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"The VMRC Newsletter 2024, Issue #10"
March 22, 2024
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The VMRC Community Stands Up for Dignified Service Provider Rates and Quality Services
March 21, 2024, people served by Valley Mountain Regional Center, along with parents, service providers and VMRC staff, traveled to the Capitol City of Sacramento to attend the Senate Budget Hearing - Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services.
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The testimony was clear yesterday:
DO NOT DELAY
SERVICE PROVIDER RATE REFORM!
The Governor’s budget proposes a one-year delay of the final phase of service provider rate reform. Under the Governor’s proposal, the final phase of rate reform, currently scheduled to take effect July 1, 2024, would instead take effect on July 1, 2025. This amounts to $1 billion in service provider rate implementation delays in 2024-25.
Delaying Rate Reform will impact service providers in their hiring new experienced staff and retaining dedicated staff. VMRC stands with all of our community in supporting service provider rate reform!
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Public comment given at the hearing by the VMRC contingent, as well as advocates from all over the state and the other regional centers, was uniform that a delay to the service provider rate reform would have profoundly negative consequences not only for the service providers themselves, but the people with disabilities who are on the receiving end of these wonderful services.
We thank all of the advocates who testified and are encouraged that their messages were heard and considered as the Governor's budget is finalized.
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VMRC Finance Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 5:30 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202, Cohen Board Room
Click Here for Virtual Information
VMRC Executive Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 6:30 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202, Cohen Board Room
Click Here for Virtual Information
VMRC Self-Determination Advisory Committee (SDAC) Meeting (Hybrid)
Thursday, April 18, 2024, 3:30 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202, Cohen Board Room
Click Here for Virtual Information
VMRC Board of Directors Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 6:00 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202, Cohen Board Room
Click Here for Virtual Information
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Valley Mountain Regional Center Recognizes Cesar Chavez Day on March 31st Every Year
Because of this, ALL VMRC offices will be closed on Friday, March 29th.
You can still leave a voicemail or email for your Service Coordinator, and they will receive it when the offices open back up on Monday, April 1.
If you have an emergency, please contact the VMRC After Hours Response Team.
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Case Management Update - Children
Tara Sisemore-Hester
Director of Consumer Services - Children
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Case Management Update - Adults
Christine Couch, Director of Consumer Services - Adults
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From the Assyrian Cultural Foundation
https://www.auaf.us/
And a Special Thank You to Service Coordinator Annabel Oshana for Providing this Resource
Kha b’Nissan—the Assyrian New Year
The first of April marks Akitu—the Assyrian New Year, commonly referred to as Kha b’Nissan. It is the most important Assyrian national holiday, and its celebration is one of the many links between ancient and modern Assyrians.
Kha b’Nissan was not only the first day of the new year, but it also marked the start of Spring. During this time, trees and flowers would begin to bloom again. As such, the holiday was a symbol of revival—a major theme in ancient Assyrian mythology. Many Assyrians viewed this day each year as the “start of a new life.”
You can read more here: https://www.auaf.us/blog/kha-bnissan-the-assyrian-new-year-2/
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Save the Date for our Stockton Transition Fair! | |
Save the Date for our Modesto Transition Fair! | |
Save the Date for our San Andreas Transition Fair! | |
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Clinical Update
Dr. Claire Lazaro
Clinical Director
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Family Wellness Brunch at Jackson!
We are bringing our Family Wellness Brunch at Jackson! You learn from other parents, a keynote speaker, and community resources, with free brunch, coffee, and childcare. We plan on doing this quarterly and this is the first time it will be at Amador County! It will be on April 6th, Saturday, from 10 am to 1 pm. This will be held at the First 5 Amador, 975 Broadway, Jackson, CA 95642. Click the QR code on the flyer below to register, or click this link:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/as4jyns/lp/cf6d8cc0-fa78-4ecf-af43-94cf08ebcd7a.
Hope to see you there!
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Community Services Update
Brian Bennett, Director of Community Services
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Leading with Inclusion.
Working with Purpose.
Direct support professionals (DSPs) are individuals who work directly with people that have physical and/or intellectual disabilities.
Join us for information sessions to learn more about the DSP Collaborative and how we are bringing VMRC service providers together to help them recruit qualified Direct Support Professionals.
Tuesday, March 26, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM, Stockton
Or
Monday, April 15, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM, Modesto
You will also learn about our FREE website for VMRC Service Providers, https://dspcollaborative.org/ , to help recruit qualified job seekers, and also, for job seekers.
In addition, you will learn about our custom recruiting videos, like this one below.
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VMRC’s Community Services team will continue to host Monthly provider information sessions for ALL VMRC Service Providers on the fourth Friday of each month using Microsoft Teams from 9-10 am
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 278 540 293 000 Passcode: 9MYRrw
These sessions are great opportunities for direct support professionals, Administrators, Directors and all persons providing supports to persons supported by VMRC to learn about important changes, projects and to ask questions from the Quality Assurance and Resource Development team. We welcome topics and subject matter suggestions! Email Brian directly if you would like to hear about a specific topic bbennet@vmrc.net
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Please join Valley Mountain Regional Center as we support Autism Awareness Day with the Stockton Ports on Sunday, April 7th!
For tickets in the VMRC section, please email Doug Bonnet at DBonnet@vmrc.net
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North Valley Hills Update
Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930
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Family Resource Network (FRN) Update
Lisa Culley, Executive Director
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Family Resource Network (FRN) is hosting Sibshops in San Joaquin County on Friday, April 5, 2024. Sibshops are informal meetings of siblings ages 7 to 14, and are open to non-disabled siblings of children with special needs and disabilities. Sibshops consist of recreational and learning opportunities and provide those attending with a chance to meet others and to exchange information, thoughts, ideas…and to have fun!
For registration information and form, please contact the FRN office at 209-472-3674 or FRNfamilies@frcn.org
Sibshops are also scheduled in Stanislaus and Amador Counties in April. Watch this space for information!
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