The VMRC Newsletter #32

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"The VMRC Newsletter"

Friday, August 25, 2023

Message from the Executive Director

Tony Anderson

2023 Final Caseload Ratio Report

This past Wednesday we held a public presentation of the 2023 Caseload Ratio Report during the Board of Directors meeting. Our report covers our specific areas of noncompliance, what we’ve done to hire the needed service coordinators, some of our barriers to hiring, and our plan of correction. The most exciting part of the presentation, however, was that after analyzing our current data as of June 2023 we found that on average our caseload ratios are closer to compliance than they’ve ever been, at least in anyone’s memory currently working at VMRC.

However, while we are extremely fortunate that the legislature and the governor has made such a serious commitment to getting these caseloads down, many of our service coordinators are still managing large caseloads. As it turns out, it takes several months to train new service coordinators before they can manage a full caseload and meet the complex rules, regulations, and competencies of today’s person-centered case management in California. Welcome to all of our new service coordinators and thank you to everyone in VMRC and in our community who will be contributing to their development in service to people with developmental disabilities and their families in our region.

Caseload Ratio Plan of Correction

Continue expansion hiring and backfilling vacancies.
For every 20 service coordinators in early childhood services (ratio of 1:40) we need to hire 1 service coordinator. We’ll need about 12.
For every 20 service coordinators for consumers over 6 on the waiver (ratio of 1:62) we need to hire about 1 service coordinator. We’ll need about 8.
For every 20 service coordinators for consumers over 6 not on the waiver (ratio of 1:68) we are at compliance as of June 2023.
In addition to hiring the service coordinators to meet the ratios at the point in time of our last analysis, we need 72 more service coordinators to keep pace with our rate of eligibility by June 2024:

Every month we make 217 children eligible for early start services and 65 people eligible under Lanterman act.
This means we need at least 6 service coordinators a month to keep up with the eligibility trend.

Caseload Ratios at VMRC

Thank you for your comments in our survey and for those who provided public comment during the board meeting.

Final Report to the Public during August 23, 2023 Board of Directors meeting.

Additional Recruitment Resources from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities North Valley Hills Office

Office Closed Friday August 25, 2023 for All Staff Training Day

Don't forget, today our offices will be closed for our annual All-Staff Training Conference and our after hours team will be available for any emergencies, just call the regular number and choose the after hours option.

The Director's Travels

The August 28, 2023 board communication on the director's activities...

Coalition of Local Agency Service Providers (CLASP) Meeting (Members Only)

Monday, August 28, 2023, 10:00 AM

Click Here for Zoom Information

Don't Wait Until the Last Minute to Register for the Premier Service Provider Conference in the Area! Spots are Filling up Fast!

Announcing Our Provider Community's Third Professional Conference, Moving Forward

We are so excited to announce that our local provider coalition, the Coalition of Local Agency Service Providers (CLASP), has been hard at work to put together their third provider conference. This one will be called “Moving Forward” 2023 and will be their first major provider conference in three years. This is an opportunity for our provider community to come together to learn about policy issues and innovations in providing person-centered services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.

The event includes one of the national thought leaders on Person-Centered Thinking, Carol Blessing of Cornell University and John Raffaele and Joe Macbeth from the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, talking about the important role of Direct Support Professionals in connecting people with disabilities to their communities. We were also very excited to learn that one of our most popular speakers on creative approaches to person-center supports for people with complex needs, Lynn Seagle, will be one of the featured morning keynotes and our DDS Director Nancy Bargmann will cap off our morning with a lunch keynote.

CLASP does so much to support the provider community and it’s an honor to work with these leaders who have dedicated their careers to serving people with IDD and their families in our region. This conference is an excellent example of how our providers focus on continuous improvements in service delivery in our community. Special thanks to Candice Bright and Liz Herrera Knapp for their leadership in making this happen.

Conference Landing Page

Conference Registration

Sponsorship Information

Thank You Sponsors!

The DEI Corner

Mark Crear, DEI Manger

Women's Equality Day is celebrated every year on 26 August in the United States. The day is observed to commemorate and honor the adoption of the 19th Amendment in the US Constitution that supports the rights of women, and forbids the discrimination to vote on the basis of gender.

On the occasion of Women's Equality Day, many events and programs are held across the United States to create awareness about the rights and equality of women.

Gender equality is important for the progress of any nation. Women should not be deprived of their basic rights, be it the right to vote. While several achievements have been acquired in the field of women equality, there is still much more to do.

Celebrating the Women Equality Day is a reminder about the advancements that have been made in gender equality. It also highlights the challenges faced by women in different aspects of life, including workplace, education, politics, and many more.

Diversity and Inclusion: Key to Achieving Gender Equality

Diversity and inclusion are key to achieving gender equality. By promoting and valuing diversity, we can create a more equitable and just society. This means creating opportunities for women of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds to succeed and advance in their careers. Additionally, it means creating a workplace culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all, regardless of gender, race, or other differences.

Women’s Equality Day Activities

Thank the women in your life: We all depend on hardworking women — moms, grandmas, partners, sisters, and friends. Take some time today to thank them for all the physical and emotional labor they do for others!
Support women-owned companies: Use your consumer power to support female entrepreneurs. You can find lists of women-owned businesses on the Small Business Administration’s website or by reaching out to your local chamber of commerce.

Conclusion

As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day on August 26th, 2023, let us choose to challenge gender bias and inequality in all its forms. Let us recommit to the struggle for women’s rights and gender equality, and let us work towards creating a more just and equitable world for all. The time is now, and the choice is ours.

Clinical Update

Dr. Claire Lazaro

Clinical Director

National Wellness Month

In celebration of the National Wellness Month this August, the World Health Organization has some recommendations on how to reduce stress, take care of yourself, and live a more relaxed life.[1]

[1] World Health Organization (WHO). August 20, 2023. Here are some tips to... - World Health Organization (WHO) | Facebook

Here are some tips to reduce stress:

Keep a daily routine

Having a daily schedule can help us use our time efficiently and feel more in control. Set time for regular meals, time with family members, exercise, daily chores and other recreational activities.

Get plenty of sleep

Getting enough sleep is important for both body and mind. Sleep repairs, relaxes and rejuvenates our body and can help reverse the effect of stress.

Connect with others

Keep in touch with family and friends and share your concerns and feelings with people you trust. Connecting with others can lift our mood and help us feel less stressed.

Eat healthy

What we eat and drink can affect our health. Try to eat a balanced diet and to eat at regular intervals. Drink enough fluids. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables if you can.

Exercise regularly

Regular daily exercise can help to reduce stress. This can include walking, as well as more intensive exercise.

Family Wellness Project

In line with the National Wellness Month, VMRC has the Family Wellness Project that supports families through free counseling services to families of individuals with developmental disabilities. This is funded through the Part C of IDEA from American Rescue Plan Act. This is happening now! Please fill out this survey (QR code and link included below) for us to know more about your interest in this project. If you want to participated or have questions, contact FamilyWellness@vmrc.net.

Link to Family Wellness Pilot Project survey:

English: https://forms.office.com/r/ri3jDTiVY3

Case Management Update - Adults

Christine Couch

Director of Consumer Services - Adults

Join us on Wednesday August 30th

GUESS THAT SONG!

🌟 We're hosting a fantastic Social Hour event filled with music and excitement! 🎶💃

Can you guess the songs from the 90s to today?

Test your music knowledge and groove along with us!

🕺💃 Whether you're a 90s kid or love the latest hits, this game will have you singing along and reminiscing about the good old days! 🎤🎉

Don't miss out on this opportunity to be a part of our fun-filled music session!

What: Guess That Song!

When: August 30th

Time: 4-5 PM

Where: Zoom

How: Click on the button to join the day of.

Zoom

Support with Zoom, logging in, or accessing any of the information provided is available. Please email, call or text Tracy at 858.216.2760 or inflight@adjoin.org

If you have questions, are interested in participating or want to suggest an activity for our social our please connect with: Tracy at inflight@adjoin.org

Case Management Update - Children

Tara Sisemore-Hester

Director of Consumer Services - Children

FREE CEU Webinar from ABA Therapy Provider "The Perfect Child"

Topic:

ACT Based Strategies in Parent Training

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

10:00 AM

BITES (A Behavioral Integrated with Speech Approach to Feeding Therapy) is back this Fall!

Friday, September 29th and Saturday, September 30th, 2023

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM EST both days

Pediatric feeding problems are complex and often require a multi-disciplinary approach to assessment and treatment. The Behavioral InTEgrated with Speech approach, known as BITES®, focuses specifically on how cross-disciplinary collaboration among speech-language pathologists (SLPS) and Psychologists and/or Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) can look when assessing pediatric feeding problems and developing interventions for them. Each discipline has a distinct and valuable role in the assessment and treatment process.

With over 30 years of combined experience in the field of pediatric feeding disorders, Dr. Laura Seiverling, Psychologist and BCBA-D, and Elise Jusko, CCC-SLP, draw from their own experiences working on a multidisciplinary feeding team together. In each BITES® presentation, they discuss the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, provide an overview of typical feeding development, the mechanics of eating, factors that contribute to feeding problems, discuss when and when not to use the BITES® approach, and detail the SLP and Psychologist/BCBA role in the assessment and treatment process. Case examples are provided for each of the feeding problems discussed.

This course is appropriate for the following clinicians working with children with feeding disorders: Psychologist, BCBA, SLP, OT, COTA, RD, RN and CSW.

For additional details and registration information, please visit www.bitesfeedingtherapy.com

Contact email: Bitesfeedingtherapy@gmail.com