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Ninety-Sixth
Community Health
Advisory Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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Weekly Message from the Executive Director
Tony Anderson
By the Numbers
This week we reported a 56% drop in the numbers of positive cases for consumers (56 people) and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs - 37 people). Compared to two weeks ago it's a total decrease of 75%. California is reporting about 74% of the population is fully vaccinated and over half of them have had their booster shots. Employees of VMRC and our provider community are required to be boosted and as of now VMRC has 36 employees who have not received their booster yet. However, we still have until March 1st before having to place anyone on unpaid leave and we expect to be at 100% by that date.
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The only statewide data that is not looking good right now is the rate of deaths from COVID-19. The latest chart from the CA For All COVID-19 report site shows that all categories of vaccinated and not vaccinated Californians experience increases in the rate of death from COVID-19. This week we also reported a death of one of our consumers who first tested positive with COVID-19 a year and a half ago where the virus had permanent impact on their health. | |
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VMRC Steps Up For San Joaquin County Providers
On Wednesday February 9th, 2022, and Thursday February 10th, 2022, Valley Mountain Regional Center in partnership with California Department of Social Services and the Community Care Licensing Division distributed over 4,300 iHealth at-home antigen tests to 280 licensed residential Adult and Senior Care Facilities in San Joaquin County. California recently changed its Visitation Guidance to require testing before both indoor and outdoor visitation in licensed residential Adult and Senior Care facilities. The state realizes that with the recent COVID surge, antigen tests have become harder to obtain. Statewide more than 800,000 iHealth at-home antigen tests kits will be distributed to licensed residential Adult and Senior Care facilities to help facilitate visitation. Each licensed residential facility will receive three tests for each licensed bed. Each test kit contains two tests. While we took responsibility for San Joaquin County (not just VMRC vendors), other entities all over California disbursed these vital resources to other counties. These partners included other regional centers, independent living centers, Areas on Aging, ADRCs, and many others. Our other counties were supported by different partners regardless of their affiliation. It sure takes everyone pulling together to get through this.
This distribution would not have been possible without the support of amazing volunteers from Family Resource Network (FRN) Self Advocacy Council 6 (SAC6), California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD), the wonderful Health Career Academy High School Interns & the dedicated VMRC staff. We also sincerely appreciate the support from Food 4 Less, Wilson Way, Stockton for kind donation of the reusable bags used for this distribution. Thank you to all those who contributed to this distribution event.
Aaron McDonald
Emergency Response Coordinator
Valley Mountain Regional Center
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Happy Valentine's Day
Check out this important upcoming free 90 minute webinar, “The Way Forward: Living Well During Covid” featuring a panel of national experts will be on Valentine's Day, Monday, February 14, 2022 at 12 pm.
"It seems COVID-19 will be a part of our lives and society for a while. People with IDD and their supports face unique adversities during the pandemic. So, how DO we get back to “normal” and WHEN? And where do we go from here?
AADMD is bringing together national experts in COVID-19 and IDD to give a much needed perspective on how to navigate the days and months ahead. We will discuss how to provide a measured response to ensure freedom from illness and at the same time provide physical wellness and happiness.
The expert panel includes Kim Hing, self-advocate Special Olympics Athlete, Peter Hotez, MD PhD Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and Professor of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology & Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine where he is also the Co-director of the Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) MD, PhD, Emily Hotez, PhD, Assistant Professor, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, John Raffaele, Director of Educational Services at National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) and Ben Margolis, MD, Neurologist and AADMD Board Member."
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Masks and Visitation Policies (Pete's Letter)
This week Pete Cervinka, Chief, Data Analytics and Strategy, of DDS, sent the regional center directors an update on the Masks and Visitation Policies which was good timing given all the different news stories on this topic over the past week.
On February 7, 2022, the State’s Public Health Officer revised California’s masking guidance,
This change takes effect February 16, 2022, after the current guidance expires. The State’s Public Health Officer also issued several revised public health orders,
Starting February 16, masks will be required (though "recommended" for all):
- For unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated people, in indoor public settings and businesses; and
- For everyone while in or using public transportation, school or child care, emergency shelters and cooling and heating centers, specified healthcare settings, state and local correctional facilities, homeless shelters, long-term care facilities, and adult and senior care facilities.
- Universal masking shall remain required in only the above settings.
- Fully vaccinated individuals are recommended to continue indoor masking when the risk may be high.
Work Place
CalOSHA emergency temporary standards (aka, ETS) or aerosol transmissible diseases (ATD) standards for the workplace continue to apply, as well.
Hospitals, SNFs, ICFs, and our Adult and Senior Homes (all are licensed facilities) must verify vaccination status. If visitor are not fully vaccinated they must show a negative COVID-19 test:
- Within one day of a visit for antigen tests
- Within two days of a visit for PCR tests Or,
- documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the past 90 days
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A Word from Mo
Our former board member and community advocate Mohamed Rashid is advocating for disabled public transition riders to participate in the community discourse on Transit Policy in Stanislaus county. Mo says he wants to share this important information with our community:
"The S made many changes to service on January 1. How are we doing? Join drivers and members of The S staff at one of the following Listening Tour events to share your experiences on The S Fixed Route and Demand Response Services (ADA Paratransit, Dial-A-Ride, Shuttle, and Medivan)!"
We would like to hear from you! Attendees will receive a FREE RIDE!
• Feb. 10 (Thu) 6:00 p.m. Riverbank Community Center
• Feb. 11 (Fri) 10:00 a.m. Zoom meeting
• Feb. 11 (Fri) 4:00 p.m. Modesto Transit Center pop-up event
• Feb. 12 (Sat) 10:00 a.m. Modesto Veterans Hall
• Feb. 12 (Sat) 1:00 p.m. Patterson Best Western Hotel
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Case Management Update - Adults
Christine Couch
Director of Consumer Services - Adults
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SPOTLIGHT on Joshua Rhoades!
Meet my friend, Josh. He lives in a care home in Sutter Creek. He enjoys living there and there are 3 other ladies that live there as well. They are all friends!! They get along and enjoy doing things together.
Josh and his friends started the Rhoades Self Advocacy Group at the care home. They are incredible self-advocates who speak up and take action to make sure they are living their best lives.
Josh attends the ARC day program and he enjoys it. He takes classes and learns new things. One day he wants to work at Jamba Juice and earn his own money!
Josh is on a bowling team and they start on February 26th in Sacramento – he is looking forward to it!
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Operation Allies
An Important Message from our Partners at San Joaquin County Public Health
"On July 14, 2021, the White House announced Operation Allies Refuge to support the relocations of interested and eligible Afghan nationals and their immediate families who supported the U.S. Government. As a result, California is expected to receive an estimated 20,000 Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders and humanitarian parolees, many of whom are pregnant women. The majority will travel to California from eight U.S. Safe Havens by the end of December 31, 2021, with successive entrants through 2022. Many women will have received initial prenatal care at the U.S. Safe Haven and may arrive to the community in advanced stages of pregnancy. Some women may arrive without having been to a Safe Haven and should be prioritized for prenatal care."
Check out these resources to help understand the needs of our new neighbors as we prepare in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties to serve the many unique needs of Afghan Nationals in a culturally competent and welcoming way:
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Georgia Tech's Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation released a series of plain language videos to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities protect themselves from COVID-19. Check out their videos!!
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are the primary audience for these videos, but many other individuals, with and without disabilities, may benefit.
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Hope Filled Social Media App
Nothing better than a Hope filled Social Media App in a hope starved world!!!
The Fresh Hope SOCIAL NETWORK and APP is now available for both iPhone and Android devices – and it's FREE for EVERYONE who wants a Social Network FULL OF HOPE!!!
As with other similar social networks, you will get to have your own profile, your friends, your messenger, and your newsfeed... and to also stay on top of your recovery by staying connected to your support network!
The Fresh Hope Network offers, among other things, the following functions:
- Connect with people with lived experience
- Connect with people in Fresh Hope support Groups
- Connect with other Facilitators from all over the world
- Interact with your Fresh Hope group anytime
- Join Special Interest Groups (called Affinity Groups in the Network)
- Establish status updates
- Share photos and videos
- Receive notifications when your friends comment your posts or like them
- Watch Fresh Hope´s premium content for Free
- Get Fresh Hope courses for Free
- Send and receive private messages from members of the Fresh Hope Network
What are you waiting for? Download it today!
App Store or Google Play:
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Get your free COVID tests!!! You can now order 4 COVID tests free of charge! Older adults and disabled people who need help placing orders, finding accessible instructions, and administering tests can contact the Disability Information and Access Line. |
Disability Information and Access Line | The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is available to help people with disabilities get vaccinated and access COVID-19 tests. The DIAL's trained staff is standing by to: Help find local vaccination locations Assist with making vaccination appointments Help connect to available testing options, including help with ordering free at-home test kits through the program announced by the White House on January 14. | | | |
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Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)
Beginning this month, DDS will be hosting Office Hours for EVV. Office Hours are a time to join a zoom call to ask questions regarding identified topics. Each Office Hour date, time and topic will be posted to the DDS EVV webpage under the ‘Meetings’ tab Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) - CA Department of Developmental Service and notifications will go out when new dates, times and topics are available. Advanced registration is not required. People may join the link at any time during the call to ask questions and do not need to remain on the call the whole hour.
The first topic is self-registration so please join us during the designated date and time below to ask your self-registration questions.
February 17, 2022
5:30pm – 6:30pm
TOPIC: Self-Registration
Join Zoom Meeting (click at the date/time of the call)
If reasonable accommodations are needed, please send your request to EVV@dds.ca.gov one week in advance of the Office Hour you plan to attend.
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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
Zoom Link to upcoming Monthly Sessions:
March 4th 2022, 9-10 am
April 1 2022, 9-10 am
May 6th 2022, 9-10 am
June 3rd 2022, 9-10 am
July 1st 2022, 9-10 am
August 5th 2022, 9-10 am
October 7th 2022, 9-10 am
November 4th 2022, 9-10 am
December 2nd 2022, 9-10 am
Zoom Link to upcoming Monthly Sessions
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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.
Minimum Wage Letter
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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 17th, 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
February 15th, 2022, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
March 17th, 2022, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
March 22nd, 2022, 10:00am – 11:00am
HCBS Trainings for Day Type and Employment Services
March 15th, 2022, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
HCBS for Day Program and Employment Providers January through March 2022
HCBS for Residential Providers January through March 2022
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Clinical Services Updates
Claire B. Lazaro, MSN, RN, NP, PHN, NP-C
Director of Clinical Services
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This algorithm was sketched out to help our staff and community navigate the ever changing processes and steps to take when exposed to COVID-19, testing positive for COVID-19, and different routes to take if boosted or fully/partially vaccinated. We're working on a formal flow chart document but this sketch simply and informally illustrates the easy process to follow. | |
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Case Management Update - Children
Tara Sisemore-Hester
Director of Consumer Services - Children
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Spotlight on: Chase Mueller
My name is Chase Mueller and I am 7 ½ years old. I live at home with my mom and she takes great care of me. I love MineCraft, trains, going out for ice cream, taking walks, building Lego creations with my mom, and electronics. I really enjoy building things and am really good at jigsaw puzzles. I have been able to go to the train museum with my mom and brother and it was so much fun! I am in a homeschool program and my mom helps me a lot with my schoolwork. I am happy being homeschooled because I am able to do my work at my own pace and take breaks when I need them. My favorite subject is reading and I am great at math! I have made such great progress with my speech and can now say the “th” sound. I have worked really hard on this and my mom is super proud of my accomplishment! I have overcome many challenges in my short lifetime and I am able to with the loving support of my mom, extended family, and VMRC. I am happy, very affectionate, and I love to laugh. I enjoy spending time with my family!
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Learn the Signs. Act Early
As VMRC continues our efforts to build a new approach to early childhood development it's important to pay close attention to the milestones a child can be expected to reach at different stages in their life and how to focus on needed areas of development along the way.
The CDC program ‘Learn the Signs. Act Early.’ (LTSAE) has been updated with new information and resources for families, caregivers, and providers. These family friendly resources are free and available in English, Spanish and other languages. LTSAE aims to help families monitor early childhood development by providing milestone information, tracking tools including digital and printable materials, and an app.
There are tips and activities to help support development as well as questions to ask providers and healthcare professionals when milestones are not being met. For more information and access to these helpful resources, please visit
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"Learn the Signs. Act Early." has FREE child development tools | Families: During COVID-19 you can still schedule appointments for well-child visits, developmental screening, and immunizations. Continue to monitor your child's development between visits. From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child's development and act early if you have a concern. | | | |
MISSION: POSSIBLE Inclusion Conference | MISSION: POSSIBLE Inclusion Conference May 4th, 2022 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (PST) May 5th, 2022 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PST) About the Event: The Supporting Inclusive Practices (SIP) Project is hosting its first annual conference. Our theme? | | |  | |
Check out this great resource that our sister regional center, Alta California Regional Center is engaged in with their community. Good thing for us in our region it's online so we can participate as well and the topic is relevant to families in our area as well. In this two-hour workshop with Melissa Holland, PhD, she will focus on the current research around and use of mindfulness and acceptance practices for both trauma-exposed youth and the adult caregivers who serve them.
Participants will:
- gain an understanding of the research supporting the use of mindfulness and acceptance practices.
- learn how to support caregivers’ well-being, and how this affects the well-being of the child’s mental health.
- participate in practical mindfulness, techniques & interventions geared towards working with youth, with emphasis on self-care for the adult.
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Mind Out Loud Virtual Student Event
California Department of Education has partnered with Wellness Together Mental Health and the San Diego County Office of Education to co-sponsor the Mind Out Loud (MOL) Virtual Student Event on March 12th. MOL is a free webinar geared towards encouraging middle and high school students to have a safe space to discuss mental health, gain practical tools and resources, and learn about MOL’s different Pillars of Mental Health (personal wellness, suicide prevention, support for marginalized communities, and aware & advocacy). The event is not limited to students as parents and educators are welcomed and encouraged to join as well. Registration and additional information can be found at https://www.mindoutloud.org/events/2022
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Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
The purpose of the Community Advisory Committee is to not only promote communication between schools and families, but to provide support, resources, and coordinate activities for children and students in need. CAC ultimately functions as a liaison between the community (public agencies, teachers, parents, school districts) and the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). It is a time for parents to get involved and use their voice on issues or topics they feel is important on behalf of their children. More information can be found on the following links, depending on your location:
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North Valley Hills Update
Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930
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Self-Advocates Voices Needed!
Have you worked for less than minimum wage in California? If YES- SCDD would like to invite you to apply to be on a core stakeholder group!
SCDD would like you to share your experiences and your ideas to help a core stakeholder group with Senate Bill 639. This bill says California will phase out less than minimum wage for people with disabilities for their work. The core stakeholder group will work on the plan on how to do this.
Deadline to apply is February 16th, 2022
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How to connect to SCDD through Social Media | |
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Self-Advocacy Council 6 (SAC6)
Weekly Virtual Chat
SAC6 is a proud co-sponsor of the Recreation for ALL People (RAP) Dance with Person Centered Services (PCS)! Wear your Valentine’s Colors!
WHEN: Friday, February 11, 2022
TIME: 11:00 AM -12:15 PM
WHERE: ZOOM - computer, tablet, cell phone
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 826 7662 7732
Passcode: 653419
PDF Version of the SAC6 Flyer Here
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Family Resource Network (FRN) Update
Lisa Culley, Executive Director
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San Joaquin County (SJTEETH) Project
Family Resource Network (FRN) is able to assist families of children with special needs and disabilities with dental care coordination. Our staff can help with things like choosing an appropriate dental provider, making appointments and assisting with follow-up, if needed. Please contact FRN at 209-472-3674 or FRNfamilies@frcn.org
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Local County, State and National Public Health Resources | | | | |
