Dale S. Batten, a native of Suffolk, has been promoted to deputy director for workforce development for the Division of Rehabilitative Services in the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

Batten had been central regional director for DRS, based in Richmond, for the past seven years. She has been with DARS and its forerunner, the Department for Rehabilitative Services, for 30 years.

In her new position, she will oversee a statewide business development strategy for matching employers and DRS job candidates, as well as the agency’s Self Employment Enterprise Program, which helps DRS candidates seeking assistance to establish and operate their own businesses.

Her duties include working to integrate strategic assessment/evaluation services for job candidates with disabilities with Virginia’s labor market trends.

Batten holds a master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University and a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation services, also from VCU.