|
"The VMRC Newsletter"
Friday, June 23, 2023
| | |
|
Message from the Executive Director
Tony Anderson
| |
2023 Pride Month, It's More Than Just a Month...
As we close out this year’s Pride Month across the globe, I’d like to express our support and allyship to all those in the cross section of the disability and LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month) community. One of the central tenants of the history of the developmental disabilities’ community movement is the unflinching commitment to inclusion and the wholesale rejection of segregating people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) from society. If one person or group can be allowed to be removed and felt as though they don’t belong, then anyone can be next. This is why you’ll often hear or read, “Valley Mountain Regional Center, a place where everyone belongs.”
This month our association, the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA), celebrated Pride Month showcasing consumers and staff in regional centers who are standing proud to be who they are in their most complete understanding of their sense of self. Here at VMRC we are beside ourselves with pride and admiration for our long time board of directors representative, Emily, who shared her story in ARCA’s statewide newsletter, the Capitol Currents.
| |
|
Inclusion and Acceptance Celebrated at California’s Regional Centers
“To me, Pride is more than a month. Pride is being myself, about showing that I exist, being proud of who I am and all aspects of me. When I came out, Valley Mountain Regional Center was nothing but supportive and encouraged me to be myself and share my story.”
- Emily, served by Valley Mountain Regional Center
A white woman with short brown wavy hair, standing and holding a small rainbow flag, wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt with the words "measure your life in love" printed on it. Emily started receiving services from Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC) in 2012. VMRC has been able to provide Emily with important services, including everything from getting her hearing aids to long-term planning for independent living once she can no longer live with her parents. When Emily first self-identified as queer, it was just to her family and some friends. As she broadened her circles of trust to include her regional center community, everyone was nothing but supportive. It gave Emily hope to know there are so many people who can embrace her as she lives as her authentic self.
Emily currently serves on the VMRC Board of Directors, representing the voice of those served by the regional center, giving her a way to be an advocate for her community. Emily loves learning about the people around her, traveling, going on road trips, and discovering new music and theater.
| |
|
"Regional centers serve many diverse communities - and Pride Month is an opportunity to recognize how they embrace inclusivity. Wherever someone is in our community, they are fully supported to be themselves! We’re happy to share a few stories of people from different backgrounds and distinct experiences that we’ve had the honor of hearing." Read the full ARCA Newsletter here
| |
|
Save the Date!
Coalition of Local Agency Service Providers (CLASP) Presents
"Moving Forward"
Professionalism and Education 2023 Conference
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
San Joaquin County Agricultural Center
6 Live CEUs
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Contact Candice Bright at candice@brightfuturesres.com
Registration to Come!
| |
|
Case Management Update - Adults
Christine Couch
Director of Consumer Services - Adults
| |
Adjoin Catalyst Social Hour is BACK!
Join us for our JUNE Social Hour this month's trivia
2000s MOVIES
Come to our virtual Social Hour
A space or our Adjoin community and friends to meet,
socialize and
have FUN!
Who: YOU!
Where: Zoom
When: June 28th
Time: 4-5 PM
If you need support setting up ZOOM contact Tracy before June 23rd, 2023 to schedule a one-on-one session.
-More information below-
Zoom
Link Below
To join us on June 28th at 4 pm by clicking the link of scanning the QR code!
Click HERE to Join
| |
Have questions, concerns or suggestions?
Contact Tracy
Email: inflight@adjoin.org
Text or call: (858) 216-2760
| |
|
Next Level Pro Wrestling presents in association with Futures Explored
Fight For The Future
August 5th, 2023 ::: 1PM at the Eagles Hall in Stockton. We are inviting YOU to thee premiere wrestling event of the summer!
The show will feature some of the best wrestlers in Northern California.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxMg0bYWkzk
Get your tickets NOW via Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nlpw-fight-for-the-future-tickets-643422793897
All proceeds will benefit Futures Explored Film & Media Studio in Stockton. This event will include a raffle and cool merchandise made by our participants and of course some good ol’ fashioned pro wrestling!
If you want to learn more information about the Film/Studio program check out our website:
https://www.futures-explored.org/film-media
We are located in Sacramento, Livermore & Stockton.
Thank you in advance for your support!
| |
Case Management Update - Children
Tara Sisemore-Hester
Director of Consumer Services - Children
| |
|
Diabetes Care Clinic
June 25, 2023 09:00 am- 01:00 pm
The Stockton community is invited to receive diabetes screenings and health care services.
Cathedral of the Annunciation
(In the Gym)
1120 North Lincoln Street
Stockton, CA 95203
Screenings and services
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
- Blood pressure
- Vaccines
For those who qualify:
- Free diabetes monitor, test strips, and lancets*
- Free blood pressure machine*
*while supplies last
First 75 participants will receive a FREE bag of produce and health care items.
Make an appointment: Call 209.932.4200
What to bring
- Surgical, KN95 or N95 masks are required for entry to any Diabetes Care Clinic. Masks will be provided.
- For medication reviews, please bring all prescription and over-the-counter medications (including vitamins and supplements).
- For Medicare Part D reviews please bring your red, white and blue Medicare card and MyMedicare.gov login information (if you have this).
University of the Pacific, in partnership with the Abbott Fund’s Future Well™ Communities initiative, created the Diabetes Care Clinics to address the diabetes epidemic in Stockton.
Cost: FREE
https://www.pacific.edu/event/diabetes-care-clinic-cathedral-annunciation
| |
|
Community Services Update
Brian Bennett, Director of Community Services
| |
|
Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) will be hosting Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) training:
San Anselmo, CA| 6/26/2023
Brisbane, CA| 7/18/2023
Sacramento, CA| 7/18/2023 (Advanced Physical Skills)
Alameda, CA| 8/1/2023
Sacramento, CA| 08/15/2023
Seaside, CA| 8/29/2023
Stockton, CA| 9/12/2023 (Advanced Physical Skills)
Brisbane, CA| 9/19/2023
Eureka, CA| 9/26/2023
These programs are for both new instructors and current instructors in need of renewing or upgrading their certification. If you're not familiar with NCI training watch this quick video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WALQhmbJ7uk&list=PLB0G-d4Ta3FLvZdZs9Ce5-MkNyxKmHpFj
Charles Kiel
Territory Account Manager
414.979.7138
crisisprevention.com
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
| Social Recreation Opportunity for ages 12-21 | |
Made possible by a Grant from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) | |
Social Recreation opportunity for VMRC participants ages 12 and older- Ceres, CA (transportation is not provided) | Made possible by a Grant from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) | |
|
All Service providers! Join the monthly Community Services Information Session with the Resource and Quality Assurance teams! Hear about news, changes, ask questions!
These sessions occur the fourth Friday of each month via Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app, or room device
Click here to join the meeting
ID: 259 849 195 26 Passcode: 28Ug7U
| |
|
Emergency Services Update
Aaron McDonald, Emergency Response and Safety Specialist
| |
|
The DEI Corner
Mark Crear, DEI Manger
| |
|
Valley Mountain Regional Celebrates Helen Keller's Birthday
| |
|
Most VMRC community reading this no doubt know who Helen Keller is as we all grew up reading and hearing about her incredible story, but it seems that younger generations are becoming less and less familiar with her. But the best part of my job is teaching the VMRC community about amazing trailblazing women in history that they might otherwise not hear about. Plus, there are no doubt parts of Helen's story that even adults may not know or remember. So, allow me to share a little piece of her story!
Helen Adams Keller (1880 – 1968) was an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist, and lecturer. Born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, Keller lost her sight and hearing at the age of nineteen months to an illness now believed to have been scarlet fever. Five years later, on the advice of Alexander Graham Bell, her parents hired teacher Anne Mansfield Sullivan. Through Sullivan's extraordinary instruction, Keller learned to read and write in Braille and to use the hand signals of the deaf-mute, which she could understand only by touch! With Sullivan repeating the lectures into her hand, Keller studied at schools for the deaf in Boston and New York City and graduated cum laude from Radcliffe College in 1904.
Her unprecedented accomplishments in overcoming her disabilities made her a celebrity at an early age; at twelve she published an autobiographical sketch in the Youth's Companion, and during her junior year at Radcliffe she produced her first book, The Story of My Life, still in print in over fifty languages!
Widely honored throughout the world, Keller altered the world's perception of the capacities of the handicapped. More than any act in her long life, her courage, intelligence, and dedication combined to make her a symbol of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity!
| |
|
North Valley Hills Update
Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930
| |
SCDD is a proud sponsor of this important event! Get a team together and join us!
| | | | |
