Business Connections receives international accreditation

By Lucian Friel

A Virginia Commonwealth University employment support program for individuals with disabilities has received a three-year accreditation from an independent accreditor of health and human services.

The Business Connections program is part of VCU’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, which was established in 1983 and is connected to the School of Education. Business Connections provides supported employment services in the Richmond region, as well as Newport News and Petersburg, to assist individuals with disabilities with finding and maintaining employment. The program receives referrals from the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

The recent three-year accreditation was issued by CARF – the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Founded in 1966, the international nonprofit promotes the quality, value and optimal outcomes of health and human services, and its review of Business Connections included the program’s services, effectiveness and functionality.

“Individuals with disabilities add great value to every workplace and community,” said Jenn McDonough, director of Business Connections. “It is important to our center to continue providing high-quality services to those individuals seeking employment, as well as those who are currently employed. … We are excited about the next three years and all of the great accomplishments our job seekers with disabilities will achieve.”

In 2024 and 2025, 75 percent of Business Connections clients who obtained employment held their jobs for a continuous year or longer, according to its outcomes report. All employees were being paid competitive compensation of minimum wage or higher in industries such as health care, food service, retail, academia, government, manufacturing, hospitality and entertainment.

“Nothing is more exciting than hearing a hiring manager tell a job seeker that they’ve got the job, and then to continue to support both a business and the individual in finding success,” said Mallary McEvoy, a Business Connections lead counselor. “When our job seekers get hired, there is a ripple effect: The employee and the business are now more diversified, and communities see more representation for individuals with disabilities, [while] families see the individual accomplishing new goals.

“The individual is included in their community,” she added, “a part of something that historically was only seen as accessible for those who were ‘able.’”