RACSB Opening New Respite Group Home for Adults with an Intellectual Disability

The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) will host an open house at the new Myers Drive Respite Group Home on Thursday, October 10, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The community is encouraged to attend. The newly renovated home will provide a new, local respite program for adults with an intellectual disability.

Due to the limited parking available near the home, attendees are encouraged to park at the White Oak Rescue Squad, located at 535 White Oak Road. RACSB will provide a van shuttle service from the White Oak Rescue Squad to the Myers Drive Respite Group Home (vehicles with lifts will be utilized).

In 2012, RACSB partnered with Doris Buffett’s Sunshine Lady Foundation to purchase 10 Myers Drive, located in the Kendallwood East subdivision in South Stafford County. Over the past year, the home has been renovated and expanded into a six-bed Respite Group Home for adults with an intellectual disability. The home will provide 24-hour support and supervision for individuals for up to 15 days per stay. Lacey Fisher is the program supervisor.

RACSB Executive Director Ron Branscome shares, “RACSB is pleased to be enhancing the community-based system of care for individuals with an intellectual disability and their families. The addition of this new, local program will afford caregivers with the opportunity to tend to other commitments while knowing their loved one with an intellectual disability is being successfully supported.”

RACSB has successfully provided community-based residential services for adults with an intellectual disability since 1977. RACSB currently operates 11 group homes and two (2) supervised apartment programs. Additionally, RACSB operates supported living and sponsored placement programs. In early 2014, RACSB will open two Intermediate Care Facilities to provide a higher level of support to individuals with more complex medical and behavioral needs. Located in Spotsylvania County, each will be home to four (4) residents.

RACSB contracted with Trinity Construction Group Inc. of Culpeper, Virginia to renovate the Myers Drive Respite Group Home.

The Sunshine Lady Foundation, founded and operated by Doris Buffett, is dedicated to breaking the cycles of poverty, abuse, and economic dependence through investment in education. The foundation also focuses on fostering the growth of philanthropy through the educational system by teaching students about modern, socially responsible philanthropy. For additional information, please visit www.sunshinelady.org.

Founded in 1970, the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) provides mental health, intellectual disability, substance abuse, and prevention/early intervention services to the residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the Counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. RACSB operates five outpatient clinics which provide individual, group and family therapy; specialized counseling and case management services; psychological assessment; 24-hour crisis intervention; and medication management services. RACSB operates 11 group homes for adults with intellectual disability providing 24-hour intensive and structured support. Also, RACSB offers mental health day support, residential services, and residential crisis stabilization. The Parent-Education – Infant Development Program provides physical, occupational, and speech therapies as well as special education and service coordination to infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Programs of RACSB include Rappahannock Adult Activities, Inc., Project LINK, Program for Teen Parents, Rappahannock Area Kids on the Block, DARE To Be You, Second Step, Too Good for Drugs, and Healthy Families – Rappahannock Area. To learn more, visit www.racsb.state.va.us.

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