The Law Office of Joan H. Proper, PC

02/09/2026

🟣 📑 Tax Form Info for Attendants

❗️Clarifying note: Waiver attendant employees who do not want taxes taken out of their paychecks must submit a VA-4 and a W-4 by February 16, 2026. These forms tell payroll whether to withhold taxes from each paycheck and must be submitted each year.
Whether the income is actually taxable is decided later, when you file your taxes, based on the Difficulty of Care eligibility.
-This applies for live-in and non-live-in attendants
-Please refer to the VA-4 or W-4 instruction page for additional detail.
VA-4 Form
https://www.tax.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/taxforms/withholding/any/va-4-any.pdf
W-4 Form
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf

01/30/2026

01/29/2026

This is also for parents. Event in Leesburg. Feb. 6th. Looks great.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-discussion-supporting-self-driven-resilient-kids-tickets-1979677287057?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/27/2026

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) has heard about recent incidents in which people with Down syndrome were treated harshly and in an undignified way during interactions with law enforcement. These situations are deeply concerning and underscore the urgent need for disability-informed training, policies, and practices nationwide. People with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to be safe in their communities. Communication differences, anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or slower processing time must never be mistaken for noncompliance or escalation.

NDSC urges law enforcement agencies to adopt approaches grounded in understanding and de-escalation and to use plain language, allowing extra time for responses, reducing sensory stressors, and involving trusted supports when appropriate. We also encourage departments to seek out training and resources from the Ethan Saylor Alliance, which provides practical guidance to help prevent tragedies and improve outcomes when first responders interact with people with disabilities. Every interaction should be guided by safety, respect, and the presumption of humanity.

Read more from the Ethan Saylor Alliance > https://www.ethansayloralliance.org/

01/16/2026

🟣 🧑‍💻 Register today for an upcoming webinar hosted through the LEAP© Project at VCU’s Partnership for People with Disabilities: tinyurl.com/leapDSP1-20-26

“Fostering Healthy Relationships and Preventing Abuse: Knowledge Is Power”

People with disabilities experience abuse at much higher rates than those without disabilities, and supporters play a critical role in prevention. This webinar will share simple, practical ways to help the people you support build safe, respectful relationships, recognize when something doesn’t feel right, and strengthen confidence, independence, and safety.

Please see the attached flyer for full details and registration information. If you’re willing to share this with the families, caregivers, Direct Support Professionals, and community partners you work with, we would be incredibly grateful.

Certificates will be available to Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who earn a passing score on the post-webinar quiz, and all are welcome to attend.

Thank you so much for helping us spread the word — your support truly makes a difference in reaching families and supporters across our community.

Please feel free to use this when sharing with your contacts.

"Fostering Healthy Relationships and Preventing Abuse: Knowledge Is Power

People with disabilities experience abuse at significantly higher rates, but supporters can make a powerful difference. This free webinar, hosted by the LEAP© Project at VCU’s Partnership for People with Disabilities, will share practical strategies to help people with disabilities build safe, respectful relationships, recognize when something doesn’t feel right, and strengthen confidence, independence, and safety. Certificates are available to Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) with a passing quiz score, and all are welcome to attend."

01/15/2026

If you are new to the IEP process, this two part webinar looks great. PEATC is a reliable and helpful resource.

Understanding the IEP Process: A Two-Part Virtual Learning Series for Families & Caregivers

February 10th | 6:30 pm - Anatomy of an IEP
• Understand each section of the IEP
• Learn what goals, services, and supports mean
• See how the IEP works as a whole plan

February 24th | 6:30 pm - The Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings
• What happens during an IEP meeting
• Who is at the table and why
• How families can prepare and participate

REGISTER HERE: https://tinyurl.com/3c4hc3ux
(One registration covers both sessions)

Hosted by Kids, Kin n' Caregivers, Inc.
Presented by PEATC

12/11/2025

NEW: Virginia Beach City Public Schools is offering free, unlimited teletherapy to all students in grades six through 12, a new effort to expand mental-health support across a district with one of the largest student populations in Virginia.

The division is partnering with Uwill, a national teletherapy provider, to give roughly 35,000 students access to virtual counseling after school, at night, on weekends and during school breaks.

Read our full coverage here: https://tinyurl.com/2us2sm67

11/21/2025

You may sign on as an individual (or organization) if you wish to do so.

https://www.copaa.org/page/Shared_Principles?

The 850-member coalition supports keeping special education programming within the Education Department, saying moving it would put IDEA at risk.

11/18/2025

This Eviction Diversion Program began in PWC on Nov. 14th. It will be ongoing unless amended by Va. Code and is available on any unlawful detainer (civil claim for an eviction) dockets.

There is a link for forms and a QR Code to scan for more information in the outline below.

11/15/2025

Supported decision making can be an alternative to Guardianship in some situations.

Register today for Supported Decision-Making in Virginia: An Overview for People with DD and Their Families. Hear about the history of supported decision-making and Virginia's laws related to supported decision-making. Learn more about the Virginia Supported Decision-Making Agreement template, discovery tools, and how to create your own agreement.

Tuesday, November 18th, 6:00pm- 7:30pm

Who should attend? People with developmental disabilities and their family members who are interested in learning more about Supported Decision-Making and the steps Virginia is taking to create a Supported Decision-Making Agreement.

Learn more and register here: 8727086c-43ff-4514-be5c-65619b493a4e@620ae5a9-4ec1-4fa0-8641-5d9f386c7309" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/8727086c-43ff-4514-be5c-65619b493a4e@620ae5a9-4ec1-4fa0-8641-5d9f386c7309

11/14/2025

This is great news.

Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has received a multimillion-dollar donation to establish an institute aimed at promoting wellness and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities! To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/yary4p3s

11/07/2025

The Prince William County Bar Association is partnering with the Virginia State Bar to promote this educational opportunity. The public hearing about legal services and access to justice will be held on Monday, November 10 starting at 4:30 PM. Please use the QR code at the bottom to register or call.