135th

Community Health

Advisory

Weekly Message from the Executive Director

Tony Anderson



By the Numbers



This week we reported four more positive cases over last week, 19 consumers and three direct support professionals, making it the third increase in a row. It is the largest number in two and half months and one of the largest since last March. We are happy to report that there have been no serious health incidents otherwise.

Case Closed

We are very happy to report that last Wednesday we received a letter from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), that they are closing our September 15, 2022 case on the breach of protected information. We had a three-hour breach when employees viewed a phishing email, and a few of them clicked and opened the email’s contents that appeared to be sent by a known vendor. During the 3 hour period protected information may have been sent in the email (there was no confirmation if any information was stolen or read). The OCR said in the letter that they are closing this “case without further action, effective the date of this letter.”  

We took the following steps to remedy the breach:

1. Immediately responded to the security incident and undertook steps to prevent the risk of future security incidents, including strengthening password requirements and implementing a new authentication protocol to improve network security. 
2. Security awareness training of employees. 
3. Notified all individuals potentially affected by the security incident, the media, and worked closely with DDS.

In many ways we were fortunate the breach wasn’t worse, but it wasn’t just luck. We have a great team of security and information technology professionals who work to keep your information safe and keep our regional center in business for our community. There were so many involved in correcting and securing our system and Cindy Strawderman, our HIPAA officer who did a great job facilitating this whole remedy process, wanted to thank and recognize the following team members: Carlo Cacciatore, IT Director, John Tunison IT Analyst, Matthew Bahr, Attorney, Daniel Turner (Tenisi Tech), and DDS Information Security Office.

Your Opinion Needed

In honor of Veterans Day, all Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC) offices will be closed to the public, today, Friday, November 11th. Offices will reopen on Monday, November 14th, at 8:00 AM.

Valley Mountain Regional Center

AFTERHOURS RESPONSE TEAM

Can be reached at

209-955-3255

AFTERHOURS is available

Monday-Friday 5:00pm until 8:00am the following day

Saturday, Sunday’s and all Holidays- 24 hours

Calls will be returned within 60 minutes of receiving the

message.

When Contacting AFTERHOURS you can leave a

VOICEMAIL or TEXT MESSAGE

Include: your name, consumer’s name, Service

Coordinator’s name, reason you’re calling, a number where

you can be reached and whether you require a call back.

Clinical Update

Dr. Claire Lazaro

Clinical Director

Are we in a Tripledemic?

Public health experts are saying we are in a “tripledemic” which means we are experiencing the surge of cases of the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).[1],[2],[3] Hospitals around the country are getting overwhelmed with cases of these viruses, especially in children. Public health experts remind everyone that vaccinations work and it is the first line to preventing these illnesses. Get vaccinated! Get you flu vaccine now, and COVID-19 vaccine/booster as applicable to you. There is no vaccine yet against the RSV.



[1] Johns Hopkins University Hub. October 31, 2022. https://hub.jhu.edu/2022/10/31/tripledemic-garibaldi/

[2] The BMJ. November 7, 2022. https://www.bmj.com/content/379/bmj.o2681

[3] AMA. November 8, 2022. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/tripledemic-long-covid-burnout-more-kirsten-bibbins-domingo-md-phd

Flu/Influenza[1]



·        Fever or feeling feverish/chills

·        Cough

·        Sore throat

·        Runny or stuffy nose

·        Muscle or body aches

·        Headaches

·        Fatigue (tiredness)

·        Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

·        It is important to note that NOT everyone with flu will have fever.

[1] CDC Influenza (Flu). October 24, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm

COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2[1]



·        Fever or chills

·        Cough

·        Sore throat

·        Congestion or runny nose

·        Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

·        Fatigue

·        Muscle or body aches

·        Headache

·        New loss of taste or smell

·        Nausea or vomiting

·        Diarrhea

[1] CDC COVID-19. October 26, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection/RSV[1]



·        Fever

·        Coughing

·        Runny nose

·        Sneezing

·        Wheezing

·        Decrease in appetite

·        These symptoms usually appear in stages and NOT all at once. In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.

[1] CDC Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV). October 24, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.html

How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones?

Case Management Update - Children

Tara Sisemore-Hester

Director of Consumer Services - Children

Above Flyer in PDF

Meet Devon Homme!

I am pleased to take on the position as IDEA specialist with Valley Mountain Regional Center. I have dedicated the past 25 years of my life to working with individuals with disabilities, primarily those with developmental disabilities. I am passionate about my work and strive to bring about positive change for each individual I cross paths with.  

Over the years I have had the opportunity to work in the field of special education in many different capacities. During my early years I had the opportunity to directly work with individuals with disabilities. This is where and when I knew I wanted to make a career in this field. Across time I was given opportunities to take on more leadership and supervising roles in the field. These experiences range from overseeing unique individualized programs for clients,

to being responsible for Special Education services for a local school district as the Supervisor of Special Education and SELPA director, to teaching college courses in the field of Special Education.

I believe that not only my experiences, but my educational background will also help me, and ultimately our consumers, their families, and our staff. I possess a Master of Arts in Special Education from California State University, Stanislaus. In addition, I hold an Educational Specialist Credential for those with Mild/Moderate Disabilities and Moderate/ Severe Disabilities. While pursuing these two credentials I also obtained my Multiple Subjects Credential. I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and also hold an Administrative Credential. 

I look forward to working and meeting with each of you! 

Case Management Update - Adults

Christine Couch

Director of Consumer Services - Adults

Little Manila Rising's upcoming Free Health & Healing Clinic in South Stockton - happening this Sunday, November 13 10am-3pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church

WHAT (*all services and activities are completely FREE):

1.      Health screenings including blood pressure checks and medication review (and digital wrist blood pressure monitor giveaways for those who qualify)

2.      COVID-19 vaccinations (first and second doses, as well as boosters) and tests

3.      Flu shots 

4.      Health Education on diabetes, hypertension, nutrition, mental health, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), asthma, health insurance, community health programs/resources, and COVID-19 

5.      Holistic Healing including Group Yoga, Sound Healing, Reiki, and Individual Massage Therapy (*first come, first serve)

6.      Mindfulness activities including self-care kits and creative arts

7.      Youth Self Defense/Safety Training 

8.      Giveaways including: winter clothing, fresh produce boxes from Emergency Food Bank, and prizes 

9.      Food will be distributed for lunch by local food trucks (including Rice Dreams Food Truck) 

WHO: This event is open to all cultures, identities, and ages. No medical insurance required. *Masks may be required.*

WHEN: Sunday, November 13, 2022 from 10AM to 3PM 

WHERE: Trinity Presbyterian Church (1002 W 8th Street, Stockton, CA)

***ATTENDEE/GENERAL REGISTRATION****: tinyurl.com/ahhc2022

This event is in partnership with Empowering Marginalized Asian Communities (EMAC), Community Medical Centers (CMC), and Kaiser Permanente. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or accommodations, please contact our team at healingpuso@littlemanila.org or call us directly at (209) 214-8532. Voicemails are checked regularly. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you! 

Community Services Update

Brian Bennett

Director of Community Services

VMRC has Released a Request for Proposal for Social Recreation in Partnership with DDS

RFP in PDF Here

DDS will host a Webinar for interested Social Recreational providers on November 15^th

https://cal-dds.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LiBYsUK1RyGp48osJ7ZtSg

VMRC will host its second Informational Session for interested providers in Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus Counites on December 9^th from 3-4 via Microsoft Teams

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 219 139 813 29

Passcode: xkMsmS 

Family Resource Network (FRN) Update

Lisa Culley, Executive Director

Family Resource Network is hosting a Holiday Drive Thru on Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 11am-1pm. Join us as we celebrate the holidays with a bag of goodies and activities for the family! Please RSVP to the FRN office at 209-472-3674 or FRNfamilies@frcn.org. This event is open to families of children with special needs and disabilities living in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties.