Programs & Goals

Programs

EFVA 's mission is to PROMOTE AWARENESS about epilepsy,  PROVIDE ASSISTANCE  to those with the disorder and ADVOCATE FOR RESEARCH to find a cure.  The Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia programs include two helplines, five regional offices and over 10 peer counselors statewide. There are annual awareness days and awareness strolls.

There is a continuous effort to dispel the myths surrounding epilepsy. One of those myths is that persons with epilepsy stay away from work more frequently than people without epilepsy. The opposite is true. Training for employers are part of efforts to dispel this myth.

Moreover we provide emergency assistance and transportation.

We do a lot of advocacy. The Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia has been active in advocating for education and local guidelines about helmets, which prevent head injury, the largest known cause of epilepsy. Individual advocacy has occurred in employment disputes and misunderstandings about epilepsy in schools. System wide advocacy has occurred about the different co-payments for drugs with some insurance companies. State Delegates and Senators such O’Bannon and Northam and the physicians on the Professional Advisory Board have been active in several radio and TV programs.

Results

• We conduct an annual Use a Helmet: Prevent Epilepsy campaign among fourth graders. Schools participate in a drawing contest and winning children come to Richmond, have a tour of the capitol and present their pictures to members of the Virginia General Assembly. They also receive prizes during  brunch. The drawing contest is accompanied by epilepsy training in schools.This program has received a commending resolution from the Virginia General Assembly.
  
• We regularly train emergency physicians and EMTs statewide on new medications. Dr. Fountain from the University of Virginia was instrumental in that. 
• We annually do more than 10 radio and TV interviews about epilepsy in Virginia.

Objectives

• Have more camps and fun days for children with epilepsy.
• Enable all with uncontrolled epilepsy to have access to specialized epilepsy care.
  
• Update and complete information on exercise,epilepsy and new anti seizure agents.
• Help persons with epilepsy spread the word about the behavioral risks outlined by the Centers of Disease Control.