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111th
Community Health
Advisory
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Weekly Message from the Executive Director
Tony Anderson
By the Numbers
This week we reported over double the number from last week with 68 positive COVID tests reported to the state. 42 consumer and 25 direct support professionals and few more VMRC staff were among those who tested positive this week. One consumer was hospitalized but returned home after a few days and is recovering. While none of our offices are below the 5% threshold, Amador county is lower and our numbers are not too far from the state positivity rate of 6.6%.
Office Building Site Status:
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San Joaquin – Exceeds 5% - Remote Quarterly Face to Face Recommended, Masks in the Office required.
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Stanislaus – Exceeds 5% - Remote Quarterly Face to Face Recommended, Masks in the Office required.
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Calaveras – Exceeds 5% - Remote Quarterly Face to Face Recommended, Masks in the Office required.
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| May 24, 2022 | May 20, 2022 | May 17, 2022 | | San Joaquin - 8.4% | San Joaquin 8.2% | San Joaquin – 6.2% | | Stanislaus - 9% | Stanislaus- 8.8% | Stanislaus – 6.8% | | Amador - 3.3% | Amador - 3.2% | Amador | | Calaveras - 7.4% | Calaveras – 7.2% | Calaveras | | Tuolumne - 10.7% | Tuolomne | Tuolumne | | |
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The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk
This week the WATCH Acting Club, led by directors Art Delgado and Sue Collie (pictured to the right) performed at the MYACT acting company's community theater in Sonora to a packed house. The audience was engaged with the show from the opening curtain to the standing ovation in the end. One patron said this show was just what she needed after a hard week this week. The performance was so enjoyable and the actors gave such an authentic performance having so much fun you couldn't help but feel good. Jack and his mother (played by Tim and Morgan) carried the common thread throughout the show and provided the consistent stage presence and tempo supported by a very fun cast in every role, including some hilarious one liners from Jayme, who played Little Bo Peep. If you ever get a chance to watch the WATCH Acting club in any future performance, trust me, you won't want to miss it.
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Landauer: We Can't Wait to Fix the Direct Care Crisis | People with developmental disabilities rely on professional caregivers for critical, daily assistance. Unlike other businesses that can increase wages, these service providers are hamstrung by low rates set by the State of California. Unable to attract or keep professional caregivers, this essential service provider network is in crisis. | | | |
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Valley Mountain Regional Center
Communitàs Award* 2022
The VMRC Communitàs Award is given annually to an individual or organization that has demonstrated a sustained and meaningful commitment on either a volunteer or professional basis, to the principle that people with developmental disabilities should live and work as full-fledged members of their home communities.
In order to be eligible, an individual or organization must be physically present in VMRC’s five-county service area and providing support to one or more VMRC consumers during the year preceding the award. For-profit businesses and organizations as well as not-for-profit entities are eligible. Current VMRC employees are not eligible to receive this award.
Nomination forms should be completed by any interested person, including VMRC board members and employees, electronically through the below link. Completed nominations must be submitted by Friday, June 3, 2022. Incomplete forms will not be considered.
Criteria
The organization/individual:
1. Clearly stands out among organizations, volunteers, professionals in the field of developmental disabilities.
2. Demonstrates long-term and sincere commitment to supporting people in real homes, real neighborhoods, and real jobs.
3. Has an impressive record of achievement in helping people become more independent and active participants in their home communities.
The VMRC Communitàs Award will be given only when in the judgment of the VMRC Executive Committee a worthy person or organization has been nominated, but no more often than annually, and presented at the VMRC Board Annual Meeting.
The VMRC Executive Committee will select an appropriate trophy or plaque for presentation and the awardee’s name and the year will be inscribed on a permanent plaque to be maintained in the board room at the VMRC’s Stockton office.
Previous recipients of the Communitàs Award: Bill Ramos (2003), Ann Cirimele (2004), Heather Brooks (2005), Donald Roberts (2006), Howard Cohen (2007), Elbert Simpson (2008), Floyd Bohnett (2009), Dr. Popplewell (2010), Dick Jacobs (2011), Krisi Franzone (2012), and Brad Putz (2013), Doreen Bestolarides, RN (2014), Dena Hernandez (2015), David Simerley (2016), Paul Billodeau (2017), Gina Berlin (2018), Janice Leary (2019), Presentation Church Pantry (2021).
*A Latin term meaning a relationship among equals that transcends artificial divisions based on status, age, disability or other considerations. It implies openness and lack of pretension.
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Case Management Update - Children
Tara Sisemore-Hester
Director of Consumer Services - Children
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The Department of Developmental Services would like to share some new and updated Early Start outreach materials:
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Reasons for Concern - This resource presents information about risk factors, developmental milestones, and links to agencies that provide Early Start information, services, and supports for families of children with or at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. (English | Arabic | Chinese | Hmong | Korean | Russian | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese)
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Early Start Referral Guide (NEW - formerly Reasons for Concern and Health Care Provider Brochure) - This resource presents information about the screening and referral process for the Early Start program, information on warning signs professionals who work with very young children should look for, and links to webpages and online directories with contact information for local Early Start lead agencies and family resource centers. (English | Armenian | Chinese | Farsi | Hmong | Korean | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese )
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Family Introduction to Early Start Brochure - An easy-to-read overview of the benefits of early intervention during the first three years of a child’s life, this brochure explains the steps to take if you have concerns about your child’s development as well as what services are available if your child is determined eligible for Early Start. (English | Arabic | Chinese | Korean | Russian | Spanish | Vietnamese)
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Early Start Community Infographic - POSTER size and FLYER size - This resource is an illustration of Early Start agencies, within the context of other service systems. QR codes provide links to websites with information about Early Start and other community agencies that provide services to young children and their families throughout California. (English | Arabic | Armenian | Chinese | Farsi | Hmong | Korean | Russian | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese)
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Early Start Family Resource Center Brochure - Parent-to-parent support through Family Resource Centers and Networks is a critical component of Early Start in California. This brochure introduces the statewide network of family resource centers, which are staffed by parents of children with special needs who actively collaborate with local regional centers and local education agencies to help parents and families access early intervention services. (English | Arabic | Russian | Spanish | Vietnamese)
Please feel free to share these resources with families, colleagues, and partner agencies via email listservs, social media, and other platforms.
These resources are available for download on the following Early Start webpages on our DDS website: Early Start Publications and Outreach Materials Resources and Resources for Families, Parents & Caregivers
These resources are also available for download and hard copies can be ordered at the following website: Products | CEITAN Early Start (ceitan-earlystart.org)
Early Start also has a variety of additional multilingual brochures, booklets, publications, and other free resources that are available for parents, professionals, and others.
For more information, visit https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/
Thank you for your partnership and commitment to California’s children and families!
Hello Early Start Partners,
We are sharing information that may be relevant to Early Start provider agencies. Please share this information to Early Start provider agencies you know.
Beginning in May 2022, California will collect data from agencies employing Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to collect information about factors impacting the workforce. The DSP workforce is experiencing challenges such as high turnover and vacancy rates, which can affect the lives of individuals needing support. Stakeholders have expressed support for learning more about the employment of DSPs to inform policy changes, design recruitment and retention efforts, and examine the impact of rate increases over time. The data collection effort will establish baseline information from which DDS, agencies, and stakeholders may assess challenges, evaluate the impact of existing initiatives and shape future policies to improve workforce stability.
If you received an email earlier this month asking for your participation we encourage you to provide your input. For any providers that want to participate, but did not receive a unique survey link from staffstability@hsri.org, you can request to be included and receive unique survey link by emailing the DSPworkforce@dds.ca.gov.
Please see the link for more information. https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/vendor-provider/dsp-workforce-survey/
Best Regards,
Department of Developmental Services
Early Start & Health Services Section
For more information regarding Early Start Services and referrals,
please contact the Early Start BabyLine at 800 – 515 – BABY (800 – 515 – 2229)
or earlystart@dds.ca.gov.
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Implementing Neurodiversity-Affirming Care
for the 0-3 Population ~ 2 Day Event
with Hillary Crow, M.A., CCC-SLP
Tuesday July 12, 2022
Thursday July 14, 2022
1:00pm-3:00pm (PDT)
Virtual Event
Can't attend the event live?
Register to receive access to the recording!
Hillary Crow, M.A., CCC-SLP is an Autistic speech-language pathologist with 8+ years of experience providing services to pediatric clients after graduating from California State University, Long Beach with both her B.A. and M.A. in Communicative Disorders. In addition to her work as a former adjunct lecturer and Graduate Clinic supervisor for the CSULB Department of Speech-Language Pathology,
Hillary has focused on providing client-centered care in a variety of private clinics and elementary school-based settings.
Read more here.
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Part 1:
Title: Implementing Neurodiversity-Affirming Care for the 0-3 Population Part 1: The Foundations
Hillary will use her unique perspective as both an Autistic individual and a professional speech-language pathologist to shed light on the foundational elements of neurodiversity. Attendees will learn about neurodiversity both as a paradigm and a social justice movement, the importance of developing cultural competence in neurodiversity to provide client-centered care, the influence of gender on autism diagnoses, the harms of promoting Autistic masking, and the importance of supporting Autistic neurology in children 0-3 years old.
Learning Objectives:
· List 6 methods of seeking out firsthand Autistic perspectives
· Define “neurodiversity” and understand its interconnectedness to the disability rights movement
· Discuss the influence of gender on autism diagnoses
· Explain the risks of Autistic masking and how traditional goals may contribute to autistic masking
· Access resources to help get buy-in from parents and colleagues to adapt a neurodiversity-affirming approach
Part 2:
Title: Implementing Neurodiversity-Affirming Care for the 0-3 Population Part 2: Clinical Applications
Building on the topics of Part 1, Hillary will continue to use her unique perspective as both an Autistic individual and a professional speech-language pathologist to guide attendees through clinical applications of neurodiversity-affirming care. Attendees will learn strategies to implement a strengths-based approach, systems to help them deconstruct traditional goals that may encourage Autistic masking, how to develop neurodiversity-affirming goals, and how to design neurodiversity-affirming therapy activities for the 0-3 population. Attendees will have the opportunity to collaborate with each other to review case studies and practice neurodiversity-affirming goal writing and therapy design.
Learning Objectives:
· List at least 10 different ways to support your clients’ autonomy by using a strengths-based approach
· Define the 4 elements to include when adopting a strengths-based approach
· Utilize a flowchart to write neurodiversity-affirming goals for the 0-3 population
· Access resources to design neurodiversity-affirming therapy for the 0-3 population
Infant Development Association is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and in support of this mission
we are launching a series of events
Non-Member: $95 (2 day) $50 (1 day)
IDA Agency/Individual Member: $65 (2 day) $35 (1 day)
IDA Parent/Student/New Clinician Member:
$45 (2 day) $25 (1 day)
IDA CE Hours: Nursing, PT, Speech and Language $40 (2 day) $20 (1 day)
CDI CE Hours: LCSW, LMFT, LEP, LPCC
(you will be invoiced)
ADA Requests: Contact IDA @ mail@idaofcal.org
with ADA request by July 1, 2022
Limited number of scholarships available
REGISTER NOW
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Case Management Update - Adults
Christine Couch
Director of Consumer Services - Adults
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If you could use a little bright spot in your world this week, check out the Sick and Disabled Zine and Craft Fair (SAD Fair)-- a grassroots week-long virtual craft fair centering Disabled, chronically ill and neurodivergent artists from all over the world. You'll find online shops with art of all kinds for sale, live events, virtual tables and a virtual sensory room. This is the 3rd annual fair, and I'm a fan.
https://www.sadfair.com/about
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SPOTLIGHT ON Stanislaus County Special Olympics
Friends, we celebrated on Saturday, May 21, 2022 with many athletes, friends, family and community partners. Athletes from Fresno County, Stanislaus County, Tuolumne County and Calaveras County joined us in Modesto for an amazing day of sports, friends, and fun.
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Stanislaus County offers training and competitions in seven sports for Special Olympics athletes.
Training sites are located at various locations throughout the county and vary from sport to sport. Application and approval are required before attending practice and deadlines apply for each season. Visit our Become an Athlete page for full information on applications and important deadlines.
Returning athletes can contact their team’s head coach for information. New athletes and returning athletes needing to get connected to a team should click here: “Get Connected to a Team”.
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The month of May is Haitian Heritage Month and to celebrate the Haitian Heritage Museum will take part in a series of events and programming. The United States is home to the largest Haitian migrant population in the world, with significant numbers also living in the Dominican Republic (496,000), Chile (237,000), Canada (101,000), and France (85,000), according to mid-2020 UN Population Division estimates.
Haitian Heritage Month is a nationally recognized month and an opportunity for individuals including Haitians and lovers of the Haitian culture to celebrate the rich culture, distinctive art, delicious food and learn the traditions of Haiti and its people. The celebration is an expansion of the Haitian Flag Day on May 18th, a major patriotic day celebration in Haiti and the Diaspora created to encourage patriotism.
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Held every year on 21 May, UNESCO leads the celebration of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development highlighting not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development.
International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool.
Get more information on VMRC’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)!!
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Community Services Update
Brian Bennett
Director of Community Services
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HCBS Compliance Assessments – Validation and Remediation Process Announcement
DDS in cooperation with Regional Centers is preparing for the implementation of the HCBS Final Settings Rule by assessing vendor settings that provide services to more than one individual in the same setting. This includes providers of residential, day program and employment programs. Between January and August of 2020 vendors were asked to complete an HCBS compliance self-survey. Then in 2021 DDS contracted with Public Consulting Group (PCG) to complete a full HCBS assessment for a representative sample of regional center vendors. VMRC had 60 providers who received this full assessment. Those reports have been received back from DDS and were emailed to providers on May 2nd, 2022.
DDS has released a directive to regional centers on the validation and remediation process that our vendors with eligible service codes will need to complete. Emails will be sent to providers to advise whether they are to complete the validation process or the remediation process. Vendors will have 30 days to complete the process that they are assigned to complete. Validation and Remediation forms and all supporting documentation are due back to VMRC no later than June 30th, 2022.
DDS Assessment Validation and Remediation Forms
VMRC will be hosting two trainings on the validation and remediation process. Providers are strongly encouraged to attend a session.
May 31, 2022 – 1:00-2:30pm
June 3, 2022 2:00-3:30pm
VMRC will also be hosting virtual office hours for our vendors to drop in via Zoom to ask questions related to the validation and remediation process.
June 6th – 10th every day from 1:00-2:30pm
June 13th -17th every day from 9:00-10:30am
June 21st – 24th every day from 1:00-2:30pm
Please do not wait to get started on your validation and remediation plans. An email will be sent to providers advising them of what step of the process, validation or remediation, they will be starting on. All documentation must be submitted electronically through email. Paper copies and handwritten documents will not be accepted. Your vendor # must be included in the file name of every document you submit, documents that are not named with the vendor number will be rejected.
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VMRC Needs Your Help!
VMRC needs your input on the implementation of the HCBS Final Settings Rule and Person-Centered Practices! Please share your feedback with us through our new survey. This survey is open to all VMRC stakeholders, including persons served and their families, vendors and their staff, VMRC staff, VMRC Board Members and local advocacy groups. DDS has offered a new HCBS grant funding opportunity meant to encourage HCBS and Person-Centered Planning implementation for our catchment area and your input is vital to the planning process for this grant opportunity!
VMRC's HCBS/PCP Grant Funding Survey
Additional information about the HCBS Final Settings Rule can be accessed here:
VMRC's HCBS Page
California Department of Developmental Services - HCBS Page
HCBS Advocacy Coalition
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Upcoming Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Trainings for Vendors
The HCBS Final Settings Rule applies to all vendors who provide services in a setting that serves more than one regional center consumer. The intent of the Final Settings Rule is to ensure that people with developmental disabilities receive services that integrate them fully into the community to the same degree as people without developmental disabilities. It ensures quality of life! They also ensure that the residential settings that services are received in are home environments rather than institutional environments. All settings must optimize and enhance choice rather than regimenting it. The HCBS Final Settings Rule protects consumers rights including the right to privacy, dignity, respect and freedom from coercion and restraint. The Final Settings Rule goes into effect March 17th, 2023, all providers with the service codes listed below, must be compliant by that date.
VMRC will continue hosting trainings for Residential Providers, Day Type Services Providers and Employment Services Providers. Service providers under the following service codes are strongly encouraged to sign up for one of the trainings provided. It takes time and effort to implement these requirements. Eligible service codes are Residential: 096, 113, 904, 905, 915, 910, 920; Employment Services: 950 and 954; Day Type Services: 028, 055, 063, 475, 505, 510, 515, 855
The attached flyers have registration links on them for the following trainings. You must register to take the training. Once you have registered you will receive a link for the zoom session on the date you have chosen. For attendance purposes please have each staff taking the training register with their own contact information including their email address. Any last-minute changes to the scheduled trainings will be communicated to the registered individuals by email at the email address they have provided.
HCBS Trainings for Residential Providers
June 7th, 2022, 10:00am - 11:00am
June 16th, 2022, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
July 7th, 2022, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
July 12th, 2022, 10:00am – 11:00am
HCBS Trainings for Day Type and Employment Services
June 7th, 2022, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
July 12th, 2022, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Contact Anna Sims, SCSL, HCBS Program Evaluator with questions: (209) 955-3353, asims@vmrc.net
HCBS for Residential Providers April through July
HCBS for Day Program and Employment Providers May through July
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VMRC Welcomes Nicholas Bolger, Deaf Access Specialist nbolger@vmrc.net
Hi! My name is Nicholas Bolger, and I am Valley Mountain Regional Center’s new deaf specialist. I was born and raised in San Joaquin County. I went to Gallaudet University and graduated there with a bachelor's degree in communication studies. I stayed there after that. Then COVID hit, and I decided it was time for me to move back to my parents’ in Manteca temporarily, but then it became permanent, and it's been over two years now. I enjoyed reconnecting with people in the Central Valley. I like to go out for a drive to check local fast food/restaurants. I like to go to movies and hang out with my dogs at home.
My role in my job is to build the relationship bridge between the deaf community and VMRC, making sure we provide full accessibility to our deaf customers. I am training and consulting with everyone who works at VMRC. If you have any questions or need help, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime. I’m more than happy to help out! I'm looking forward to working with you more in the future.
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Save the Date!
June 6, 2022, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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Clinical Update
Claire B. Lazaro, MSN, RN, NP, PHN, NP-C
Director of Clinical Services
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Sharing Public Health Information from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health[1]
Why are some people still wearing masks in public?[2]
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Be ready with your masks[1]
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Emergency Services Update
Aaron McDonald
Emergency Response Coordinator
Red Flag Warning & Fire Weather Watches
As we head into to Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial start of summer, we can anticipate changing weather conditions. With these anticipated changes we can also anticipate increasing fire danger. The National Weather Service Issues Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches to alert fire departments of the onset, or possible onset, of critical weather and dry conditions that could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity.
A Red Flag Warning is issued for weather events which may result in extreme fire behavior that will occur within 24 hours. A Fire Weather Watch is issued when weather conditions could exist in the next 12-72 hours. A Red Flag Warning is the highest alert. During these times extreme caution is urged by everyone because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire. A Fire Weather Watch is one level below a warning, but fire danger is still high.
The type of weather patterns that can cause a watch or warning include low relative humidity, strong winds, dry fuels, the possibility of dry lightning strikes, or any combination of these.
During heightened fire danger, CAL FIRE will place additional firefighters on duty, staff more fire engines and keep more equipment on 24 hours a day to be able to respond to any new fires. CAL FIRE urges Californians to be extremely cautious, especially during periods of high fire danger. It's important that everyone take steps to prevent wildfires. One less spark could mean one less wildfire. Fire stations across Northern California will fly red flags to indicate that the risk of a fire starting is at an extreme high. For more information on CAL FIRE: https://www.fire.ca.gov/ ,and for more information from The National Weather Service please visit: https://www.weather.gov/sto/ .
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North Valley Hills Update
Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930
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Congratulations to our 2021 CHOICES Conference Planning TEAM!
Our May 20,2022 Conference was a HIT!!!
Email dena.hernandez@scdd.ca.gov
If you would like to share what YOU thought about the virtual conference, have any ideas for the 2023 conference or want more infomation!!
Some highlights of the wonderful day….
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How to connect to SCDD through Social Media | | |
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Family Resource Network (FRN) Update
Lisa Culley, Executive Director
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Family Resource Network (FRN) continues to lend tablets to those who need them to attend virtual appointments, day program classes, Early Start visits, or other needs. If you do not have internet in the home, FRN can also assist you to order and will pay for monthly internet service charges. If you would like to borrow a tablet or sign up for internet services, please call the FRN office at 209-472-3674 or complete the online form at: https://forms.gle/aQ4YVyr3z35p8a629 | |
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Self-Advocacy Council 6 (SAC6)
Come Learn About Community Safety by SAC6
WHEN: Friday, May 27, 2022
TIME: 11:00 AM -12:15 PM
WHERE: ZOOM - computer, tablet, cell phone
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 890 3340 7100
Passcode: 799292
PDF Version of the SAC6 Flyer Here
Also - VMRC Update by Tony Anderson, Executive Director, and Mental Health Tip of the Day by Dr. Dave!
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Local County, State and National Public Health Resources | | | | |
