ESTABLISHING A TRUST

• The Virginia Beach Community Trust has two components -- one for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and one for individuals with serious mental illness. Each program has its own trust coordinator who is employed by the Virginia Beach Department of Human Services. 
• Interested families may begin the process by meeting with one of the trust coordinators who will provide a full explanation of the Virginia Beach Community Trust Program. 
• At the first meeting, potential settlor(s) receive copies of all the necessary materials required to complete the process and a detailed explanation of the procedures.
• When a trust is completed, the original files are kept by trust coordinators and copies are given to the family. Most trusts are future funded either from the settlor(s)’ will or through life insurance. 
• When a Trust is funded, money is deposited in an account managed by The Old Dominion Trust Company (ODT). Although the funds are pooled for investment purposes, each account is tracked separately.     

TRUST DISBURSEMENTS

• The Virginia Beach Community Trust is not an all-encompassing trust that pays for room and board. It cannot pay for housing or food. It is a special needs trust, sometimes referred to as a supplemental trust. It is designed to provide for needs that are over and above basic maintenance.
• When a trust is funded, beneficiaries, family members and/or case managers/direct services staff can make requests for disbursements. All requests go through the trust coordinator. Trust coordinators advocate on behalf of the beneficiary and work closely with the beneficiary’s family, advocate, case manager and/or other service providers.