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"The VMRC Newsletter"
Friday, October 20, 2023
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Message from the Executive Director
Tony Anderson
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Last Saturday was the last day for the governor to sign or veto bills on his desk. Our Legislative committee, chaired by Lynda Mendoza and Candice Bright, tracks about 50 bills a year as well as the budget. Each year the committee does a presentation on the state budget and a review of bills the governor signed that will have an impact on people with disabilities. Some changes to statutes effecting people with disabilities include:
- Raising the Cal ABLE age to 46 years old,
- Removes the requirement that disabled voters issue a declaration under oath before receiving assistance,
- This bill would require local education agencies to annually post their report on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion of students on their website.
- Requires a conservator to determine the continuation or termination of an existing conservatorship, The Judicial Council to develop a mandatory form for the care plan,
- Imposes sanctions for a conservator’s failure to timely file a care plan, including authorizing the court to impose a civil penalty in any amount up to $500, payable to the estate of the conservatee, and authorizing the court to remove a conservator for failure to file a care plan.
- Requires policies to include the supplemental hate crime report in the model policy framework and a schedule of hate crime or related trainings the agency conducts.
- Activates an Endangered Missing Advisory and assists the investigating law enforcement agency by disseminating an electronic flyer or activating changeable message signs.
- Authorizes State Universities and UCs to establish and maintain inclusive college programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at 4-year public postsecondary educational institutions, as provided.
- Provides students with a person-centered planning process and the opportunity to pursue an educational credential, including, but not limited to, a degree, certificate, or nondegree credential issued by the institution.
- For foster kid who is an individual with exceptional needs, defines “school of origin” as also including a placement in a certified nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
- Requires (2024–25 school year) education to agree in writing, for any foster child it serves, to be designated as the school of origin of the foster child and to allow the foster child to continue their education in the school, as specified.
- This bill would require, for any covered health care facility employer (10,000 or more full-time equivalent employees) employer, as of January 1, 2023, the minimum wage for covered health care employees to be $23 per hour from June 1, 2024…
To view the activities and presentations of the committee visit the committee webpage at: https://www.vmrc.net/legislative-committee-2/.
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See you Tuesday...
If you’re a service provider, a person receiving services, or a family member looking to learn about the latest innovations and best practices in services to people with developmental disabilities you won’t want to miss this conference.
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VMRC Board of Directors Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 6:00 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202, Cohen Board Room
Click Here for Zoom Information
VMRC Consumer Services Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 5:00 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202, Cohen Board Room
Click Here for Zoom Information
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Case Management Update - Children
Tara Sisemore-Hester
Director of Consumer Services - Children
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Welcome to Micah’s place: Teen with Down syndrome brings upbeat vibes to Lodi thrift store
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Case Management Update - Adults
Christine Couch
Director of Consumer Services - Adults
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Supported Decision-Making Technical Assistance Program (SDM-TAP)
Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is a way to help people who might have trouble making decisions on their own. This can include people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, people with dementia, or anyone else who might need a bit of extra help understanding their options and making informed choices. SDM is a process that respects people’s rights and dignity, promotes independence, and prevents abuse or exploitation.
In California law, SDM allows individuals to choose supporters who have a legal right to be part of the individual’s decision-making process. They can choose trusted people, like family members, friends, or other community members to be their supporters. Individuals have the legal right for chosen supporters to be present in meetings where decision making takes place, including Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings, legal hearings, and medical appointments.
These supporters help the individual understand information, weigh the pros and cons, and communicate their decisions to others. The key point is that the final decision is always in the hands of the individual, not the supporter. The supporter’s role is to assist, not to decide. SDM, in California law, allows an individual to retain ALL their personal rights and autonomy while ensuring that they have trusted supporters advising them.
For more information, you can find the SDM law here.
Please consider completing a survey to get public input on a new grant program designed to expand and strengthen the use of Supported Decision-Making (SDM) now that it has been codified in California. Your input will inform planning as they create the grant structure and administer the grants.
The SDM-TAP Grant Input Survey is estimated to take about 10 minutes.
You can view and respond to the survey in the form or email your responses to us at sdmtap@scdd.ca.gov
Please click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the survey. Please share this survey with anyone interested in SDM in California! Thank you for your time and support of this program.
To access the survey, please click here.
Want to know more about the SDM-TAP? Join our mailing list for updates!
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Clinical Update
Dr. Claire Lazaro
Clinical Director
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National Dental Hygiene Month
Week 3 – from Karissa McGuffin, RDHAP, VMRC Dental Coordinator
Did you know that not taking care of our teeth leads to more than just cavities and bad breath? There is a connection between our oral health and our overall health. This makes sense because the mouth is connected to the rest of the body and is the starting point of our digestive tract. Infections in our mouth can travel to the rest of our body through our bloodstream. Almost half of all Americans have some form of gum disease. Having gum disease can increase your chances of having high blood pressure by 3x! Gum disease can also increase your chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease (www.aaosh.org). Protect your entire body by brushing 2x a day, flossing 1x a day, and visiting your dentist or dental hygienist every year!
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People with Disabilities Added by NIH as a Population with Health Disparities
Last September 26th, 2023, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released an announcement designating “people with disabilities as a population with health disparities for research.”[1] This designation will be a huge help for the community to fully understand the health disparities people with disabilities are experiencing. This will also help address the complexities of health inequity experienced by people with disabilities. Research can then be done to look at health outcomes and interventions that will help people with disabilities. As Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra said, “Access to quality health care is a basic human right. It is unacceptable that in 2023, every person in the United States of America does not have that access. Research to understand the barriers and unmet needs faced by people with disabilities, and to develop effective interventions to address them, is needed. This designation will help to improve access to healthcare and health outcomes for all people.”2
[1] NIH. September 26, 2023. NIH designates people with disabilities as a population with health disparities | National Institutes of Health (NIH)
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SAVE the DATE! FREE Vaccination Clinic at the VMRC Stockton Office
What: Flu Shots, and other vaccines such as Hepatitis B, TDaP, Shingles, and Pneumococcal. And Health Fair with Medicare Part D Enrollment, medication review, Naloxone nasal spray, Health screenings and health supplies such as blood glucose monitor, blood pressure monitor, etc (while supplies last).
When: October 27th, 2023 at 1 – 5 pm
Where: 702 N Aurora Street, Stockton, CA
Make an appointment: call (209) 687-4014
Bring your Medical and Prescription card, Medicare Card (if you have one), and ALL your medications.
Members of Kaiser will have to go to Kaiser as UOP don’t have the ability to bill Kaiser.
| Take a Look at the Rest of the 2023 University of Pacific Health Fairs | |
Community Services Update
Brian Bennett, Director of Community Services
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Attention Adult Day Program Providers!
In an effort to maintain compliance with applicable Title 17 regulations (Sections 56720,56722,56724, 56726, 56728, 56730 ) VMRC will resume completing annual quality assurance reviews of all Adult Day Programs (055, 505, 510, 515, 094) beginning in November 2023. The annual quality assurance review involves a site visit and review of program records. The goal of the annual quality assurance review is to assure compliance with regulatory requirements. The Quality Assurance Liaison assigned to your program will contact you to schedule a date and time for the review to occur. VMRC’s goal is to support programs to meet all regulatory requirements and the process will keep in mind the needs of the persons served. The annual review is not meant to disrupt or negatively impact the day-to-day operations, or to alter supports provided to participants. To ensure that all programs are prepared for their annual review, the Quality Assurance team will host an informational session on November 8th from 3-4 P.M. using Microsoft Teams. Participation is not mandatory but highly encouraged. The team will discuss the components of the review and provide a copy of the review tool to participants. We look forward to seeing you in November.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 262 913 004 184 Passcode: Toj28M
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VMRC’s revised CPP / CRDP Proposals for 2023-2024
PUBLIC NOTICE: VMRC 2023-2024 COMMUNITY PLACEMENT PLAN (CPP) AND COMMUNITY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PLANNING (CRDP)
Valley Mountain Regional Center has been collecting input over the past year related to potential unmet Community Placement Plan / Community Resource Development Planning service needs; VMRC generates “unmet” resource information from Case Management staff on a routine basis. All project requests are dependent on Department of Developmental Services (DDS) approval and will be developed through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, in accordance with VMRC’s Administrative Policy 200-11-01.
VMRC is proposing the following projects as priorities for CPP/CRDP resource development for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
1. $1.5 million to support renovation or acquisition of affordable, supportive housing predevelopment or renovation
2. $250,000 Start Up Funds to support:
(1) Adult Day Program to support persons requiring significant (sometimes 1:1) staffing support from well-trained direct support staff and with support from a licensed BCBA (consultant) in San Joaquin County
3. $250,000 Start Up Funds to support:
(1) Adult Day Program to support persons requiring significant (sometimes 1:1) staffing support from well-trained direct support staff and with support from a licensed BCBA (consultant) in South Stanislaus County
4. 150,000 for renovation to VMRC’s EBSH for persons with Acquired Brain Injuries. To improve the exterior property, to renovate existing “out building” and to add calming and relaxation paths, outdoor activity areas
We invite you to email your comments related to these project proposals (and any suggestions ) for CPP/CRDP development to the Director of Community Services, Brian L. Bennett bbennett@vmrc.net no later than Monday November 6th.
This is not a Request for Proposal but rather VMRC’s planned projects for 2023-2024
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Social Recreational Opportunity in Stockton | |
Made possible by a Grant from the Department of Developmental Services | |
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San Joaquin County Residents! The San Joaquin County Council of Governments wants your feedback!
SJCOG will attend VMRC’s upcoming Consumer Services Meeting on November 1st to discuss the unmet needs survey and to answer questions from community partners about Public Transportation in San Joaquin Co.
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Employment Update
Enos Edmerson Jr, Employment Specialist
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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). VMRC continues to promote NDEAM by attending events in Sacramento and Modesto, highlighted by Disability Resource Agency for Independent Living (DRAIL) Disability Resource Fair and the Pride Industries Disability Hiring Job Fair. These events exemplified the community’s commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, and equal employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. By participating in and supporting such initiatives, we can continue building a more equitable and inclusive society for all.
Please follow VMRC LinkedIn page for photos of these wonderful events promoting NDEAM
https://www.linkedin.com/company/valley-mountain-regional-center/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true
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North Valley Hills Update
Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930
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CHOICES NEEDS YOU!!!
Our CHOICES Conference Planning Committee is meeting to get ready for the
2024 Conference!
Our theme is:
Be the Light! Shine through YOUR CHOICES
It will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the
San Joaquin County Office of Education
We are looking for any self-advocates (18 years and older) from our 5 counties (Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne) who would be interested in speaking at the conference.
We want to hear YOUR story on how You are the Light in YOUR life and how you shine through YOUR CHOICES.
You would need to speak to a large crowd of people for about
20 minutes.
INTERESTED or Have Questions? Please call or email Dena Hernandez at SCDD North Valley Hills at 209-473-6944 dena.hernandez@scdd.ca.gov
DEADLINE to let Dena know is Tuesday, November 14, 2023
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