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Ninety-First

Community Health

Advisory Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Weekly Message from the Executive Director

By the Numbers

This week we reported 12 positive COVID-19 cases for our consumers, which is the most reported in the last eight weeks. Even more alarming is that we reported 26 positive cases for local direct support professionals in a single week, making it the highest number we've seen for DSPs since we are starting tracking this. Our community providers are reporting closures because of COVID exposures, strained resources for testing, etc. and it is further stressing our residential services, supported living, families and others who rely on a strong network of service provider capacity. This week we have asked our staff who can work from home to continue to do so during the month of January in an effort to keep our staff and community safe (many were scheduled to return to the building). In addition to this safety measure, we continue to have a robust supply of personal protective equipment (masks, hand sanitizer, etc.), and consumers and families can order them on our website front page. Providers who have been unable to buy PPE in the community can also make a request to the regional center. Our Clinical Director, Claire Lazaro, is on a much-deserved vacation this week but wanted me to remind everyone that the vaccines are important for preventing severe illness, hospitalization, or death from COVID and it's also important to Keep Safe Distance, Wear a Mask, Cover your Cough or Sneeze, Have Good Ventilation, and Keep Hands Clean. We'll stop COVID-19 by doing all these things in your town, state, country, all over the world.

New Rule of Boosters - DDS Letter

Another new effort to keep our community safe is the Public Health Order from the California Department of Public Health requiring community providers and regional center staff to get a booster vaccination shot because the studies are showing reduced effectiveness of the vaccinations against the variants over time. According to the CDPH, the requirement for booster doses went into effect on December 22, 2021, and the deadline for booster-eligible employees to receive their booster is February 1, 2022, or within 15 days of becoming eligible for a booster if they are not eligible as of February 1, 2022. All employees who have not received their booster shot after becoming eligible must begin weekly testing. No employee, except those with approved exemptions can opt out of being vaccinated and boosted. The CDPH is reporting that "COVID-19 boosters help broaden and strengthen the protection against Omicron. People 16 and older are eligible for booster shots. While adults can choose to receive any vaccine product for their booster dose, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are preferred over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for booster vaccination."

Tony Anderson

Executive Director

Case Management Update - Children

Self Determination

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

Friday, February 4, 2022 9AM-12PM English with Spanish Translation

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OrwmH2YaRFKR21sC3D9zdA

Tuesday, April 19, 2022 9AM-12PM Spanish

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8v9v_hn_QT2yrxb0rSU9gQ

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

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_i925MfbBSR-GdKIDuJiegA

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

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LO75PDOzRWSAzwZCOSkl_A

Self-Determination Program (SDP) Coaching Meetings in January 2022

Early Start

ANNOUNCING…

The Early Start Personnel Development Webinar Series

January – April 2022: Cultural Humility Series

The focus of the Early Start Personnel Development (ESPD) Webinar Series 2022 is Cultural Humility. The Cultural Humility series provides training, reflection, and networking activities to address implicit bias, build competencies for culturally responsive interactions, and promote equity and inclusion.

More information: www.cpeionline.net

Who May Participate?

The Cultural Humility series is open to all members of the Early Start community:

Early Start service providers, service coordinators, family support professionals, and administrators;

family members and caregivers; and

professionals from other systems serving young children and their families.

How Much Does Participation Cost?

There is no cost to California residents to register or participate in Early Start Online courses, including the Webinar Series. Registration is currently available only to California residents.

IDA 7th Annual Policy 2022 Update

Monday January 24, 2022

8:30am-12:30pm

Virtual Event

Join us to hear and discuss current policies and regulations that providers need to know in 2022 at the Federal, State and Local Levels

Topics that will be discussed

· CA Early Start - Part C - What's ahead for 2022?

· Rate adjustment, Child Find, and Transition, New Lanterman 3-4 ages services, Virtual services,

· How to support families/children who are Homeless

· ECE related CA / Federal legislation for 2022

· Recommendations from CA Master Plan on Early Learning and Care

· CA Budget- Department of Developmental Services, California Department of Education, California Department of Social Services and relevant legislation

Presenters

Maricris Acon

Deputy Director of the Federal Programs Division at the Department of Developmental Services

Focus: Early Start Update

For Maricris Acon's bio click here

January Crane

Assistant Deputy Director of the Federal Programs Division

Focus: Part C Options

For January Crane's bio click here

Sonja Petek

Principal Fiscal and Policy Analyst at the Legislative Analyst’s Office of the California State Legislature

Focus: CA Budget

For Sonja Petek's bio click here

Karmina Barrales

Services for Homeless Children, Education Programs Consultant, Homeless Education Program, California Department of Education

For Karmina Barrales's bio click here

Michele P. Sartell

Child Care Planning Coordinator, Los Angeles County Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education

Focus: ECE CA Budget and Legislation

For Michele Sartell's bio click here

Christina Nigrelli

Zero to Three Senior Director, Western Office

Focus: Federal Level ECE Policy and Funding

For Chistina Nigrelli's bio click here

What's Going on at CA Department of Education: California Preschool, Transition, Part C and Low Incidence services in

Special Education

Heather Calomes

Director of Special Education, CA Department of Education

For Heather Calomes bio click here

Sarah Neville-Morgan

Director California Department of Education Early Education and Support Division

More Presenters:

Jim Knight, Deputy Department of Developmental Services - Status of Rate Adjustment Process

IDA Panel, Early Intervention trends and Actions

More information coming soon

Non-Member: $75

IDA Agency/Individual Member: $50

IDA Parent/Student/New Clinician Member: $40

ADA Requests: Contact IDA @ mail@idaofcal.org

with ADA request by January 10, 2022

Tara Sisemore-Hester

Director of Consumer Services - Children

Case Management Update - Adults

Happy New Year! It’s exciting to welcome you to 2022. A big thank you to Dave Vodden and his team for supporting families during the holiday with much needed groceries!!

If you are experiencing difficulties with accessing groceries and food for families, please talk to your service coordinator. There are resources in the community. Here is an example of food resources:

Another THANK YOU to Gina Ramsey, a service coordinator on Dave Vodden’s team, who shared this SPOTLIGHT ON about Jordan!

With COVID, Jordan and his mom would drive around town as there was not a lot to do and Jordan would say “our city is a mess.” Jordan got busy because he wanted “our city clean.” Jordan asked his mom for the supplies he needed and went to work. Jordan can now be found riding his three-wheel bike, supplies in the rear basket, in his neighborhood picking up trash.

Jordan began participating in the TAY Program (Transitional Age Youth) and when asked what he would like to do he said, “clean-up Stockton.” Jordan and the TAY Program are planning a “Clean-Up Stockton” day so the members of the community can support Jordan with his vision. The original date (01/14/2022) for the event has been postponed and the new date is TBD.

Jordan urges “everyone to make a difference in our community.”

The TAY program is a FREE mentoring program for 16-25-year-olds throughout all of San Joaquin County. The TAY Program operates off the Transition to Independence Process (TIP) Model to offer strength-based, non-stigmatizing, future-focused services. Check them out here: https://nochildabuse.org/tay/

Our social/recreation and camp services standard is now on the website, https://www.vmrc.net/valley-mountain-regional-center-service-standards/. This service standard has not yet been approved by the Department of Developmental Services, but has been sent for review. We are currently implementing soc/rec and camping services. Be sure to talk to your service coordinator about your goals and any needs you have for socialization and access to recreational activities. Your planning team can help you explore opportunities available in your community. Remember, we still have to use generic resources and consider all other supports like your family, friends, residential services, and community services, when planning. Your needs are about you. Your services should be unique to meet your needs. Talk to your planning team!!

Christine Couch (she, her, hers)

Director of Consumer Services - Adults

Community Services Training Opportunities and Service Provider Information

Weekly Community Services Department Provider Informational Session

Info-Sessions Will Occur 1x per Month on the FIRST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH from 9am - 10am

January 7th

February 4th

March 4th

April 1st

May 6th

June 3rd

July 1st

August 5th

September 2nd

October 7th

November 4th

December 2nd

Zoom Link to upcoming Monthly Sessions

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88548962379

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Community Care Licensing Update: New Provider Information Notice (PIN) 22-01-ASC

UPDATE REGARDING THE EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PLAN FORM (LIC 610D) FOR ADULT COMMUNITY CARE FACILITIES

https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2022/ASC/PIN%2022-01-ASC.pdf?ver=2022-01-06-145047-057

_____________________________________________________________________________

January 2022 Minimum Wage Increase Notice

Effective January 1, 2022, the minimum wage in California will increase based on the number of employees an employer has. Many vendors may be eligible to request a rate increase in order to adjust employees’ pay to comply with the new minimum wage. Please see the attached directive from the Department of Developmental Services for information on how to submit a request to VMRC. See the VMRC “About US- Announcements” page for the worksheet specific to your services. https://www.vmrc.net/in-case-you-missed-it/

All rate adjustments must be submitted to VMRC no later than March 1, 2022. Should you have any questions about this notice, please contact Corina Ramirez in Resource Development, via email CRamirez@vmrc.net or phone (209) 955-3398.

DDS Minimum Wage Increase Letter

Upcoming Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Training Opportunities

The HCBS Final Settings Rule applies to all vendors who provide services in a setting that serves more than one regional center consumer. The intent of the Final Settings Rule is to ensure that people with developmental disabilities receive services that integrate them fully into the community to the same degree as people without developmental disabilities. It ensures quality of life! They also ensure that the residential settings that services are received in are home environments rather than institutional environments. All settings must optimize and enhance choice rather than regimenting it. The HCBS Final Settings Rule protects consumers rights including the right to privacy, dignity, respect and freedom from coercion and restraint. The Final Settings Rule goes into effect March 17^th, 2023, all providers with the service codes listed below, must be compliant by that date.

VMRC will continue hosting trainings for Residential Providers, Day Type Services Providers and Employment Services Providers. Service providers under the following service codes are strongly encouraged to sign up for one of the trainings provided. It takes time and effort to implement these requirements. Eligible service codes are Residential: 096, 113, 904, 905, 915, 910, 920; Employment Services: 950 and 954; Day Type Services: 028, 055, 063, 475, 505, 510, 515, 855

The attached flyers (insert here) have registration links on them for the following trainings. You must register to take the training. Once you have registered you will receive a link for the zoom session on the date you have chosen. For attendance purposes please have each staff taking the training register with their own contact information including their email address. Any last-minute changes to the scheduled trainings will be communicated to the registered individuals by email at the email address they have provided.

HCBS Trainings for Residential Providers

January 25^th, 2022, 10:00am – 11:00am

January 28^th, 2022, 1:00pm – 2:00pm

February 10^th, 2022, 9:00am – 10:00am

February 15^th, 2022, 2:00pm – 3:00pm

March 17^th, 2022, 1:00pm – 2:00pm

March 22^nd, 2022, 10:00am – 11:00am

HCBS Trainings for Day Type and Employment Services

January 18^th, 2022, 3:00pm – 4:00pm

February 8^th, 2022, 3:00pm – 4:00pm

March 15^th, 2022, 3:00pm – 4:00pm

HCBS for Day Program and Employment Providers January through March 2022

HCBS for Residential Providers January through March 2022

Brian L. Bennett

Director Of Community Services

La Tradición de Los Tres Reyes Magos

(The Three Wise Men Tradition)

The Three Wise Men (Melchor, Gaspar y Baltazar) is a tradition in many countries around the world. In countries like Germany, Spain, and other countries in Latin America, children receive gifts from the Three Wise Men rather than from Santa Claus at Christmas. In Mexico, children have the custom of writing letters to the Wise Men in which they tell them that they have been good during the year and let them know what gifts they want. The letter is placed next to their shoes, under the Christmas Three, or next to the Nativity Scene.

In the morning, the shoes are filled with toys and gifts from the Three Wise Mean. The Rosca de Reyes (King's Cake) is also another tradition that is celebrated during the Three Wise Men Day. The Rosca de Reyes has an oval shape to symbolize a crown and has a small doll inside, which represents baby Jesus. The doll figure symbolizes the hiding of the infant Jesus from King Herod's troops. Traditionally, Rosca is adorned with dried and candied fruits to symbolize the many jewels that a crown would have.

The Person who gets the slice with the doll must host a party on the Día de la Candelaria (Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin) on February 2^nd, where the main dish is Tamales and Atole drink. Feliz Día de Reyes!