Disability Rights & Resource Center

04/30/2026

Come out and join the festivities!

04/03/2026

03/20/2026

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Pam Cobler, a remarkable woman from Henry County, Virginia, has overcome a life-threatening accident to serve her community as a Board of Supervisors member,...

03/09/2026

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I have signage!!! Look at that!

01/24/2026

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STEP provides free tax preparation services for families and individuals earning less than $60,000 annually and helps clients take advantage available tax credits.

01/07/2026

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Some people bring a lifetime of experience to a community and put it to work quietly, consistently, and with real impact. Carol Tuning is one of those people.

Carol is the Executive Director of the Disability Rights and Resource Center and a long-time resident of Franklin County. She brings more than 35 years of experience in local government and human services to her work, and that depth of knowledge is evident every day. Throughout her career, Carol has worked in homeless services, juvenile justice, and domestic violence prevention, always focused on protecting vulnerable populations and helping systems better serve the people who rely on them.

That broad professional background has been a real benefit to Franklin County. Carol understands how local government, schools, and nonprofit organizations can work together effectively. She has spent decades building collaborative partnerships, and she applies that experience here by connecting people, resources, and ideas in practical ways.

As Executive Director of DRRC, Carol is a strong advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families. She works closely with community partners to support safe, accessible, and supportive living environments. She also collaborates with Franklin County Public Schools on ADA accessibility and special education advocacy, helping ensure that students with disabilities are treated fairly and given meaningful opportunities to succeed.

What stands out about Carol’s leadership is her steady, thoughtful approach. She brings experience, patience, and a clear sense of purpose to complex issues. Her work is not about recognition, but about outcomes that improve lives and strengthen the community as a whole.

Franklin County is fortunate to have Carol Tuning’s experience and dedication at work on its behalf. She is making a lasting difference, and she is a deserving Community Hero.

01/07/2026

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11/22/2025

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11/09/2025

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Come celebrate the holiday season at Come Home to Franklin County Christmas on Saturday, December 6th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm in downtown Rocky Mount.

There will be a special Winter Wonderland at the Rocky Mount Train Depot, where children can enjoy games and holiday activities. The evening will also feature live music, dance performances, and a special visit from Santa Claus.

Downtown will be filled with food and craft vendors, cheerful lights, and plenty of Christmas spirit. This family friendly event is free and open to the public, offering something for everyone to enjoy as the community comes together to celebrate the season.

11/03/2025

Energy Assistance Program – Fuel Assistance

Please note that customers can continue to complete applications for Energy Assistance Program (EAP) Fuel Assistance until the end of the day on Friday, November 14. The federal government shutdown currently does not impact the application period or processing of applications for EAP Fuel Assistance.

Energy Assistance Program – Crisis Assistance
Crisis Assistance helps with energy-related emergencies and accepts applications from November 1 to March 15. Crisis assistance is intended to meet a household’s emergency heating need, when no other resource is available.

The application period for Crisis Assistance will start on November 1, 2025. While the federal government shutdown remains in effect, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will accept Crisis Applications; however, approvals for Crisis Assistance will be temporarily paused until further notice. VDSS cannot make an eligibility decision of approval for these applications until after funding for the EAP has been received.

LDSS will mail an “Information about Crisis Assistance Applications” to each applicant when an application is submitted. The flyer will explain that processing will be delayed until the federal government reopens and Virginia receives LIHEAP funding. LDSS may also include a list of any potential resources that are available within the applicant’s locality.

The EAP page on the VDSS public website (https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/) and CommonHelp will be updated to advise customers that they may apply but should not expect an eligibility decision for Crisis Assistance at this time. The ECSC, 2-1-1 Virginia, and EAP vendors will also be advised of this information. VDSS EAP staff will update the VDSS public website and CommonHelp and communicate updates to LDSS and EAP vendors as they become available.