The SOAR effort in Virginia is an initiative designed to increase access to SSI/SSDI for eligible adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder.
Individuals interested in training are encouraged to reach out to the State Lead or SOAR TA Center Liaison using the contact information above for more information about SOAR.
In addition to completing the SOAR Online Course, individuals seeking to complete SOAR applications in Virginia must meet the following criteria:
Agencies seeking SOAR training must provide services to homeless adults and be actively engaged with their local Continuum of Care or Balance of State coordinating bodies.
Agencies must be actively involved in the local SOAR Project planning process for their communities and maintain an active role as the project continues (i.e., attend quarterly SOAR meetings)
Individuals that complete the SOAR Online Course must also attend a one-day SOAR training prior to submitting SOAR applications. This training will be offered in the participants’ communities. However, in some instances, participants may need to travel outside their community to complete the training.
Individuals must be willing to submit SOAR data to the SOAR State Coordinator on at least an annual basis.
Individuals must adhere to the expectations of the state SOAR project as outlined by the local community plan in collaboration with our partners at the Social Security Administration and Disability Determination Services.
For clarification regarding any of these criteria please contact the SOAR State Team Lead.
Local Leads:
Lauren Dracoules
Co-Lead: Cities of Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George, and Caroline , VA
Email: lauren@dolovewalk.net
Phone: 540-760-2655
Georgi Fisher
Richmond; Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Floyd Counties, City of Radford; Eastern Shore – Nassawadox, Parksley, Exmore, Belle Haven, Onancock, and Accomack; Roanoke and surrounding counties, VA
Email: georgi.fisher@dbhds.virginia.gov
Phone: 804-371-0802
Kathleen Guilliams
City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, Bedford, Christiansburg, City of Radford, Blacksburg, Pulaski and Floyd Counties and surrounding areas, VA
Email: kguilliams@brbh.org
Phone: 540-556-0795
Megan Hanson
Co-Lead: City of Richmond and Colonial Heights, Counties of Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Petersburg, Powhatan, Prince George, VA
Email: mhanson@virginiasupportivehousing.org
Phone: 804-514-5359
Jane Harless
Norfolk, VA
Email: janeh@laseva.org
Phone: 757-627-5423 xx156
Allison Henry
Staunton, VA
Email: ahenry@vcsb.org
Phone: 540-480-0712
Kathleen Heredia
Co-Lead: City of Charlottesville, County of Albermarle, Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Wythe and the City of Galax, VA
Email: kheredia@piedmontcsb.org
Phone: 540-330-9069
Sara Kidd
Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Wythe and the City of Galax, VA
Email: sara.kidd@mrcsb.state.va.us
Phone: 276-613-1815
Liz Nyberg
Co-Lead: City of Charlottesville, County of Albermarle, VA
Email: liz@pacemshelter.org
Phone: 434-465-1391
Brooke Singh
Lynchburg, VA
Email: brooke.middleton@horizonbh.org
Phone: 434-455-3469
Jessica Wenger
Co-Lead: Cities of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, Prince William, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Oakton, Winchester, and Manassas, VA
Email: jessica.wenger@alexandriava.gov
Phone: 703-409-6883
Nora Woodward
Co-Leads: City of Richmond and Colonial Heights, Counties of Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Petersburg, Powhatan, Prince George, VA
Email: woodwardn@rbha.org
Phone: 804-819-4190
SOAR for Children Leads:
Georgi Fisher
Richmond; Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Floyd Counties, City of Radford; Eastern Shore – Nassawadox, Parksley, Exmore, Belle Haven, Onancock, and Accomack; Roanoke and surrounding counties, VA
Email: georgi.fisher@dbhds.virginia.gov
Phone: 804-371-0802
