Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
 
Board
Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
 
Guidance Document Change: The Virginia State Plan for Aging Services is required by the Older Americans Act (OAA, specifically 42 U.S.C. § 3027) and state law (specifically § 51.5-136 of the Code of Virginia). DARS creates one comprehensive plan that serves these dual federal and state purposes. In 2023, DARS issued its current Virginia State Plan for Aging Services (October 1, 2023-September 30, 2027). Since that time, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) has issued revised federal OAA regulations (45 CFR Part 1321) and new State Plan Guidance (OMB # 0985-0083) that requires states to update their current State Plans by October 1, 2025. DARS has drafted amendments to the current State Plan to bring it into compliance with new federal regulations and State Plan Guidance. The following sections have been revised: Letter from the Secretary of Health and Human Resources; Letter from the DARS Commissioner; Verification of Intent; Attachment A: Assurances; and Attachment B: Information Requirements. Attachment B includes Virginia’s intentions for Grab and Go meals and Program Development and Coordination Activities (PDCA). The following sections have been added: Attachment D: Geographic Services Boundaries and Attachment E: Evidence of Public Comment. The following section has been removed: Appendix 6: Listing of Area Agencies on Aging, which is now contained in the new Attachment D. As required by federal regulations and ACL’s State Plan Guidance, DARS will also be hosting a virtual public hearing on the draft amended State Plan on April 11, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. For more information on the virtual public hearing, including how to register, please visit: https://vda.virginia.gov/stateplans.htm.

2 comments

All comments for this forum
Back to List of Comments
3/30/25  9:35 pm
Commenter: Jennifer C Witteborg

Access for Deaf/ hard of hearing and Blind/DeafBlind
 

State Plan for Aging services/ Older American Act Regulations 

The number of Deaf ASL users is small and yet the number of Deaf /hard of hearing people/people with hearing loss is enormous - (even if they may deny their hearing status). 

EVERY VIDEO, EVERY Services, EVERY THING should be accessible in text and ASL and other languages as well. 

It's exhausting to try and advocate for myself to get captions and/or ASL interpreters for events including Elderly. 

This has to improve

CommentID: 233381
 

4/21/25  1:29 pm
Commenter: Vic Nicholls

Singles, local collaboration
 

The single/never married group is going to grow larger. Is is possible to review options for them? These will be workers of all backgrounds and economic areas. 

A big problem I've seen is small, home grown, charities, that get food or other items from larger entities, have more and more problems with the donations. Especially in terms of produce, the variety and freshness is not what it was. 

Some local entities are not always favorably disposed to local charities. 

Will some of the cities with health/recreation programs give discounts to older adults, especially if they're from surrounding communities where there are not as many services? Roanoke, for example, would have more resources than, Weyers' Cave, for example. 

Any ideas about partnering with small, in home, adult care? 

CommentID: 233799