Forty-Second
Community Health Advisory Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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weekly message from the director...
First of all, Happy New Year to our Valley Mountain Regional Center community, and here's hoping for a much better 2021! I'm happy to be back at our weekly communication with our community, and as you'll see, we have so many updates to provide you with, so I encourage you to take the time and try and read through it all. I pray everyone stayed as safe as they could over the holidays and that our positivity rates do not escalate as they did over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Over the last few weeks, between now and our last Health Advisory publication, we have seen 145 new COVID-19 positive cases, and sadly, another one of our local direct support professionals died. Statewide, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) reported that just over the past two days 300 people with disabilities have tested positive each day, and as of Monday we have lost 316 people with developmental disabilities, 18 from VMRC alone. Please be careful out there, it is everywhere these days. To keep yourself safe remember the Three Ds:
1. Distance (6 feet apart is a very difficult distance for the air droplets carrying the virus to travel)
2. Duration (short conversation face to face decreases the chance to contracting the virus)
3. Density (a lot of people around you with poor ventilation is the most dangerous so stay clear of indoor crowds of 10+ people)
Three Major Efforts to Keep You Safe
Of the ten things the CDC has laid out for a strategy to keep us safe, we at VMRC have been consumed with three major efforts in this strategy...PPE, Vaccinations, and Testing.
Personal Protective Equipment - We continue to host drive through PPE Distributions Events (see the January dates and locations below) with SAC6 and SCDD throughout our region and we have been delivering emergency requests daily by our staff. We are currently working with transportation providers to figure out how to distribute more through them on a regular basis because the demand is starting to exceed our staff's capacity, especially because their regular duties continue.
Vaccinations - Our Clinical Director, Claire Lazaro, has done an incredible job staying in contact with representatives from County Public Health offices in each of our five counties. Every one of our counties have been supportive and responsive and are working with us to get our consumers and their staff vaccinated as soon as possible, with many already having received their vaccinations. (see Claire's section below…)
Testing - Our local licensed providers are currently testing their staff regularly, some of our day programs have started testing through a partnership with us and Biocept, and VMRC has scheduled regular drive through testing events (our first event tested 100 people and 20% tested positive). Testing is so important because people are spreading the virus without knowing they have it. Once they test and find out they have the virus they can take the extra steps to keep everyone around them safe. DDS is working on additional testing resources plus they are getting close to getting us self-administering testing kits for those who are home bound.
Our 1st of 3 COVID-19 testing events in January will be next Friday, January 15, from 8am - 12pm at our Modesto Office, located at 1820 Blue Gum Avenue, Modesto, CA 95358....Registration is required!
Our other COVID-19 testing in events in January will be:
- Wednesday, January 20, 8am - 12pm, VMRC Modesto Office, 1820 Blue Gum Avenue, Modesto, CA 95358 (Registration will begin Friday, 01/15)
- Wednesday, January 27, 8am - 12pm, VMRC Stockton Office, 702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95292 (Registration required and will begin on Friday, 01/22)
New Directives and Extensions of Current Directives and Waivers
In this Health Advisory our Community Services Department will cover new directives regarding Alternative Services, and our Consumer Services Department will highlight a modification to the Participant Directed Services Directive. Here are the latest extensions that just came out over the past couple of weeks:
· Early Start In-Person Meetings
· Early Start Remote Services
· Lanterman Act In-Person Meetings
· Health and Safety Waiver Exemptions
· Lanterman Act Remote Services or Alternate Locations
· Supplemental Staffing for Residential Providers
· Day Program Services
o Amendments to Directive
o a. The following paragraph under section “Day Program Services” is hereby amended to read: “The Department reiterates the March 12, 2020, directive to regional centers, “State of Emergency Statewide,” authorizing regional centers to pay vendors for absences that are a direct result of the COVID-19 outbreak, pursuant to Title 17 section 54326(a)(11). As indicated in the Department’s July 17, 2020, directive, “Providing and Claiming for Nonresidential Services During the State of Emergency,” retention payments to nonresidential providers for consumer absences are authorized through August 31, 2020. The Department will issue a directive outlining the structure for subsequent reimbursement of claims for providing nonresidential services using alternative service delivery approaches during the State of Emergency. (Amendment effective 8/10/2020)
· Public Meetings
· WIC §4731 Consumers’ Rights Complaints
o b. Effective immediately, section “WIC §4731 Consumers’ Rights Complaints” is hereby deleted from this Directive. The 20-working day requirement for investigating and providing a written proposed resolution to a complainant pursuant to W&I Code section 4731(b) is reinstated. (Amendment effective 7/15/2020)
· Departmental Audits and Programmatic Monitoring Reviews
· Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Self Assessments
o c. The following sentence under section “Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Self Assessments” is hereby amended to read: “The requested completion date for provider HCBS self-assessment has been extended to June 30, 2020 August 31, 2020.” (Amendment effective 6/8/2020)
· Lanterman Act Eligibility
o Amendment to Directive: a. The following paragraph under section “In-Home Respite Workers” is hereby amended to read: “To increase available workforce and support consumers and families at home, the Department waives Title 17 section 56792(e)(3)(A) requirements for in-home respite workers to possess first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training prior to employment when the consumer receiving services does not have chronic or presenting health concerns. Training must be obtained within 30 days of starting work.” (Amendment effective 7/15/2020)
· In-Home Respite Workers
· Family Cost Participation Program and Annual Family Program Fee
· Added the additional Participant Directed Services models
Personal assistance • Independent living skills • Supported employment Currently (while this was a statewide add on VMRC previously had no PDS so we added the respite, day care, transportation, nursing and day services)
· Residential Facility Payments
o c. The following paragraph under section “Residential Facility Payments” is hereby amended to read: “The Department hereby modifies any requirements of the Lanterman Act or Title 17 regarding payments to a residential facility when a consumer is temporarily absent. If the temporary absence from the facility is for the purpose of preventing or minimizing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and the regional center is in agreement that the absence is related to this purpose, the regional center shall continue to pay the established rate as long as no other consumer occupies the vacancy or until it is determined the consumer will not return to the facility and the facility retains and continues to pay staff during this time. Any claims made for these absences are subject to audit and review. Regional centers shall report to the Department by December 15, 2020, all current approved payments for temporary absences in accordance with this section. The Department will issue a subsequent communication regarding the process and format for reporting.” (Amendment effective 12/1/2020)
· Health and Safety Waiver Exemptions for Alternative Residential Model (ARM) Homes
· Vendor Fiscal Audits
o Amendments to Directive
o a. The following paragraph under section “Vendor Fiscal Audits” is hereby amended to read: "The requirements of Article III, Section 9, paragraph (c) of the Department’s regional center contract are waived for Fiscal Year 2019-20. To the extent feasible, regional centers shall continue to conduct fiscal audits in accordance with this paragraph.” (Amendment effective 7/15/2020)
· Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule Compliance Information
o b. The following sentence under section “Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule Compliance Information” is hereby amended to read: “Regional centers shall post this information on their websites by July 1, 2020 August 31, 2020.” (Amendment effective 6/8/2020)
· EBSH/CCH Registered Behavior Technician Certification
o Section “EBSH/CCH Registered Behavior Technician Certification” will be deleted from this Directive, effective January 10, 2021. (Amendment effective 1/10/2021)
· Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) Incentive Payments
· Parental Fees
The Director of the Department of Developmental Services (Department) issues this Directive to regional centers waiving certain requirements of the California Early Intervention Services Act (CEISA). The Department recognizes the transition to special education services for children at age three may be delayed as local schools face challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any requirements of the CEISA, including Government Code section 95014(a), mandating early intervention services end at age three are hereby waived. This waiver only applies for children who have received Early Start services through regional centers and reached their third birthday during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
The Director of the Department of Developmental Services (Department) waives the half-day billing requirements of Welfare and Institutions Code section 4690.6 when a vendor is providing traditional services. This waiver does not apply when a vendor is providing Alternative Services, as described in the Department’s August 31, 2020 Directive.
The Director of the Department of Developmental Services (Department) waives the requirement that the cost of the financial management service is paid by the participant from his or her individual budget as described in Welfare and Institutions Code section 4685.8(c)(1).
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Tony Anderson
Executive Director
Valley Mountain Regional Center
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Case Management Update
Through the Eyes of Chandra
her personal battle with COVID-19
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The coronavirus is all too real and has affected so many we know. Chanda Crane is a 45 year old woman who resides independently with supported living services. She is diagnosed with several medical conditions which put her at high-risk for COVID-19. She ended up testing postive leading to a health crisis. She feels compelled to share her story about the struggles she experienced in battling the virus. |
On the evening of Tuesday June 16th, 2020, Chandra began to feel “sluggish”, and decided to go to bed early. She woke up the next day with “cold-like” symptoms and thought it was a sinus infection. Chandra decided to go to St. Joseph’s Medical Center Emergency Room on Thursday June 18th, 2020 after having a fever of 102. Chandra stated she had left her home on June 11th, 2020 for a doctor’s appointment and believes this is when she was exposed to COVID-19.
Chandra stated she remembers being in the emergency room for at least 24 hours waiting to be admitted. She stated her first diagnosis was pneumonia and a couple hours later she was tested for COVID-19 which came back positive. Chandra stated she does not remember a lot of people waiting in the emergency room. However, she did not get a bed until the morning of Saturday June 21st, 2020. She went straight to the respiratory ICU COVID-19 unit for treatment. Chandra was in the ICU for a total of 29 days, and because her condition worsened, she was placed on a ventilator. She was on a ventilator for 22 days of the 29 days in the ICU.
“It was nerve-racking and lonely being in the hospital, especially because I couldn’t have my family by my bedside,” Chandra said. Chandra stated this was the most challenging part about being in the hospital. Although Chandra does not remember much while being in the ICU, she does remember her family visiting through the window. After a month of being hospitalized and several treatments, it was determined that Chandra needed physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapy. After several placement options were explored, St. Joseph’s was finally able to find a COVID-19 SNF to meet Chandra’s therapy needs.
Chandra was placed at Clearwater Health Care SNF in Stockton for a month. Chandra was using a wheelchair after being hospitalized. Today, she is able to walk again with staff supervision. Chandra stated she was able to talk immediately after the tubes were taken out, but she received speech therapy as a precaution for any vocal damage that could have occurred. Today, Chandra remains on 2 liters of oxygen. Since receiving all the proper services and returning home, Chandra has returned to her baseline with most of her activities of daily living. However, maneuvering an oxygen tank makes some daily routine activities difficult. “The most challenging part when returning home was having to accept help in areas I usually would perform on my own. It was embarrassing,” stated Chandra. For example, in the areas of bathing and toileting. Chandra stated she lost her hair while being hospitalized and she is grateful that it is growing back. Chandra was excited to return home and remembers being able to enjoy some pizza and seeing her dog the first day she arrived home.
Chandra states that her spirituality was very important to her during her experience battling COVID-19. Chandra says she is beyond grateful for all the support she received from St. Joseph’s Medical Center and Clearwater SNF staff, Camello Supported Living Services staff, Valley Mountain Regional Center, and her family. Chandra wants people to know that you can recover from COVID-19. “It is important for people to be educated about COVID-19 and take safety precautions, such as wearing a mask,” says Chandra. Chandra stated prior to having COVID-19 she did not like wearing her mask and needed a lot of prompting to wear and keep her mask on properly. Today, she realizes the importance of wearing her mask. “Wear your mask and be strong!” says Chandra.
These days Chandra is spending most of time with her dog at home. She is receiving remote services with Central Valley Training Center and has started using her television. She was hardly ever interested in watching movies, but she has gained interest since being hospitalized.
-Amanda Dominguez, VMRC Service Coordinator
CDC Adds Down Syndrome to High Risk List
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is acknowledging for the first time that COVID-19 poses an especially high risk for people with Down Syndrome. The federal agency updated its list of conditions that carry an “increased risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19” in late December to include Down Syndrome.
As noted in Disability Scoop, It is one of a dozen conditions — including cancer, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, obesity and pregnancy — that the CDC specifically warns have been linked to an increased risk from the virus. The list is a living document that may be updated at any time, subject to potentially rapid change as the science evolves.
And, as we are aware the agency also maintains a separate list of conditions that “might be at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.” The CDC said that the addition of Down syndrome to the “increased risk” list came in response to recent data. People with the chromosomal disorder should talk to their health care provider about their individual risk.
Research published in the fall that was based on a review of medical records for 8.26 million adults in England found that people with Down syndrome were four times more likely than others to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 and 10 times more likely to die from the virus. Studies in this country confirm similar results and, include a higher risk for other developmental disabilities.
As a result, disability advocates have been pushing states to prioritize people with developmental disabilities in their vaccine distribution plans. But a December report from the American Network of Community Options and Resources, or ANCOR, which represents disability service providers across the nation, found that only 10 states had specifically addressed those with developmental disabilities in their plans. Advocacy is ongoing.
Stimulus Disregards Aspects of Disability Community
With a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package, Congress recently denied stimulus payments to some people with disabilities and failed to offer funding for home and community-based services. The measure includes $600 cash payments for many Americans — including those receiving Supplemental Security Income benefits — who earn less than $75,000 annually, with tiered amounts beyond that.
Disability advocates say that despite months of intense lobbying, the legislation is most notable for what is left out. There is no dedicated funding for home- and community-based services or to help people with disabilities transition out of congregate settings, which have been devastated by the virus, as we have seen in our own local communities.
And, adults with disabilities who are considered dependents for tax purposes are once again ineligible for the latest round of cash payments. And, a provision in an earlier coronavirus relief bill expanding paid leave from work for parents needing to care for their children with developmental disabilities during the pandemic was allowed to expire at the end of 2020.
Disability service providers have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. A survey last summer of nearly 200 organizations serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the nation found that 77 percent had already shut down or discontinued programs as they faced higher costs and lower utilization because of the pandemic.
In a statement, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network said the latest relief package “abandons” people with disabilities. “While the just-passed COVID relief package includes funding for unemployment insurance, SNAP and other important benefits to help people devastated by the pandemic, as well as funding to help states distribute the vaccine, it fails to respond to the crisis facing the disability community,” the group said. “We will keep advocating for a real response to this crisis.”
Annual Statement Clarification
We want to make you aware of items you may note on the Annual Statement that is provided to you during the IPP process. The Annual Statement indicates the actual expenses paid by VMRC on behalf of you or your family member during the previous year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may notice payments made to providers during times that services were not actually received. It is recognized that the continued payment to service providers may cause confusion for some families.
These payments occurred because the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) issued a directive that allowed for regional centers to continue to pay for services during this ongoing state of emergency. These payments are referred to as “absence billing,” and happened for a number of reasons, including:
· Meet the individual needs of consumers and their families; which may have changed due to the pandemic
· Sustain the service providers network during times when sites had to be closed and face-to-face interaction was restricted due to ongoing public health guidelines
· Continue receipt of federal reimbursement for services provided to consumers during the COVID-19 State of Emergency
· Support and safeguard services so they may be available to you and your family member when this pandemic is over and our community is ready to safely and fully “return to normal”
If you still have questions related to the annual statement when you receive it, please contact your Service Coordinator so that he or she can answer your questions.
Participant-Directed Respite Service Change
On 12/23, we received notification of a DDS Directive addressing Participant-Directed Respite services in an effort to protect consumer rights, health, safety, and welfare. The directive reads in part as follows:
"Pursuant to W&I Code section 4639.6, to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, the Department authorizes regional centers to pay an increased rate of reimbursement for overtime hours for Participant-Directed Respite Service (Service Code 465). The rate of reimbursement is $25.55 per consumer per hour for overtime hours when overtime is required by law. Regional centers should use the sub-code “OT” when authorizing claims for overtime. This Directive, effective December 1, 2020, remains in effect until further notice, and is necessary to limit the number of participant-directed respite providers entering the consumer’s home. Consumers, family members or providers should contact their local regional center with questions regarding this Directive."
VMRC implementation includes:
· Add rate and sub code in our billing system.
· Generate a report of those currently receiving Participant-Directed Respite service.
· Service Coordinator/Program Manager to reach out to those identified, asking if overtime is needed.
· Follow up with a POS authorization, as needed.
· Offer Participant-Directed Respite for all needing the overtime rate. So, we have advised our case management staff to be knowledgeable and prepared.
· Provide a reminder to families that this directive is effective during the pandemic.
· Place information of the directive on our website and in our Health Advisory for reference.
· Always feel free to contact your Service Coordinator for additional information.
Cindy Mix
Director of Consumer Services
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Clinical Update
With the news of a new SARS-CoV-2 virus strain in the UK and South Africa that is much more infectious than the previous one[1] spreading here in California and the US[2],[3], people are scared that the new vaccines that is giving us hope might not be effective. A research article from The New England Journal of Medicine showed that the new virus strain, G614, was indeed showed more stability and infectivity.[4] Although it did not cause more severe disease. It also showed the promise of similar sensitivity to the serum antibody of the ancestral strain. That means there is high likelihood that the vaccine will still be effective against it. This should allay the fear and doubt as to the level of vaccine protection one can have.
The virus started spreading in Europe, the B117 mutation which is more infectious and possibly affects more children.[5] The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccine makers are also confident that the technology they used in the new COVID-19 vaccine is much easier to adjust should there be a need compared to the traditional vaccines.1,3,5
The CDC is monitoring safety reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine through the V-SAFE smartphone based app.[6] They also released advisory to ensure individuals are monitored for 15-30 minutes after vaccination for any adverse allergic reaction.[7] Latest CDC guideline have been released on contraindications related to allergy, emphasizing that previous history of COVID-19 infection is not a contraindication to receiving the vaccine.[8]
The US Food and Drug Administration have given warning against circulating news on the possibility of giving 2 half doses to patients 18-55 years old and possible delay of the second dose.[9] The COVID-19 vaccines should be administered according to their specified dosing schedules to maintain efficacy. On the other hand, inactivated influenza vaccine has shown significantly better outcomes among COVID-19 patients compared to non-vaccinated patients, suggesting further exploration of this effect.[10]
The next priority group for COVID-19 vaccination has been identified by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).[11] Phase 1b should be offered to individuals 75 years and older and non-healthcare frontline essential workers such as firefighters, police officers, correction officers, food and agricultural workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, teachers and school staff, and childcare workers. Phase 1a was recommended for healthcare personnel and long term care residents. Phase 1c recommendation will be for individuals ages 65-74, those ages 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions, and essential workers not included in Phase 1b. Phase 2 will be for those 16 years and older not included in Phase 1a, 1b, and 1c. For further information on California’s COVID-19 Vaccine prioritization plan, please check out this link.
VMRC has communicated with the local public health offices of our catchment area to coordinate the vaccination process. Amador County have scheduled vaccination with our care home providers and will schedule VMRC staff that reside in their area. Calaveras County has directed us to the Pharmacy partnership program with CVS and Walgreens. Tuolumne County have vaccinated several care homes and SLS provider. VMRC have provided San Joaquin and Stanislaus County the names of our care home providers. Stanislaus County will schedule vaccination of regional center staff by next week. A few of our ICFs have received communication from either CVS or Walgreens regarding vaccination of our consumers and their staff through the pharmacy partnership program.
A number of regional center Clinical Directors have met twice already as a workgroup, including VMRC Clinical Director, and the whole group will meet again next week, working collectively through the issue of giving consents for the vaccinations and developing recommendations for the CVS/Walgreens Pharmacy Partnership program to help facilitate vaccination efforts.
An update on the COVID-19 vaccination efforts was given at the Consumer Services Committee meeting and you can access the link to the power point presentation here.
Several community advocates have collaborated and created an advocacy letter to include individuals with developmental disorders in the Phase 1b of vaccine distribution. Below is a copy of the letter and a link to a survey that you are encouraged to sign to show support.
Here’s the letter:
Dear Members of the California COVID-19 Vaccine Drafting Guidelines Workgroup,
We write as members of California’s Community Advisory Vaccine Committee who collectively represent people with a wide range of disabilities and chronic health conditions across the age spectrum. After consulting with one another on the proposed 1b vaccine prioritizations proposed by the Drafting Guidelines Workgroup last week, we ask the Workgroup to include two changes to the proposed priority tiers under phase 1b:
· Include people with disabilities of any age who receive long-term services and supports (LTSS) through Medi-Cal waiver services and programs, the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and through Regional Centers.
· Provide a “safety valve” for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions of any age who can demonstrate with medical evidence that they are at great risk of severe health consequences including death if they acquire COVID-19.
We appreciate the Workgroup’s inclusion of people with comorbid conditions ages 64-75 years in category 1b. However, we also recognize that age, in itself, is a highly inexact proxy for the disability communities, particularly lower-income people with disabilities of color, who remain at high risk for COVID infection and/or severe illness. An individual with developmental disabilities in their 50s who lives in a small group home is, in fact, at significantly higher risk of acquiring COVID-19 than someone in their 60s who can safely shelter in place without visitors because of daily exposures to direct support workers in the small group home. Moreover, the CDC’s list of recognized comorbid conditions, does not include either real-time research into how people with different disabilities experience the virus (e.g., Landes, SD, Turk, MA, & Wong, AWWA (in press), “COVID-19 Outcomes Among People with Intellectual and Developmental Disability in California: The Importance of Type of Residence and Skilled Nursing Care Needs,” Disability and Health Journal, 101051), nor the impact of medical rationing and implicit bias on people with significant disabilities. For example, a high-weight individual with multiple healthcare conditions may be unable to access regular therapy for severe lymphedema without risking COVID-19 infection and, if they end up with COVID-19 during a surge resulting in health care rationing, they also are at risk of being denied care because of the application of crisis standard of care guidelines.
There is also the equitable consideration that many people with disabilities receiving home and community-based long-term services and supports require nursing home levels of care but fought to stay out of institutions or return to the community, potentially living with family in multi-generational homes.
These individuals have not been subject to the tragic rates of infection in nursing homes, where they would ironically be receiving the vaccination now, but their risks of infection and severe illness during a time of rising community infection rates should accord them a place in category 1b, regardless of their age. Studies are beginning to bear out the disproportionate impact COVID is having on people with specific disabilities, including developmental disabilities, who are 3 times more likely to die, and people with Down Syndrome, who are 10 times more likely to die. (https://tinyurl.com/y2a5f9ql; https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-4986), but people with less frequently occurring disabilities could also bear disproportionate impacts that have not yet been the subject of study.
We support the prioritized inclusion of personal care assistants who are coming into the homes of disabled people as front-line healthcare workers in category 1a, but since we don’t know the infectious capacity of those who have been vaccinated, those who receive personal assistance services must be separately evaluated for vaccination.
In order to provide some sense of the number of individuals that are being raised here we have some approximate figures below. Please bear in mind that there is considerable overlap both among the groups listed below as well as with other groups that are already proposed for inclusion in 1b (e.g., persons over 75 and persons between 64 and 75 with comorbid conditions).
CA Assisted Living Waiver: 5,000, with 4,500 on the waitlist
CA Community Based Adult Services Program: 40,000
CA HCBS Waiver for Californians w/DD: 95,000
CA HIV/AIDS Waiver: 1,500
CA Home and Community Based Alternatives Waiver: 5,500, with 600 on the waiting list
CA Multipurpose Senior Services Program: up to 12,000
CA Self-Determination Program for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: 350
Community First Option: 250,000 (most overlapping with other categories in this list)
IHSS: 600,500
Regional Center Service recipients: 350,000
PACE participant: 10,000
Our recommendation would include an approximate 1.1 million Californians who would very likely have fallen within 1a if they were not being cared for in the community.
Finally, we encourage the Workgroup to recommend subpriorities within 1b based on who has been most impacted by the pandemic. For example, all older adults 75+ have not been similarly situated, with death and infection rates disproportionately impacting older adults of color. Further subprioritization based on considerations like race and community would be consistent with subprioritization guidance for phase 1a and is critical in ensuring a vaccine allocation grounded in equity.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide our input to the Drafting Guidelines Workgroup.
Sincerely,
Aaron Carruthers, California State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Andy Imparato, Disability Rights California
Christina Mills, California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
Denny Chan, Justice in Aging
Silvia Yee, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
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With the promise of end of the pandemic through vaccination in our midst, let us be safety advocates and continue to wear mask, practice physical distancing, and hand hygiene. Let us all have a safe, healthy, and happy new year!!
Please continue to stay safe and healthy.
Claire B. Lazaro, MSN, RN, NP, PHN, FNP-C
Director of Clinical Services
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Community Services Department News
All RESIDENTIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS are invited to attend a ZOOM Information Session related to current COVID-19 precautions.
Information will be shared regarding current California State recommendations and “good health practice,” to reduce the COVID-19 spread to all persons (Residents and Staff), in Licensed Residential Care. There will be opportunities to ask questions.
When: Friday, (TODAY) January 8, 2020 at 11:00 A.M.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 912 0489 6749
Passcode: 477314
Quality Assurance News
SAVE THE DATE For Upcoming Training Opportunities!
January 27, 2021 Personal and Incidental Money Management Training
Emergency & Disaster Preparedness Training Workshops for Residential Providers:
· March 10, 2021 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
· April 14,2021 from 10 a.m. -12 p.m.
· May 12, 2021 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
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- Our goal is for 100% compliance among Residential Service Providers, in all 5 Counties!
GUIDANCE WHEN A CONSUMER POSITIVE IN LICENSED RESIDENTIAL CARE
(Adult, Children’s, RCFE, ICF, FHA)
Provider Should:
· Contact SC and (submit SIR) using dedicated FAX Line:
Stockton (209) 955-3673
Modesto (209) 557-2111
San Andreas (209) 754-3211
· Contact Community Services Liaison (QA)
· Contact the Licensing Agency that holds the license for your home/ service type CCL / DPH / DSS
Resource Development News
Alternative Services
By January 15, 2021, providers must submit a report for each vendorization delivering Alternative Services for the month of December 2020 using SurveyMonkey. The survey may be accessed at:
Please note, once a survey is started it cannot be withdrawn or edited at a later time. Providers may request to have an incomplete survey deleted by contacting DDSC19Directives@dds.ca.gov. The request must include the program name, vendor number, service code, and specify which reporting month needs to be deleted.
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) WEBINAR
The Facts About Covid-19 Vaccines For Direct Support Professionals
Direct support professionals have been on the frontlines of supporting people with disabilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The COVID-19 vaccines are now here and becoming widely available. As this is good news, we also know there is some confusion and worry among people about the efficacy and safety of the vaccine. In this webinar, NADSP in partnership with the American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry (AADMD) will address vaccine concerns. Please join Rick Rader, MD as he shares up to date and research-based information on the COVID-19 vaccines.
This webinar is now available on the NADSP Website. Click the "Watch Video" button below to watch.
Residential Screening
The VMRC Residential Screening Team wants to let Residential providers know that the volume of requests for residential placement has dramatically decreased over the last several weeks and it is expected to decrease through the winter months as to minimize the risk of COVID-19, only moves that are essential are being pursued at this time. This does not mean that persons receiving services cannot move, it means that the best way to minimize the risk of exposure is for persons to remain where they are with the appropriate supports.
The Residential Screening Team continues to meet twice weekly or more often as needed to support case management with finding the most appropriate Level 4 or higher residential options, however due to the current increase in COVID 19 in our region, our current residential service need is for homes that can offer private rooms, or especially those homes that are able and willing to supports persons that have been exposed, potentially exposed or who have tested positive for COVID-19.
If you want to explore development of a licensed, vendored Adult, Children’s or Residential Care Home for the Elderly that can serve persons exposed or positive for COVID-19 please visit our website and complete a Letter of Intent form. https://www.vmrc.net/letter-of-intent/
We thank you all for your ongoing dedication and efforts to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
Brian L. Bennett
Director of Community Services
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Tara Sisemore-Hester
Assistant Clinical Director
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January Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Distribution |
We have 3 PPE Distribution Days in January
Drive Through - No Contact - No Vehicle Exit - No Registration Necessary
Friday (TODAY) – January 8, 2pm – 4pm, Tuolumne County Senior Center, 540 Greenley Road, Sonora, CA 95370
Friday - January 22, 2pm - 4pm, VMRC Stockton Office, 702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202
Friday - January 29, 2pm - 4pm, VMRC Modesto Office, 1820 Blue Gum Avenue, Modesto, CA 95358
Please spread the word to families and service providers. Like always, if a family or vendor can not make the event and would like delivery, we will do the best we can to fulfill that delivery request.
Please have families notify their Service Coordinators, and vendors notify their Community Services Liaisons.
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Human Resources Update
2021 has finally arrived and we all hope that a lot of the stress for 2020 will start to leave us. Along with a new year comes new laws. Here are a few that will impact businesses in CA with 25 or less employees or 50 and more.
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The state’s minimum wage is also climbing, thanks to a preexisting law that has been taking effect in stages. As of Jan. 1, employers with more than 25 employees must pay at least $14 an hour.
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Senate Bill 1383, which takes effect Jan. 1, requires companies with five or more employees to allow them 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave to care for a newborn, newly adopted child or sick family member — the same number now available to employees of businesses with 50 or more workers. It expands the definition of “family member” beyond spouses and children to include grandparents, grandchildren, siblings and in-laws.
- Assembly Bill 685, which takes effect Jan. 1, toughens rules requiring employers to report cases and imposes penalties governing outbreaks.
Under the new law, a business must notify employees within one business day of
learning of any potential COVID-19 exposure. It must also offer them information on
benefits such as workers’ compensation and sick leave; on protection against
retaliation; and on the company’s virus safety measures.
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May, Newsom issued an executive order creating a “disputable presumption” that front-line workers who contracted COVID-19 from mid-March to early July caught it on the job unless businesses offer proof to the contrary.
- With Senate Bill 1159, which took effect in September, the Legislature extended Newsom’s order beyond July for first responders and healthcare workers. And it applied the presumption to all other employees at businesses with more than five workers, but only if they were on the job during an outbreak. (This law defines an outbreak as four employees testing positive within two weeks for employers with 100 or fewer workers or 4% testing positive at larger employers.)
Bud Mullanix
Director
Human Resources, Safety, Security, FGP & S.C. Program
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Self-Advocacy Council 6
Lisa Utsey - Self Advocacy Council 6 chairperson invites you to join the SAC6 Friday CHATS!
With so much happening because of the virus SAC6 wants to hear how you are doing and share information so we can all get through this together!
Health and Wellness
Join us on a SAC6 ZOOM CHAT!!
Let’s Check In with each other!
WHEN: Friday January 8, 2021
TIME: 11:00am-12:00pm
WHERE: ZOOM - computer, tablet, cell phone
The next SAC6 CHAT:
· Friday, January 8, 2021 - Rights & Responsibilities with VMRC Compliance Manager Christine Couch
Join Zoom Meeting on your computer, tablet or phone
Meeting ID: 936 7099 5679
Password: 386428
You must enter the Password or you can call in:
TOLL FREE NUMBER TO CALL IN:
· 1-877-853-5257 US Toll-free
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Five County Data Update
as of January 7, 2020
San Joaquin County
· 50,104 total positive cases and 696 deaths
· 64.7 new cases per 100,000 people and 17.0% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
Stanislaus County
· 37,344 total positive cases and 657 deaths
· 56.2 new cases per 100,000 people and 15.7% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
Tuolumne County
· 3158 total positive cases and 23 deaths
· 25.4 new cases per 100,000 people and 7.7% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
Calaveras County (As of 01/05)
· 898 total positive cases and 22 deaths
· 35.2 new cases per 100,000 people and 11.4% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
Amador County (As of 01/06)
· 1234 total positive cases and 22 deaths
· 35.6 new cases per 100,000 people and 9.9% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
State of California
· 2,546,996 total positive cases and 28,167 deaths
· 74.1 new cases per 100,000 people and 15.0% positivity rate
Valley Mountain Regional Center
· 448 positive consumer cases and 18 deaths
· 27 positive VMRC staff cases
· 3 positive volunteer case
· 188 positive provider cases and 1 death
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Local County, State and National Public Health Resources |
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