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"The VMRC Newsletter"
Friday, February 24, 2023
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Message from the Executive Director
Tony Anderson
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Congratulations Partners in Policymaking Class of 2023
Last weekend we hosted our 16th and final session of Partners in Policymaking. This intensive training program included eight months of education and skill building with parents of children and adults with developmental disabilities. The classmates made lifelong connections with each other, met thought leaders in the field of developmental services from across the state and nation, and met government officials and advocates and policymakers of various levels. Some of the topics and speakers included the following:
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History of the Disability Community/Advocacy Movement (Colleen Weick, Executive Director Minnesota Governor Council on Developmental Disabilities).
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Inclusive Education (Jayne Chase, Parent and National Speaker from Alabama)
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Service Coordination (featuring several VMRC staff members: Christine Couch and Doug Bonnet, Emelia Vigil Garnica, Sandra Smith, Angie Shear, Liz Diaz) and Supported Decision Making (Steve Ruder, MIND Institute UC Davis)
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Person-Centered Planning and Person-Centered Thinking (Carol Blessing, Cornell University)
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Supported, Competitive, & Customized Employment (Aaron Carruthers, Executive Director SCDD, Liz Zastrow and Joey Travolta, Richard L. Rosenberg, PhD, California State University Los Angeles, San Diego State University, and Chapman College, Ignacio Chavez, United Cerebral Palsy and Jason Manning, and Enos Edmerson, VMRC, Employment Specialist)
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Supported Living/Home of Your Own (Jacquie Foss, CEO STEP, Tiffany Gallgher, Lisa Utsey and Anthony Owens, Karen Bonacci, Vanessa Ochoa and Colleen Okura)
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Community Organizing, Advocacy, and Meeting with Public Officials (Tony Anderson and Dena Hernandez, SCDD North Valley Hills Office, Tiffany Whiten, Representative from the Service Employees International Union; Sue North, Retired (former City and State Legislative Staffer and association lobbyist); and Catherine Blakemore, Retired (former Executive Director Disability Rights California and consultant).
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Having a Vision for the Future (facilitated session with the class)
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State Legislation and Federal Legislation and the Processes (Andy Imparato, Executive Director of Disability Rights California and Eric Harris, Director of Public Policy DRC and Julie Ward, Senior Executive Officer, Public Policy at The Arc of the US).
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Parliamentary Procedures for Boards, Commissions, Councils, Committees, etc.
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Serving on Boards (Peter Johnson, University of the Pacific, Brian Weisel, Legal Counsel, SCDD and Chris Arroyo, Los Angeles Office SCDD)
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Assistive Technology, Positioning, (Joe Xavier, Director of the Department of Rehabilitation and Nic Bolger, VMRC Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist and Mendel Uychutin, President and CEO of LifeWorks) and Positive Behavioral Supports (Liz Knapp, BCBA KBCS Behavior Services, Chelsea Silveira Burgos, MEd, BCBA, Jon Bruno Associates Melissa Claypool, VMRC Coordinator of Autism Services, Jared Green, CEO VCDI & TCDI).
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Media Training (Marcie Brightwell, Brightwell Communications)
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Graduation Ceremony and How to Maintain an Advocacy Network into the Future (keynote speaker Sue Swenson, President of Inclusion International and former administration official for four US Presidents and Partners graduate in 1989) and two Raymond Hampson graduate class of 2007 and Grace Huerta graduate of the class of 2008.
The program materials were provided in English and Spanish and in the end overfilled their four inch binders, it was supplemented with several electronic resources and valuable links, and each session was provided in English or Spanish and was supported with simultaneous translations. Congratulations again to all our graduates who put in the hard work that will benefit our entire region as they begin to take their leadership, skills and confidence to serve on local boards and commissions or organizing their own support or advocacy groups to help others. Thank you to our community partners for helping us organize this incredible program, Fuerzas Unidas, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities North Valley Hills Office, the Family Resource Network, Escuchen mi Voz, the Integrated Community Collaborative, and The Arc of California. And finally, special thanks to the California Department of Developmental Services for providing the funding for this program under their Service Access Grants program.
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Upcoming VMRC Public Meetings
Consumer Services Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 5:15 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202
Click Here for Zoom Information
Executive Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 6:30 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202
Click Here for Zoom Information
Purchase of Services (POS) Expenditures Community Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 2:00 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202
Click Here for Zoom Information
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Case Management Update - Adults
Christine Couch
Director of Consumer Services - Adults
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All VMRC staff were provided mandatory Phishing training this week to ensure they are all aware of Phishing, how to avoid falling prey to it and were provided ideas and suggestions to avoid VMRC being victimized. Multi Factor Authentication training was also provided. This will give staff the proper tools to use when logging into VMRC networks and applications.
Submitted by Cindy Strawderman and Donna Sioson
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2023 Transition Fair Dates, Times, and Locations are Set! See the Flyers Here! | |
Case Management Update - Children
Tara Sisemore-Hester
Director of Consumer Services - Children
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Self Determination Orientation
Trainings
Would you like to know how Self Determination Works?
Come Learn About the Program
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Self Determination Trainings
3 CEU Units offered for vendors who pre-register
Register in advance for this webinar:
Thursday, March 16, 2023 from 1 PM-4PM via Zoom English with Spanish Translation
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_trTf_yyLTj2iCtn5dn0UNg
Friday July 7, 2023 from 9AM-12PM via Zoom English with Spanish Translation
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dHDzHcAxR26XftxhRdOqzg
Tuesday September 26, 2023 from 9AM-12PM via Zoom English with Spanish Translation
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UwYVV250TSiltd8kEiJJag
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Please contact Angelique Shear at (209) 955-3294 or ashear@vmrc.net for questions.
One session of training is mandatory if you would like to participate in Self Determination.
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Clinical Update
Dr. Claire Lazaro
Clinical Director
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Calling all Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs!!!
We need you and people involved in your family and care. Please come to this focus group and tell us what we can do collectively to improve your health and wellbeing.
When: March 1 at 1:30 pm
Where: Cohen Board Room, VMRC Office, 702 North Aurora Street, Stockton, CA
Please RSVP to Angela Njoroge at (209) 955-3632 or ANjoroge@vmrc.net by Feb. 26, 2023. Snacks will be served.
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COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ending… What Now?
The COVID-19 public health emergency will expire on May 11, 2023, according to the White House. What does this mean for the public? Sharing this article from the Expert Insights of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health[1]:
Experts broke down some of the changes we can expect in this Time Article.[2]
Vaccines:
- People without health insurance will no longer be able to get free COVID-19 vaccines through state Medicaid programs.
- People on Medicare and Medicaid will continue to receive free vaccines.
- People with private insurance: Vaccines and boosters will be covered when using an in-network provider.
COVID Tests: Currently, people with private insurance or Medicare can get reimbursed for up to eight rapid tests.
- It’s possible insurance companies may continue to cover tests, if they are distributed by select in-network providers.
- Medicare beneficiaries will start paying for a portion of tests.
- Medicaid will continue to cover the cost of tests ordered by a doctor, but at-home test coverage will vary by state.
Remember: U.S. residents are still eligible to order free at-home tests [3] until the PHE ends, so it may be a good idea to keep some on hand.
COVID-19 Treatments:
- Privately insured: COVID-19 treatments (including antiviral therapies like Paxlovid) will continue to be covered.
- Medicare Part D: Antiviral treatments will be covered until the federal supply is depleted. After that, beneficiaries will have to pay for a portion.
- Medicaid: Only treatments approved by the U.S. FDA will be reimbursed. Medications under EUA will also vary by state.
Hospital Care:
- Medicare reimbursements that hospitals received during the pandemic will end with the PHE, and patients receiving COVID-related hospital care could see higher bills.
“The virus doesn’t care whether there’s a public health emergency declaration or not,” Sharfstein told AARP. It’s important to stay up to date on vaccines, watch out for symptoms, and test yourself if you’re going to be around vulnerable people, he says.
[1] https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?e=43337e8f93&u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=c077b8734c
[2] Time Article. January 31. 2023. https://time.com/6251520/covid-19-public-health-emergency-ends-what-changes/
[3] Get Free COVID-19 at-home tests. https://www.covid.gov/tests
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Community Services Update
Brian Bennett
Community Services Director
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VMRC is pleased to announce our 2022-2023 Community Placement Plan and Community Resource Development Plans as approved by the Department of Developmental Services.
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has a statutory responsibility to ensure that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live in the least restrictive setting, appropriate to their needs. DDS designed the Community Placement Plan (CPP) and Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP) for regional centers to enhance the capacity of the community service delivery system and to reduce the reliance on the use of developmental center and other restrictive living environments.
Each year, regional centers identify their unmet CRDP and CPP needs and propose those plans to the department for consideration.
For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the Department confirmed the following projects for VMRC:
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Two of these CRDP proposals have been posted on the VMRC website https://www.vmrc.net/rfps/
The Specialized SLS and L4I ARF Request for Proposals will be posted no later than March 20, 2023 (DDS requires that RFPs are posted no later than 45 days from their approval-VMRC was granted approval on February 3, 2023)
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Many Service Codes Were Eligible for Rate Increases from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Beginning January 1, 2023
Providers who believe there is an error in the rate calculation may complete the form (link below) and submit the rate review request to the VMRC dedicated rate Inbox rates@vmrc.net no later than 60 days after receiving their rates. VMRC will review the request. If the request is not resolved at the regional center, requests for additional review can be sent to the Department of Developmental Services. This is not a mechanism to APPEAL the rate assigned but a mechanism for providers to assure that the appropriate methodology for rate change consideration was applied.
Rate Review Request Form
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Webinar for Regional Center Staff, Family Members and Stakeholders
“Aging and Down Syndrome” by Dr. Julie A. Moran
Tuesday March 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
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Emergency Services Update
Aaron McDonald
Emergency Services and Safety Specialist
| VMRC Emergency Response Services is monitoring the Winter Storm that started impacting our catchment area and the state yesterday. Winds will be picking up this afternoon and will continue to be breezy into Friday. These winds combined with rain could cause downed trees and local power outages. Now is the time to research the contact numbers to report downed tree power outages in your area. NEVER approach downed power lines, ALWAYS treat then as live and reach out to Emergency Response for assistance. | |
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North Valley Hills Update
Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!
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Family Resource Network (FRN) Update
Lisa Culley, Executive Director
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Is your child turning 3 soon? Join FRN for a parent workshop on Building Bridges: Transitioning Your Child From the Early Start Program! Learn about the process of advocacy, what's happening during the months leading up to your child's 3rd birthday, the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process, and ongoing services available through VMRC. You will walk away from this training with knowledge that will give you a great foundation for the next stage of parenting your child with special needs. Attendees will receive a Building Bridges workbook to complete as you prepare for your child's transition. Spanish interpretation will be available. This training is on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, virtually on Zoom. Register by clicking the link on the flyer, calling the FRN office at 209-472-3674 or by email at FRNfamilies@frcn.org | | | | |
