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"The VMRC Newsletter"
Friday, April 28, 2023
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Message from the Executive Director
Tony Anderson
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Transitions Time in the Valley Mountain Region
This week we kicked off our first transition fair in Stockton and it was a huge success. We not only had hundreds of students with disabilities attending the event with their classes and teachers (like our very own board President Margaret Heinz who came with her class), we also hosted many parents who joined us for the day. The parking lot was full of so many resources for students to learn about as they move through their transition years from high school to college, to work support programs, to day programs, to independent living, supported living services, and so much more. A long time ago students had little to no options after high school but as the transition fair illustrates, today’s students have a full array of options.
One major barrier a lot of students face in this time of their lives is a prejudice that people with disabilities cannot work and a concern that if they do they won’t have access to certain health and financial government resources anymore. One of the booths was Disability Resources Agency for Independent Living (DRAIL) who brought benefits counselors who can help explain exactly what happens to public benefits for people with disabilities who have jobs and why a job is almost always the best option. Another exhibitor was Inclusion Films who participated in the “Delivering Jobs” campaign with Holly Robinson Peete to raise awareness of the capabilities of workers with disabilities. Check out this video showcasing the campaign: .
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Don’t Forget There are Still Two More Transition Fairs Scheduled in Our Region
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April 28, 2023 (TODAY): VMRC Modesto Office, at 1820 Blue Gum, Modesto, CA from 10 am to 1 pm.
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May 26, 2023: Calaveras County Library, 1299 Gold Hunter Road, San Andreas, CA from 10 am to 1 pm.
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Upcoming VMRC Public Meetings
Consumer Services Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 5:15 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202
Click Here for Zoom Information
Executive Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, May 10, 2023, 6:30 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202
Click Here for Zoom Information
Upcoming VMRC Service Provider Meetings
Transportation Forum (Virtual)
Thursday, May 11, 2023, 11:00 AM
Click Here for Zoom Information
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Case Management Update - Adults
Christine Couch
Director of Consumer Services - Adults
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The Stockton Transition Fair was a success! | |
Thank you to Transition Program Manager Dave Vodden and his amazing team that put this event together! Thank you so much to all our fabulous transition fair volunteers today. It was our biggest event yet, and thanks to your efforts everything ran smoother than ever. About 210 young adults participated in addition to parents, vendors, and staff. | |
SUSD vocational life skills challenge was a great experience!!! | |
Malik Williams, Service Coordinator, with the Jr. League! | |
Dave Vodden, Program Manager, and Katie Alcantara, Senior Service Coordinator – amazing transition team members! | |
Thankful for Alice Alcantara, Dave Vodden, Katie Alcantara, Evan Davis, Kim Rodriguez, May Loren Gran, Malik Williams and Rafael Arroyo for their unwavering commitment to serving youth and their families. | |
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Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has partnered with State Council to provide a statewide orientation and training to all participants and families who are interested in participating in the Self-Determination Program (SDP). The Statewide Self-Determination Program Orientation is one (1) Module that is two (2) hours in length.
Please check out the website for dates and more information, https://scdd.ca.gov/sdp-orientation/
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2023 Transition Fairs are on Schedule! | |
Calaveras/Amador/Tuolumne Counties | |
Case Management Update - Children
Tara Sisemore-Hester
Director of Consumer Services - Children
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NEWS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD
ICYMI: Last week we highlighted a helpful resource from "Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing," “Behind Every Child Behavior There is a Feeling.” The authors stated that “when parents and caregivers . . . recognize the feelings behind their children’s behaviors, parenting is easier,” and this web resource is chocked full of great ideas about understanding big emotions in young children and supporting them to manage those emotions. This resource includes a video in English and in Spanish, as well as PDF handouts in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese.
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Considering the Sibling Experience When Supporting Families in Early Intervention and Beyond Using a Culturally Competent Approach
with Nikki Donnelly, Kalyn Farris and Liza Stack
Parents: Are you ever concerned about your typically developing child and what they might be feeling?
Adult Siblings: How does being a sibling of someone with a disability affect life experiences and choices? How do you see yourself in the context of your family and your role in future care?
Professionals: Do you work with families of infants and toddlers who have delays and who have other children?
Join us for this informative EVENING Event
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Tuesday, May 16, 2023
6:00pm-7:30pm (PDT)
Virtual Event
Can't attend the event live?
Register to receive access to the recording!
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The sibling relationship is the longest relationship most of us will experience in our lives. When one sibling has a disability, it creates a more complicated dynamic that evolves and changes throughout life. Join us to learn what it means to be a sibling to someone with a disability (Sib) and the impact across the lifespan. We will share what the research tells us, explore personal Sib stories, and engage in planning how to best support families in early intervention and beyond, keeping the experiences and perspectives of siblings in mind.
Presented by Board members of the California Sibling Leadership Network, this presentation will focus on the unique needs of Sibs. We will share information about:
· Commonalities between Sibs, including what social science research tells us about their needs at different life stages (e.g. the importance of a trusted adult relationship for child Sibs, the ways in which adult Sibs want to participate in future planning, etc);
· Resources available to families seeking support for their Sibs, and to Sibs directly.
· Ways in which all professionals, extended families, and parents specifically can support Sibs.
Learning Objectives:
· Understand the impact of having a sibling with a disability on the individual and the family. Identify where this is the same and different from family cultures without disability.
· Understand how professionals can help support families as a whole unit, including the siblings.
· Learn how life stages affect the sibling experience differently.
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!
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Liza Stack has worked in Special Education for eighteen years in the roles of a teacher, consultant, and now a content specialist. She sits on the Board of the California Chapter of the National Sibling Leadership Network as treasurer and represents the Central Valley.
Click to read more
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Non-Member: $55
Agency/Individual Member: $40
Parent/Student/
New Clinician Member: $30
IDA CE Hours: Nursing, PT, Speech and Language* $15
(1.5 hour)
ADA Requests: Contact IDA @ mail@idaofcal.org
with ADA request by May 1, 2023
limited scholarships available
REGISTER NOW
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Clinical Update
Dr. Claire Lazaro
Clinical Director
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FDA Approves First Over-the-Counter Naloxone Nasal Spray[1]
On March 29th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Narcan, 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, use – the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription.1 Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdose and is the standard treatment for opioid overdose.1 This action paves the way for the life-saving medication to reverse an opioid overdose to be sold directly to consumers in places like drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations, as well as online.1
[1] FDA. March 29, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-over-counter-naloxone-nasal-spray
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Community Services Update
Brian Bennett
Community Services Director
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The DEI Corner
Mark Crear, DEI Manger
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Cafe Shalom
Come sample delicious Jewish food and learn more about our community! Cafe Shalom is back!
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Sunday, April 30th, 9am - 1pm!
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Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC)
Self Determination Advisory Committee (SDAC)
EVERYONE is WELCOME At Our Meetings!
We meet each month on the 3rd Thursday from 3:30pm-5pm on Zoom
(until we are able to meet in person at the VMRC Stockton Office)
Our Meeting Dates for 2023
January 19 February 16
March 16 April 20
May 18 June 15
July 20 August 17
September 21 October 19
November 16 December 21
For the zoom links for each meeting these are posted 10 days before the meetings at https://www.vmrc.net/self-determination-advisory-committee/
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North Valley Hills Update
Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930
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The California Memorial Project and Valley CAPS Present...
21st Annual Remembrance Day September 18, 2023
This annual event is to remember and honor people with disabilities who died while living in California state institutions
Ceremony Details:
Time: 10:30 AM
Locations:
Parkview Cemetery
3661 French Camp Road
Manteca, CA 95336
and
VMRC Campus
(Memorial rock/water area)
702 N. Aurora St.
Stockton CA. 95202
For more information call Rachelle Munoz at (209) 239-7072 or email Rachelle@valleycaps.org
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Family Resource Network (FRN) Update
Lisa Culley, Executive Director
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Did you know? The Medi-Cal Program currently offers dental services as one of the program's many benefits. Family Resource Network (FRN) can assist families of children 1-18 years old, who live in San Joaquin County, and have Medi-Cal coverage, through the SJ TEETH program. FRN Care Coordinators can assist families to select an appropriate dental provider, make appointments and support other oral health needs and education. Call the Family Resource Network at 209-472-3674 to speak to a Care Coordinator and start the process to better dental health for your child! | | | | |
