Virginia to receive $10 million in stimulus funds for disabled children

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Virginia is getting $10 million in federal stimulus funds to aid services for children with disabilities.

"By allowing Virginia to retain people in the helping professions of early intervention, while upgrading our service delivery systems, we can expect better outcomes for kids and families," said Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.

Richmond-area recipients include: $360,486 to the Chesterfield Community Services Board; $103,845 to the Goochland-Powhatan Community Services Board; $572,065 to the Henrico Area Mental Health & Retardation Services Board; $138,667 to the District 19 Community Services Board; $108,788 to Hanover Schools; and $336,568 to the Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Infant Council.

Also in Richmond, the central office of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services is to receive $300,000 for an infant and toddler online tracking system, $500,000 for work force development and $300,000 for centralized billing.

Eighty percent of the $10 million will be used to increase service capacity and to retain jobs for early-intervention providers statewide. The other funds will be used to develop state and local data systems; increase training for early-intervention providers; monitor the transition of children from early-intervention programs to preschool special education programs in public schools and to ensure compliance with regulations.