Fortieth
Community Health Advisory Coronavirus (COVID-19)
weekly message from the director...
COVID-19 Updates and Outcomes for the Week

This has been our worst week since the beginning of the pandemic regarding the positivity rate for our community. In one week alone we reported 60 people tested positive. This number includes 48 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, nine direct support professionals, and three regional center staff. For our offices, we had to close the buildings in Modesto and Stockton because we learned that staff who eventually tested positive were coming into the building (only about 10% are coming into the buildings) working alongside other staff. Our policy for when we get a positive case is to close the building to all staff, bring in the deep cleaning, swap out the air filters, and let the air settle for 48 hours.
 
According to the American Centers for Disease Control (CDC) they map out the following initiatives as the winning strategy for combatting this dangerous virus:

1.      Universal use of face masks.

2.      Physical distancing and limiting contacts.

3.      Increased testing, diagnosis, and isolation.

4.      Safeguarding persons most at risk for severe illness or death (Certain underlying medical conditions also increase risk for severe illness or death for persons of any age with COVID-19).

5.      Avoiding nonessential indoor spaces and crowded outdoor settings.

6.      Prompt case investigation and contact tracing to identify, quarantine, and test close contacts.

7.      Protecting essential workers.

8.      Postponing travel.

9.      Widespread availability and use of effective vaccines.
 
As you can see from the CDC's top strategies for stopping the spread of the virus, testing is one of the most important things we can do. According to the investigation for how so many are getting the virus, we find that mostly people infected with the virus eventually find out they have had COVID-19 and didn't know it, but infect several vulnerable consumers. While Community Care Licensing now requires wearing face coverings by all consumers and staff in the licensed homes at all times now, we are still seeing people letting their guard down. Also, the licensed homes are required to test a percentage of their staff regularly, and we're learning that this is a major challenge for them, as well as all our other service providers.
 
In an effort to address this serious problem we have partnered with Biocept to organize COVID-19 Testing Events to serve our staff, consumers, their direct support professionals, and their families. Today, we are faced with a serious health threat and we are taking serious measures to do everything we can to keep our community as safe as we can. Our first event will be on Thursday, December 17, 2020 from 8 am to 12 pm. Testing is limited to 72 people for the first event, and results are expected within a couple days. 

Tony Anderson
Executive Director
Valley Mountain Regional Center

Case Management Update


COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Considerations

Prioritizing Californians with IDD, their DSP, and their family caregivers for initial phases of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is now an urgent advocacy matter. Research shows that individuals with developmental disabilities face a two to ten time’s greater risk of dying from the virus compared to others who test positive.

This is a nationwide effort, but California advocates are aware that access to the vaccines will be limited and were quick to recommend distribution decisions for this critical group given the increased mortality rate. Requests include classifying people with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in any type of congregate setting — including institutions and group homes — as residing in a long-term care facility for the purpose of COVID-19 vaccine distribution. In addition, they speak for designation of direct support professionals as healthcare workers so they can be included in the initial phases of dissemination.

National and state advocacy is being spearheaded by the American Network of Community Option and Resources (ANCOR) as well as the ARC of California.


Beware of Holiday Shopping Scams

Not surprisingly, frauds flourish during the holiday season. This is a reminder to be especially careful when ordering online. Online purchasing is the most common scam type reported to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), accounting for 38 percent of complaints to the BBB's Scam Tracker in the first seven months of 2020 — up from 24 percent in 2019. And, due to COVID-19, most are doing their shopping from the convenience of their homes, more than any other time.

The dishonesty typically starts with a bogus website, mobile app or social media ad. There are faux e-stores invented using trusted retailers, with familiar logos and slogans and a URL that is easily mistaken for the real thing. They may offer popular items at a fraction of the usual cost and promise perks like free shipping and overnight delivery, exploiting the premium online shoppers put on price and speed.

Some do deliver merchandise, but it may be of lesser quality than expected. Reports to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) show that a lot of items are never delivered. In fact, the rate of this happening has quadrupled in the last few years and has been extremely high during the pandemic. Additionally, be mindful of potential identity theft resulting from your personal information being accessed.

Online shopping is fast and convenient, but taking precautions is important so you get what you pay for and don’t lose your money. Make it a safe holiday season.
Should you have related issues, report fraud to: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/


Upcoming Self-Determination Informational Meeting

Elizabeth Diaz will be reviewing how the Self Determination budget is created, and how the spending plan is developed during a Zoom meeting scheduled for next week on Thursday, December 17, 2020, from 3:30pm-5pm. 

Examples of a children and an adult case will be provided and the information will include how Self Determination works with different budget amounts to create quality spending plans and programs for participants of all ages. There will be time for questions and discussion. 

You will need to sign into Zoom using the email address you registered with. Join the Zoom Meeting: 

 
Meeting ID: 956 7817 6096   Passcode: 457242

Additionally, dates have been scheduled for Self-Determination Orientation trainings for 2021. Those dates are as follows: 1/14, 2/18, 3/29, 4/27, 5/19, and 6/29. Please check our website for the applicable Zoom links.


Open Enrollment for Covered California is Underway

Covered California’s annual open-enrollment period officially began on November 1, providing uninsured individuals with their first opportunity to sign up for health care coverage that will begin in 2021. The open-enrollment period runs through Jan. 31, 2021.

This is a free service to help individuals determine the best option available and whether they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget.  

Open enrollment is the period of time that people can purchase health care for the upcoming year without having to have a qualifying life event. This year Covered California has added loss of a job or income due to COVID-19 or Wildfires as life events that qualify for Special Enrollment which means that individuals can apply anytime, not just during open enrollment. 
Consumers will need to sign up by Dec. 15 in order to have their coverage begin on Jan. 1, 2021. Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can:

·        Visit www.CoveredCA.com

·        Get free and confidential assistance, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller

·        Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.or

·        Have a certified enroller call you and help you for free

 
Catch the Holiday Spirit by Giving

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year for most. The pandemic may force you to cancel some holiday traditions, but creating new ones can be exciting, challenging, and overall impactful on your life and the life of others.

VMRC case management teams are in the holiday spirit, working with community members by gathering donations and planning for deliveries and drive-thru events to share in holiday celebrations with our consumers. As stated by one staff member, “Definitely sad that we don’t get to gather together as a team and wrap presents and deliver gifts but we are just happy to be able to come up with a strategy that keeps everyone safe during this pandemic and still be able to help those in need”.

On December 23 the VMRC Stockton Adult Teams will be delivering pre-cooked holiday dinners to 25 adult consumers who live independently in the community. It was the kindness of community members in Stockton that came together to provide the food and drinks that will be gifted. During the holidays, and especially during the current pandemic, many of our adult consumers are finding themselves isolated and overwhelmed with the state shutting down, and we are hoping we can spread a little holiday cheer to brighten up the season for them. A special thank you to Jené Monique and Jeremy Gann for their kind donation!

The Transition Team will be providing holiday gift/food baskets to nine families in partnership with Dee Dee Platz in memory of Joan Justice Brown, Program Specialist, and Jirii Sakata, Program Manager, VMRC. 

The Children’s Team has chosen eight consumers and their families to adopt for Christmas gift donations this year.  CA Mentor generously offered to help and several families are being adopted by some of our Service Coordinator’s families who want to participate. Gifts will be provided to all of the children in the consumer’s home and candy bags for all will be given.  

Due to COVID-19, monetary donations are being accepted from staff to contribute and designated Service Coordinators are doing all of the shopping. Staff will deliver the gifts to the consumer’s home independently and schedule to drop them off at the door to keep with social distancing.


Holiday Assistance Programs

Free toys, as well as Christmas meals, may be provided to families that meet income guidelines. Non-profit agencies as well as churches and charities try to help seniors, children, and low to moderate income households receive some type of holiday joy. Applicants for the various programs will need to be sure to have proof of income and note their hardship in order to apply for a toy or food basket.

Two of the largest holiday programs in the Stockton area include Operation Dreamkeeper as well as Toys for Tots. Those, as well as others, offer free toys, games, and more to young children, including immigrants and Spanish speakers. Senior citizens as well as working poor parents can often also get a Christmas meal and other support.


Toy Drive-Thru Giveaway

The Lathrop Police partners with Toys for Tots to offer a toy giveaway on Friday, December 11, from 5pm to 7pm. This strictly drive-thru event is located at the Generations Center, 450 Spartan Way, Lathrop. For children ages 2-12.


Toys for Tots

This program is for certain parts of San Joaquin County only. Clients need to live in Stockton, Lodi, Ripon, Tracy, Lathrop, Manteca, French Camp. The Marine Corps, partnering with churches and local businesses, collect items such as bikes, toys, dolls, trains, and more for children. The goods are given to their parents or single moms that qualify so the child has a gift to open Christmas morning. Apply online at their website:



Good Samaritan Training Center
1331 E Fremont St
Stockton, California 95205
(209) 469-7098
Operation Dreamkeeper is the Christmas assistance program for children under the age of 11. Hot meals, small gifts, and filled stockings are given. It is for the less fortunate and homeless in the community.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Stockton.
Churches offer food baskets, spiritual guidance, and financial aid. They try to ramp up the donation programs during Christmas to both feed families living in poverty and provide small gifts, turkeys, and more. In Modesto call (209)5293784, Stockton dial (209) 444-5900, or Sonora call (209) 532-7632.

Family Resource and Neighborhood Referral Center
Phone – 800-436-9997
Staff can direct San Joaquin County residents to various social services, soup kitchen, and holiday assistance programs too. Or seek financial aid, free clothes, or toys for kids at either Christmas or their birthday.

Emergency Food Bank
Location is 7 W Scotts Ave
Stockton, California 95203
Dial (209) 464-7369
The non-profit, and the volunteers that work there, pass out free Christmas dinner baskets to individuals and families in need of help.

Tracy California Families - A Brighter Christmas
Free Christmas help offered for residents of Tracy. Hundreds of families and children are supported each year. There are free toys, Christmas food boxes for the house, games, toys, books, and other items. Volunteers and stores donate to the assistance program. Call 209-833-3309.

Community Partnership For Families Of San Joaquin (CPFSJ)
Telephone: 209-444-5555
The first 100-200 kids or so may be given a free holiday gift. Otherwise referrals are given from the location at Dorothy L Jones Family Resource Center.

Salvation Army Seasonal Programs
622 N Sacramento St., Lodi, California 95240, 209-367-9560
1305 E Weber Ave, Stockton, CA 95205. Call (209) 948-8955
Free Christmas gifts, meals, clothing and toys are given to children that qualify, including low income single moms. They also offer counseling, the Angel Tree program, financial aid, and more. The focus is on households in Clements, Lodi, Thornton, Acampo and also Woodbridge. However other referrals may be given too.

LOVE, INC
Address is 609 W Center St
Manteca, California
Phone number is 209-825-9131
Free personal items, free Christmas or birthday toys, games, clothes and more items are offered. They help women, immigrants, children, and the vulnerable.



Cindy Mix
Director of Consumer Services
Clinical Update


We are almost at the beginning of the end of the pandemic. That is because the vaccines are about to get approved on Saturday. The FDA Panel has voted 17-4 Thursday in favor of the emergency use authorization of Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 years and older.[1] The United Kingdom and Canada has approved this and have started vaccination.

With vaccination starting, this doesn’t mean we will put down our guard in practicing safety precautions during this pandemic. The CDC has released a summary of public health guidance to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus.[2] The safety strategies include:[3]

1.      Universal face mask use.

2.      Maintaining physical distance from others and limiting in-person contacts.

3.      Avoiding nonessential indoor spaces and crowded outdoor spaces.

4.      Increasing testing to rapidly identify and isolate infected individuals.

5.      Promptly identifying, quarantining, and testing close contacts of individuals with known COVID-19.

6.      Safeguarding those at highest risk for severe illness or death from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

7.      Protecting essential workers by providing adequate personal protective equipment and through safe work practices.

8.      Postponing travel.

9.      Increasing room air ventilation and enhancing hand hygiene and environmental disinfection.

10.  Achieving widespread availability and high community coverage with effective COVID-19 vaccines.

The FDA has approved a home test collection kit for both COVID-19 and Influenza A & B.[4] This is the Quest Diagnostic’s RC COVID-19+Flu RT-PCR Test, when determined by their health care provider that self-collection kit is appropriate.

As part of the attempt of VMRC to help our consumers and their circle of support, we will be having COVID-19 TESTING in our VMRC sites. Please refer to our Executive Director Tony Anderson’s section for more details on registration and when it will be. Watch out for the dates and location for the January COVID-19 Testing in this health advisory.

For the sickest COVID-19 individuals, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) no longer recommends the use of Remdesivir, only the use of Dexamethasone.[5] Their findings suggest that antiviral therapies are more effective in the early stages of the disease, while medication that suppress the immune system like Dexamethasone will be more beneficial in the later stages of the disease.



[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. December 4, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6949e2.htm
[5] NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines. December 3, 2020. https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapeutic-management/



Please continue to practice wearing mask, physical distancing, and hand hygiene. Let us stay safe and healthy during this holiday season. 

Claire B. Lazaro, MSN, RN, NP, PHN, FNP-C
Director of Clinical Services
Community Services Department News
Resource Development

VMRC awarded the Service Provision of our Enhanced Behavior Supports Home for persons with traumatic brain injury to: 

Telecare brings a long history of experience supporting persons with significant clinical, behavioral, and medical support needs. We are very excited to have them as part of the VMRC safety net of residential supports.


Quality Assurance

During this time, we want to stress the importance of all service providers to comply with the California Department of Public Health, CDC and Community Care Licensing recommendations related to the use of MASKS when providing supports to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In partnership with Community Care Licensing, we want to call attention to this Provider Information Notice:


Guidance within the PIN 20-43 includes Important Considerations for Facility Staff and
Recommendations for Residents and Families.



Brian L. Bennett
Director of Community Services
bbennett@vmrc.net
Early Start Update


We continue our outreach campaign to increase Early Start referrals. We will be working with community partners, Pediatricians, parent groups, etc to get the word out regarding our services. Please help us by sharing the documents below. These brochures include the contact information for Early Start referrals and are available in English and Spanish. 
Early Start Webinars for professionals 

  • Webinars on Telepractice will focus on web-based strategies to support the development of infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities.

  • Webinars on Wellness, Mental Health, and Resilience will focus on preventing, recognizing, and addressing stressors often experienced by children, families, and professionals.




Tara Sisemore-Hester
Assistant Clinical Director
December Personal Protective Equipment Distribution
We have 3 PPE Distribution Days Left in December 

Drive Through - No Contact - No Vehicle Exit



Friday (TODAY) – December 11, 2pm – 4pm, VMRC Stockton, 702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202

Wednesday – December 16, 2pm – 4pm, VMRC Modesto, 1820 Blue Gum Avenue, Modesto, CA 95358

Friday – December 18, 2pm – 4pm, Tracy, CA (Address To be Determined)


Thank you to PCS Lodi for hosting us.  Also, a very big thank you to SAC6 and SCDD North Valley Hills for being a HUGE help. We couldn’t do this without them!

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.
North Valley Hills Update
Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager
THE ARC OF CALIFORNIA AWARDED GRANT TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE ON “ALTERNATIVE SERVICES”

Last week the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and San Diego Regional Center announced a grant awarded to The Arc of California, Easterseals, and the Alliance for Leadership & Education (ALE) to provide technical assistance and training to support implementation of the newly approved Alternative Nonresidential Service Model. A similar grant was also awarded to the California Disability Services Association (CDSA) and all agents will work collaboratively on the project. 

The project will include the development of free training webinars, free consultations, peer-to-peer assistance, and an online resource library. 

Trainings, information and resources from the agents will be available on a virtual library hosted by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities at www.scdd.ca.gov/altservices/.

For more information about the Alternative Services model, refer to the Department of Developmental Services’ August 31, 2020 directive here. 

Have a question or concern- feel free to contact me at 209-473-6930 or dena.hernandez@scdd.ca.gov
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 December 11, 2020
TIME: 11:00am-12:00pm
WHERE: ZOOM - computer, tablet, cell phone
 
The next SAC6 CHAT:

·    Friday, December 11, 2020 -  How to run for Public Office by DDS CAC member – Shawn Costello
 
Join Zoom Meeting on your computer, tablet or phone
 



Meeting ID:  927 3801 9621

Password: 628382

You must enter the Password or you can call in:
 
TOLL FREE NUMBER TO CALL IN:
·    1-877-853-5257 US Toll-free
 
Five County Data Update
as of December 10, 2020

San Joaquin County
·    30,816 total positive cases and 535 deaths
·    27.3 new cases per 100,000 people and 10.8% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
 
Stanislaus County
·    25,675 total positive cases and 458 deaths
·    32.2 new cases per 100,000 people and 12.7% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
 
Tuolumne County
·    1517 total positive cases and 16 deaths
·    36.6 new cases per 100,000 people and 12.6% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
 
Calaveras County (As of 12/08)
·    588 total positive cases and 22 deaths
·    24.5 new cases per 100,000 people and 9.3% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
 
Amador County (As of 12/09)
·    642 total positive cases and 17 deaths
·    19.7 new cases per 100,000 people and 4.5% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
 
State of California
·    1,468,364 total positive cases and 20,520 deaths
·    34.0 new cases per 100,000 people and 8.4% positivity rate
 
Valley Mountain Regional Center
·    303 positive consumer cases and 15 deaths
·    21 positive VMRC staff cases
·    2 positive volunteer case
·    110 positive provider cases and 1 death
Local County, State and National Public Health Resources
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