Eightieth

Community Health

Advisory Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Weekly Message from the Executive Director

By the Numbers

This week VMRC reported 12 positive COVID-19 tests for consumers, and one was the same person testing positive again this week. We reported 15 direct support professionals and no new VMRC staff cases. This means we are reporting our third consecutive decrease in weekly reported cases. Unfortunately, half the cases are children who are not eligible for the vaccination currently. On Tuesday, as we prepared to move to the next step in reopening the building to the public, our analysis showed our five counties in the Valley Mountain Regional Center catchment area all rank in the bottom half of the state rankings of 58 counties regarding our percentage of the fully vaccinated. We also noted that as the state of California is ranked the lowest community transmission of all the states with 16.4 cases per 100K in our region, each of our counties experience rates well above the state’s overall rate:

·        Calaveras: Positivity is 50 per 100K, 46.8% vaccinated, ranked 41.

·        Amador: Positivity is 39.7 per 100K, 47.9% vaccinated, ranked 37.

·        Tuolumne: Positivity is 36.3 per 100K, 46.4% vaccinated, ranked 43.

·        Stanislaus: Positivity is 34.1 per 100K, 47.2% vaccinated, ranked 40.

·        San Joaquin: Positivity is 26.7 per 100K, 51.2% vaccinated, ranked 29.

Given the high transmission rate of our region and the low vaccination rate we are modifying the return to the building policy and procedure, which will put us on track to fully open to the public in January 2022. Each month we will gradually increase the capacity of the building and the use of the buildings for working with more and more of our consumers and community. Our original plan was to be at 100% capacity by October, but given the surge on our hospitals, the Delta Variant impact on our communities, the low vaccination rates, and high transmission experience, we are scaling back. We are holding our staff capacity in the buildings to 25% for October and we are allowing only limited in the building meetings with consumers and families who have been vaccinated. Each month we hope to increase our capacity by 25% until we reach 100% in January 2022. 

The Big News This Week

This week the Department of Public Health Services (DPHS) sent a directive on mandatory vaccinations and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) sent a targeted directive explaining that the mandatory vaccination policy applies to all people who work with or in support of people with developmental disabilities. This includes:

·        All CDSS licensed Adult and Senior Care Facilities workers;

·        All in-home direct care services workers;

·        All personal care services providers:

·        All in-home supportive services (IHSS) providers;

·        All hospice workers in the home or in a licensed facility;

·        All regional center employees;

·        All service provider workers, who provide services to a consumer through the network of regional centers

The one exception is for workers who only provide services to a recipient with whom they live or who are a family member of the recipient for whom they provide services.

The Mandated Vaccinations: A Major Challenge to Our Community

Many families have expressed deep concern about the health risk to them because of professionals not being vaccinated and working closely with them. Even so, the community system will need to make extraordinary efforts in the regional centers and the community provider environment to replace the scores of staff statewide who will no longer work in support of people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations in the face of this necessary public health mandate. To those resigning, we thank you and appreciate your dedicated service and we wish you only good things. If you are undecided, we urge you to stay on this mission with us as DSPs and Service Coordinators and in every position. And finally, to the vast majority of us dedicated to continuing in our commitment I offer my heartfelt gratitude. The potential understaffing in direct support and service coordination will be a major challenge and none of us should find this acceptable because our consumers and their families deserve our unflinching commitment to quality. Just because it's hard doesn't mean we have to accept it, and while these are potentially very hard times ahead, I know there will always be people with the desire to deliver supports and services for people with disabilities to access their communities like anyone else. It's not only a clinical and social service best practice but a community and civil rights imperative.    

Our COVID-19 Response Policies

On Thursday I met with our managers who perform heroic leadership for our organization every day, and as we reviewed the latest updates on all of our COVID-19 Response Policies it became even more clear that these leaders are trying to navigate uncharted waters with new and different tools every few weeks. To serve as an illustration and a policy update for the community here are the VMRC policies our managers are implementing to keep our consumers and our community safe (each have undergone several edits):



1.      Directive Requiring Regional Center and Provider Staff to be Vaccinated, September 28, 2021.

2.      VMRC Vaccination Policy for All Staff – September 28, 2021

3.      Testing Policy and Procedures – September 28, 2021

4.      FAQs for the Testing Policy – September 20, 2021

5.      Return to the Building Policy (Final Version) – Amended October 1, 2021

6.      Face to Face Meetings Policy – Amended September 28, 2021

Tony Anderson

Executive Director

SPOTLIGHT ON Gerardo Sandoval

As we enter the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month, I’m honored to introduce Gerardo! Gerardo identifies as Hispanic. He is proud of his heritage and his people. He likes to learn about his culture. Gerardo is proud to be Hispanic. Gerardo shared being Hispanic means that our families are united and traditional. Our families are very close. As a culture, we stand up for our rights. Gerardo shared that he recently saw a movie about his culture. He is proud of Cesar Chavez, he fought for laborers, our people. 

Gerardo has goals! He is looking for a job, and one day wants to start a family. He sees having own business in his future. Gerardo wants to help other people. He is positive, caring, nice, kind and respectful. Gerardo is proud to be a fast learner. He is learning other languages.  

Gerardo shared with me that he is working on his leadership skills. He talked about his homes self-advocacy group and a desire to become a part of SAC6. Gerardo wants to be an advocate and help people. He has a huge heart!

Gerardo wants people to know that he is a human being. He is a person. He does not see himself as a consumer or a client, he is not a number. Gerardo asked that people please remember he is a person. Gerardo shared that he receives services from VMRC. He loves the services he receives. He appreciates them and says they are helpful. Gerardo says his SC is a good helper and listens to him. Gerardo encourages anyone to check out the RC and find out about their services.

Gerardo lives in Riverbank. He says it is a great place. He loves it. He lives in a home called Casa de Stella. Gerardo shared, “we are careful and always wear our masks and keep safe boundaries. We are a family. Everyone takes care of each other, and we are good to each other. My home is teaching me great things, I’m maturing and growing as a person at this home. It is my home.”

When I asked Gerardo how he spends his time during the day, he told me that he attends VCDI in Modesto. When I asked him, why VCDI, he shared this, “I attend VCDI because Mohammed attends that program. I learned about Mo through my friends. Mo was on the VMRC board, and I got to learn about him through my friends. Mo is very reassuring and helpful to me. He has encouraged me. He prepared for a job and learned great skills. I want to do that too. VCDI is teaching me about being ready for a job and it’s helping me reach my goals.”

Gerardo wants everyone to know, “be proud of your heritage. Hispanics should be proud of what they are doing and be proud of who they are. Stick with it and help each other out. Continue to do a great job for the community!” “Be proud of who you are, don’t let the negative get to you. Be proud and thankful of your heritage. Be blessed with everything you have in your life. Don’t think negative, think positive!”

Thank you, Gerardo, for sharing a little bit about you and your culture with us. Happy Birthday!! 

ASAN is asking for videos of self-advocates talking about getting the COVID-19 vaccine!

COVID-19 changed the way we live. We do things differently to stay safe from COVID-19. We stay in our homes a lot. We have to wear masks when we go out. It can be harder to get the services we need. 

The COVID-19 vaccine is our best way to stay safe from COVID-19! The COVID-19 vaccine is a shot that keeps people from getting sick with COVID-19. Learn more about the vaccine here!

The vaccine helps protect us from Covid-19. The vaccine helps protect our family, friends and communities. Some people can’t get the vaccine because of their disabilities. Kids under 12 can’t get the vaccine yet. People who can’t get the vaccine are counting on everyone else to get vaccinated to keep them safe.

COVID-19 is especially dangerous to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities — but too often, the facts about COVID-19 are not shared in ways that are accessible to us.

Our community needs resources that everyone can understand about the vaccine. The vaccine can seem scary. Sometimes it is hard to find a place to get the vaccine. Stories about self-advocates getting the vaccine can help! You can learn what getting the vaccine is like.

We are asking self-advocates to tell us about getting the vaccine. These stories will help other self-advocates! You can record a short video telling us about getting the vaccine. You can also tell us about signing up for the vaccine.

We will combine the videos together and share with our community! Getting the vaccine can seem scary, but by helping our community learn more, we can help each other to stay safe!

How to participate:

You can record on your phone or computer! You can record yourself or ask someone to record you.

Talk about your vaccine experience for 1-3 minutes

If you are struggling to know what to talk about, here are some questions you can answer –

Why is it important to get the vaccine?

What steps did you take to get vaccinated?

What was the day you got vaccinated like?

Where did you go?

Who gave you the shot? A doctor or nurse?

How did you feel after receiving the vaccine?

For help with filming you can refer to our tip sheet!

Send your video to info@autisticadvocacy.org

Email us at info@autisticadvocacy.org if you have any questions.

Case management is preparing for COVID Patch to end on 10-03-2021, per the DDS directive. Regular supplemental Patch will start on 10-04-2021 and extend through 10-31-2021. Planning teams will begin meeting to determine any individual support needs after 10-31-2021, as requested by the vendors. Please work with the Interdisciplinary Team to determine support needs and plans to meet these needs.

Are you a client of a regional center or think you may be eligible for regional center services? 

Do you live or want to live in supportive housing?

Share your voice and perspective in 

a paid virtual focus group!

Corporation for Supportive Housing & Lanterman Housing Alliance, are hosting 2 focus groups in October 2021 for self-advocates who are in supportive housing or who want to be in supportive housing (NOTE: can be scattered-site or site-based supportive housing). The focus group will be on what is most helpful when trying to get housing and ways housing assistance services can improve. The focus groups will happen on Zoom. 

If you are interested, please contact Stephanie as soon as possible by no later than Friday, October 15th: Stephanie Sideman via stephanie.sideman@csh.org or phone 332-6690 ext. 2825

COVID-19 Accessible Resources for People with Disabilities Microsite

https://cidi.gatech.edu/covid

This website will no longer be updated after September 30, 2021.

For the most up-to-date CDC guidance, please visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

New ASL Vaccine Testimonial Video!

“I got my COVID-19 vaccine.

Find your reason to get your COVID-19 vaccine.”

Access this video under ASL Resources

Access Accessible COVID-19 Resources

All of these accessible resources are available to you now!

Easy to Read

ASL Resources

Accessible Word Documents & PDFs

Webinars & Training

Additional resources

The COVID-19 Accessible Materials and Culturally Relevant Messages for Individuals with Disabilities project is funded by the CDC Foundation using funds from its donors and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides technical assistance. Led by the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI) at Georgia Tech, this project focuses on delivering accessible messages of critical health importance about COVID-19 to people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. The target audiences for translations of COVID-19 guidance are individuals who have limited mobility or who are blind, Deaf, or have limited literacy skills resulting from a variety of factors. The alternative formats include simplified text documents, videos in American Sign Language (ASL), and both digital and embossed braille.

Please continue to share information about this project, the microsite, and all of the accessible materials. Your outreach is needed to ensure that our communities are receiving this important, timely information.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the project in general, please contact training@gatfl.gatech.edu. 

Christine Couch (she, her, hers)

Director of Consumer Services - Adults

Clinical Update

Booster Shots Approved!

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved and given recommendations for the booster shot of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.[1]^,[2]

CDC recommends:²

·        people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,

·        people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,

·        people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and

·        people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.²

The CDC will look at data and give recommendations in the near future for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine.²

Most recent studies have shown that the safety profile of the third dose of the mRNA vaccines Pfizer and Moderna are similar to the first and second dose. This means it has almost the same expectation of side effect.[3]

Furthermore, the CDC has released an Official CDC Health Advisory to increase vaccinations of those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, planning to get pregnant or those who might become pregnant in the future.⁴ The recommendation is to get the COVID-19 vaccine either before or during pregnancy because the benefit of vaccination outweigh its risks.[4]

[1] FDA. September 22, 2021. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-booster-dose-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-certain-populations

[2] CDC. September 24, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0924-booster-recommendations-.html

[3] CDC MMWR. September 28, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7039e4.htm

[4] CDC Health Alert Network. September 29, 2021. https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2021/han00453.asp

__________________________________________________________________________________

Time for Flu Shots!!

Flu Shot Clinic Drive Through with Safeway Pharmacy

Open to all!

October 7, 2021 at 9 am to 12 pm – V

VMRC Stockton Office

Pre-registration is Required: http://mhealthsystem.com/VMRCStockton

October 14 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm – VMRC Modesto Office

Pre Registration is Required: http://mhealthsystem.com/VMRCModesto

Please bring your medical card AND prescription card to the clinic.

· Participants not insured or covered will have to pay out of pocket at point of service

·        $35 for Regular flu vaccine

·        $69 for Senior dose flu vaccine

·        We will accept check or credit card

______________________________________________________________________________________

Dental Clinic Coming in November!

FREE Mobile Dental Clinic for Medi-Cal Members. By appointment only: 9 am to 6 pm. Register here: https://ib4.me/u34hUcr

Or Call at (408) 809-9500

[1] FDA. September 22, 2021. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-booster-dose-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-certain-populations

[2] Pfizer. September 20, 2021. https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-announce-positive-topline-results

Please continue to stay safe and healthy.

Claire B. Lazaro, MSN, RN, NP, PHN, FNP-C

Director of Clinical Services

Community Services Training Opportunities and Service Provider Information

Residential Service Provider COVID 19 Supplemental Support (PATCH) Services Important Announcement

Dear all residential service providers who currently serve consumers receiving COVID 19 Supplemental Residential Program Support (PATCH) ; service code 109:

On March 12, 2020, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) granted regional center Executive Directors the authority to grant rate adjustments for residential services and/ or supplemental services in residential settings to protect a consumer’s health or safety as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19. DDS has extended this waiver since March 2020 , allowing persons residing in vendored residential settings to receive increased “PATCH” supports.

It is anticipated that the current end date of October 3, 2021, WILL NOT be extended.

VMRC’s approach , in an effort to continue to support consumers and residential service providers receiving the supplemental services COVID-19 “PATCH” rate, is to terminate all COVID 19 Supplemental Services (PATCH) authorizations (in alignment with the current DDS “extension” (see link) on October 3, 2021.

https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DDSDirective_Extensions_08252021.pdf

Service Coordinators will create new authorizations, using the pre-COVID Supplemental Support Services (PATCH) rate from the time period of October 4^th thru October 31^st. Individual planning team meetings will occur to determine ongoing supplemental support needs.



Any consumer whose needs exceed the supplemental support services (PATCH) traditional rate should work with the consumer’s Service Coordinator and the Director of Community Services bbennett@vmrc.net to utilize the Health and Safety Wavier process.      

ADULT AND SENIOR CARE FACILITY WORKER CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2021/ASC/PIN%2021-44-ASC.pdf

 FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COVID-19 PROVIDER RELIEF FUND ASSISTANCE

https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2021/CCLD/PIN_21-19-CCLD.pdf

VMRC Has Posted a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Transportation Service/ Competitive Procurement to our Website – Applications are Being Accepted from October 1^st through November 1^st

Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC) is seeking service providers to operate transportation services and transportation assistant services to serve people with developmental disabilities who reside in the counties of: Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Amador, Calaveras. Developmental disabilities include intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, autism, and cerebral palsy. The applicant selected to provide transportation services and transportation assistant services in the VMRC service region will work closely with R&D Transportation services, Inc. (R&D) a full-service transportation broker, who provides scheduling, routing, quality assurance, and oversight of all contract transportation billing invoices.

Any inquiries regarding the application or requesting technical assistance should be directed to Robert Fernandez, Division Manager – Resource Development, at 209-955-3620, or Brian L. Bennett, Community Services Director, at 209-955-3309. Please note that technical assistance is limited to information regarding the requirements for preparation of the application packet Additional questions regarding the transportation service agreement or the transportation vendorization process may be submitted to R&D (VMRC transportation broker) via e-mail to: RFPQuestions@rdtsi.com

For full RFP Document:

https://secureservercdn.net/104.238.71.109/znc.7f6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/RFP-Transportation-Services-Fall-2021.pdf

VMRC’s partner service provider Merakey is seeking qualified BCBA’s



https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/nghome.guid?c=1148411&d=External&prc=RMPOD3&r=5000770108806#/

Weekly Community Services Department Provider Informational Session

Please join VMRC staff and other partner agencies via ZOOM every Friday morning at 9:00 AM! Question and Answer session and opportunities to hear about important vendor changes!

  Join Zoom Meeting     

Meeting ID: 961 6884 2952

https://zoom.us/j/96168842952

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Update

HCBS Compliance Grant Information

DDS has announced a new round of HCBS Compliance Grant Funding for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year! Vendors with eligible service codes (see below) are strongly encouraged to apply for grant funding to assist with bringing your programs into compliance with the federal regulations by the compliance deadline of March 17^th, 2023. Vendors are encouraged to thoroughly read previously approved grants, available on DDS’s website, to get ideas for their own grant submissions. The deadline for submission of grant proposals to VMRC is November 12^th, 2021. No proposals submitted after that date will be accepted.

DDS will be hosting two informational sessions regarding the grant funding. The sessions will take place on October 6^th, 2021 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm and October 8^th, 2021 from 11:00am – 12:00pm. Registration for these sessions as well as all available documentation related to the grant are available on DDS’s webpage at https://www.dds.ca.gov/initiatives/cms-hcbs-regulations/hcbs-compliance-funding/

HCBS Funding Letter FY 2021-2022

HCBS Funding Guidelines FY 2021-2022

HCBS Funding FY 2021-2022 Attachment C Documents

HCBS Funding FY 2021-2022 Budget Template

HCBS Funding FY 2021-2022 Attachment D (for informational purposes only, document to be completed by VMRC)

Eligible Service Codes List

VMRC will be hosting two HCBS Grant Informational Sessions. They can be accessed at the following links:

Monday, October 11^th, 2021 from 1:00pm-2:00pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81900133628?pwd=enlBUkRpNXVzQlRRMFNlQUVZUllBZz09

Meeting ID: 819 0013 3628

Passcode: 430467

One tap mobile

+16699006833,,81900133628#,,,,*430467# US (San Jose)

+12532158782,,81900133628#,,,,*430467# US (Tacoma)

Tuesday, October 12^th, 2021 from 10:00am – 11:00am

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85958869274?pwd=NmdrTzRmUGlvQ0tadGxoTlNZVzNXdz09

Meeting ID: 859 5886 9274

Passcode: 547357

One tap mobile

+16699006833,,85958869274#,,,,*547357# US (San Jose)

+12532158782,,85958869274#,,,,*547357# US (Tacoma) 

       DDS Wellness & Safety Bulletins

Educational updates about risk prevention in our community

About every month, DDS writes and shares informational Wellness & Safety Bulletins based on Special Incident Reports and other data, recent issues, and suggestions we get about wellness-related topics. Each bulletin contains information to help raise awareness and provides strategies for promoting wellness and mitigating risk about a specific topic.

The two most recent bulletins are about:

·    COVID Variants and Vaccinations

·    This topic is important because vaccination is the most effective way to reduce deaths and hospitalizations from COVID-19.

·    Recognizing and Reporting Abuse and Neglect

·    This topic is important because reports of possible abuse and neglect went down during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

All of DDS’ Wellness & Safety Bulletins are available on the DDS Wellness Toolkit page of the DDS website, based on audience. Just click on either “Self-Advocates,” Direct Support Professionals,” or “Vendors/Providers.” Please help distribute the appropriate bulletins to individuals and groups in your community, including Self-Advocacy groups and any Vendor/Provider Advisory and Client Advisory Committees. You can post a link to the toolkit on your website to help share this important info too! 

We hope you find these bulletins useful, and welcome suggestions for additional topics.

Brian L. Bennett

Director Of Community Services

PDF Version Here

Free Mobile Dental Clinic for Medi-Cal Members!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

PDF Version Here

North Valley Hills Update

Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930

Governor Signs Senate Bill 639

California Becomes 13th State to Ensure Workers with Disabilities Earn at Least Minimum Wage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 27, 2021

Sacramento, CA — California achieved an important civil right today with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature on Senate Bill (SB) 639 ending the policy that allowed businesses with special licenses to be able to pay people with disabilities subminimum wage for their work. California now becomes the 13th state to end this practice. Once the implementation process is complete all California employees with disabilities will earn at least minimum wage for their work.

This bill was championed by Senator Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) who introduced this legislation, along with her co-authors: Senator Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Members Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), Christina Gonzales (D-Bell Gardens) and Isaac Bryan (D-Culver City).

“This is a historic day for all Californians but especially those in the disability community. We have worked long and hard so that disabled employees in our great state are paid fairly for their work. The minimum wage is an important protection that all workers deserve and is essential to help people achieve their goals. California was long overdue to end the subminimum wage and with this policy change, we can move forward to creating new opportunities that ensure that people with disabilities have meaningful days on many different levels,” said Wesley Witherspoon, Chair, State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

“Californians with disabilities must be paid at least minimum wage for their work. I’m heartened that my colleagues in the Legislature agree with this important civil right and now it is up to Governor Newsom to end the outdated and unjust practice of paying people with disabilities less than minimum wage. I call on him to sign SB 639 and make California a place where this community has meaningful work that is fairly compensated,” said Senator Durazo.

SB 639 addresses an antiquated federal policy from 1938 that allows employers who secured a 14(c) certificate to pay people with disabilities under the minimum wage. While the number of employers in California seeking these certificates has continued to drop, the practice remains legal, effecting the estimated 12,000 Californians with disabilities who work in sheltered workshops. Some of these employees earn just 15 cents an hour.

National momentum to end subminimum wage has been building. In addition to the 12 states that have already taken action to end the practice, some cities have also enacted similar policies. Last September, the United States Commission on Civil Rights issued a report recommending to Congress that Section 14 (c) be repealed because the policy violates civil rights.

Implementation of SB 639 is structured with an inclusive stakeholder-led process that phases out subminimum wage in California over the next three years. Stakeholders, including state agencies, providers, university organizations, advocates and community members, working with the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, will draft the plan to successfully transition workers to other types of employments. They will deliver this plan to the Legislature by January 1, 2023, with a status update, recommended funding and specified data. By January 1, 2025, SB 639 makes it illegal to pay an employee with physical or mental disabilities less than the legal minimum wage.

Additional information on SB 639 is available at scdd.ca.gov/sb639.

How to connect to SCDD through Social Media

Self-Advocacy Council 6 (SAC6)

Weekly Virtual Chat

Let’s Check In with each other!



WHEN: October 1, 2021

TIME: 11:00 AM -12:15 PM

WHERE: ZOOM - computer, tablet, cell phone

Come and Learn About

Congreso Familiar

From staff of the Arc of California!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83813755967?pwd=OUd0S1Y0K3NhWTZHbmtKSFByeEt0Zz09

Meeting ID: 810 2411 5084

Passcode: 344408

You must enter the Password

OR you can call in:

TOLL FREE NUMBER TO CALL IN

888 475 4499 US Toll-free

877 853 5257 US Toll-free

Also – VMRC Update by Tony Anderson and Mental Health Tip of the Day by Dr. Dave Demetral of Person Centered Services!

PDF Version of the SAC6 Flyer Here

COVID-19 Update

Valley Mountain Regional Center



·    881 positive consumer cases and 31 deaths

·    38 positive VMRC staff cases

·    4 positive volunteer cases

·    421 positive provider cases and 1 death