The Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center provides people with disabilities comprehensive, individualized services to realize personal independence through employment.

To be the best at providing Vocational Rehabilitation and Transition Services throughout the Commonwealth as shown by those we serve living more meaningful and productive lives.

Ethical: We are committed to professional standards, good stewardship of resources, full accountability and the well-being and dignity of others.

Engaged: We are committed to an organizational environment that values individual contributions and involvement in informative communication, problem-solving, planning and leadership.

Effective: We are committed to providing services that result in meaningful and  measurable outcomes through objective assessment of performance and on-going process improvement

Every day and in every way we:

Put clients first

Take care of customers

Work in teams

Innovate and excel

Provide it all under one roof

Value our staff

Offer a workforce driven curriculum

Are organized, utilized and valuable

Preserve leadership ethics and accountability

Center values and public trust

Established in 1947, the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) is the first state-owned and operated comprehensive rehabilitation center in the country. Formerly known as the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, WWRC's name was changed in 2015 to better reflect the current mission of the Center.  WWRC is a key component of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services’ (DARS) Field Program – Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS).  Located in Fishersville, Virginia, WWRC operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to ensure that consumers receive an array of services that prepare them for competitive employment.  The DARS Commissioner is responsible for the operation and maintenance of WWRC and leverages the Center’s resources to maximize employment for individuals with disabilities by facilitating highly effective operations among WWRC and DRS leadership.

WWRC's mission focuses on helping individuals with disabilities become employed.  Through 2022, the forecast indicates WWRC will be a key provider of service to DARS consumers. WWRC will continuously align its resources, staffing patterns, and service/program offerings to meet the complex needs of individuals and changing customer and referral source priorities.

All WWRC IT support services are provided by the DARS IT Division and VITA.  Both entities provide all data, voice, internet, wireless, application and development, and network support and integration services to all personnel and buildings at the WWRC location.

Currently 12% of WWRC’s workforce is eligible to retire with unreduced benefits.  Within the next 5 years, that number will increase to nearly 21%.  These employees possess an abundance of both technical and institutional knowledge.  To address the inevitable upcoming retirements of employees, WWRC has implemented succession planning strategies and management/supervisor leadership programs to develop current staff to step into future leadership positions.

There are also ongoing recruitment and retention challenges with vocational rehabilitation counselors, registered nurses, and other critical positions.  To implement more effective recruitment and retention plans, WWRC places a strong emphasis on alternate and flexible work schedules, retention increases, and employee development.

WWRC’s Physical Plant includes a 223 acre campus, including 21 conditioned space buildings (497,000 sq.ft.). WWRC collaborates with the Virginia Department of Transportation for road maintenance, the Virginia Department of Forestry for forestry management, and the Virginia Departments of Game and Inland Fisheries and Corrections for the lake/surrounding grounds maintenance.

WWRC operates in a state-owned facility and administers Capital Construction and Renovation Services. Among these services are comprehensive planning, new construction and renovation, a Maintenance Reserve Program, administration/coordination of multiple energy savings and conservation initiatives, and coordination of the Facility’s Master Plan.

Significant capital construction and renovation projects will occur throughout the 2023-2024 biennium. The Construction activity related to Phase II renovation of the Anderson Training Building is in the final commissioning phases. Phase II renovation of the Watson Activities Building is also in the final HVAC commissioning phase. 

In addition to enhancing life safety and security of WWRC consumers, Capital Improvements allow for better utilization of campus space in accord with the WWRC Master Plan and WWRC Mission.  This contributes to improved services for consumers and increased feasibility of new programs and services for an increasing client population

WWRC is affected by DARS referrals which are recovering from the COVID pandemic which impacts the number of consumers receiving services at WWRC and the complexity of their disabilities.  This, combined with a rapidly changing workplace along with economic factors causing shifts in types of available jobs, increases risks to successful employment outcomes for persons served.  The increase in WWRC consumers with Autism Spectrum Disorders requires specialized programming to address unique barriers to employment and independence.  Efficient rehabilitation team operations, flexible use of resources, and innovative programming, in collaboration with DARS, will be required to address complex disability related challenges faced by these WWRC consumers to successfully prepare them for employment and offer a competitive edge.

Referral & Workforce Trends: Even if consumer trends increase, programs and services will continue to operate without expansion of staffing levels.  This will require WWRC to critically examine its internal admissions and departmental business processes to re-align and adjust existing resources, and to facilitate efficient scheduling practices and program operations.  A high percentage of WWRC employees who are eligible for retirement, or who will be eligible in the near future, will likely affect the continuity of critical organizational business processes.

Revenues: A fiscal limitation exists due to the rising cost of goods and services with flat revenue projections.  Lack of new funding impacts recruitment and retention of qualified staff, overall staffing levels, programs, and direct service delivery, all of which impact WWRC’s ability to achieve its vision as the preferred provider of comprehensive vocational rehabilitation for Virginians with disabilities.   

The Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) is 18% general funds, and 82% non-general funds.

No data

The following statistics provide a snapshot of services at WWRC for SFY 2023.

WWRC does not anticipates changes to its customer base.

WWRC operates the Career and Workforce Development Division (CWDD).  The CWDD has gone through reorganization and is aligned with Virginia’s workforce development and labor market needs.  The reorganization has enabled the Center to support the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) in its efforts to achieve the six core measures of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA), which amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  The workforce-driven programming accreditation by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) uniquely situates WWRC to support WIOA.  Evaluation, Transition and Skills Training services are provided in a residential setting with a variety of behavioral and rehabilitation counseling supports.  A key focus of the CWDD is to ensure consumers exit the program with an industry recognized credential and entry-level skills that enable successful employment.  The curriculum is driven by business needs and supported through a variety of industry advisory committees.

WWRC operates consumer support services such as behavior health, rehabilitation counseling, education support services and supported work readiness therapies.  Evaluation services are provided in assistive technology, driving, behavioral health, and audiology.  

The key performance metric is to deliver comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services that lead to employment.  This is measured as the percentage of WWRC Vocational Training graduates who are employed 2nd quarter after employment and Median earnings 2nd quarter after employment.  This measure supports the Commonwealth’s objective to enhance Virginia's economy by increasing employment among Virginians with disabilities.  

Virginia can provide comprehensive and effective vocational services to its citizens with disabilities. WWRC's vocational rehabilitation services offer assessment, transition, and industry driven training services in a residential living and learning environment. WWRC's vocational rehabilitation services prepare clients for successful employment and/or re-entry to the workforce.

Maintain an annual average daily census of 240 or more vocational rehabilitation consumers receiving vocational and support services leading to successful employment.

• Use established communication and training tools to promote the scope and value of WWRC in helping vocational rehabilitation consumers attain successful employment.

• To facilitate the evolution of Rehabilitation Counseling Division systems and processes aligned with WIOA and to implement recommendations from prior year Blueprint initiatives relevant to Rehabilitation Counseling practices and Rehabilitation Team operations.

• Continue to align and strengthen WWRC Vocational Services with Virginia’s priority workforce development initiatives and facilitate state, regional and local workforce and Agency partnerships that result in enhanced employment outcomes for VR consumers served through WWRC.

• To increase capacity for Use of Instructional Technologies that support core Performance Accountability Measures, within available resources.

• To strengthen WWRC Customer Satisfaction Policies and Procedures.

• To implement effective Organizational Succession Planning and Knowledge Transfer strategies.

• To nurture targeted external partnerships that support the WWRC mission, WIOA requirements and the CSAVR 2020 Vision.

WWRC's services are provided by knowledgeable, well trained, creative and committed employees who support the Center's mission, vision and values. By maximizing their effectiveness and efficiency in partnering with Virginians with disabilities to meet their personal goals, Virginia benefits..

Ensure that resources are used efficiently and programs are managed effectively, and in a manner consistent with applicable state and federal requirements.

• Better utilization of land around the Center and efficiently and effectively maintain the facility’s grounds.

• Promote business applications that will benefit from video teleconferencing and social networking. Promote business applications that will benefit from video-teleconferencing and social networking.

• Minimize utility costs through management of resources and use of "green" technologies.

• Improve business processes and continue to participate in Cardinal Implementation for personnel leave and time tracking and payroll processing to improve fiscal management

• More fully implement the E¬-Virginia procurement system to include requisition and contracts management business processes.

• Continue to implement Agency Risk Management and Internal Control Standard (ARMICS) program.

• Comply with steadily increasing central agency and federal agency reporting and audit requirements

• Partner with other Health and Human Resources agencies on technology initiatives that will result in enhanced data sharing between local, state, and federal agencies.

• Pursue Continuity of Operations and Disaster Recovery plans and leverage recent technology advances that improve disaster response and mitigation.

• Continue to implement workflow, e-­forms and project collaboration software to improve systems development agility and increase participation of consumers and agency partners through web services.

• Leverage new services offered by VITA for increased efficiency and cost savings.

• Support technology infrastructure not provided by VITA to maintain continuity of direct client services.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Service Area provides career and workforce development services for individuals with multiple and complex disabilities at WWRC, a division of the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). WWRC’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services offer assessment, transition, and industry ­driven training services in a residential living and learning environment that prepare clients for the workforce and successful employment

This service area directly aligns with WWRC’s mission to provide people with disabilities with comprehensive and individualized services to realize their personal independence through employment.

Authority:

Code of Virginia §51.5-131 Powers and Duties of the Commissioner

Vocational evaluation services identify appropriate career goals while addressing individual needs and local area job market opportunities. WWRC operates a “hands on”, experiential vocational evaluation lab with testing and diagnostic work samples. Vocational evaluation services result in a written report that facilitates effective vocational planning.

Pre-Employment Transition services and transition services are delivered to facilitate better employment outcomes for youth with disabilities through collaboration with DARS and local school divisions across the Commonwealth. The Postsecondary Education Rehabilitation Transition (PERT) Program offers a comprehensive vocational, independent living and residential/leisure skill assessment to help facilitate successful school to work transition planning and service coordination for youth with disabilities. The Pre-employment Readiness and Education Program (PREP),      and restructured/renamed to align with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA),exposes youth and young adults with multiple and complex disabilities to workforce expectations and acceptable workplace behaviors.

WWRC operates a well-equipped vocational training school.   WWRC is accredited by the Virginia Department of Education.  Services include pre-apprenticeship training, vocational training, education support services     , and preparation for industry recognized credentials and workforce certifications.

WWRC’s vocational rehabilitation services also include rehabilitation counseling services and ‘wraparound behavior supports’. Vocational rehabilitation services may be provided at WWRC, in a community based setting, or at an employment site. An integrated approach to simultaneous provision of these services, along with individualized employment and independent living goals, improve outcomes for both vocational rehabilitation and public secondary school clients.

The Admissions Department provides timely processing of incoming applications and works with the DARS vocational rehabilitation counselor to facilitate client admissions.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Service Area is 23% general funds, including a General Fund transfer from DOE for the State-Operated Education Program, and 77% non­general funds.

Medical Rehabilitation Services (Work Readiness Services) provides rehabilitation for individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory and/or emotional disabilities such as those related to spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury and other neurologic or orthopedic conditions. Services provided by WWRC include: ancillary services in support of a vocational outcome.

Supported Work Readiness :

• Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech/Language Pathology (S/L), Audiology, Cognitive Therapy, Behavioral health services, and Recreational TherapyServices.


• A Health Clinic.


• Nursing services offered at the student health clinic as overseen by the manager of the Supported Work Readiness division.     .


• Assistive Technology Services provided by interdisciplinary Assistive Technology Teams.


• Specialized Drivers Training program for people with disabilities.

This service directly aligns with WWRC’s mission to provide persons with disabilities comprehensive individualized services to realize personal independence through employment.

WWRC’s Supported Work Readiness Division provides programs and assistive technologies to address the complex needs of consumers with physical, cognitive, and/or sensory disabilities that result in improved independence and employability.   Wrap around services include  nursing, physical, occupational, speech/language, and cognitive therapies as well as behavioral health services. Evaluation services by the above disciplines are provided to consumers .   Clients with acute medical needs and emergencies are transferred to the local medical center. A physician is available on an “on call” basis 24 hours 7 days a week.

Health Clinic services are provided to support residential clients and their comprehensive needs.

The Medical Service Area is 18% General Funds and 82% Non-General Funds.

The Admissions Department provides the timely processing of approximately 2000 referrals annually.  They assist with maintaining the center’s utilization by working with the DARS vocational rehabilitation counselors to facilitate consumer admissions.  They work with center ancillary supports to facilitate pre-admission reviews for more challenging cases and assist in the scheduling of the wraparound supports for consumers upon their arrival at WWRC.   The Admissions Department is responsible for the consumer’s Day One experience and enrollment to WWRC.

Analytic, Evaluation, and WIOA planning services direct Workforce Investment Act (WIOA) documentation and reporting protocols.  They also direct and maintain the agency performance management system, which includes analytics, evaluation, system development, and the maintenance and reporting of performance data for strategic planning, federal/state and accreditation requirements.   

These services directly align with WWRC’s mission to provide persons with disabilities comprehensive individualized services to realize personal independence through employment.  They do this by providing leadership and monitoring the internal and external environments.

The DARS Information Technology (IT) staff housed at WWRC are responsible for providing technical assistance on all information systems including Instruction Technologies, staff and consumer classroom technologies and staff development technologies used for classroom and virtual instructions.

This service area directly aligns with WWRC's mission by supporting the program areas that provide people with disabilities comprehensive, individualized services to realize personal independence through employment.

DARS IT provides support to WWRC in the following areas: applications and systems development, website services, video teleconferencing, client related technology services, voice, data and wireless networks, and network and computer hardware services.

The WWRC Police and Campus Safety Department is a full-service sworn law enforcement agency dedicated to the welfare of the WWRC campus, clients, staff, visitors and the local community.  The department is located within part of the student living area.  This presence demonstrates WWRC's strong commitment to consumers and their parents that safety is of paramount importance to WWRC and the Agency.  Like many college campuses, WWRC now has additional security measures, including video cameras, building automation systems, key card access, door controls, and emergency management strategies across campus.  WWRC has revamped its emergency notification process and can send messages to alert individuals, including family members, to campus situations.  Staff and students appreciate the drills that provide guidance on what to do in such scenarios as severe weather and intruder events.   WWRC has certified campus police officers have specialized training to serve as school resource officers, and who work in collaboration with Augusta County law enforcement.  A full time Safety Coordinator position has been created and filled in late FY 22.  This position, reporting under the Policy and Campus Safety Department, provides leadership, drills/training, oversight, and general guidance in campus safety matters, protocols, and requirements.

This service directly aligns with WWRC’s mission to provide persons with disabilities comprehensive individualized services to realize personal independence through employment.

The Police and Campus Safety Department provides campus police patrols and emergency response for the entire Center. WWRC Police and Campus Safety also patrols adjacent campus roadways and  holds a shared jurisdictional agreement with the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police. Occasionally, the department provides support to local police departments responding to adjacent properties when requested under the jurisdictional agreement with the Augusta County Sherriff’s Office.  This mutually beneficial jurisdictional agreement also allows WWRC Police and Campus Safety to request assistance/resources from the Augusta County Sherriff’s office when/if needed. The department also provides consultation with center consumer rehabilitation teams and serves on the Center’s conduct review board.

Residential services at WWRC provides a number of services that promote a safe and positive living and learning environment. WWRC maintains living areas with approximately 400 beds, common lounge areas, and outdoor common green space. These living areas are staffed and monitored twenty four hours per day when WWRC is in session. This service is considered an essential function and shall be provided regardless of whether  or other emergent circumstances.  Recreational Services at WWRC provides community recreation activities, targeted therapeutic recreational services, and interpersonal skill development all with the goal of improving the likelihood of vocational success for WWRC consumers.

This service area directly aligns with WWRC's mission by supporting the program areas that provide people with disabilities comprehensive, individualized services to realize personal independence through employment.

Residential Services provide clients with room and board, recreational therapy, pre-employment readiness education for vocational success, and social skill development. Community re­entry services provide local community support that enhances the success of meeting the employment and independent living goals of clients.

WWRC Contracts with Aladdin Food Management Services inc. to provide approximately 16,000 meals per month to WWRC consumers. This service is considered an essential operation and expected to provide meals for WWRC consumers regardless of weather or other emergent factors.

In addition to providing consumers meals this service area directly aligns with WWRC's mission by supporting the program areas that provide people with disabilities comprehensive, individualized services to realize personal independence through employment.  The Food and Dietary Services provides on the job training for consumers enrolled in WWRC training programs.

Food and Dietary Services is accomplished through a contract with Aladdin Food Management Services Inc. of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Nineteen meals per week are served on site in the dining room of the Watson Activities Building. In addition to meal service, Aladdin also provides dietary consults from a certified dietary manager and/or a corporate dietitian to accommodate any medical needs of consumers.

This service area provides management administrative support, and technical assistance to programs for WWRC facility services.

This service area directly aligns with WWRC's mission by supporting the program areas that provide people with disabilities comprehensive, individualized services to realize personal independence through employment.

Physical Plant Services offers maintenance shops, equipment, and vehicles suitable for the support of a 223 acre campus (497,000 sq. ft. operational building space). Services include facility maintenance, grounds care, housekeeping, and student transportation services. WWRC collaborates with other state agencies for road maintenance (Department of Transportation), forestry management (Department of Forestry), and lake/surrounding grounds maintenance (Departments of Game and Inland Fisheries and Corrections).

WWRC operates in a state-owned facility and administers Capital Construction and Renovation Services. Among these services are comprehensive planning, new construction and renovation, a Maintenance Reserve Program, administration/coordination of multiple energy savings and conservation initiatives, and coordination of the Facility’s Master Plan.

Significant capital construction and renovation projects will occur throughout the 2023-2024 biennium. The Construction activity related to Phase II renovation of the Anderson Training Building is in the final commissioning phases. Phase II renovation of the Watson Activities Building is also in the final HVAC commissioning phase.

In addition to enhancing life safety and security of WWRC clients, Capital Improvements allow for better utilization of campus space in accord with the WWRC Master Plan and WWRC Mission.  This contributes to improved services for clients and increased feasibility of new programs and services for an increasing client population.