Dale Batten
Dale S. Batten is the Deputy Commissioner, Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) at the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
In her role as Director of DRS, Dale provides leadership to ensure the delivery of high quality vocational rehabilitation services across Virginia to individuals with disabilities.
She provides oversight of DRS program activities to ensure that DRS clients receive timely services resulting in competitive integrated employment and fulfill the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Dale leads a team of seven direct reports who oversee 30 DRS Field offices and the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, a residential campus providing comprehensive vocational training and rehabilitation.
She collaborates with community service providers; serves on HOME (Housing Opportunity Made Equal) board, workforce development boards, staff to the Virginia Board of Workforce Development (VBWD) and other business partners developing strategies for furthering employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Dale also has a strong interest to address systemic inequities and tackle divisive housing practices for the well-being of those with disabilities.
Dale has held several leadership positions at DARS over the past 35 years. Dale is part of the leadership training team to DARS staff. She performed this coordinator role external to DARS for middle level managers in the private and public sector. She holds a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation services and master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University.