Virginia has studied supported decision-making in 2014, 2019, and, again, in 2020. In 2022 the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) created a workgroup to help with the development of the supported decision-making agreement (SDMA) template and protocol to address abuse and exploitation of individuals using SDMAs. Since then, DBHDS has focused on increasing the public’s awareness of supported decision-making and SDMAs throughout Virginia by conducting trainings and building partnerships with stakeholders who interact with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). From July 2024 through June 2025 (fiscal year 2025) 29 training sessions were conducted, reaching over 1,750 individuals with IDD, parents/caregivers/ family members of individuals with IDD, practitioners, educators, waiver providers, those in the medical field, and more.

Training sessions covered the following topics:

• An Overview of Supported Decision-Making and Supported Decision-Making Agreements

• An Overview of Decision-Making Options in Virginia

• Risk and Supported Decision-Making

• Supported Decision-Making and Ethics

Additionally, the following recommendations remain from the 2022 Supported Decision-Making

Workgroup and feedback from constituents and stakeholders over the past fiscal year:

1. Explore other sources for data collection.

2. Make recommendations for updating the existing Virginia Code § 37.2-314.3 to reflect more person-centered wording and clarify roles and responsibilities of each member of an SDMA.

3. Make recommendations for expanding codification of SDMAs in the form of an SDM Act, similar to other states, in order to expand the use of SDMAs to other disability populations.

4. Ensure written information and forms are available in other languages, different reading levels, and in alternate formats to increase accessibility and utilization.

5. Investigate the implementation of a uniform tool for capacity evaluations.

6. Explore the implementation of a volunteer Supporter program.

Supported decision-making and SDMAs are an integral piece to increasing autonomy and self-determination for individuals with disabilities. Continuing to provide education and training and removing barriers to the use of supported decision-making and SDMAs as opposed to more restrictive alternatives, will play an important part in increasing utilization. Additionally, continued outreach and training targeted to those who interact with or support individuals with disabilities, will help more individuals live independent, person-centered lives.