, VOCAL, VADOC
  • Oversees the DBHDS agreement for DARS SUD/SMI services.

Contacts:

Margie Millner
Behavioral Health Services Coordinator
(757)  371-905
margie.millner@dars.virginia.gov

Teri Nunley
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Specialist & Trainer
(757) 634-9267
teri.nunley@dars.virginia.gov


Supported Employment (SE) Services

Supported Employment Services is an individualized approach to assist individuals with disabilities in gaining and maintaining competitive integrated employment. DARS partners with almost 70 CARF accredited Employment Service Organizations in providing situational assessment, job development, placement and training and long term follow along services to eligible individuals who seek to work, regardless of an individual's impairment or disability cause.

Core Principles:

  • Individualized Approach:
    Programs focus on the unique needs, strengths, and interests of each individual, tailoring services accordingly.
  • Competitive and Integrated Employment:
    The goal is to assist individuals to obtain and maintain jobs in typical work environments, alongside people without disabilities, earning comparable wages.
  • Ongoing Support:
    Services are provided for as long as needed to ensure job retention and career advancement.
  • Community Integration:
    Supported employment promotes community integration by ensuring that individuals with disabilities are able to participate in the workforce and contribute to society.

Services Provided:

  • Situational Assessment:
    Evaluating an individual's skills, interests, and abilities to determine suitable employment options.
  • Job Development:
    Assisting individuals in finding and securing employment opportunities, including job searching, resume preparation, and interview skills training.
  • Job Coaching:
    Providing on-site support and training to help individuals learn job skills, adapt to the workplace, and resolve any challenges they may encounter.
  • Follow-Along Support:
    Continuing to provide support after initial employment to ensure job retention and career advancement.
  • Benefits Counseling:
    Assisting individuals by approved WISA's with understanding and managing their benefits, such as Social Security and Medicaid, to ensure that employment does not negatively impact their financial security.
  • Advocacy:
    Supporting individuals in advocating for their rights and needs in the workplace.

Contact:

Anita Mundy
Supported Employment Services & Long-Term Follow Along Services Manager
(757) 793-9349
anita.mundy@dars.virginia.gov



Real Pay for Real Jobs EPIC Model Project

The Real Pay for Real Jobs (RPRJ) EPIC model Project is a demonstration project funded through the Rehabilitation Services Administration. The RPRJ EPIC project amplifies DARS’ traditional vocational rehabilitation services for individuals who have previously been directed toward sub-minimum wage, sheltered employment: working in facilities designed only for people with disabilities, with little to no opportunities for advancement.


The RPRJ EPIC project provides additional tools to help people with disabilities access Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE):

  • employment that pays wages at, or above minimum wage and comparable to wages earned by people without disabilities doing the same work
  • employment in environments that provide interaction with people with and without disabilities
  • employment that provides for opportunities for growth and advancement

The RPRJ EPIC project provides participants with the following resources:

  • Peer Mentoring: EPIC participants gain information, insight and support regarding CIE from an individual with a disability who has lived experience.
  • Family Navigation: EPIC participants’ family members or care givers can gain support and information to assist the participant in pursuing CIE through interaction with other families with lived experience.
  • Integrated Resource Teams: The EPIC participant and their VR Counselor build and coordinate a team of resources and supports designed to assist the individual in pursuing their individual goals for employment. This team works to support the individual by collaboratively troubleshooting the participant’s individual barriers to employment, so they can reach their goals.
  • Paid Work Experience: The EPIC participant and their VR Counselor can work together to build short term opportunities to experience CIE. These experiences allow individuals to better understand their goals, interests, strengths, preferences, and needs related to pursuing CIE through their own lived experience. Paid Work Experiences provide for the assistance of an experienced employment specialist who can provide training, coaching, and supports as needed by the participant.

The Real Pay for Real Jobs EPIC Model is currently available to qualifying vocational rehabilitation participants in DARS’ Capitol and Southwest Districts.

For more information and to find out please talk with the EPIC District Coordinator in your area: Capitol District: Donna Grumiaux Southwest District: Ingrid Gagnon