Forty-Ninth
Community Health Advisory Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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weekly message from the Executive Director
By the Numbers
Two steps back. After reporting significant and consecutive reductions last month, followed by a minor increase one week and a decrease last week, we were really hoping to keep this trend going in the right direction, but this week we reported a spike in the COVID-19 positive cases. This week our cases increased by 45% and the consumer positive increase alone was 47% from 20 last week to 38 this week. Every week I still get asked by our consumers when will everything go back to normal and when will the bus come to take me to my day program. Each week I try to explain the positivity rates and the cases per 100k metrics and the positive impact of having higher vaccine dissemination into the bodies of people in our communities. I know these numbers often are not comforting, but at least the thresholds for the tiers have remained consistent a long time now because there's nothing more frustrating than moving the goal post in the middle of the battle.
While the state and country and our region has been reporting great progress in the reduction of positive cases, it's important to note that the developmental services system has finally dropped to the level we were at on December 20th, which was the third worst month during this pandemic. Successful vaccination dissemination, prolific testing availability, and significant decreases definitely give us reason to plan for a near future of reopening our offices and day programs and communities, but we still have more progress to make to go into the next tier, the Red Tier. To go into the next tier we must be at 5-8% positivity, which we are in with all of our counties, but we also must be at 4-7 cases per 100K, and none of our counties are at that level. Here's what our research found this past Wednesday for moving from the Purple tier into the Red Tier:
- San Joaquin – 17.1 cases per 100k and 6.6% positivity
- Stanislaus – 20.8 cases per 100k and 7.1% positivity
- Tuolumne – 10.9 cases per 100k and 4.1% positivity
- Calaveras – 9.4 cases per 100k and 5.3% positivity
- Amador – 11.5 cases per 100k and 3.7% positivity
Developmental Services Policy and State Budget
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Tony Anderson
Executive Director
Valley Mountain Regional Center
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Case Management Update
Golden State Stimulus Payments
California will send out Golden State Stimulus payments of $600 to low-income residents affected by the pandemic. This is a one-time stimulus. For most, the money could come as soon as a month.
Eligible recipients of the $600 include:
- Californians who are recipients of SSI/SSP;
- Californians who are recipients of the Cash Assistance Program for Aged, Blind and Disabled Legal Immigrants Program (CAPI);
- Californians who are recipients of the CalWORKS program;
- California households receiving the California EITC [Earned Income Tax Credit] for 2020;
- California taxpayers with Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITINs) who were precluded from receiving the $1,200 per person federal payments issues last spring and the more recent $600 federal payments.
These $600 payments and grants to Californians would be in addition to whatever payments may be coming from the Biden federal COVID-19 Relief bill that is pending in the US Congress, and is in addition to the $600 payments in the previous federal COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress and signed into law in December.
The bill also specifies that the stimulus payments "shall not be taken into account as income for the purposes of determining the eligibility for benefits of assistance”.
CA Vaccine Sign-Up Tool
The State of California has launched a vaccine notification tool. You can now sign up to get notified when it is your turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 Resource Page
Stay up-to-date on changes occurring during COVID-19. The Arc of California has created a resource page for the intellectual and developmental disabilities community in plain language. www.thearcca.org/covid
Beware of Vaccine Scams
With wider availability comes the inevitable spike in vaccine scams. Fraudsters are promising early access to vaccines or even a personal shipment of vaccines—at a cost, of course. But their offers aren't legitimate, and those they scam could end up with their personal information exposed and money stolen without ever getting the vaccine.
The bottom line is this—if you are sent communication about vaccines that seems suspect, check it out with your local health department. Don't give out personal information such as your bank account information or Social Security number when solicited by someone you don't know -- no health department or vaccination site would require that information to get you vaccinated. And you should only be vaccinated at authorized vaccination sites.
To protect yourself, review the signs of potential scams compiled by the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Justice. Hotline numbers are available, should you be a victim of fraud.
Childcare Provider Giveaway Event
The Family Resource & Referral Center is sponsoring a free PPE and cleaning supply drive thru on Saturday, February 27 from 9:30AM to 1:30PM, while supplies last. It is being held at the Teen IMPACT Center located at 725 N. Eldorado St., Stockton.
All San Joaquin County Child Care Providers (includes licensed and exempt providers) are welcome. It is a contactless event, just pop your trunk and the items will be loaded for you.
Informational Opportunities
Disability Thrive Webinar Follow Up
A Lunch & Learn to Thrive will be held on Friday, February 26 from 12noon to 1pm.
Continue the conversation and join a live Q&A following the webinar Person-Centered Planning for Alternative Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Presenters from the webinar will be answering live questions. Followed by breakout group discussions about the subject matter in more detail. The hope is to help the disability community navigate the challenges of the current public health crisis.
Self-Determination Orientations
Monday, March 29, 2021 from 1pm-4pm
Register in advance for this webinar:
Saturday, April 3, 2021 from 10pm-1pm
Register in advance for this webinar:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Remember, all interested in SDP must attend an Orientation before starting the program process. Please contact Angelique Shear at (209) 955-3294 or ashear@vmrc.net with questions.
Transition to Adulthood Training for Parents during COVID-19
April 12, 2021 from 7pm – 8:30 pm
FREE! Learn how to develop a transition plan as part of the IEP process for youth. The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) will provide tips and advocacy strategies to families and caregivers on how to use the transition process effectively, and discuss ways to shift the focus of the IEP from the parent and school's goals to a youth centered approach. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ePBpmCCxTYuHykdOr-98rA
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Cindy Mix
Director of Consumer Services
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Clinical Update
With our nation reaching more than half a million death tolls due to COVID-19, the advocacy effort on vaccination is in the fore front. CDC has released early data indicating that the current mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are safe with 90.8% of the adverse events reported were classified as nonserious, while the anaphylaxis rate is “within the range” of other vaccines such as inactivated influenza, pneumonia, and live attenuated herpes zoster vaccine.[1]
With most of our consumers in the care home getting vaccinated, the quarantine and isolation guide has been updated. Below is the highlight of the new guide:
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Quarantine and/or isolation is not needed when a consumer/resident is returning from a hospital visit (e.g., emergency room visit); outpatient care (e.g., dialysis visit, mental health treatment, or other medical appointments); or an outing (e.g., visiting friends, family, a casino, or a hair salon, etc.) and there has been no exposure to someone suspected or infected with COVID-19.[2],[3]
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Vaccinated residents in care home settings should continue to quarantine following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19[4] using infection control measures as recommended by CDC, CCLD, and State and Local County Public Health Offices.
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Vaccinated individuals should continue to practice safety precautions such as wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, avoiding crowds, avoiding poorly ventilated spaces, covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often, following CDC travel guidance/state and local county guidance, and following any applicable workplace or school guidance, including guidance related to personal protective equipment use or SARS-CoV-2 testing.3
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Infection control measures should be continued as recommended by CCLD, CDC[5] , and State and Local County Public Health Offices.
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Refer to PIN 20-38-ASC[6], PIN 20-23-ASC[7], and PIN 21-12-ASC[8] for further details on isolation, cohorting, testing, visitation, and staffing.
Recording of the Q&A with Clinical on Feb 22, 2021 can be found below:
[2] CCLD PIN 20-38-ASC, pages 20-21. https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2020/ASC/PIN%2020-38- ASC.pdf
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Claire B. Lazaro, MSN, RN, NP, PHN, FNP-C
Director of Clinical Services
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Community Services Department Updates
Quality Assurance News
Weekly Residential Informational Session hosted by VMRC’s Community Services Department EVERY FRIDAY at 9:00 a.m.
Residential providers are invited to join to learn about important changes and trends as it relates to the COVID pandemic.
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Resource Development News
Effective January 1, 2021, the minimum wage in California increased based on the number of employees an employer has. Many vendors may be eligible to request a rate increase in order to adjust employees’ pay to comply with the new minimum wage. Please click on the following links for more information:
All rate adjustments must be submitted for consideration no later than March 1, 2021.
Should you have any questions, please contact Corina Ramirez in Resource Development, via email CRamirez@vmrc.net or phone (209) 955-3398.
The Community Services Department
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Early Start and Education Update
Any requirements of the California Early Intervention Services Act (CEISA)…mandating early intervention services end at age three are hereby waived. This waiver only applies for children who have received Early Start services through regional centers and reached their third birthday during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
Project DATA - Project DATA is a new resource for our consumers in our region to help them access remote services. Many of their services and meetings have moved to a remote access which usually means they need a laptop or tablet to get the services. Some people do not have any of these devices or even a way to get online to participate. Project DATA stands for "Digital and Technology Assistance" and it will provide our consumers with free lending services and access so they can participate fully in their community services. We are so excited for our Early Start families to have this opportunity! For more information and to apply for this service please call them at (209) 472-3674.
Education
"San Joaquin County Public Health Services (SJCPHS) has authorized San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) to begin administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to educations and school personnel. Districts under SJCOE who will now have access to the vaccine clinics running include Banta Elementary, Escalon Unified, Jefferson Elementary, Lammersville Unified, Lincoln Unified, Linden Unified, Lodi Unified, Manteca Unified, New Hope Elementary, Oak View Union Elementary, Ripon Unified, Stockton Unified, and Tracy Unified. Approximately 4,000 school employees received their first dose in the first two days of clinics opening."
First 5
First 5 is a great resource for parents. Each one has events and resources as well as programs and training that support families with children birth to 5 years old. Here is just some of what they offer.
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Tara Sisemore-Hester
Assistant Director of Clinical Services
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Women in Film Open House
Futures Explored’s Film and Media Program is reaching out to women with disabilities interested in film and media. Check out this message from Hester Wagner, the Film and Media Director and please pass this message along to participate in this Zoom Open House to learn more about this opportunity.
"Historically, women have been underrepresented in the film and media industry, especially when it comes to roles behind the camera. While the numbers are increasing, men still outnumber women in high end roles like directors and writers significantly. Here are some statistics:
- Across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms, female characters comprised 45% of all speaking characters, up from 40% in 2017-18.
- Women accounted for 31% of all creators, directors, writers, executive producers, producers, editors, and directors of photography(2017-18).
- Women made up 12% of directors working on the top 100 grossing films in 2019, up from 4% in 2018 (and 8% in 2017).
- 2019 report concludes that male film reviewers still outnumber women about two to one.
- 2019-Independent films still employ more than twice as many men as women (68% vs. 32%) as directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers..."
This event will be held on zoom, and is open to potential female students, case managers, service coordinators and family members.
ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/j/947319170
Password: futures
Hester Wagner
Film and Media Services Director
Futures Explored and Futures Films
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North Valley Hills Update
Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager
CHOICES 2021- A Different Year…a Different CHOICES is happening virtually ….
Please NOTE: Registration will not be available until MARCH 2021
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Update from Family Resource Network |
Family Resource Network staff is excited to assist VMRC with PROJECT DATA, a program to provide consumers and families with access to the internet to better navigate life activities. Whether it be attending a day program virtually, or participating in Early Start Services, or a tele-med appointment.
Our staff can assist consumers and families to locate the most appropriate internet provider, arrange for internet service and lend a device for use. Please click the link below for the flyer and application. If you need assistance to apply, call the Family Resource Network office at 209-472-3674.
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Lisa Culley
Executive Director
Family Resource Network
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Self-Advocacy Council 6 (SAC6)
Join SAC6 for Our Weekly Chat!
Let’s Check In with each other!
WHEN: Friday March 5, 2021
TIME: 11:00 AM -12:15 PM
WHERE: ZOOM - computer, tablet, cell phone
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93908560514? pwd=ditrZ2pKVW5jaTI1L2pXYThnNTVpUT09
Meeting ID: 939 0856 0514
Passcode: 713436 (MUST ENTER PASSCODE) OR you can call in:
TOLL FREE NUMBER TO CALL IN 877 853 5257 US Toll-free
ALSO at each CHAT: A VMRC update by Tony Anderson Executive Director and a Mental Health Tip of the Day by Dr. Dave Demetral!
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Five County Data Update
as of February 25, 2020
San Joaquin County
· 66,569 total positive cases and 1082 deaths
· 17.1 new cases per 100,000 people and 6.6% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
Stanislaus County
· 50,206 total positive cases and 944 deaths
· 20.8 new cases per 100,000 people and 7.1% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
Tuolumne County
· 3946 total positive cases and 59 deaths
· 10.9 new cases per 100,000 people and 4.1% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
Calaveras County
· 1905 total positive cases and 47 deaths
· 9.4 new cases per 100,000 people and 5.3% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
Amador County
· 1575 total positive cases and 34 deaths
· 11.5 new cases per 100,000 people and 3.7% positivity rate (Widespread/Purple....Most Restrictive)
State of California
· 3,554,629 total positive cases and 51,395 deaths
· 15.2 new cases per 100,000 people and 4.8% positivity rate
Valley Mountain Regional Center
· 648 positive consumer cases and 23 deaths
· 33 positive VMRC staff cases
· 4 positive volunteer case
· 269 positive provider cases and 1 death
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Local County, State and National Public Health Resources |
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