Virginians living with brain injury deserve consistent, accessible, and high-quality services no matter where they live. This $1.3 million funding request would strengthen and expand the existing state-contracted safety net for brain injury services, increasing statewide coverage and enhancing programs that many residents rely on.

New funding would support additional case managers, clinical professionals, housing options, and program capacity to meet the growing demand for specialized brain injury services across Virginia. Many programs currently maintain waiting lists and struggle to meet the needs of residents who require intensive, long-term, and highly specialized supports.

As the system expands into more parts of Virginia, this investment would help ensure that services are truly accessible—even in regions where geography, population density, or staffing shortages have made service delivery difficult.

Why This Funding Matters for Virginians Living With Brain Injury

• Rural Virginians are especially impacted. In some localities, one case manager must cover as many as five counties, often serving as the only brain injury professional in an area spanning hundreds to several thousand square miles.
• Urban regions remain underserved as well. In Hampton Roads—Virginia’s second most populated region—only two full-time case managers currently serve the entire area.
• Newly expanded regions need outreach. Communities that only recently gained access to services need increased marketing and engagement so residents know support is available.
• More professional staff are needed statewide. Case managers, Clubhouse/day program staff, licensed counselors, rehabilitation therapists, life-skills specialists, and employment staff are all critical to providing the same level of support commonly available in other disability service systems.
• Recent funding was vetoed. In FY26, the General Assembly appropriated $750,000 to strengthen statewide brain injury services, but the funding was line-item vetoed by the Governor, with a recommendation to reconsider it in the new biennial budget.
• Supportive housing capacity must increase. Additional programmatic support is needed for 22 more supportive housing units, expanding capacity from 14 to 36 residents—a 155% increase—to address Virginia’s shortage of long-term, stable housing for people living with brain injury.

Virginians with brain injury rely on this safety net to live safely, independently, and with dignity in their communities. Strengthening the system now ensures that no resident is left without the services they need.