Information & Referral

Information & Referral

We answer your questions

When people with disabilities and their families have questions, we are happy to help them locate services, navigate challenging situations, and share helpful tips. We believe in the empowerment of families through education, information, and resource sharing.

need specific info?

The Arc of Northern Virginia’s Information and Referral program helps families to navigate the complex and often confusing disability service system.

We value deep listening as a means to understanding the needs of each family and individual. Our approach is based on respect for individuals and families, and recognition of their expertise, diversity, unique characteristics, and cultural and spiritual values.

We listen

We recognize the particulary level of knowledge and expertise of each family and individual, and partner with them to identify supports and resources for their unique situation.

We respect

We offer a wide scope of resources and information, in a variety of formats, to educate people with disabilities, parents, and families. Our goal is to help families understand the support systems that help someone with IDD live a meaningful life in their community.

We inform

Ask us anything about the world of developmental disabilities. You’ll get a personal follow-up response from an expert staff member to help you find the answers you need and a point of contact for future follow-up questions.

We answer questions

Beyond answering questions, support for problem solving may include a referral to another community organization. We partner with many other local, state and national organizations, and can connect people with those resources as appropriate.

We make connections

Top 10 Disability Planning Tools

A Webinar in 3 Minutes: In this three-minute webinar we go over the Top Ten Things You Can Do to Plan for Your Future with a Disability.

Getting a Medicaid DD Waiver in Virginia

A Webinar in 3 Minutes: This webinar provides quick information on what you will need to know and do if you’ve been awarded a Developmental Disability (DD) Waiver in Virginia.

What is a "Waiver?"

A Webinar in 3 Minutes: Learn what a Medicaid “waiver” is and how it can provide long-term supports for your child with a disability.

Exploring Supported Decision Making

A Webinar in 3 Minutes: This three minute video will explore the basic principles of Supported Decision Making, including what Supported Decision Making is, who can use it, and how to set up your own Supported Decision Making agreement.

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BUILD YOUR KNOWLEDGE – EXPLORE OUR RESOURCES

We know that good decisions require good data and information. That’s why our website provides more than 200 how-to guides, articles, and tools to help you understand the complexities of disability services and programs. Below you can find articles, fact sheets, training materials, webinars, and videos on key topics.

Resource Library

We’ve curated a ‘one-stop shop’ full of fact sheets, one-pagers, handouts, guidebooks, and FAQ’s. These guides and documents contain a wealth of information, and we are constantly adding new resources to the library. Be sure to bookmark the link so you can easily find the information whenever you need it.

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Instructional Videos & Webinar Recordings

Our YouTube channel is filled with recorded webinars and helpful video tutorials to help you hear and see answers to your most difficult questions. There are over 100 videos posted, on a dynamic range of subjects.

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Glossary of Terms

Do you struggle with disability services terminology? You’re not the first, and you’re certainly not alone. The acronyms alone can be confusing. That’s why we’ve put together this glossary. Here you’ll find some key terms that relate to the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) community.

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Provider Directory

Our online database for families and professionals to find disability providers and resources in Northern Virginia and the surrounding area.

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NEED MORE HELP? – ASK YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers! Ask us anything about the world of developmental disabilities, and you’ll get an immediate response with links to some of our most commonly used resources. Then you’ll get a personal follow-up response from an expert staff member to help you find anything you need and give you a point of contact for future questions.
Fill out our Information & Referral Portal form below. Tell us about your specific situation, and what exact information you’re looking for. Our staff closely monitors these requests, and will respond as quickly as possible.
This portal is always the fastest way to reach us and ask a question, so fire away! We aim to reply within a day or two, but due to the nature of our work, it may take longer on rare occasions.

Testimonials

Expressions of gratitude from those who have been helped by our work

“Lucy Beadnell is a gem and such a fantastic resource. She always responds quickly, and will deftly answer a question. She has a lovely way of making caregivers feel seen and heard. Over the years we’ve relied on Lucy as she helps to guide us on our journey. I don’t know how we’d do it without the Arc. Thank you.”

Jen Tucker

“The Arc of Northern Virginia is a friend and a defender, not only for my daughter but for all those challenged with Intellectual Disability. The staff does a tremendous job, and it is just amazing to witness all the progress which has been made under their leadership. For sure I am a big fan. ”

Ed O’Brien

Father of Shana

“Zachary enjoys using the Tech for Independent Living (TFIL) app to help him learn to cook. He especially enjoys making muffins which he can now make independently. He is also using life skills apps to gain independence. Thank you Tech for Independent Living team for making such a valuable app.”

Alex Yellin

Father of Zach Yellin

“Every time I run out of options for solving a need for my adult intellectually-disabled son, The Arc of Northern Virginia has provided a pathway for help. Without this organization, our lives would be much more difficult.”

Esther Baldiva

Mother of Nick Baldiva

“My son has had case management with The Arc of Northern Virginia for a number of years and it has made all the difference. The Arc of Northern Virginia, with its wonderful group of case managers, has simply been one of the best things to ever happen to us.”

Jenni Blick

“I highly recommend The Arc of Northern Virginia for their exceptional advocacy for individuals with intellectual disabilities.”

The Carlucci Family

Parents of Phillip

Support Us

Your support makes our work possible

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Arc of Northern Virginia relies on private support from individuals, corporations, organizations, and foundations to fund our efforts. Your generous donations help make it possible for us to provide programs, services, and advocacy so that people with IDD can live “A Life Like Yours.”

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