Thirty-Ninth
Community Health Advisory Coronavirus (COVID-19)
weekly message from the director...

COVID-19 Updates and Outcomes for the Week (DDS Weekly Charts)

I pray you all had a safe and joyous Thanksgiving holiday weekend. It's been an extremely difficult week for the consumers, staff, and community provider DSPs in our region. We are currently in the middle of consistent increases each day with about 58 positive cases in the month of November. This week we reported 3 new consumers and 2 new provider staff on Monday, 2 new consumers and 2 new provider staff on Tuesday, and by Wednesday 8 new consumer cases, 2 new provider cases, 1 new Senior Companion volunteer, and 6 new VMRC staff cases (VMRC cases were backlogged a little in our reporting), and on Thursday morning we reported 2 more DSPs. 

Our region is currently expected to be fully surged in the general population ICU beds sometime next week. VMRC is now ranked the 3rd worst in the state's regional centers for COVID-19 infections per 10,000 consumers and all three central valley regional centers are ranked 2, 3, and 4 in the state. Finally, this week DDS said there are now over 4000 positive cases, 197 deaths, and 2079 positive cases for community and regional center staff. 

I know these numbers may sound overwhelming, but please trust me, these are real numbers about real people with disabilities and their staff. Please do everything possible to follow the health guidelines of our public health professionals so we can stop the daily reporting. One of our counties was almost in the Yellow tier weeks ago but now it is in the middle of a 250% increase of its positivity rates. We cannot let our guard down until the vaccinations are widespread, which is estimated to be late spring, summer, or even a year away.

 

On Thursday our board member Mohamed Rashid sent us an article on a resource he was very excited about in the Disability Scoop. The article highlights Project Connect which is a free national telehealth phone line for people with disabilities, their families, caregivers and other members of their support teams. Since so many in our community are suffering disproportionately from isolation Project Connect was developed by The Arc of California and the Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare, and can be accessed by calling 888-847-3209. Cindy Mix provides further detail below.

 
COVID-19 Response Policy Updates

This week we received updates on the Payments to Residential Facilities During Absences, new guidance on the Alternative Nonresidential Services, and several extensions of the Waivers, Modifications, and Directives due to COVID-19. 
 
DDS will continue to allow for these payments to residential providers as they are being used to keep the spot open for consumers who have returned to living with their families due to the public health emergency because of COVID-19.
 
The Monthly Rates for Alternative Services will now start on January 1, 2021. Providers should continue billing for December as they did for November. They use their current authorized rate and each consumer’s average monthly attendance over the prior 12 months ending February 2020 for each consumer who received Alternative Services and do not bill for consumers who you did not provide services for. The service codes covered under Alternative Services include:

028 Socialization Training Program
055 Community Integration Training Program
062 Personal Assistance
063 Community Activities Support Services
091 In-Home/Mobile Day Program
093 Parent-Coordinated Personal Assist Service
094 Creative Arts Program
102 Individual or Family Training
103 Specialized Health, Treatment & Training Services
106 Specialized Recreational Therapy
108 Parenting Support Services
110 Program Support Group-Day Service
111 Program Support Group-Other Services
115 Specialized Therapeutic Services, 3 to 20 Years Old
116 Specialized Therapeutic Services, 0 to 3 Years Old
117 Specialized Therapeutic Services, 21 Years Old and Over
505 Activity Center
510 Adult Development Center
515 Behavior Management Program
520 Independent Living Program
525 Social Recreation Program
635 Independent Living Specialist
645 Mobility Training Services Agency
650 Mobility Training Specialist
805 Infant Development Program
858 Homemaker
860 Homemaker Services
862 In-Home Respite Services Agency
868 Out-of-Home Respite
869 Respite Facility
875 Transportation Company
880 Transportation-Additional Component
882 Transportation-Assistant
950 Supported Employment-Group
952 Supported Employment-Individual
954 Rehab Work Activity Program
* Monthly Alternative Services rates may be established on a case-by-case basis for services not included on the list above.

 
This week DDS published a series of extension of waivers etc covering the following polices the state has implemented to secure the safety of our consumers and families and to maintain a network of care in our developmental services system:

·        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
·        Administrative Flexibility for Regional Centers
·        Public Meetings
·        Departmental Audits and Programmatic Monitoring Reviews
·        Direct Support Professional Training
·        Lanterman Act Eligibility
·        Family Cost Participation Program and Annual Family Program Fee
·        Participant Directed Services
·        Residential Facility Payments
·        Health and Safety Waiver Exemptions for Alternative Residential Model (ARM) Homes
·        EBSH/CCH Registered Behavior Technician Certification
·        Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) Incentive Payments
·        Parental Fees
·        Extension of Early Start Services
·        Half Day Billing rules suspended
 


The Georgia Tech Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI) has adapted COVID-19 materials for people with disabilities. The project made a microsite where you can request embossed braille, download accessible Word Documents and PDFs, and register for upcoming webinars related to COVID-19 and people with disabilities. More accessible materials are coming soon. Like to learn more about the COVID-19 Accessible Materials for People with Disabilities Project, please contact training@gatfl.gatech.edu.

Tony Anderson
Executive Director
Valley Mountain Regional Center

Case Management Update


24-Hour Disability Support Line Available—Call 1(888)847-3209

The COVID-19 pandemic wears on and continues at an accelerated rate. Individuals with developmental disabilities, along with those who care for them must cope with all of the challenges they are experiencing during this tough time.

Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare and the ARC of California have partnered to offer Project Connect, a telehealth support line for individuals with disabilities, their families, direct support professionals, and others who support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The Project Connect support line is staffed by graduate students in the School of Social Welfare and supervised by licensed social workers. The graduate students are able to offer a wide range of support services including counseling, wellness checks, depression screening, and referral to community services. 

Counselors are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week at 1(888)847-3209.


Free COVID-19 Advice Line

The Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) has launched a free, 24/7 Medi-Nurse advice line to answer questions about COVID-19 for anyone who: 1) doesn’t have insurance, 2) is a Medi-Cal beneficiary but doesn’t have a regular doctor or Managed Care Plan to oversee their care. Please click on the below link for more information.




Emergency Resources Available












Looking For Local Help? Call 2-1-1

All counties have local help lines available to assist you with your basic needs. The services are free and confidential. They are available 24/7 and have the ability to communicate in multiple languages.

Services include referrals for free meal programs or food banks, housing, transportation, employment development, medical clinics, health care coverage, utility payment assistance, legal help, education and counseling, among other services.

Dial 2-1-1 to get connected to a specialist for personalized assistance.


Upcoming Toy Drives and Food Offerings

Stanislaus County—Sweet Addiction Co in Modesto has coordinated a toy drive that will occur on Sunday, December 13 from 9am to 1pm in the Me ‘n Ed’s/In & Out shopping center located at 3900 Pelandale Ave in Modesto. Toys collected during the drive will go to Valley Mountain Regional Center consumers.

The event is sponsored by Audi of Modesto, In & Out Burgers, and Me ‘n Ed’s Pizza. To make a donation prior to the event contact: srdrz@sweetaddiction.com 

San Joaquin County—The Stockton Women’s Center-Youth & Family Services (WCYFS) and Bread of Life will hold a food & toy giveaway on December 22, 10am to 12noon (or until supplies last). Drive-up/Pick-up will happen at 436 E. Flora St., Stockton.

Completion of a brief contact information form is necessary to get a box. One box per family. For more information, contact: Ashley Rios, Program Assistant (209) 467-2310.



Stockton Transition Team Clothing Drive for Homeless

November was Homeless Awareness Month and the Stockton Transition team coordinated a clothing drive for those in need. 

VMRC staff donated clothing, outerwear and blankets and the items were presented to St. Mary’s Dining Hall on November 19 to the homeless and needy population through St. Mary’s Dining Hall in Stockton. 


Food Deliveries to Consumers and Families in Need

VMRC staff volunteers delivered donations of food to 120 individuals and families during November.

On November 21, 55 food bags were donated to VMRC consumers by the local Presentation Pantry. Gabriela Lopez, VMRC Cultural Specialist coordinated the deliveries to all five counties in our catchment area.

Pre-cooked Thanksgiving meals were provided to 65 individuals and families. A team of staff volunteers delivered the meals on Wednesday, November 25. The Thanksgiving dinners were purchased through donations to the VMRC James Popplewell Fund. Doug Bonnet, Special Assistant to the ED and Amy Browning, Program Manager organized the ordering and delivery effort.



Cindy Mix
Director of Consumer Services
Clinical Update


COVID-19 cases continue to rise in our five county area. San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, and Tuolumne counties are part of the San Joaquin Valley Region, while Amador county is part of the Greater Sacramento Region, both of which are anticipated to reach less than 15% ICU bed capacity in the next couple of days. California's Governor has ordered a regional stay-at-home order for the next 3 weeks to those whose ICU capacity would be less than 15%.[1]

Wearing masks that covers your nose and mouth when you go outside will help mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus. And keep more than 6 feet away from people not part of your household, as well as washing hands or using hand sanitizer as part of the safety precautions. Now more than ever, we need to be more vigilant and compliant in these public health measures. We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with the COVID-19 vaccines getting approved soon.

Pfizer and BioNTech have submitted emergency use authorizations (EUA) to the FDA almost 2 weeks ago with 95% efficacy rate.[2] Moderna has submitted EUA to the FDA on Monday with 94.1% efficacy rate for COVID-19 and 100% efficacy rate for severe COVID-19.[3] The FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) will meet on December 10th to discuss the EUA of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. They will again meet on December 17th to discuss the EUA of Moderna Inc COVID-19 Vaccine.[4] 

While Novavax Inc delays their COVID-19 vaccine trial again in the US[5], the UK has approved the use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine.[6] But the real question is who gets to have the first doses of the vaccine when it is distributed? According to the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), they have divided the phase 1 vaccine distribution to 3 subphases.[7] Phase 1a will go to health care workers including those working in residential care and long-term care facilities, and long-term care facilities that includes residential care communities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities.[8] Phase 1b will be the essential workers and 1c includes adults with high risk medical conditions and those over 65 years.

The CDC has released new options on quarantine that is an acceptable alternative to the 14-day quarantine recommendation. These are shortening duration to 10 days without testing if no symptoms, and possibly up to 7 days only if no symptoms and negative testing result when testing done within 48 hours before the time of planned quarantine discontinuation.[9] Quarantine cannot be stopped earlier than 7 days. These options come with risks involved, 1-12%, with the hope of increasing compliance on quarantine to help mitigate the spread of the virus. And in both options, there should be continued symptom monitoring and masking until day 14.

Researchers are recommending that isolation precautions should be revised (probably be longer) for those with immunocompromised patients because of the new finding.10 Virus shedding can last up to 2 months in those with severe immunosuppressed conditions.[10] If you are worried that you need to reuse your mask, the FDA has issued a new guidance on the use of dry heat for reuse of N95 respirators.[11]

Whether you are using N95, surgical mask or a double layered cloth mask, the most important thing to help prevent the spread of the virus is to wear the mask covering your nose and mouth. With the holidays coming, avoid gatherings and stay within your household to keep you and your loved ones safe. In just a few more months, the vaccine will be in our reach. And soon we will hopefully be able to go back to how it used to be.

[8] CDC ACIP. Slide 5 and 12. December 1, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/slides-2020-12.html
[10] The New England Journal of Medicine. December 1, 2020. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2031670


Please continue to stay safe and healthy.

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

Some Counties have reported that obtaining cleaning supplies, toiletries and food has become problematic. Community Care Licensing shared a Provider Information Notice (PIN 20-08-CCLD) dated April 14, 2020 that gives guidance to licensed residential providers on how to approach local stores who may be limiting purchases of supplies due to COVID-19 in California.



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.

When: December 9, 2020 at 11:00 A.M.


Meeting ID: 962 2393 8337

Passcode: 586538


Quality Assurance News

SAVE THE DATE For Upcoming Training Opportunities

January 27, 2021 Personal and Incidental Money Management Training
Sign up information to be released and posted in upcoming Advisory’s and on


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.
·        
Our goal is for 100% compliance among Residential Service Providers, in all 5 Counties! 


Resource Development News

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.


We thank you all for your ongoing dedication and efforts to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
 
Sincerely,



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


Early Start Directives

•Early Start service extensions for children over age three are continued until January 11th.

•Early Start remote IFSP meetings and remote services are extended until January 6th. 



Tara Sisemore-Hester
Assistant Clinical Director
December Personal Protective Equipment Distribution
We have 4 PPE Distribution Days in December 

Drive Through - No Contact - No Vehicle Exit



Friday (TODAY) – December 4, 2pm – 4pm, Person Centered Services (PCS) Lodi, 651 N. Cherokee Lane, Lodi, CA 95240

Friday – 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

We were honored to attend the Celebration of Life for Wilma Murray this week. SCDD North Valley Hills presented a Certificate of Appreciation and the framed copy will be given to her family. We will miss working with her!
Interested in learning more about what the State Council on Developmental Disabilities did in 2019-2020? Check out the full report at www.scdd.ca.gov under council meetings/ December 1, 2020 Packet
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 4, 2020
TIME: 11:00am-12:00pm
WHERE: ZOOM - computer, tablet, cell phone
 
The next SAC6 CHAT:

·    Friday, December 4, 2020 -  Your Health Matters Part 1 with Claire Lazaro, VMRC Clinical Director
 
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
 
The N.O.T (Navigating Options Together Team) of VMRC Service Coordinators would like to thank everyone who donated toiletry/hygiene items to the Women’s Center.

These items will also be shared with 4 other shelters that the Women Center supports: 2 for domestic violence (which also houses males); a Safe House ( for runaways) for ages 12-17; and Transitional Housing for ages 18-21.

A representative from the Women Center, Ashley Rios, expressed her gratitude to VMRC staff who opened their hearts and were so kind to give to those who sometimes come to the shelter with nothing other than the clothes on their backs. On behalf of the N.O.T Team we appreciate the outpour of donations and your thoughtfulness to give to others during this very trying year.

                                                                                              
 "Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." Desmond Tutu.  
Five County Data Update
as of December 3, 2020

San Joaquin County
  • 27,083 total positive cases and 522 deaths
  • 13.5 new cases per 100,000 people and 5.6% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)

Stanislaus County
  • 22,876 total positive cases and 433 deaths
  • 24.1 new cases per 100,000 people and 10.2% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)

Tuolumne County
  • 1155 total positive cases and 11 deaths
  • 48.3 new cases per 100,000 people and 10.8% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)

Calaveras County
  • 498 total positive cases and 22 deaths
  • 11.3 new cases per 100,000 people and 3.7% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)

Amador County
  • 524 total positive cases and 15 deaths
  • 9.3 new cases per 100,000 people and 3.8% positivity rate (Substantial/Red....2nd Most Restrictive)

State of California
  • 1,284,765 total positive cases and 19,546 deaths
  • 30.2 new cases per 100,000 people and 6.4% positivity rate

Valley Mountain Regional Center
  • 275 positive consumer cases and 15 deaths
  • 18 positive VMRC staff cases
  • 2 positive volunteer case
  • 101 positive provider cases and 1 death
Local County, State and National Public Health Resources
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