Sixteenth Community Health Advisory: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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weekly message from the director...
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Another busy week. This week the biggest news from the Department of Developmental Services was their decision to provide a deadline for the "Absence Payments" to end after July 31, 2020. Officials had indicated it was their intention to end by the end of June but that upcoming deadline was looking unachievable. The reason for the difficulty was that the process for ensuring a safe return is still being developed with several different work groups advising DDS on how different service types can move forward safely. In this new directive DDS advises that nonresidential providers should:
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continue using alternative approaches with person-centered focus in delivering services.
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Seek COVID-19 financial relief such as “payroll” loan forgiveness or reimbursement programs.
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Adjust billing claims submitted to the regional center for absence funding if loan funds are forgiven.
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Reduce by at least 85 percent of the loan amount forgiven and applied during the month of the claim.
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Be aware that all expenditure claims are subject to audit.
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Maintain records of any funding received from COVID-19 relief sources and how the funds were utilized.
The work groups mentioned above will not only address when can day programs reopen and under what conditions, but they will also inform the department on making decisions related to when and what procedures will be needed for families to visit loved ones in licensed homes again and so much more.
(Click to download the Nonresidential Payment directive)
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Tony Anderson
Executive Director
Valley Mountain Regional Center
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Case Management Updates
Consumer and Family Contact Coordination
Over the past three months, case management staff have been reaching out to you remotely in order to provide needed services to help families get through this difficult time of COVID-19. VMRC staff made calls, sent emails, mailed letters, and provided wellness checks through our Everbridge mass notification system, as well. Our intent was to make contact with each and every one of our consumers and families using these different communication methods. Our goal was to ensure the health and safety of consumers while coordinating services to bridge the gaps caused by community closures and shut-downs. We believe that our efforts have been successful.
As community restrictions are starting to gradually become more relaxed, the regular school year is ending and somewhat “normal” routines soon may return, we would like to take another look at the needs of our consumers and will be following up with those who received additional services in recent months. Our plan is to send a letter by either email or regular mail to those affected and we ask that you reach out to us to discuss continued needs.
We understand that all individuals are unique when it comes to their circumstances and know that this time in history has changed many life situations. Additionally, the fact that the number of positive cases continue to vary among our 5-county catchment area can impact available resources and must be considered. Our hope is that we can continue to evaluate timely options and provide needed support, with your help and input.
Case Management staff will also be reviewing our list of identified consumers considered vulnerable due to high-risk chronic conditions in preparation for the eventual re-opening of programming. At this point we have identified 1,395 adults and 722 children.
Another Everbridge Wellness Check is scheduled to go out this week. Please listen carefully and know that you have the ability to request a call back from your Service Coordinator (SC).
If you are unsure of the assigned staff, please call one of our offices and ask for your SC/PM contact information—Stockton (209)473-0951 or Modesto (209)529-2626.
Inspirational Advocate Touched Many Lives
Jason Toepel, VMRC Resource Development Manager shared an inspirational story of a consumer he served while living in Louisiana. Her name was April, and she recently died of COVID-19. According to Jason, April was a fierce advocate and over the years served as the vice-chair of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council and Senior Coordinator of the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs. Over the years April worked often with the governor and the legislature to advocate for disability rights. She was extremely accomplished. Her biggest achievement, most likely was working with a legislator and speaking before the state legislature to help get Act 833 passed in 2014 which gave students with disabilities an alternate path to obtaining a real diploma instead of a certificate. April was passionate about this because she was an honor roll student in high school but couldn’t get a diploma because she couldn’t pass the mandatory standardized tests. Louisiana’s governor passed a bill which effectively renamed Act 833 the April Dunn Act, in her memory. This New York Times article gives more information about April and has a link to a public service announcement that she filmed with the governor urging employers in Louisiana to hire individuals with disabilities. What an inspiration she was!
Zoom IHSS Training on July 2nd
An In-Home Support Services (IHSS) training will be held via Zoom on July 2 from 9 to 11 am. All VMRC families, staff, and community members are welcome to attend.
Maria Iriarte, a lawyer from Disability Rights of California will present information about the rights of families seeking In Home Support Services. Topics include: the process to apply for IHSS, Self-Assessment, Protective Supervision, and how hours are calculated. You will also have the opportunity to asked questions. The Zoom link is forthcoming.
Counties to resume child welfare in-person visits
Effective July 1, 2020 all county child welfare agencies and juvenile probation departments will be resuming the in-person requirements related to caseworker visits for children, wards, and non-minor dependents that were in place prior to the COVID-19 declaration of a state of emergency. For more information:
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/2020-all-county-letters
*VMRC continues remote meetings at this time.
Fake Letter Warning
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is warning residents of a fake letter circulating social media. The letter tells consumers they must get tested for COVID-19 in order to continue their benefits. The letter also claims that if they test positive for the virus, their children will be removed into foster care and asks those who utilize the benefit programs to visit a website. The letter, its contents, and the website are fake.
If you receive this letter, please disregard it. State departments and county human services departments will NEVER ask about your health status in connection to an application for benefits.
The CDSS is asking anyone with information on the origin of the letter or anyone with questions regarding the contents of the letter to contact CDSS at (916)651-8848 or
piar@dss.ca.gov
Cindy Mix
Director of Consumer Services
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Clinical Update
Great news yesterday! The State of California has looked at science and used evidence-based medicine
[1]
in deciding to mandate the use of masks or cloth face coverings whenever one is outside of their home.
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,
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This will significantly help reduce the spread of the virus in our community through asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic persons.
1,2,
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Wearing a mask or cloth face covering will also serve as a reminder to people when they see someone to keep 6-foot physical distancing and avoid handshakes.3 Please remember that wearing mask or cloth face covering does not replace frequent handwashing for 20 seconds and 6-foot physical distancing.
In line with reviewing the science of the disease and current evidence, the following are more information on what the experts and scientists have learned so far about COVID-19:
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Patients with underlying health conditions, (those that belong to the vulnerable population group such as having cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic lung disease) had 6 times higher risk of hospitalization and 12 times higher risk of dying from COVID-19.
[5]
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The susceptibility to COVID-19 infection of individuals 20 years old or younger is half that of individuals older than 20 years old.
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Furthermore, the clinical symptoms in 10-19 years of age manifest 21% of the time, while it manifest 69% of time to people over age 70.
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CDC has updated the symptoms of COVID-19 adding congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea to the list of symptoms.
[7]
Please continue to stay safe and healthy.
Claire B. Lazaro, MSN, RN, NP, PHN, CCRN, FNP-C
Clinical Director
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Juneteenth
Today, June 19, is Juneteenth, the oldest African-American holiday in the United States commemorating June 19, 1865, the day the final group of slaves in Texas learned President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, meaning African-Americans in Texas continued to endure slavery nearly two years after. Celebrating Juneteenth is a way to pay homage to the African-Americans who fought so hard and worked so long for freedom, equality, and humanity. Ironically, this year, Juneteenth falls on the heels of a series of significant and unfortunate events in America meaning the fight for justice, equality, and humanity is not over. Recent police-driven murders and protests have moved me to share that as a Black mother with three Black sons, I am not okay. My husband and sons are not okay. I believe some, if not all, Black staff at VMRC, despite how it may look on the surface, are not okay. Our Black consumers, families and service providers of the Regional Center are not okay either. As law abiding citizens, my family has been racially profiled and harassed solely based on the color of our skin, witnessing the injustices of racism firsthand. So for us, Juneteenth has a significant meaning. What we are seeing in this country now is not new. George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and the countless others, represent a mere fraction of what has been happening throughout history. I agree with the many statements from our staff that silence about racial injustices against the Black community, or any community, is not an option! However, with every unfortunate situation there is an opportunity to learn. I hope our agency will continue to have this uncomfortable dialogue about cultural differences, injustices, disparities, and racism. This can help us get through the tensions, become a stronger agency, and provide even greater support and inclusion to our diverse population of consumers, families and service providers. I look forward to rejoining our Cultural and Linguistics Competency initiative that we are participating in with the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development!
Neidra Clayton
Program Manager
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Early Start Update
Recognizing that transition to special education services for children at age three may be delayed as local schools face challenges related to COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Developmental Services has issued a directive waiving requirements of the California Early Intervention Services Act mandating early intervention services end at age three. This includes children who are not eligible for regional center services after the age of three. Please refer to this link outlining the directive
https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DDSDirective_ExtensionEarlyStartServices_06152020.pdf
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Please note that this directive does not relieve the local education agencies of their responsibility to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as the Individual Disabilities Education Act has not been relaxed. The California Department of Education has provided guidance for local school districts during the COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/specialedcovid19guidance.asp
. VMRC Early Start Service Coordinators are supporting families to help ensure that the local school district meets their responsibilities at age three which includes assessment and an offer of FAPE for those children eligible for special education.
Tara Sisemore-Hester
Assistant Director, Clinical Services
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Human Resources Update
A Message to Our staff
This has been weighing on my mind and I have had several VMRC staff bring it to my attention as well. We tend to talk about COVID-19 and everything we are trying to do to keep us all safe and protected. This is critical, no doubt. At the same time we have a lot of staff whose partners are first responders and other essential workers who keep us safe and protected, food on our tables, clothes on our back, and in some cases alive putting their own families and selves on the line. We need to keep them in our hearts and mind with a word of thanks.
In addition, if you have been monitoring the number of new cases in San Joaquin and Stanislaus county it has been higher in the past couple of weeks. Please know that the senior team is monitoring these numbers, the new cases, the number of hospitalizations, and sadly, the number of those passing away from this terrible virus. As you know by now we had to make the decision to delay our next phase of the return to the buildings in our large counties because of the alarming rate of hospitalizations in these areas. This statistic on hospitalizations is very worrisome as it speaks to our community's ability to care for itself during a health crisis and we can't risk the possibility of a surge like that experienced in New York City or elsewhere in the country and the world. While we all want to get back to normal we could not in good conscious take this next step. Please continue to be kind to one another and know the senior staff want to do everything possible to keep us all well. We are not rushing anyone back to the workplace, until we know things are safe to the best of our knowledge. Thank you all for what you do and for your continued support.
Bud Mullanix
Director, Human Resources
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North Valley Hills Update
Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager
We are continuing to fight isolation among people with disabilities by expanding community and reaching out to as many people as we can.
An incredible self-advocate and a friend of SCDD shared with us, "This initiative is important because it reduces loneliness for people who have developmental disabilities and helps mental health."
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Self-Advocacy Council 6
Lisa Utsey - Self Advocacy Council 6 chairperson invites you to join the SAC6
Friday CHATS!
With so much happening because of the virus SAC6 wants to hear how you are doing and share information so we can all get through this together!
Health and Wellness
Join us on a SAC6 ZOOM CHAT!!
Let’s Check In with each other!
WHEN
: Friday June 19, 2020
TIME
: 11:00am-12:00pm
WHERE
: ZOOM- computer, tablet, cell phone
The next SAC6 CHAT:
- Friday, June 19, 2020 - What is the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) - with Nicole Patterson of DDS and Lisa Utsey of SAC6
Join Zoom Meeting on your computer, tablet or phone
https://zoom.us/j/97738109956?pwd=cXZRSithYURkbHNRcmJWZE9tdDF4QT09
Meeting ID: 977 3810 9956
Password: 102738
You must enter the Password or you can call in:
TOLL FREE NUMBER TO CALL IN:
- 888 475 4499 US Toll-free or
- 877 853 5257 US Toll-free
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Local County Public Health Resources
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Amador County
- 12
known cases as of June 18, 2020 - 2 new cases this week
Tuolumne County
- 9
known cases as of June 18, 2020 - 2 new cases this week
VMRC
- 6 confirmed consumer cases as of June 18, 2020 - no new cases this week
VMRC Staff
- 1 known case as of June 18, 2020 - no new cases this week
VMRC Volunteer
- 1 known case as of June 18, 2020 - no new cases this week
VMRC Providers
- 4 known cases as of June 18, 2020 - no new cases this week
California -
164,841 cases and 5306 deaths as of June 18, 2020
National -
2,181,762 cases and 118,279 deaths as of June 18, 2020
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