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106th

Community Health

Advisory

Weekly Message from the Executive Director

Tony Anderson

By the Numbers

This week we reported 10 positive COVID-19 cases. Of the 10 cases three were consumers and 7 were direct support professionals. We had no reports of hospitalizations and no reported positive cases among our staff at VMRC. The booster mandate continues for our staff and the staff in the licensed programs and as of this week we have 6 remaining staff that have not received their boosters yet. All staff who have religious or medical exemptions continue to take COVID tests weekly and almost all staff will be past the booster requirement deadlines by the end of this month (some staff who tested positive before getting their boosters may be postponed as late as July 2022). While the US and other countries are offering the second booster for vulnerable health populations, a story this week on PBS reported that both Modera and Pfizer are testing “bivalent” shots (a mix of each company’s original vaccine and an omicron-targeted version) as a better approach than just modifying the original vaccination (click for more). As of now people over 50 and with vulnerable health conditions may request a booster from their health professionals.

Two Great Opportunities to Engage with Valley Mountain Regional Center

Caseload Ratio Compliance

Each year we report on the caseload ratio compliance and we are required to hold at least one public meeting to receive

stakeholder input to help inform the way the regional center allocates new positions funded through the allocation. The public meeting fulfills our requirement in law to gather input regarding a plan of correction. Each year we send out a survey to gain further public input and in recent years the survey has produced some really good ideas. Each year we make progress on this requirement but with limited funds and an old funding formula, our regional center, as well as all regional centers, find it impossible to meet the ratios. However, we are excited to report that statewide the reginal center system anticipates a major investment in case management. This investment will clearly result in improved responsiveness from all regional centers and provide our service coordinator with the opportunity to spend more quality time with our consumers and families to more fully engage in person-centered planning and thinking.

Contract Performance

In addition to the caseload ratio compliance we also report twice a year on our contract performance regarding a few key performance measures that each regional center is working on in their region. While our activities are different the performance measures are the same statewide. The performance measures we try to improve on are less people living in institutions, more kids living at home, more adults living independently, more adults living in supported living, more adults living in Family Home Agency homes, more adults living at home, less kids living in group homes with more than six kids, and less adults living in group homes with more than six adults. This year we improved in almost every area. See our webpage by the end of the month to see the new report for the complete year of 2021.

Upcoming Calendar of Important Events

Partners in Policymaking Information Session

Friday, April 22, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Hybrid

VMRC Stockton Office Cohen Board Room, 702 N. Aurora St., Stockton, CA 95202

Click Here to Join via Zoom

Meeting ID: 839 8993 6548

Passcode: 434093

Community Connectors Resource Fair

Monday, April 25, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

San Joaquin County Office of Education

2707 Transworld Drive, Stockton, CA 95206

Event Flyer Here

Transition Fair - Stockton

Wednesday, April 27, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202

Event Flyer Here

VMRC Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday, April 27, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Hybrid

VMRC Stockton Office Cohen Board Room, 702 N. Aurora St., Stockton, CA 95202

Click Here to Join via Zoom

Webinar ID: 890 8530 9205

Passcode: 726057

Transition Fair - Modesto

Friday, April 29, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

1820 Blue Gum Avenue, Modesto, CA 95358

Event Flyer Here

Caseload Ratio Public Meeting for Plan of Correction

May 31, 2022

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 829 7446 6592

Passcode: 572640

Performance Contract Public Meeting

June 6, 2022

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 885 7170 9612

Passcode: 143391

View our Entire Calendar of Events Here

Case Management Update - Children

Tara Sisemore-Hester

Director of Consumer Services - Children

April is World Autism Awareness Month!

Autism is celebrated every day by so many people, but April is a special time of the year dedicated to promoting acceptance, celebrating differences, and creating a more inclusive world.

The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) has excellent information and resources about Autism, including a digital brochure available in English and Spanish. For more information, please visit

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism-spectrum-disorder

The CDC is also recognizing Autism Awareness Month by Celebrating Differences. Their Autism information page has links to many great resources including updated developmental milestones information, current data and statistics, and information on current research. Please visit

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html

Be sure to join us for the final session of the Early Start Cultural Humility series webinars, only available through April 2022! The focus of discussion this month is “Moving Forward on the Path to Cultural Competence by Delivering Services with Cultural Humility, Compassion, and Courage.” For details on the remaining schedule of webinar topics, here’s a link to the flyer.

In this week’s blog post, Ages and Stages of Development from the CDE, we’re highlighting a family-friendly reference resource, from the California Department of Education, entitled, Ages and Stages of Development, aimed at parents who seek to better understand and support their child at any developmental stage. A timeless piece that you must read for yourself!

Coming Soon! The Early Start Partners Symposium (ESPS 2022) is right around the corner! If you haven’t heard, this year’s symposium will be virtual/online, June 7^th & 9^th, 2022! Be sure to mark your calendar and watch for registration availability later this month.

As always, we appreciate your comments and ideas for implementing all the resources shared through the Neighborhood. Keep them coming!

Visit Early Start Neighborhood at: https://earlystartneighborhood.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

For more information regarding Early Start services and referrals, please contact the Early Start Baby Line at 800 – 515 – BABY (800 – 515 – 2229) or [email protected].

State Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) on Early Intervention Overview

The ICC Provides Advice & Assistance to the Department of Developmental Services

Members of the ICC are appointed by the Governor. The council is comprised of parents of children with disabilities, early intervention service providers, health care professionals, state agency representatives, and others interested in early intervention.

The ICC meets four times a year and encourages a family-centered approach, family-professional partnerships, and interagency collaboration, while providing a forum for public input.

Meetings

· About

· How to Become a Member

· Member Information

· Past Meeting Packets & Meeting Minutes

Meetings:

2022 Quarterly Meeting Dates PDF NEW
Supplemental ICC Committee Meeting Dates
Darby’s Legacy- Development of a Best Practices Document on Serving Families with Infants & Toddlers who are Medically Fragile PDF
Communications and Outreach Committee
Improving Systems Committee
Regional Centers, Vendors, and Providers Work Group PDF
Laws & Regulations Work Group PDF NEW
Children & Families Work Group PDF NEW
Improving State Systems PDF NEW
April 2022 Meeting Packet PDF NEW

Take a Minute - Relationships Matter

Take a Minute… Relationships Matter! Resource provides information to families and providers about the importance of social and emotional development. Individuals working in the Early Start community and parents are encouraged to download and print or view the resource below. Additional resources, including the Early Start Online Skill Base course on Facilitating Social and Emotional Development and the Take a Minute… Relationships Matter! Best Practices Checklist for Providers (2016) are available from the California Early Start Neighborhood website.

Early Intervention Local Resources Central Directory for Families

The Central Directory of Early Intervention Resources provides information by county for resources such as social services, mental health services, regional centers, and family resource centers.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Toxic Stress

Learn about screening information on ACEs, toxic stress and trauma informed care.

Check out the Breaking Barriers event! To register go to this link.

https://dredf-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1ddwohXqTIWEC8HsVk25pg

We are excited to announce the following self determination orientation opportunities:

Thursday, June 16, 2022 1PM-4PM English with Spanish Translation

Monday, August 8, 2022 1PM-4PM English with Spanish Translation

Case Management Update - Adults

Christine Couch

Director of Consumer Services - Adults

Free Specialized Phones Presentation by Disability Resources Agency for Independent Living - DRAIL

Come to this free In-person demonstration. An expert will show the phones and explain this state-funded program. There is

no cost, obligation, age, or income requirement.

Date and Time:

May 9, 2022 10:00 AM

Where:

1101 Sylvan Ave Ste: C-104 Modesto, CA 95350

Although meeting is in-person registration is required:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErc-mqqD4pEtzItLScpl_4_qOQ4zNOslUt?fbclid=IwAR0kBRyxJ80R_Bp7u-uDTeMMlUNSJt09vfgzzJu7lMtX9ZoRmVHMdwOrSKE

Have you been to www.selfadvocacyinfo.org lately? It is a great website with hundreds of resources about self-advocacy. Just go to the search engine and type is what you are looking for! Also, there is a drop-down menu where you can pick a topic about how to make your self-advocacy group stronger. For example – here is one of the resources available.

How To Find Your Dream Job – Even If You Don’t Know What You Want

SPOTLIGHT ON Health Careers Academy High School

Valley Mountain Regional Center has had the opportunity to work with student interns for the last 10 weeks! This has been an incredible experience for both the interns and the VMRC staff. Four amazing students have participated in the work that VMRC does and observed work firsthand. This has been a highly structured, time-limited experience that served us, the interns, and the community! We shared a total of 80 hours of work experience with the interns!

Karla T., Iriana T., Jasmine O.-M., and Ariyanna P. are the 4 extraordinary interns that shared 10 weeks and 80 work hours with us. Here’s a little bit about them and their experiences at VMRC:

Karla T – after graduation she is heading to UC Berkeley to study molecular and cell biology. One day we will know her as a Neuroscientist!! Her best memories at VMRC were learning all the different jobs at VMRC. She found the Emergency Coordinator position interesting – who knew people thought about all those details? Batteries, power shutoffs, fire, evacuation plans…Her least favorite moment was working the Covid testing kit distribution day, in the heat, in the parking lot and not accepting the offer of ice cream!!

Iriana T – after graduation Iriana is heading to UC Santa Barbara to study pre-biology. She sees herself as a Clinical Psychologist or Psychiatrist in the future. Her best moments are interacting with the VMRC staff who she describes as very sweet, not mean, and excited to work with us. Her least favorite memory is folding thousands of flyers without coffee!

Jasmine O.-M. – she is still looking at her options after graduation. Jasmine will study earth science and plans on being an Environmental Scientist. Her best memories are the staff at VMRC. She said they were nice and welcoming! Her least favorite moment was stuffing envelopes and paper cuts!!

Ariyana P. – after graduation she is moving to CSU Monterey Bay. She will study social and behavioral sciences. Ariyana might be a behavioral analyst serving our community one day!! Her best moment was on a Behavior Modification Review Committee zoom meeting with a variety of VMRC staff discussing law, least restrictive options, individual needs and coming together to find the best service and support to help the person be successful and to meet their needs. Her least favorite memory was stuffing envelopes and unstuffing envelopes and restuffing envelopes because of a miscommunication about mailing labels.

Check Out Our Upcoming Transition Fairs!

Click on Each Flyer for Details

Stockton

Stanislaus County Transition Fair 2022.jpg

Modesto

San Andreas

Clinical Services Updates

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

Director of Clinical Services

Electronic Devices Interfere with Implantable Devices in the Heart

New research shows that there are certain electronic devices that affect cardiovascular implantable devices such as permanent pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.[1] Electronic devices such as Apple iPhone 12, Apple AirPods Pro and their wireless charging case, Microsoft Surface Pen, and the Apple Pencil second generation have strong enough magnets that block the therapies that cardiac devices are supposed to do.¹The author advices to avoid carrying these devices near cardiac implantable devices – “these devices should not be carried in a breast or shirt pocket near the cardiac implanted electronic devices.”¹

[1] NEJM Journal Watch. March 21, 2022. https://www.jwatch.org/na54712/2022/03/21/more-devices-can-interfere-with-cardiovascular-implantable

“Tooth Be Told” SJ Teeth Newsletter

Check out VMRC on page 3!

Pages 1 through 5 are below in PDF.

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5

Free Webinar on Wellness

On April 27^th, it will be about Environmental Wellness, and on May 25^ththe topic will be Social Emotional Wellness.

Reaching Your Wellness Goals Series 2022.png

PDF Format of the Above Flyer

Meet Alejandro

Hello my name is Alejandro Reyes and I am a Service Coordinator on the new Enhanced Team. I have been with Valley Mountain Regional Center for the past 7 years on an Adult Team. I'm excited to be a part of this new team and looking forward to help families accessing our regional center services, as well as other services in the community.

Emergency Services Updates

Aaron McDonald

Emergency Response Coordinator

Power Line Safety

What You Need to Know about Power Lines to Stay Safe

With the current unpredictable weather changes and windy weather conditions power lines could be damaged. Here is a brief overview of power line safety to help keep you safe.

Downed power lines are dangerous. Never touch them. Be safe, always treat a fallen power line as live, and follow these guidelines:

DO NOT touch the downed line with your hand or any object, such as a stick, broom, or pole.
DO NOT touch anything, such as a car, object or equipment, or anyone who is in contact with a fallen power line.
Keep children and pets away from fallen electric lines.
DO NOT drive over a fallen power line.
Call 9-1-1 immediately to report a fallen power line.

Stay safe if a fallen power line touches your car

If your vehicle comes in contact with a downed power line, follow these safety rules:

Stay inside your car. The ground around your car may be energized.
Sound the horn, roll down your window and call for help.
Warn others to stay away. Anyone who touches the equipment or ground around your car can be injured.
Use your cell phone to call 9-1-1.
Wait until the fire department, police or utility workers tell you it’s safe to get out of your car before exiting the vehicle.

If your car is in contact with a fallen power line and a fire starts, follow these guidelines when exiting your vehicle:

Remove loose items of clothing.
Keep your hands at your sides and jump clear of the vehicle, so you are not touching the car when your feet hit the ground.
Keep both feet close together and shuffle away from the vehicle without picking up your feet.

Follow these safety tips when using balloons and toys around power lines

Ensure that helium-filled metallic balloons are tied to weights heavy enough to prevent them from floating into power lines.
Use metallic balloons, kites, and remote-control toys away from overhead electric lines to avoid the potential for power outages, fires, and serious injuries.
Contact the electrical provider immediately if a balloon or toy is caught in a power line. Never attempt to retrieve an object that is on or near a power line.

Look up and live

Remember these important safety tips for overhead power lines:

Look up before lifting ladders and other long-handled tools to avoid accidental contact with electric lines.
Stay away from fallen or dangling power lines. Don’t touch the lines. Call 9-1-1 immediately.
Contact the electrical provider to report tree branches or limbs near power lines. Our tree-trimming crews are qualified to work around high-voltage lines and can cut the limbs for you. Never attempt to do the trimming, yourself.

Be safe before you dig

Remember these important safety tips for underground power lines:

Call 8-1-1 at least two weekdays before you dig.
Workers will mark the ground with flags, wood stakes or white paint to show you where there are power lines, gas pipelines and other wires under the ground.
Stay away from these underground lines to keep you and your neighbors safe.

North Valley Hills Update

Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930

The State Council on Developmental Disabilities has been contracted by Department on Developmental services (DDS) to collect information about services and supports. You may receive a survey by mail regarding your adult family member and or child that receives services from Valley Mountain Regional Center. Please take a moment to complete the survey and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope within 10 days or as soon as possible. Your participation is voluntary. Your family will not be identified in any way.

You may also complete the survey online at www.ncifamilysurveys21.com

To access the online survey, please use the access code located on the top right-hand corner of your survey. Currently, the online survey is only available in English. DDS plans to add additional languages in the future.

If you are interested in receiving information on the results of the survey, issues impacting California or events in your local community please join our mailing list by going to https://scdd.ca.gov/mail_list_signup/ If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

We are also hiring for contracted surveyors.

Applications for Contracted surveyors for the 2022-2023 In-Person Survey (IPS) cycle will be available around end of May or June 2022. If you are interested in receiving an application, please join our QA Project Mailing List below and you will receive an email once applications are available. Please be aware, during this upcoming cycle, respondents (those being interviewed) will have the option to have their interview conducted face to face at their preferred location or on video conference. Note: If you were a Contracted Interviewer during the 2020-2021 Cycle and continue to be in good standing, you do not need to join the QA Project Mailing List. Your former QAC will email you an application directly, once available.

Join QA Project Mailing List

https://scdd.ca.gov/mail_list_signup/

Thank you for your interest.