Rappahannock Area Community Services Board

06/08/2026

As part of our commitment to our community in 2026, our team is taking on a new service project every single month to closely connect our staff to our mission. As , our vision is simple but powerful: spark hope, support hope, and spread hope wherever we can.

For our latest project, we packed 50 Jared Boxes for the young patients at Mary Washington Healthcare!

We specifically focused on packing boxes for toddlers and tweens/teens. Hospital staff shared that these are the two age groups that run lowest on donations, and summer is actually when the need for these boxes peaks.

Our team had a blast filling these boxes with items to bring smiles and comfort during hospital stays. Some of our favorite packing items included:
👶 For the Toddlers: Adorable wooden animals on wheels, board books, and cozy "loveys" (those sweet little security blankets with the stuffed animal heads!).
🎉 For the Tweens & Teens: Challenging craft kits, puzzles, journals, fun socks, fidget toys, jewelry and word games like Mad Libs, crosswords, and word finds.

Want to be a HopeStarter, too?
Mary Washington Hospital can always use more love and distraction for their youngest patients, especially during the summer months. Gathering friends, family, or coworkers to pack Jared Boxes is an easy, incredibly rewarding way to give back right here in our community.
Through The Jared Box Project, you can start hope this way even if you're not here in Fredericksburg. Check out https://thejaredbox.org to learn how to bring comfort and joy to children in hospitals near you.

06/05/2026

🚒👨‍🚒Shout out to Spotsylvania County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management! Thank you so much for stopping by a recent cookout at our Churchill Drive Group Home. The partygoers--people served by our Developmental Disability Residential Services, caretakers, guardians, and friends--loved seeing the firetruck and meeting firefighters.
And while they had a blast checking out the truck, this was more than a party trick. Getting familiar with firetrucks and firefighters outside of emergencies makes those crises less frightening when they do happen.
Thank you so much for being such good neighbors and for taking time out of your busy day to visit with us! 👨‍🚒🚒

06/05/2026

After nearly three decades of service, we recently gathered to celebrate the retirement of Jen Acors, Coordinator of Support Coordination!

For 28 years, Jen has been an advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities and a mentor to countless support coordinators.

To say she is a "guru" is an understatement. Jen mastered the incredibly complex world of developmental disability Medicaid waivers—a system that can be overwhelming for families to navigate, but is life-changing. Thanks to Jen’s expertise and guidance, thousands of local families secured the crucial waivers needed for respite care, day support, residential funding, and so much more. She didn’t understand just the paperwork; she understood the impact it had on people's lives.

Jen, thank you for leaving our community so much brighter and stronger than you found it. We will miss your wisdom, your leadership, and your heart, but we wish you the absolute best as you step into this next well-deserved chapter! ✨

06/03/2026

Starting July 1, there is an important change to the guardianship process.

New Virginia Law: Voting Rights Under Guardianship

Historically in Virginia, if a guardian was proposed and appointed for someone with a disability, voting rights were removed unless an argument was made to keep them. As of July 1, 2026, the law is changing.

Now when a guardian is appointed, voting rights will be kept unless an explanation is given to the Court on why they need to be removed.

If your voting rights have been removed, you can work with an attorney to file a petition with the court to get them back or file a layperson’s petition to do this. (This is not a new law.)

Have questions? Ask The Arc of Northern Virginia, disAbility Law Center of Virginia, or REV UP Virginia.

Read about the new law at https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/sb34.

06/02/2026

Recovery is all about the hard, rewarding work of taking the pieces and building something even stronger than before. 🏗️✨In Remodeled Recovery, you'll discover tools to help you rebuild your life on a firm foundation.
Since we’re 100% online, you can join the "work site" from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Whether you’re just clearing the site or you’re already putting up the walls, there is a place for you here. Let’s design a life you’re proud to live in. 🏡
Ready to join the crew?
Mondays, 12:30-1:30 p.m. via Teams
Find login info and other details, https://rappahannockareacsb.org/support-groups/

06/02/2026

💙 A New Chapter in a Loving Home! 🏡 When you choose sponsored placement for your loved one with a developmental disability, you get more than a home. Sponsored Placement provides personalized, holistic support in a nurturing, family-style environment.
We have an opening in Spotsylvania County, with a provider who is an experienced nurse with more than 15 years in home healthcare and nursing facilities. The home features plenty of natural light, a modern kitchen, and a spacious deck.
Reach out today to see if this home would be a good fit:
📞 540-376-8500
💻 www.rappahannockareacsb.org/sponsored-placement

06/01/2026

Everyone deserves support, understanding, and a chance to thrive.
During Pride Month, we're spreading hope by recognizing the importance of mental health in the LGBTQ+ community. Research shows that LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, often due to experiences such as stigma, discrimination, rejection, or social isolation.
The good news is that support matters. Connection matters. Hope matters.
So, we're sharing a few mental health tips that can help LGBTQ+ individuals navigate difficult emotions, build resilience, and prioritize their well-being.
If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that help is available. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and no one has to face life's challenges alone.

05/31/2026

Can you guess the year? 🕸️💻
In honor of Web Designer Day, we’re taking a trip down memory lane! Our website has been our digital front door since 1998, and let’s just say… fashion isn't the only thing that has changed over the last 28 years.

We’ve pulled 8 screenshots from our archives.
The Challenge: Match the screenshot number to the correct year!

The Years:
1998 | 2006 | 2010 | 2012 | 2016 | 2018 | 2021 | 2026

Drop your guesses in the comments below! 👇 We’ll post the "Answer Key" in the comments tomorrow.

05/30/2026

You don’t need to be an "artist" to be creative. 🎨✨

Happy ! Today, let's debunk the myth that creativity must start with a special skillset or end with a masterpiece.

Creativity is simply the act of making a new connection. It’s a tool for healing, a way to process our emotions, and a path to mental wellness that is accessible to every single one of us. Whether it’s a doodle on a napkin, a new recipe, or a quiet moment of mindfulness—it all counts.

Check out our latest blog post to learn how creativity can support your mental health journey and how you can boost your creativity, plus eight exercises and five prompts to get you started.
https://rappahannockareacsb.org/the-healing-power-of-making/