Langley Residential Marks Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month With Call To Action

By Langley Residential Support Services

VIENNA, VA — In observance of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Langley Residential Support Services (Langley) has launched a campaign from March 17 – 21, 2025 to raise awareness and critical funding so those with developmental disabilities can continue to have a chance to live a rich, full life.

For more than 40 years the Northern Virginia nonprofit has served adults with developmental disabilities and their families by providing quality, comprehensive residential and community support services.

Langley’s vision of providing a trusted community for all will be harder to reach over the next few years due to potential funding gaps from the local to the federal level. At the federal level, Congressis proposing cuts to Medicaid, which is a critical financial resource for the individuals we serve, and if cut by a certain amount, may affect Medicaid Waiver funding in Virginia. At the local level, the Fairfax County budget includes proposed funding cuts to Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board partners like Langley, which will affect Langley clients who receive financial support from the County.

“The funding allows those in our program to thrive, have a place to call home, and create community,” said LRSS Executive Director Maureen Gum. “We rely on government funding and community support to keep providing them a life they dream of – a life like everyone else.”

Established in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month highlights the importance of creating a society where people with disabilities are empowered to contribute to their communities. During the week-long campaign, Langley is urging the Fairfax County community to advocate for organizations like theirs that serve individuals with developmental disabilities by contacting their representatives in Congress, the Virginia General Assembly, and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Meet Cindy

Langley’s support gives the men and women we serve the confidence to contribute to the fabric of their community – people like Cindy. Since moving to one of Langley’s homes almost 20 years ago, she has flourished. In the beginning, Cindy was not a confident cook. Over time, staff helped her learn how to prepare and cook fresh meals, a hobby she now enjoys. Cindy is an avid bowler, knows sign language, and is active in the Vienna Presbyterian Church community. Cindy’s story is just one example of the life-changing work that Langley does – work that could be in jeopardy if consistent funding isn’t available.

About Langley Residential Support Services

Langley Residential Support Services believes that everyone deserves the chance to live a rich, full life. Langley is a community 501(c)3 nonprofit and for over 40 years has provided residential and life- enhancing care programs for adults with developmental disabilities in Fairfax County. Langley operates two key programs: residential support, where staff provides 24/7 care at six group homes, and community support, where staff covers drop-in services in people’s own homes or their families’ homes. Our programs are small and individualized, with a ratio of 1 Direct Support Provider or counselor to 4 residents; 1:2 if the individuals’ needs are more specialized; and 1:1 for drop-in services. The average age of the people we work with is 46; 46 percent are women; and 20 percent are minorities or have multi-ethnic backgrounds. Learn more about our mission and work at www.lrss.org.