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"The VMRC Newsletter"
Friday, December 22, 2023
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Message from the Executive Director
Tony Anderson
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Valley Mountain Regional Center is in Good Hands and Has a Bright Future Ahead
Today is my final entry in our newsletter series that started as the “Health Advisory” and evolved into the new name, “The Newsletter”. In fact, this one is the 188th combined publication and except for a couple of weeks over the holidays we’ve worked to get information to our community that we thought would be helpful every week. In addition to the many other duties involved in managing or supporting the projects of the Director’s Office, Doug Bonnet has done a tremendous job facilitating all our entries and correcting our mistakes along the way when time allows. Doug has been managing the Director’s Office for about 5 years now and in addition to running VMRC’s communications, he plays a central role in strengthening our board of directors’ operations and ensuring transparency of all their public activities and actions. He also manages our global approach to emergency response, organizes all our agency wide staff development events, coordinates community partnerships and outreach, manages the in-house Spanish language translation and interpretation services, manages our website content, maintains an internal team for social media engagement, and of course so much more that falls under “other duties as assigned”.
So why spend my final article telling you about Mr. Bonnet? Well, I will be leaving my position on January 3, 2024, and Leinani Walter, the new Executive Director, will be starting in the middle of February 2024. This leaves us with about 45 days with Doug leading the agency and I want to assure everyone that he has my full confidence, and that of the board of directors and the entire leadership team at VMRC. Doug Bonnet was a Special Education teacher before coming to VMRC and has been here for over 10 years in service coordination, early start, intake/eligibility, and quality assurance, before coming to the Director’s Office. He is fully committed to the Vision, Mission, Values, and Code of Ethics of VMRC and our emphasis on person-centered thinking and our commitment that our first responsibility is to the people we serve. VMRC’s future in service to and in partnership with our community is bright and as I close the book on my chapter in the regional center’s rich history, and we await Leinani Walter’s tenure, please take comfort in knowing that VMRC is in good hands under the capable leadership of Mr. Doug Bonnet.
Thank you again for the privilege of leading Valley Mountain Regional Center for the past 7 years. I am forever grateful, and I am looking forward to seeing all the exciting new things VMRC does next with its partners.
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This is the last publication of The VMRC Newsletter for 2023.
The next publication will come out on January 12, 2024. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, see you in the new year.
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VMRC Holiday Office Closures Reminder!
After Hours Response Team
Valley Mountain Regional Center has an after hours response team for emergency calls when the office is closed for the evenings, weekends, holidays, and training days. One way to reach the after hours team member just call the regular phone line and select the option for the “After Hours” response team. During office closures we use a custom automated message that allows you to leave a message for your service coordinator or an option to select forwarding your call to the After Hours Response team member.
VMRC After hours Response Team can also be reached directly at (209) 955-3255. When contacting After Hours you can leave a Voicemail or Text Message. Include your name, consumer’s name, Service Coordinator’s name, reason you’re calling, a number where you can be reached and whether you require a call back. Calls will be returned within 60 minutes of receiving the message.
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Our partnership with Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) on the Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Collaborative is an effort to promote the DSP industry as a respected and meaningful career option for people looking to make a difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. | |
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VMRC Executive Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 6:30 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202, Cohen Board Room
Click Here for Virtual Information
VMRC Consumer Services Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 5:00 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202, Cohen Board Room
Click Here for Virtual Information
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Caring Futures offers critical assistance, resources, and a supportive community for caregivers and family members of adults with developmental disabilities. Stay informed about our upcoming webinars and classes.
Registration Now Open for "Self-Care Matters"
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Our FREE “Self-Care Matters’' classes help you discover ways to rejuvenate and revitalize your caregiving spirit.
Self-Care Matters: Well-Being for the Family Caregiver is a two-week live online class where family caregivers gain strategies and tools to enhance their own well-being. Classes start January 15. Space is limited, so sign up today.
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Caring Conversations are webinars designed to provide insights, tips, and a platform to share experiences in caregiving.
Join our next Caring Conversation to learn about public benefits for caregivers. Parent-educator Felisa Strickland and special guest Paula Kluges, retired fiduciary in California, invite you to a conversation about how to navigate Medi-Cal and housing programs, and what to do when you're denied a public benefit. It's coming up on Tuesday, January 16 at 10:00 a.m.
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Join Our Online Caring Community
We welcome you to join our supportive and private online Facebook Group to engage with other caregivers, share your stories, and be a part of a community that understands your triumphs and challenges.
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Case Management Update - Children
Tara Sisemore-Hester
Director of Consumer Services - Children
| VMRC held a Special Education Law training where over 250 Service Coordinators were in attendance. Attorney, Marcy Gutierrez provided 3 hours of training to Early Childhood, Children’s and Transitions teams. | |
A Stockton children’s team partnered with Pacific Home Care to provide gifts to consumers. This is the 18th year that Pacific Home care has contributed to this event. | |
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Case Management Update - Adults
Christine Couch
Director of Consumer Services - Adults
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VMRC is pleased to announce the promotion of Erin Martin to Division Manager of Consumer Services (Adults/Transition Services). Erin brings 18 years of experience within the Regional Center system, specifically working with adolescents and adults. | |
Erin was born and raised in Michigan but moved to Stockton in 2004 to continue her education at the University of the Pacific’s graduate program in Behavioral Psychology. Since that time, Erin has found her passion in being an advocate through working as a Service Coordinator in Adult Case Management, a Case Management Specialist on VMRC’s Deflection team, and as a Program Manager within the Adult Case Management unit since 2016. Erin also brings her experience as a vendor of VMRC, as she worked as a Director for one of VMRC’s day programs and non-public agencies as well as serving as a Director of one of VMRC’s supported living agencies . Erin is not only a dedicated employee, advocate, and leader within the organization but also participates in Leadership Stockton and Eleanor Women United representing VMRC in our community. Erin’s experience, knowledge, and dedication, within VMRC and in the community, will be invaluable in her new role. Please join us in congratulating Erin as our new Division Manager of Adult and Transition services in the 5 counties VMRC serves. | |
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Mary Ann Gonzalez’ Adult team celebrated the holiday by donating toys to Prevail (formerly the Women’s Center Youth and Family Services). They met with Marianne Prieto, Prevail’s Fundraising Manager. The toys will be given to the children who are receiving childcare services at Prevail.
www.WeShallPREVAIL.org
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As we end this year, I want to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to all the regional center staff. You work so hard and make it look so effortless. Thank you for all the great work each of you do. To our community partners who are an integral part of our success – your support and commitment are appreciated. And to each one of you that we are privileged to serve, thank you. Thank you for sharing your stories, your successes, and your sorrows. We value you and our relationship with you and your family. Wishing each of you a season filled with warmth, love, and laughter. | |
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Clinical Update
Dr. Claire Lazaro
Clinical Director
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Happy Holidays!
During this winter season, a gentle awareness reminder that there are a lot of respiratory illnesses going around due to the weather, including flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Staying at home and avoiding crowds when you feel unwell will help prevent further spread of the virus. The Clinical Services Department Team wish you all a safe and relaxing holiday!
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Community Services Update
Brian Bennett, Director of Community Services
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VMRC’s Community Services Team would like to wish our partners a joyous holiday season! | |
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In accordance with Section 12006(a) of the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act), States are required to implement Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for personal care services and home health care services that require an in-home visit by a provider.
Please be advised, as of June 1, 2023, EVV has been implemented for personal care services and home health care services for providers vendored under service codes 465, 862, 864, 896, 858, 860, and 062. New and existing service providers under these service codes subject to EVV are required to transmit Cures Act compliant data to the State’s EVV system either via CalEVV, free to use state supplied EVV system, or via an alternate EVV system of the provider’s choosing which meets the state’s requirements.
Helpful Links and Resources
Providers subject to EVV need to self-register via the Department’s webpage: https://vendorregistration.calevv.com/
Information regarding EVV including Frequently Asked Questions and additional resources for providers can be found on the Department’s webpage: https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/evv/
For technical assistance, please email: CACustomerCare@Sandata.com; or call (855) 943-6070.
For technical assistance related to using an alternate EVV system, please email: CAAltEVV@sandata.com; or call (855) 943-6069
For any further questions or concerns please submit inquiries or feedback to the Department directly: EVV@dds.ca.gov.
VMRC thanks you for your swift attention to this matter.
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The DEI Corner
Mark Crear,
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
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Last week we learned about the Jewish holiday celebration, Hanukah. Likewise, there is another popular tradition, Kwanzaa. Let us now learn and explore the African American holiday tradition of Kwanzaa. | |
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Kwanzaa is a time of learning, family and celebration.
During the week of Kwanzaa, families and communities come together to share a feast, to honor the ancestors, affirm the bonds between them, and to celebrate African and African American culture. Each day they light a candle to highlight the principle of that day and to breathe meaning into the principles with various activities, such as reciting the sayings or writings of great black thinkers and writers, reciting original poetry, African drumming, and sharing a meal of African diaspora-inspired foods. The table is decorated with the essential symbols of Kwanzaa, such as the Kinara (Candle Holder), Mkeka (Mat), Muhindi (corn to represent the children), Mazao (fruit to represent the harvest), and Zawadi (gifts). One might also see the colors of the Pan-African flag, red (the struggle), black (the people), and green (the future), represented throughout the space and in the clothing worn by participants. These colors were first proclaimed to be the colors for all people of the African diaspora by Marcus Garvey.
On each day of Kwanzaa, light a candle for that day’s principle on your candleholder (Kinara).
The Principles of Kwanzaa:
1. Kuumba (Creativity) – to do always as much as we can to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than when we inherited it.
2. Imani (Faith) – to believe with all our hearts in our people and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
3. Umoja (Unity) – to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
4. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) – to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
5. Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility) – to build and maintain our community together and make our community’s problems our problems and to solve them together.
6. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) – to build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
7. Nia (Purpose) – to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Happy Kwanza, Happy Hanukah, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
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Emergency Services and Response Update
Aaron McDonald,
Emergency Response and Safety Specialist
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Happy Holidays & Best Wishes for a Healthy & Prosperous 2024! | |
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North Valley Hills Update
Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930
Your Story Could be Featured on the Council's Blog Page
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Welcome to Storytellers, a blog from the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Storytellers is a platform where we share triumphs and setbacks—determination and resilience—through the experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who break through barriers and forge their paths forward.
Storytellers will share their experiences, insights, and lessons learned through first-person perspectives, interviews, articles, spotlights, and videos. In this space, each person is the author of their story.
Whether you are a parent, caregiver, friend, or someone navigating the unique journey of intellectual and developmental disabilities, we hope that you find community here.
https://scdd.ca.gov/scdd-communications-blog/
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