What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

http://www.thefriendshiplottery.com/

The Friendship Lottery Inc. - TFL, Hampton, VA (2026)

05/14/2026

The Candi Care Foundation is collaborating with SMART-One Inc, A Brighter Side to ASD, Complete the Puzzle and Endless Possibilities For All Inc For this fun Annual event. Registration will be on Eventbrite in June!
🚨💦 SAVE THE DATE! 💦🚨
New year, NEW dates for one of our favorite activities for all ages with developmental disabilities! 🎉🌊 The The Candi Care Foundation is excited to announce our 2026 Purposely Splashing for Fun Pool Party Series!
We’re preparing you EARLY so you can mark your calendars and get ready for another unforgettable summer filled with fun, laughter, connection, and memories! ☀️🏊🏽‍♂️💙
📅 2026 Dates:
💦 June 18, 2026
💦 July 16, 2026
💦 August 6, 2026
The Candi Care Foundation A Brighter Side to ASD, Inc Complete The Puzzle

05/07/2026

May 9th !!

04/18/2026

💙 Autism & Housing: Understanding Federal, State, and Local Resources Available to Your Family

When you are raising a child on the autism spectrum, one of the biggest questions becomes:

👉 “How do I financially and structurally support their future independence?”

The answer is not just one program.
It’s a layered system of support at the:

🇺🇸 Federal Level

🏛️ State Level (Virginia)

🏡 County & Local Level

Understanding how these work together is what gives families real power, real options, and real independence planning.

🇺🇸 1. Federal Resources (Foundation of Support)

These programs create the financial backbone for autism services and housing support.

✔ Medicaid (Primary Funding Source)

Medicaid is one of the most critical programs for autism families.

Covers therapy (ABA, OT, speech)

Medical care

Behavioral support

In-home services

👉 Most importantly: It funds Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) that allow individuals to live at home instead of institutions.

✔ Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Monthly income support for individuals with disabilities

Helps cover basic living expenses

Often used alongside housing planning

✔ Section 8 Housing / HUD Programs

Rental assistance

Affordable housing access

Can be combined with disability support programs

✔ IDEA (Education Support)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides:

IEP services

School-based therapy

Transition planning for adulthood

✔ Federal Autism Coordination

Programs like the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee help guide national autism policies and funding priorities.

🏛️ 2. Virginia State Resources (Where Real Impact Happens)

Virginia provides some of the most critical programs for long-term independence, especially through Medicaid Waivers.

Virginia Medicaid Waivers (GAME CHANGER)

These are the most important programs for autism families planning housing and independence.

✔ 1. Building Independence (BI Waiver)

For adults (18+)

Supports semi-independent living

Helps with employment & life skills

✔ 2. Family & Individual Support (FIS Waiver)

For children & adults

Provides:

In-home support

Respite care

Behavioral services

✔ 3. Community Living (CL Waiver)

For individuals needing higher-level support

Covers:

Group homes

Full-time assistance

Medical and behavioral care

👉 These waivers allow individuals to live in homes and communities instead of institutions

⚠️ Important Reality:

There are waitlists

Approval is based on level of need

You must apply through your local Community Services Board (CSB)

✔ Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC+)

Covers medical + long-term care needs

Includes:

Personal care

Nursing support

Assistive technology

✔ Statewide Support Organizations

Virginia also offers strong advocacy and guidance through:

The Arc of Virginia

Autism Society of Central Virginia

Parent advocacy organizations

These groups help families:

Navigate waivers

Find housing options

Understand rights and services

3. County & Local Resources (Where You LIVE Matters Most)

This is where your daily quality of life is determined.

✔ Community Services Boards (CSBs)

Every county has a CSB that:

Evaluates eligibility for waivers

Connects families to services

Provides case management

👉 This is your entry point into the system

✔ Local School Systems

Your county determines:

Quality of IEP support

Access to therapy

Transition planning programs

✔ Local Housing Options

Depending on the county, you may find:

Group homes

Independent Living Facilities (ILFs)

Supported housing programs

ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) zoning flexibility

✔ Local Grants & Programs

Some counties offer:

Recreation programs

Family support funding

Therapy assistance

Emergency support grants

How All 3 Levels Work Together

Here’s the strategy most families miss:

*Federal Provides funding (Medicaid, SSI, Housing)
*State (VA)Distributes services (Waivers, Programs)
*County Delivers services (Schools, Housing, Support)

👉 Independence happens when ALL THREE align

⚠️ Biggest Mistakes Families Make

❌ Waiting too long to apply for waivers
❌ Not understanding housing options early
❌ Choosing a location without resources
❌ Not building a long-term independence plan

💙 Remember, Independence is Built, Not Given

Independence doesn’t mean doing everything alone.

It means:

✔ Living in the right environment
✔ Having the right level of support
✔ Creating a sustainable plan for the future

04/17/2026

Overall (All Women)
• About 1 in 3 to 1 in 2 women experience some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime
• Over 50% of female homicide victims are killed by a partner

⸻

🔸 Black / African American Women
• Around 43% of Black women experience domestic violence in their lifetime
• Black women experience IPV at ~35% higher rates than White women
• They are disproportionately impacted by fatal violence:
• Nearly 30% of women killed by a partner are Black, despite being a much smaller % of the population
• Homicide rate: about 8.3 per 100,000 vs. 2.1 for White women

👉 Key reality: Black women are more likely to experience severe and deadly violence, not just abuse.

⸻

🔸 White Women
• Roughly 30–35% of White women experience domestic violence in their lifetime
• Lower homicide rates compared to Black women
• More likely to have greater access to resources, shelters, and support systems (a major factor in outcomes)

⸻

🔸 Other Minority Women (Important Context)
• Native American / Alaska Native women: ~46%+ (some of the highest rates)
• Multiracial women: up to 53%+ (highest reported rates overall)
• Minority women often face:
• Less access to support
• Cultural stigma
• Fear of systems (police, courts)
• Economic barriers