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Sixty-Ninth

Community Health

Advisory Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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By the Numbers



This week we reported another positive consumer case, three more direct support professional cases, and another consumer death. San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties have reported steady positivity rates since early June and public health officials in counties like Los Angeles and Sacramento are returning to recommending the use of masks in indoor settings. The country continues to report alarming infection rates mostly in all the states with low vaccination rates and the American Academy of Pediatrics is reporting that we've seen an increase of 56% of cases involving children since last year. I know it feels like a roller coaster sometimes, up high with the good news of relaxing restrictions followed by the lows with the bad news of stagnant vaccination rates and corresponding COVID-19 infection rates. 

 

All we can say is stay the course. We all know what to do, (1) keep increasing the vaccination rates, (2) follow the direction of our public health officials regarding masks and distancing, and (3) practice habits that limit your exposure to the aerosols of others while indoors. Obviously, we have taken another step backwards this week in our fight against the pandemic. Our VMRC vaccination rates for our consumers have hit a wall, we began the calendar year ranked number two of the state's regional centers for vaccinations and now, we have dropped to the middle of the rankings of the 21 regional centers. We are still moving forward to open our buildings by October and a tremendous effort is being worked on to reopen our day programs. We just have this sobering reminder that this pandemic has not gone away and that we need to be cautious for our consumer's safety and the safety of all.



Tony Anderson

Executive Director

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 Self-Determination

 

Effective July 1, 2021, the Self-Determination program is available to all eligible individuals on a voluntary basis with no limit on the number of participants. 

 

To be eligible for the program, you or your family member must:

 

1. Have a developmental disability and currently be receiving services from a California regional center, or be a new client of a regional center; and

 

2. Be over the age of three or, if under, be qualified for services through the Lanterman Act; and

 

3. Live in the community.



Our team is excited to share the following Self Determination orientation training including two in Spanish!!

 


 

Saturday, July 24, 10am - 1pm in English with Spanish Translation

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wMJrxbniQq-CAuoeiVTzRQ

 

Tuesday, August 3, 9am - 12pm in Spanish

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5toJdItcRwi5BUoSYR-ZQA

 

Monday August 9, 2pm - 5pm in English with Spanish Translation

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YsuFsVbpTPu__8yenueNvQ

 

Thursday September 30, 2pm - 5pm in English with Spanish Translation

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GlKCNsZ7RMeVs84yKVdIOg

 

 

Autism

 

Autism Speaks is hosting a Kindergarten readiness webinar on 8/3 at 7:00pm

Topics expected to be discussed are:

* How to prepare your child for kindergarten

* What parents need to know to help their child succeed

* How to access help if your child needs it

 

Register at link below:


https://www.autismspeaks.org/events/kindergarten-readiness-parents-and-kids-oh-places-youll-go-webinar




Car Seat Check-Up Event


 

Tara Sisemore-Hester

Director of Consumer Services - Children

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Case Management Update - Adults



Return to Day Program Meetings Still Happening!

 

The hot topic from last week is still buzzing around! Here’s what Tony shared last week: "our policy to implement the DDS Directive 02-081020 regarding restrictions for Consumers with High Risk Health Conditions and or Consumers living in ICF-DDNs, ARFPSHCN, and Continuous Nursing facilities", still current, and does vaccination status influence this policy? After extensive deliberations and research, we have decided that the directive is silent on a few items, and we have adjusted our policy and have noted the changes from the CDC related to the policy. First, we see no discretion regarding the directive's mandate preventing people in ICF-DD-Ns etc. from attending day services. However, we do find that the CDC guidance in this area, plus it's advice and determinations regarding the vaccinations as it related to this directive, create a void and ambiguity requiring clarification and direction to our staff, consumers, families, and providers. In the end we have amended the policy (and its incorporated procedures) recasting the high-risk medical conditions in alliance with the CDC's new list, and we have made accommodations for re-aligning "high risk due to COVID-19" to match the CDC's findings regarding vaccinated individuals. The high risk part of the policy no longer applies to vaccinated consumers, the health risk list has been consolidated and updated to match the CDC list, and there is no change regarding restrictions associated with the ICF settings.

 

If you have your vaccination and want to return to day program, call your service coordinator! Get your meeting scheduled – start planning your return!

 

To view the new policy click here: Health Conditions Restrictions Final July 2021




Don’t Forget - Your Voice Your Choice: Advocacy Starts with You

 

OCRA is having its first virtual conference designed directly for clients. It’s called Your Voice Your Choice: Advocacy Starts with You. It will take place every day from 10 am – 12 pm from July 26 – 30th

 

Here is the link for more info: 


https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/post/2021-self-advocacy-conference-your-voice-your-choice

 

I know many self-advocates from our local self-advocacy group, SAC6 are registered for this conference. I hope you can join them!




The Farmers Market Initiative (FMI) Market Match is Up and Running!

 

It’s a great opportunity for community members who have CalFresh benefits, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons to stretch their dollar at participating Farmers Markets.

Visit https://calfresh.dss.ca.gov/cfhl/ for healthy tips.

 

Get More With Market Match

Stretch your dollar. Use your CalFresh benefits at Farmers Markets that accept EBT to increase your buying power. If you spend $10 using your EBT card, you get an additional $10 Market Match* at participating markets.

 

Get Fresher Produce

It’s farm-to-table fresh. You’ll feel great about serving your family the freshest California grown food!

*Market Match is only available at participating Farmers Markets. CalFresh benefits are matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $10 per family per market day, at participating markets only. Additionally, Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) is available at participating markets. Due to COVID-19, some markets may offer a standard pre-prepared produce box.

 

Get More at the Farmers Market!

These markets accept CalFresh, WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons AND participate in Market Match!

 

Downtown Tracy Market

Saturdays, Year-Round

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

10 W. 10th St.

Tracy, CA 95304

 

Weberstown Sunday Market

Sundays, Year-Round

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

4950 Pacific Ave.

Stockton, CA 95207

 

Weberstown Thursday Market

Thursdays, May 7th – Nov 19th

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

4994 Claremont Ave.

Stockton, CA 95207

 

For more information about FMI, please visit www.FMfinder.org to find markets near you that accept CalFresh/EBT.




Creating Strong Passwords

 

We have been working remotely, from home for a long time now. It’s very important to think about making sure we keep our online accounts secure. Make sure you have unique memorable passwords that can trick the craftiest of hackers. Please see the attached short YouTube video regarding setting up those passwords!

 

https://youtu.be/9LxdtaSvQ3I




Seniors in Lodi – Read This!

 

The Village Coffee Shop is helping seniors in the community of Lodi. They have partnered with Grace and Mercy to continue helping to feed seniors in the community. You can come by the Village Coffee Shop and buy a senior a meal!! Or drop off donations at Grace and Mercy.

 

If you are a senior in need, the program is free. Call 209-224-5273 and ask to speak with Cheryl Frances.




The Team



Karen’s team, also known as The Team, is excited to see everyone and be welcomed back at the office. They had a meeting today with a Hawaiian theme – clearly they were having fun and enjoying their team. During the pandemic and remote work from home, this team had themed zoom meetings to keep things interesting. They checked in with each other, talked regularly and offered support when needed.  

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A big thank you to the team for encouraging each other, remaining committed to the goals and being a part of the story to serve the community, and each other. 

 

Karen leads this vivacious adult team – she has been with VMRC for 25 years. Thanks, Karen, for your leadership and commitment.





Christine Couch (she, her, hers)

Director of Consumer Services - Adults

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Clinical Update



The U.S. Surgeon General’s Warning


The U.S. Surgeon General warns the American public about the current threat of Health Misinformation.[1],[2] He emphasized the fact that even though health misinformation is not something new, the rate of spread of misinformation in this digital age is alarming and disrupting public health safety guidelines that will help us combat the current COVID-19 pandemic.[3] The public – individuals, parents, health professionals, educators, technology companies, news companies – should be vigilant in verifying the sources of information they see and hear, ensuring that these information come from reliable sources and sound science.3 Here is a few of what the Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy said:


Health misinformation is false, inaccurate, or misleading information about health, according to the best evidence at the time. And while it often appears innocuous on social media apps and retail sites or search engines, the truth is that misinformation takes away our freedom to make informed decisions about our health and the health of our loved ones.

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health misinformation has led people to resist wearing masks in high-risk settings. It’s led them to turn down proven treatments and to choose not to get vaccinated.

This has led to avoidable illnesses and death. Simply put, health [mis]information has cost us lives.

 

Now, health misinformation didn’t start with COVID-19. What’s different now though is the speed and scale at which health misinformation is spreading. Modern technology companies have enabled misinformation to poison our information environment with little accountability to their users. They’ve allowed people who intentionally spread misinformation — what we call “disinformation” — to have extraordinary reach.

 

They’ve designed product features, such as “Like” buttons, that reward us for sharing emotionally-charged content, not accurate content. And their algorithms tend to give us more of what we click on, pulling us deeper and deeper into a well of misinformation.

 

Now, we need an all-of-society approach to fight misinformation. And that’s why this advisory that I issued today has recommendations for everyone.

 

First, we include recommendations for individuals and families. We ask people to raise the bar for sharing health information by checking sources before they share, to ensure that information is backed by credible, scientific sources. As we say in the advisory, “If you’re not sure, don’t share.”

 

Second, we’re asking health organizations to proactively address misinformation with their patients. Today, the American Academy of Pediatrics is announcing an educational campaign to help parents navigate online health information. I’m encouraged to see this commitment. And, again, this is just the beginning.

 

Third, we’re asking educational institutions to help improve health information literacy.

 

We’re asking researchers and foundations as well to help us learn more about how health [mis]information spreads and how to stop it.

 

Today, the Rockefeller Foundation is announcing a $13.5 million commitment to counter health misinformation. The Digital Public Library of America is announcing that they will convene a set of librarians, scholars, journalists, and civic leaders to confront health misinformation together.

 

Fourth, we’re saying we expect more from our technology companies. We’re asking them to operate with greater transparency and accountability. We’re asking them to monitor misinformation more closely. We’re asking them to consistently take action against misinformation super-spreaders on their platforms.

 

Fifth, we’re also asking news organizations to proactively address the public’s questions without inadvertently giving a platform to health misinformation that can harm their audiences.

 

And sixth, we know that government can play an important role too by investing in research, by bringing individuals and organizations together to address misinformation, and by supporting groups that are working on this issue.

 

On a personal note, it’s painful for me to know that nearly every death we are seeing now from COVID-19 could have been prevented. I say that as someone who has lost 10 family members to COVID and who wishes each and every day that they had had the opportunity to get vaccinated.

 

I say that also as a concerned father of two young children who aren’t yet eligible for the vaccine, but I know that our kids are depending on all of us to get vaccinated to shield them from this virus.”3

 

Full Surgeon General Advisory here.




COVID-19 UPDATE


·        A new research published from the Journal of American Medical Association is showing that pregnant individuals who has gotten the mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine from Pfizer had lower risk of getting COVID-19.[4] Majority of the side effect after getting the vaccine were headache, weakness, pain and stomachache.1 This is a very positive news for pregnant women who are not sure if the vaccine is safe for them or not.


·        Last week, there were confusion regarding the circulating news about a possible booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a joint statement emphasizing that fully vaccinated individuals are protected against the Delta variant of COVID-19, and that the cases now are from unvaccinated individuals.[5] Furthermore, the CDC, FDA and National Institutes of Health (NIH) are continuously reviewing and analyzing latest science, evidence and data to identify if and when the fully vaccinated individuals need a booster.2 As of now, they are not recommending booster shots for fully vaccinated individuals, and highly encouraging the unvaccinated public to get the COVID-19 Vaccine.2


·        The FDA added to the fact sheet of the Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine a warning that it can cause an increased risk for Guillain-Barre Syndrome 6 weeks after vaccination.[6],[7] They mentioned that the risk is “very low,” but the patients need to be aware and should seek medical attention when they experience weakness, tingling sensation in legs or arm, difficulty walking or difficulty in facial movements.[8]


·        The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are going to have a virtual meeting on July 22, 2021, 11 am – 4 pm ET. The meeting is open to the public and is available online via live webcast. No registration needed. Check this website for further details:


https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/index.html?ACSTrackingID=USCDC_11_7-DM61389&ACSTrackingLabel=ACIP%20virtual%20COVID-19%20meeting%20July%2022%2C%202021&deliveryName=USCDC_11_7-DM61389





[1] The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory. July 15, 2021. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-misinformation-advisory.pdf

[2] HHS.gov. July 15, 2021. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/07/15/us-surgeon-general-issues-advisory-during-covid-19-vaccination-push-warning-american.html

[3] The White House Briefing. July 15, 2021. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/07/15/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-jen-psaki-and-surgeon-general-dr-vivek-h-murthy-july-15-2021/

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

[5] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. July 8, 2021. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/07/08/joint-cdc-and-fda-statement-vaccine-boosters.html

[6] Reuters. July 12, 2021. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-announce-new-warning-jj-coronavirus-vaccine-autoimmune-disorder-washington-2021-07-12/

[7] Medscape. July 12, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/954669

[8] FDA. July 8, 2021. https://www.fda.gov/media/146305/download

SANDIS COVID-19 Tracking Data

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Please continue to stay safe and healthy.


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

Director of Clinical Services

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Community Services Department Updates

 


Weekly Service Provider Informational Session hosted by VMRC’s Community Services Department EVERY FRIDAY at 9:00 a.m. to learn about important changes and trends:



Join Zoom Meeting


https://zoom.us/j/99862863596


Meeting ID: 998 6286 3596




HCBS for Day Program and Employment Services Providers Training


HCBS for Residential Providers Training




Brian L. Bennett

Director Of Community Services

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North Valley Hills Update

Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930



California Foundation on Independent Living (CFILC) is starting their new Smart AT Home series, and their first entry to the series, Accessibility 101, will be at the end of this month on July 27th at 2:30pm PT. It will build a foundation upon which we will expand into many disability related topics such as, programing your smart home hub to interact properly with your AAC devices, funding opportunities and Environmental controls. This series will occur every other month and will always be free and available to professionals and the general public alike.

 

They can register for this FREE Smart AT Home webinar at CFILC’s training and events page

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How to connect to SCDD through Social Media

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Family Resource Network Update from

Lisa Culley, Executive Director


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PDF Version Here

Self-Advocacy Council 6 (SAC6)

 

Weekly Virtual Chat

 

Let’s Check In with each other!



WHEN: Friday, July 16, 2021

TIME: 11:00 AM -12:15 PM

WHERE: ZOOM - computer, tablet, cell phone

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Join SAC6 to Hear "Show Me the Money"


with VMRC Executive Director Tony Anderson and


hear everything you need to know about the State


of California Budget!



https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84268085812?pwd=enByait3VU9XeUx6UmcrWHZPTnpWdz09


Meeting ID: 842 6808 5812

 

Passcode: 392274 (MUST ENTER PASSCODE) OR you can call in:



TOLL FREE NUMBER TO CALL IN 877 853 5257 US Toll-free


PDF Version of the SAC6 Flyer Here

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Update from the Self Determination Advisory Committee

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PDF Version of Flyer Here

COVID-19 Update



Valley Mountain Regional Center



·    750 positive consumer cases and 29 deaths

·    34 positive VMRC staff cases

·    4 positive volunteer cases

·    307 positive provider cases and 1 death

Local County, State and National Public Health Resources

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