1. You must be at least 18 years of age. This requirement applies to both Residential Sponsor and Residential Specialist/Staff applicants.
2. You must have obtained a High School Diploma or G.E.D. This requirement applies to both Residential Sponsor and Residential Specialist/Staff applicants.
3. You and all adults (age 18 & over) who reside full- or part-time in your home must meet Criminal Background Check requirements. Blue Ridge Residential Services will conduct checks with the FBI, Virginia State Police, Department of Social Services / Child Protective Services Central Registry, and with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Certain crimes prohibit the convicted offender from certification with any agency licensed by DMHMRSAS (Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services). Blue Ridge is such an agency. Before you apply, please research the list of "Barrier Crimes" to determine whether or not you qualify for certification. If there is another adult residing full- or part-time in your home who has an offense from this list on their record, your application would be rejected for certification as a Sponsor because of that individual's record. The list of "Barrier Crimes" which would prohibit you from becoming an Associate may be accessed by clicking here. Further information about each of the crimes listed may be obtained by entering the section number on the "Code of Virginia" website. Click here for "Code of Virginia" If you are unsure of the exact name of the offense as it was recorded in the disposition of your charge, please contact the court where your case was processed and collect that information. You will need the exact name of the offense in order to research the "Barrier Crimes" and "Code of Virginia" links to determine your eligibility.
4. Residential Sponsors only (not Residential Specialist/Staff applicants) must be able to document access to a capital reserve fund or "line of credit". This is required so that services can be ongoing in the event of interruptions, delays, disapproval, and/or reduction in funding. The amount owed (in the case of delayed funding) is typically paid retroactively. AvaiLabel funds may be in savings accounts, home equity line of credit or other (e.g. credit card) lines of credit, interest-bearing accounts (e.g. CDs, IRAs, 401-Ks), etc. The Virginia DMHMRSAS Office of Licensing requires Residential Sponsors to have a line of credit, and Blue Ridge Residential Services sets that amount at the equivalent of an average 3-month earnings, or $18,000.
5. All Associates (both Residential Sponsor and Residential Specialist/Staff applicants), as well as members of sponsor households, must have a Tuberculosis (PPD) test (or screening) done in order to be certified. Results must be dated within six months of certification as an Associate unless continuous employment with another DMHMRSAS-licensed agency is established, in which case an older TB test result is acceptable. The family members of Residential Specialist/Staff applicants are not required to have the test.
6. A copy of the Declarations Page(s) of Home (or Renter's) and Automobile Insurance policies will be required as part of your development as an Associate. Residential Sponsor candidates must submit documentation related to both types of insurance; Residential Specialist/Staff candidates must only submit documentation related to Auto Insurance.
7. Start-Up costs e.g. purchase of a computer and other office electronics; desk; chairs; filing cabinets; etc. are provided by the Residential Sponsor candidate. Residential Specialist/Staff candidates do not have these start-up costs.
8. Training costs (including materials) are covered by Blue Ridge Residential Services; however if, within the first year of providing services to one or more individuals, the Associate discontinues services to work for another service provider agency, that Associate will be charged a fee of $3,000.00 to offset Blue Ridge's training and development costs invested in that Associate.

For further information about these minimum requirements please contact Blue Ridge Residential Services.

If you meet all of the preceding minimum requirements, which are prerequisite to our acceptance of your Application, please proceed to the Associate Application Page.