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Virginia

In 1991, St. John’s Community Services (SJCS) began providing community-based services in Virginia and currently serves people with disabilities in Northern Virginia and Loudoun County. SJCS-VA provides the highest standards of services to people with disabilities and their families.  All SJCS-VA services are CARF accredited, the internationally recognized accreditation body. Contact SJCS-VA>

Services for Adults

COMMUNITY LIVING SERVICES

Community Living Services are provided in homes and apartments in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties for people with disabilities and their families to make choices regarding the communities in which they will live, the type of housing, and their housemates.  In community living, while the concepts of choice and self-direction are the driving force, the health and safety of the people supported is given careful consideration.  Staff are highly trained and well supervised.  Staffing is provided according to the need of the person served and can vary from drop-in to 24-hour care. 

While the homes or apartments are usually owned or leased by SJCS, they “belong” to the individuals who live in them, not to the agency.  Accordingly, individuals are encouraged to participate in the management and care of their home and are encouraged to participate in their community, with staff support as needed.  Residents determine which skills they would like to acquire and what personal goals they are interested in achieving.  Staff assists them to meet those goals and also learn skills needed to maintain a home, care for themselves and to be good housemates and neighbors.  They also utilize community resources such as banks and shops and fully participate in community life.  Residents may also participate in Community Participation and/or Supported Employment Services (see below) during the weekdays.  SJCS-VA continues to expand Community Living Services throughout Virginia.

As part of Community Living Services, SJCS-VA also supports adults with developmental and other disabilities, who require various levels of support to live in their natural home environments and actively participate in the community.  These services include drop-in or friendly-visitor counseling to more intensive support, monitoring, training and in-home supports.  Services are based on the needs of the participant and are provided on a one-to-one staff ratio so that each participant receives maximum individualized service.  Overnight care may be provided on an occasional basis.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SERVICES

Consistent with the concept of self-direction, and unlike many more traditional day support programs, Community Participation Services (Options for Community Inclusion (OpCo) and Loudoun Day Support) is a “program without walls.”  According to expressed interests and preferences, people with disabilities become involved in their communities in a manner that allows them to develop relationships, skills, abilities and an improved sense of personal value.  Staff supports individuals to learn new skills through community activities such as shopping, banking, using library services and other individualized activities. 

Participants can also choose to volunteer in their community while building a résumé for future employment.  SJCS-VA has established a network of non-profit, volunteer sites at which individuals can choose to donate their time doing activities such as bagging food for homebound individuals, folding laundry for maternity wards at local hospitals, and visiting with nursing home patients.  At the same time, they are working on personal goals as well as cognitive, social, communication and motor skills that will help them participate fully in the community.

Through these volunteer efforts, participants develop relationships with people without disabilities and gain self-esteem through helping others.  Participants also develop work ethics and job skills that could lead to employment opportunities. Staff supervision is provided at all times in this unique program.

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA (SENVA)

Supported employment services in Northern Virginia are provided for a diverse population, including people with intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health issues, visual impairments, autism, traumatic brain injuries as well as welfare recipients and people who have had strokes.  Working in the community is an important part of any individual’s life.  With the help of the local community, St. John’s creates opportunities for individuals with disabilities who want to explore the world of work.  Employment Specialists work directly with individuals and their family, as appropriate, and with employers to assist with sound matching and a positive work experience. 

As individuals explore their job interests and express preferences, staff work with them to determine the support needed for the person to do the job successfully. Once an employment goal is established by the individual, the Employment Specialist assists the person to attain the job; provides on-the-job training for the individual, his or her employer and co-workers; and gives on-going support as needed, as well as career development. 

Supported Employment of Northern Virginia (SENVA) has supported people with disabilities in successful job experiences at many companies, including: