The Division of Licensing Programs (DOLP) strives to protect the safety, health, and well-being of adults receiving care in non-medical day facilities and residential programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
DOLP oversees the licensure and monitoring of two types of adult care facilities: Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) and Adult Day Centers (ADC). The division also provides training and technical assistance to these facilities.
An Assisted Living Facility (ALF) is a non-medical residential setting that provides or coordinates personal or health care services, 24-hour supervision, and assistance for the care of four or more adults who are aged, infirm, or disabled.
An Adult Day Center (ADC) is a regulated, non-residential facility that provides a variety of health, social, and related support services in a protective setting during part of the day to four or more aged, infirmed, or disabled adults who reside elsewhere.
Additional Adult Care Resources
- The Adult Services Program is managed by the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). The Adult Services Program assists adults with an impairment who need services or support to enhance self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life. One of the services offered is to conduct assessment and reassessment of assisted living facility (ALF) placement for those who qualify for the auxiliary grant.
- Auxiliary grants are managed by the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). An auxiliary grant is supplemental income for those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and certain aged, blind, or disabled individuals. There are auxiliary grant recipients who reside in assisted living facilities (ALFs).
- Adult Protective Services is a part of the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). They receive and investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults 60 years and older and incapacitated adults 18 years and older. These allegations may include adults in the care of assisted living facilities (ALFs) and adult day centers (ADC). Please contact your local department of social services or the 24 hour, toll-free APS hotline at (888) 832-3858 to report suspected adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
- The Office of Licensure and Certification is under the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). It licenses, conducts inspections to monitor compliance with state requirements, and investigates complaints of nursing homes. Nursing homes are not assisted living facilities (ALFs). A nursing home is a facility in which the primary function is the provision, on a continuing basis, of nursing services and health-related services for the treatment and inpatient care of two or more non-related individuals.
