Community Services
Empowering Authentic Communities
At Virginia Therapeutic Network (VATN), our mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities to achieve their authentic life values through personalized, multidisciplinary support. We specialize in therapeutic consultation for individuals with Virginia ID/DD waivers, while also offering school consultation, professional development, and community-building programs. Whether you engage with us briefly or over time, we are dedicated to tailoring our services to meet your unique needs and helping you take charge of your journey. By fostering continuous learning, providing comprehensive training, and investing in our local Virginia community, we aim to create a thriving environment where everyone can grow, succeed, and live meaningful lives. Together, we build stronger communities.
About Community Services at VATN
Community Coaching at VATN empowers individuals with disabilities to build meaningful lives through skill development, confidence, and connection. Our program is designed to help each person engage fully in their community—whether that means learning to navigate social settings, managing daily tasks, or pursuing new personal goals.
Guided by trained coaches, participants receive individualized support that encourages greater independence, social inclusion, and personal growth. We focus on person-centered planning, meeting individuals where they are, and helping them identify and reach the goals that matter most to them.
At VATN, we believe that progress happens in partnership. Our team works collaboratively with families, caregivers, and community partners to create opportunities for participants to learn, contribute, and thrive.
Coming
Soon!
Our Community Services
1
Community Engagement
Community engagement is a small-group service that supports people with developmental disabilities to build skills and relationships in typical community settings, like parks, stores, libraries, and volunteer sites. It uses real-world experiences to increase independence, social connections, and community participation.
2
Community Coaching
Community coaching is a one-to-one service that helps a person learn specific skills they need to safely and successfully be part of their community. It focuses on teaching and practicing targeted goals—such as communication, safety, or navigating places—until the person can participate more independently.
3
Community Guide
Community guide is a service that helps a person discover, connect with, and use non-Medicaid community resources that match their interests and goals. It focuses on exploring options, making introductions, and supporting the person to build natural supports and rely less on paid services over time.
Coming
Soon!
COMMUNITY SERVICE INTAKE PROCESS
Referral
Getting started with Virginia Therapeutic Network is simple and exciting! Begin by filling out our Referral Form, conveniently located at the top right corner of every page. This quick form helps us understand your needs and how we can best support you. Once submitted, our dedicated intake coordinator will promptly reach out to guide you through the next steps.
Authorization
After submitting your intake forms, we’ll work alongside your Support Coordinator to gather all documentation needed for service authorization. Our team prepares a comprehensive support plan and submits the authorization request to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) for review. DBHDS carefully evaluates your submitted information to ensure all clinical qualifications, regulations, and documentation requirements are met before approving services; you and your coordinator will be promptly informed once authorization is granted so you can begin your customized treatment journey.
Intake Forms
After your referral is accepted, we’ll initiate the authorization process with your Support Coordinator by your side every step of the way! While waiting for approval, you’ll complete two essential forms: the Release of Information and the Service Intake Packet. These forms ensure we have everything needed to tailor our services to your unique goals.
Begin Services
Once authorization is approved, your journey officially begins! Your clinician or clinical team (if receiving multiple services) will contact you to schedule an intake meeting. During the first few weeks, you’ll collaborate closely with your clinician to complete a thorough assessment and develop a personalized treatment plan designed to help you thrive.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Community Coaching?
Community coaching is a one-to-one waiver service that helps a person build specific skills in real community settings so they can move toward participating in regular community activities. It focuses on teaching skills to address barriers (like safety, communication, or behavior) and includes routine and safety supports while the person learns to be more independent in the community.
What is Community Engagement?
Community engagement is a group-based waiver service that supports people to build skills needed for positive social behavior, relationships, independence, employment, and making choices in typical community life. Services are delivered in community settings (not in licensed day or residential programs or the person’s home) and use the community as a learning environment, with small groups (no more than three people) and opportunities to build natural supports and friendships.
What is Community Guide?
Community guide is a waiver service that provides direct assistance to help a person find and connect with non-Medicaid community resources, such as housing options, local activities, clubs, or faith and civic groups. The service promotes self-determination by researching options, making connections, offering advocacy and informal counseling, and following up to support independent participation and reduce isolation.
Who qualifies for community services?
Community coaching, community guide, and community engagement are available to people enrolled in one of Virginia’s Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waivers (Family and Individual Supports, Community Living, or Building Independence) who meet the specific service criteria. In general, the person must have an eligible developmental disability, meet institutional level-of-care requirements, be screened and approved through the local Community Services Board (CSB), and have a documented need and goals for these services in the person-centered plan.
Where are community services delivered?
Community services are delivered in integrated community locations such as stores, libraries, parks, community centers, workplaces, volunteer sites, and other typical places where people without disabilities spend their time. By rule, community engagement must occur in the community and not in licensed day or residential settings or in the person’s home, and community coaching and community guide are also designed to happen in real community environments connected to the person’s goals.
What is the caregiver’s role?
Caregivers play an important role in sharing information about the person’s strengths, needs, routines, and safety considerations so services can be planned effectively and reflected in the plan for supports. While waiver staff provide the approved service, caregivers help reinforce skills between visits, support follow-through with community opportunities, participate in planning meetings when appropriate, and collaborate with providers to promote consistency and person-centered, community-based outcomes.