The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia serves people with disabilities in our region through several programs, including these training and resource opportunities spearheaded by our own staff.
Advocacy, Rights, and Justice
Applying for Benefits
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An ECNV Benefits Enrollment Counselor will work with you one on one to help you complete the various eligibility forms for several entitlement programs that include, but are not limited to:
Medicare Part D, Low Income Subsidy (LIS)
Medicare Savings Program (MSP)
Medicaid
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and
Energy Share (Utility assistance)
Other benefits programs ,as needed.
To request assistance with benefits or make a referral, please fill out our Benefits Enrollment Center Referral Form.
Bienvenidos
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Para más información contáctenos en info@ecnv.org
COVID-19 Response
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Contact ECNV for help to get your shot today!
People with disabilities are at greater risk of getting very sick or dying from COVID-19. Don’t become a statistic. Get protection from the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot. We are here to help you access the COVID-19 vaccine and booster you need.
Help Us Host a Covid-19 Vaccination Pop-Up
The Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative, powered by USAging, has teamed up with the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) to provide easy access to Covid-19 and flu vaccines. In partnership with Walgreens, we are able to provide these vaccines at pop-up vaccination clinics at no cost through insurance or a federal vaccination program for the uninsured.
This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)) through USAging as part of a financial assistance award to USAging totaling $74,999,835 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, nor an endorsement, by USAging, ACL/ HHS or the U.S. Government
For more information contact us at info@ecnv.org
Durable Medical Equipment
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Items must be clean, complete, and in working order. ECNV cannot accept DME donations for items that are soiled, incomplete or missing parts, or not working. Powered equipment that has lost its charge must be charged and tested before ECNV will accept it as a donation.
The following items that meet the above requirements should be accepted as donations and may be dropped off to ECNV, so long as space allows. ECNV reserves the right to refuse any equipment.
Manual wheelchairs
Rollators and other walkers
Canes
Knee Scooters
Commodes
Shower benches
Power wheelchairs in working order, with all equipment and provided with a charged battery and all charging equipment.
Portable ramps no longer than four feet.
Consumables:
New, sealed catheters
New, sealed diapers or similar incontinence products
The following items may be accepted on a tentative basis to our DME Link program. DME Link provides donors a 60 day window where ECNV will seek recipients for their equipment. The donor will hold onto the item(s) during this time. ECNV CANNOT pick up or accept items designated for DME Link. If a recipient is located, ECNV will connect the recipient and donor to arrange the exchange or delivery of the donated item(s) directly. Items not selected or exchanged after 60 days will be removed from the availability list. Donors whose items are not taken within 60 days may ask ECNV to extend their items for an additional 60 days if they wish to continue to try to offer them for donation.
Hospital beds
Recliner chairs, lifting chairs
Hoyer lifts
Stair lifts
Other large DME items that we cannot transport or store
If you need durable medical equipment from the above items, or would like to donate these items, please contact our team by e-mail at info@ecnv.org with a list of donations or requests. If you are unable to e-mail, you can contact us by phone at 703-525-3268.
If you live outside of our service area or are interested in donating an item we cannot accept or receiving an item that we do not have, we encourage you to contact the Virginia AT Reuse network at https://www.vats.virginia.gov/ATrecycling.htm.
Housing & Home Modifications
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There are several grants available to serve renters, homeowners, and veterans and service members. Typical modifications include ramps, chairlifts, remote entry devices, physical modifications of kitchens, bathrooms, and doorways, but eligible modifications can include any home modification that improves accessibility and independence for people with disabilities in the home they live in.
You can review details of each of the grant programs below:
Granting Freedom– Disabled Veterans and service members
Owner-Occupied Modification– Homeowners at or below 80% Area Median Income
Rental Unit Accessibility Modification (RUAM)– Renters at or below 80% Area Median Income
Reach out to ECNV today at info@ecnv.org or 703-525-3268 to inquire about a Virginia Housing Accessibility Grant!
Information and Referral
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Our I&R team is ready to provide information on community resources for people with disabilities, refer you to the right person on ECNV’s staff, or connect you with a local organization or agency that can provide what you need. Contact our I&R Team directly at info@ecnv.org or 703-525-3268.
Living on Your Own
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Leaving Institutional Settings
ECNV provides support and assistance to those wanting to leave a nursing home, rehabilitation center, hospital or other inpatient facility.
Securing Personal Assistance Services (PAS)
What is personal assistance services?
Personal assistance services (PAS) are direct support services or supervision that help a disabled person with their daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, laundry, light housekeeping, meal preparation, access to the community, or assistance with tasks at work or postsecondary school.
ECNV’s Personal Assistance Services (PAS) registry is a resource list for consumers and their families to help them find a personal assistant/attendant/aide.
Medicaid Waivers—Personal assistance is funded by Cardinal Care (Virginia Medicaid) for those who qualify and can be serviced through a home health agency or self-directed.
Commonwealth Coordinator Care (CCC) Plus Waiver
To qualify, you must be 65+ years old or disabled and meet the eligibility criteria
To request a screening, contact your local screener:
Fairfax County/City of Fairfax/City of Falls Church
Under 18yrs old—Coordinated Services Planning (703) 222-0880
18yrs old and older—Aging & Adult Services (703) 324-7948
City of Alexandria
Under 18yrs old—Health Department (571) 213-7963
18yrs old and older—Aging & Adult Services (703) 746-5999 (ask for the social worker on call)
Arlington County
Under 18yrs old—Office of Public Health—Julie Frederickson (703) 228-1278 or email referral to infowaiver@arlingtonva.us
18yrs old and older—Adult Services (703) 228-1783
Loudoun County
Department of Family Services—Sarah Washington (703) 777-0353, Loudoun County Health & Human Services
Indicate that you would like to request a screening for the CCC Plus Medicaid Waiver (many localities may still refer to it as the EDCD Waiver)
You will get transferred to the correct department and will likely do a short phone interview where the worker will ask preliminary questions to see if the individual could qualify for services.
If the worker determines that further assessment is necessary, then they will schedule a for a time to do an in-home assessment.
Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waivers
To qualify, you must have a diagnosed developmental disability that onset before the age of 22.
To apply, contact your local Community Services Board (CSB):
Fairfax County (703) 324-4400
City of Alexandria (703) 746-5999
Arlington County (703) 228-1700
Loudoun County (703) 777-0597
You will be assessed for your eligibility and asked questions to assess your urgency of need.
If you qualify, you will be put on a waiting list. Based on the type of services you need, you will be awarded one of the 3 DD Waivers.
More information can be found on the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) website.
PAS programs managed by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
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ECNV offers this five-part training to help people with disabilities understand and manage money. Eligibility is open to FIS Waiver and DARS referrals as well as anyone interested in expanding their knowledge about money. Virtual classes will take place on Wednesdays from 4-5pm, January 8 – February 5, 2025. Registration is required and closes December 20. Use our Online Registration Form to sign up today! Participants must be Northern Virginia residents.
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ECNV is offering a new training series for people with disabilities who want to live on their own. These classes will help participants build skills and understanding in the key areas of living independently: cooking and meal preparation, daily routine, stress management, travel training, budgeting and money management, self-advocacy, and more! Classes will be led by ECNV’s Independent Living Specialists and include both classroom instruction, group activities, and hands on experiences and field trips. These classes are led by and for people with disabilities and participants will also participate alongside peers and develop social skills and build relationships as they work through the course.
Visit the Program Page.
Youth Programs and Support
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In these groups, with a trusted volunteer facilitator, participants can expect to help one another in a friendly and encouraging environment. Participants may be working or desiring to work on any number of personal issues that include employment, housing, and uncovering additional community resources, while generating new ideas and thoughts from the experiences of their peers to share, and to solve problems and increase their independence. To volunteer to facilitate a group, complete our Volunteer Interest Form, to join as a group participant, email info@ecnv.org or call us at 703-525-3268.
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The IASA Program is a Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) focused on helping students with disabilities, ages 14-22, improve their skills in self-advocacy through a combination of group and individual meetings. Students are paired with a peer mentor as they navigate the following topics:
Self-Awareness
Disability Awareness and Disclosure
Self-Determination
Disability Rights and Responsibilities
Assertiveness
Allies
Advocacy
Students interested in participating in the IASA Program should talk to their special education teacher or Employment and Transition Representative (ETR) at their school for assistance. Alternatively, reach out to your local DARS office to get started. All referrals must come from DARS.
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RAMP is a Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) that promotes the successful transition to employment, post-secondary education and training, and independent living. This eight-month program combines individual sessions with mentors, group sessions, guest speakers, worksite visits, and volunteer opportunities to create a unique learning experience. Participating students will complete the following activities throughout the program:
Career Assessments
Community Mapping
Career Road Maps
Mock Interviews
Interviews with Professionals
Career Projects
Students interested in participating in RAMP should talk to their special education teacher or Employment and Transition Representative (ETR) at their school for assistance. Alternatively, reach out to your local DARS office to get started. All referrals must come from DARS.
Travel Training and Community Orientation
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What you will learn:
Wayfinding – You’ve gotten off the Metro at Reston Town Center, now what? We can show you how to use different tools to be able to navigate and walk, bike, roll, or whatever you need to do to get from where you are looking to go.
Safety First – Your parent is worried that you can’t travel independently. You are not sure whether this is the right bus. You missed your stop. Having the freedom to take the bus independently is a big step. We will listen to any concerns you have and plot out the easiest and safest way to get to where you want to go and back again. We will keep practicing with you and walk through different scenarios until you are comfortable and confident you can travel to where you want to go independently,
Trip and Route planning – Want to plan your own trip now that you’ve got the skills to ride the bus and metro? ECNV Travel Trainers can help you use the tools at your disposal to plan your own trips independently.
Advocacy and Access to WMATA Disability Services – We can help you to apply for Metro Access, Disability Reduced Fare, or obtain a Senior Smartrip Card (age 65+). We can coach you to advocate for your needs and guide you on how to use those services.
Bicycle Route Training – Have a bike or e-bike? We can help you learn to utilize multi-modal transportation options. You will have more flexibility if you can ride your bike to a bus stop, properly secure it, and safely navigate on bike paths, safe biking lanes, and sidewalks where allowed. We can also coach you on how to be safe and smart using your electric bike to tackle more hills and miles more easily than a regular bike.
Driver Confidence Assistance – Licensed to drive in Virginia, but need to boost your confidence? ECNV staff can accompany you as you drive to help build confidence.
If your disability makes it so that some of the time you are not able to take the bus and Metro, ECNV travel trainers can also help navigate the Metro Access Application, which enables the door-to-door transportation throughout the Northern VA, DC, and DC suburbs of VA area covered by WMATA.
Please fill out our Travel Training Referral Form to request Travel Training or make a referral for someone else.