This is the ninth Annual Mortality Report of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services (DBHDS). The information contained in this report is based on reviews of the deaths of individuals with a developmental disability that occurred during state fiscal year (SFY) 2023, as reported in the DBHDS incident reporting systems. SFY 2023 covers July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

As of January 5, 2023(*1), there were 16,295 individuals enrolled on a Virginia Developmental Disability (DD) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver(*2). DBHDS authorizes many specialized services to thousands of residents for the following waivers: Community Living, Family and Individual Supports, and Building Independence.

As a commitment to the Commonwealth of Virginia the DBHDS Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Mortality Review Committee (MRC or Committee) contribute to system of care improvements through integration of clinical evidence, data driven determinations, and evidenced-based quality improvement recommendations. Deaths of all individuals who were receiving a service licensed by DBHDS 90 days before the date of death and diagnosed with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) are reviewed.

Analysis of the mortality trends, patterns, and problems can identify opportunities for system improvements that reduce risks to all individuals with IDD receiving behavioral health and/or developmental services. On an ongoing basis, DBHDS seeks to prevent instances of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and unexplained or unexpected death by identifying and addressing relevant factors during mortality reviews. Mortality review determinations are then utilized to develop quality improvement initiatives in order to reduce mortality rates to the fullest extent practicable.
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(*1) January 5,2023 was selected as a point in time for the middle of the SFY.
(*2) Virginia Waiver Management System. Accessed by DBHDS on December 7, 2023.