Seventy-Second

Community Health

Advisory Coronavirus (COVID-19)

By the Numbers

Well, there is just no easy way to say this, but our numbers continue to rise each week, and this week we reported five consumers testing positive for COVID-19 and 10 direct support professionals, all of whom were not fully vaccinated. In one licensed home half the staff tested positive, and all the consumers (the consumers are children) tested positive. So far our consumers are younger than last year's surge, and now most people testing positive are living at home with families. Locally, our counties are seeing increases in positivity with San Joaquin at 9.6%, Stanislaus at 10.6%, Tuolumne 9.6%, Calaveras 14.9%, and Amador at 7.4%, and each county is seeing a dramatic spiked increase. Nationally, 85% of all new COVID-19 cases are caused by the Delta Variant. It is surprising that the disability community lags behind in the vaccination rates across all age groups even though the national reports show 97% of people hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated and in Texas, a state experiencing a surge in cases, they are reporting that 99.5% of deaths are among those unvaccinated (2/3 of the breakthrough cases were among people suffering from other serious health issues). If you have questions or concerns or thoughts about the vaccines, or any opinions on how to protect the disability community from COVID-19 click here.        

Provisional Eligibility (Download the Guidance)

This week we got a guidance letter from DDS on the new policy for "Provisional Eligibility" that makes it easier to be a regional center consumer, at least for a couple more years. The new policy expands eligibility for our services by allowing a child who is three or four years old to be eligible for regional center services if they have significant functional limits in at least two, instead of three, qualifying areas. The child's disability cannot be just physical but also does not need to be a developmental disability at the time. A child exiting Early Start may be eligible for the provisional criteria, but the child who is three or four years of age who did not receive Early Start services, may also be eligible.  

Exciting News



I just heard from Joey Travolta this week that our region's very own Kevin Valdez, local actor with Autism, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Drama. Kevin plays the role of the lead's brother in the series, "Little Voices", and he is being recognized for his excellent performance with this nomination. Kevin will be the first autistic actor to be nominated for an Imagen Award, which celebrates Latino talent in the entertainment industry. The winners will be announced during the 36th Annual Imagen Award on October 10, 2021. We are so excited we hope you share this great news with everyone you know and check out the show on Apple TV+. Check out the article here...

Tony Anderson

Executive Director

The Special Role of "Generic" Services...

Ever heard of "generic" resources? For people with developmental disabilities, these are services that can help meet their needs, but are provided outside the regional center system. They're part of the full set of services and supports that meet their needs.

There are many of these generic resources, and the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) has developed an infographic to help you learn more about them. In it, six main generic resources are described, along with the services they offer.

Webinar: Person-Centered Supports in Popular Culture

August 18, 2021, at 1:00 - 2:30 pm ET

Register for the webinar.

Pop-culture representations also influence our judgment of caregiving practices,

decision-making procedures, types and levels of accommodations for people with

disabilities, and indeed, the people who make up this population. As a result, the public

is exposed to media representing only a very limited perspective on how people with

disabilities actually navigate the world.

In this webinar, disabled activists will come together to discuss pop-culture depictions

of accommodation and support for people with disabilities. What values have those

popular narratives created, nurtured, or destroyed over time? Do more recent

depictions reinforce or undermine those older narratives? How is person-centered

support illustrated, and how do those illustrations affect our daily lives?

Presenters:

• Andy Arias is an actor, producer, and advocate.

• Kathy Flaherty is the Executive Director of Connecticut Legal Rights Project, Inc,

an agency that provides legal services to low-income individuals with mental health conditions on matters related to their treatment, recovery, and civil rights.

• Finn Gardiner is a disability rights advocate with interests in educational equity,

intersectional justice, comparative policy, and inclusive technology.

• Mary L. Radnofsky, Ph.D., is a former ghostwriter and college professor of

Education and Human Development, French, Astronomy, and Qualitative

Research; she also founded and ran the Socrates Institute, a non-profit educational

organization for over twenty years.

NCAPPS webinars are live-captioned in English and Spanish. If you require any additional accommodations to participate please email Connor Bailey. Please note that some accommodation requests made less than one week before an event may not be possible.

The Gold Country Peer Support Advocates have released their second edition newsletter

COVID Safety:

As more people get vaccinated it appears that restrictions are being relaxed somewhat. However, we should remember that we are all responsible for covid safety! First, we should try to social distance at all times. This means keeping 6 feet between ourselves and others! Next, we should handwash frequently. When unable to handwash we should use hand sanitizer. Finally, wearing a mask protects all of us! Please do your part to stop the spread of covid.

Peer Support Group:

We are excited about the state opening back up soon! When this happens, the gold country peer support group will begin meeting again! For those not familiar, this wonderful group has been meeting for over two years. We have a lot of fun for sure! Each meeting we discuss issues that are important to us, share our success, and come up with ways that we can advocate for ourselves! As soon as we can we will put out a schedule of meetings in this newsletter. You can email us to request copies of our newsletters or ask questions, at gcpeersupport@gmail.com.

Helpful Resources Available from Disability Thrive Initiative

The website hosts a variety of informational resources, including previous webinars and bilingual materials on accessing and delivering alternative and remote services for the developmental disabilities community.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE ON THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

Technology Lending Library

 Free Software

Low Cost Internet and Phone Service

Communication Tools and Devices

  Children Resources

Previous Webinars

Sharing a Stress Reduction Technique from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing as They Support Mental Health FIRST AID

How Breathing Can Help Reduce Stress

Some stress is normal (and even healthy), but if it’s keeping you from functioning in your day-to-day life it may be time to take a second look. Simple methods for reducing stress include breathing exercises and mindfulness. Studies show that these self-care strategies can lead to better mental health and positive emotions. Read more. 

Christine Couch (she, her, hers)

Director of Consumer Services - Adults

Clinical Update

From Masking to Testing

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised their masking guidance to advising individuals to wear masks, regardless of vaccinations, indoors in public places.[1] This week, the CDC updates their guidance on testing, advising fully vaccinated individuals who get exposed to test 3-5 days from time of exposure, whether symptomatic or not.[2] They would have to wear masks indoors in public areas for 14 days after exposure or until the test result is negative.² They would have to follow the isolation guidelines if positive.² Furthermore, the CDC has reported that fully vaccinated individuals can spread the virus.[3] They can have high viral load as unvaccinated individuals and spread the virus to others.

In a recent study by JAMA, pregnant women who has received the COVID-19 vaccine has lesser risk of COVID-19 infection.[4] A few days ago, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) are urging and recommending all pregnant individuals to get the COVID-19 vaccine, especially with the uptake of the cases due to the Delta variant.[5] Both organizations acknowledge the fact that getting vaccinated is the “best chance to save lives and end the pandemic.”



As of the CDC data on August 5, 2021, at 1:35 pm ET, we have 58.4% of those eligible to get the vaccine (12 years old and up) fully vaccinated in the nation.[6] There are unvaccinated people who are waiting on when Pfizer and Moderna will get their full authorization from the FDA, given that both companies have submitted applications for full approval of the COVID-19 vaccine. As most health experts and professionals would say, get vaccinated now! And the best vaccine is the one that is available to you now. Please get vaccinated if you haven’t yet. If you already have, please share your experience and help convince your unvaccinated friends, family and members of the community. The vaccine will protect you from severe COVID-19, hospitalization due to COVID-19, and most importantly, it will protect you from dying from COVID-19.

[1] CDC. July 27, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html

[2] CDC. July 28, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html

[3] CDC MMR. July 30, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7031e2.htm

[4] JAMA. July 12, 2021. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2782047

[5] ACOG. July 30, 2021. https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2021/07/acog-smfm-recommend-covid-19-vaccination-for-pregnant-individuals

[6] CDC COVID-19 Vaccination. Aug. 05, 2021. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations

With the increase in cases and the perception of the community going backwards, wearing masks again, a lot of people are getting stressed and anxious. Below are some strategies to help reduce stress, courtesy of Harvard Health. 

SANDIS COVID-19 Tracking Data (Prepared by Jessica Pate):

Please continue to stay safe and healthy.

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

Director of Clinical Services

Community Services Department Updates

When reporting Special Incidents (SIR) for STAFF / Service Providers who have tested POSITIVE for COVID-19 please include the following information:

·       Include the staff’s first and last initials (ONLY)

·       Include the date symptoms appeared, date tested and date you received results.

(What is available at time of reporting)

·       Include the date the staff last worked

·       Include any steps you will be taking which may include testing all staff and consumers,

adhering to safety protocols, contact tracing, etc.

·       Please include if you have a sufficient supply of PPE

·       Please include which outside agencies have been notified. (For Covid – 19 cases VMRC requires notification to CCL and the local DPH)

·       Indicate whether the staff provides supports for any other VMRC service provider

·       Indicate if/ when/ how the SC has been notified

·       Indicate whether Conservator/ Guardian/ Family of exposed consumers has been notified

                   SIR Form

                                 Home and Community Based Services

HCBS for Day Program and Employment Services Training

HCBS for Residential Providers Training

                                           Resource Development

Please visit VMRC’s Resource Development Letter of Intent page if you are interested in supporting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities who need care and supervision in residential care settings.

This section describes some of our current residential needs.

https://www.vmrc.net/letter-of-intent/

Brian L. Bennett

Director Of Community Services

New Employment Community Partnerships

As companies across the nation are opening back up, we are experiencing a nationwide shortage of workers. Companies are doing everything they can to incentivize returning to the workforce. Now is an unprecedented opportunity for our individuals to enter the workforce and achieve their dream job.

We have already announced a new partnership with Zavikon for our Self-Determination individuals that provides a staffing service specifically for individuals with disabilities and neurodivergent. We have partnered with Mountain Resort Retreat in Arnold, CA located in our Calaveras county catchment area. Mountain Resort Retreat is looking to hire 3 of our individuals. Goodwill Industries in our Stanislaus county catchment area are looking to hire our individuals for part-time and full-time positions at stores located in Turlock and Modesto, CA. Lastly, in San Joaquin county O'reily's Distribution Center has hired one of our Paid Internship Program candidates to Competitive Integrated Employment. I appreciate these companies for reaching out and offering Competitive Integrated Employment to our individuals. We need to build on this momentum.

Our supported employment vendors in these catchment areas are working to fill these positions. If you are a consumer in these counties and are looking to work, contact your support staff to find out more information on these exciting new opportunities.

The nationwide shortage of workers is affecting our vendors. If you are looking to work with individuals with developmental disabilities as a job coach, support staff, care home staff, SLS, ILS, or day program. Please go to our jobs page on our website and look at our vendors job postings.

Enos Edmerson Jr (E.J.)

Employment Specialist 

North Valley Hills Update

Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930

Looking for something to watch this weekend? Rooted in Rights' "Bottom Dollars" is an awards-winning film that exposes the exploitation of people with disabilities through personal stories and expert interviews. https://rootedinrights.org/bottom-dollars/

Since the release of the documentary, more states have eliminated subminimum wage and some companies discontinued their 14(c) certificate, and California is trying to be part of the change too.

SCDD is continuing to educate our legislators about this civil rights issue and advocate for SB 639 to pass. SB 639 is a bill authored by Senator María Elena Durazo and sponsored by SCDD, Disability Rights California, and Legal Aid at Work that would stop California employers from paying workers with disabilities less than the California minimum wage. More at https://scdd.ca.gov/sb639/.

Each year SCDD North Valley Hills has the pleasure to say “THANK YOU” to outgoing VMRC Board of Directors

“On behalf of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities/North Valley Hills

For years of service as a Valley Mountain Board Member, Officer, Leader, and Advocate for People with intellectual/developmental disabilities and families”.

SCDD enjoyed collaborating with you and will miss your dedication!

Dena #1 Pfeifer & Andrea Rueda

You are AWESOME advocates!!

How to connect to SCDD through Social Media

Family Resource Network Update from

Lisa Culley, Executive Director

Family Resource Network is hiring-current opening is for a Bilingual (Spanish) Family Resource Specialist. Assist other parents with your knowledge about IEPs, Regional Center services and more to provide parent-to-parent support in a well established, community-based organization. Please click here for more information.

PDF Version Here

Learn about

COVID, Now What?

Presented by:

Claire Lazaro, VMRC Clinical Director

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89944623621?pwd=YjErK3ZCTU13OG5hRGNUZmwzRTQvZz09

Meeting ID: 899 4462 3621

Passcode: 106329

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 and Peter Hackett of Person Centered Services!

PDF Version of the SAC6 Flyer Here

COVID-19 Update

Valley Mountain Regional Center



·    758 positive consumer cases and 29 deaths

·    34 positive VMRC staff cases

·    4 positive volunteer cases

·    321 positive provider cases and 1 death