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"The VMRC Newsletter"
Friday, January 14, 2023
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Message from the Executive Director
Tony Anderson
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Welcome to the New Weekly "VMRC Newsletter"
After 140 publications of the Health Advisory we reached out to you the readers to see if you'd like us to continue and what changes you'd like to see. The overwhelming response was to continue weekly but to change the name and move away from the emphasis on COVID and your health and focus on providing information, resources, events, spotlights on people and programs, and general "goings on" at the regional center. After several months of voting on the name the final winner was "VMRC Newsletter" which is probably the most plain language name you could come up with.
We hope the VMRC Newsletter will be even more popular and useful to our community. Happy New Year.
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The Governor's Budget for Developmental Services
The Governor released his 2023-2024 Proposed Budget this week (full report is almost 300 pages) and here are 12 things you should know:
- Most advocates expected budget cuts but the governor didn't cut the DDS budget, even though the state thinks that we have about $22 billion less than needed statewide.
- The DDS budget increased by 12.7% because of growth and provider rate increases.
- Funds to reduce caseload ratio for children ages 0-5 now set at 1:40 - uses the actual costs of hiring service coordinators not the old formula.
- The next phase of the service provider rate increase is funded as promised ($355.9M).
- The increase in costs to some providers because of the state's minimum wage and or the new IRS mileage rate, will be paid for in the budget.
- DDS will create a new Autism Services branch in the department.
- Funds for regional centers to enhance their work supporting foster children.
- Money to improve service to people with intense psychiatric needs by STAR (Stabilization Training Assistance Reintegration) homes.
- Additional funds to support provisional eligibility for children 4-5 years old.
- The DDS Safety Net Report will explain the budget items to improve supports for foster youth and people with complex needs dual diagnosed with mental health and developmental disabilities.
- The Family Cost participation program is scheduled restart July 1, 2023 but DDS will have meetings with stakeholders to change it in the May Revise.
- The only reduction in the budget is the delay in a preschool integration grant.
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The Director's Travels
One communication tool we used prior to the pandemic was called the "Directors Travels." The report was written to our board of directors and sent to them and key community partners and was a weekly activity run down from me to the board. This report was a way to make sure our priorities are dictating what goes into the calendar instead of having the calendar dictate the priorities. If you click on the WordCloud below you can see the report...
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The DEI Corner
Mark Crear, DEI Manger
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A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Valley Mountain Regional Center recognizes and celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day). Celebrated the third Monday of January, the MLK holiday is a time when our country remembers Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, his tireless work to unify this nation, and to honor his legacy through a day of service. At VMRC, we believe that helping others is an important aspect of creating an inclusive environment – – it strengthens our community, builds empathy, and bridges gaps toward a deeper level of understanding.
Please take the time to watch and share our tribute for MLK Day. On this day of service, we encourage you to find an opportunity to help others in the community, and remember… “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”
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Martin Luther King - I Have A Dream Speech - August 28, 1963 | |
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The past four months represents a very active time of year for diversity and inclusion, one that also demonstrates the progress Valley Mountain Regional Center has made in recognizing and celebrating our distinct communities. We are moving towards a culture that brims with diversity and inclusion. Every Oct-Nov we celebrate veteran, Native Americans and Hispanic Heritage. Likewise, In December we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
Looking early into the new year, we will celebrate Chinese New Year and then immediately in the month after, for all of February, we honor African Americans with Black History Month. When looking at over the course of this year, all of these specific celebrations take place within a four-month period. What’s interesting about this is that we celebrate the diversity of these many groups and cultures with special occasions and events that also invite anyone and all to participate – event though they are about one group, they are inclusive. Later in the year Americans can look forward to Gay Pride Month – a colorful, energetic and event-rich extravaganza that is celebrated in the streets across the country. The increase and variety of diverse groups that celebrate their individuality and uniqueness is an encouraging sign that VMRC is transitioning towards a more tolerant and accepting stance regarding our differences.
Happy New Year!
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Case Management Update - Children
Tara Sisemore-Hester
Director of Consumer Services - Children
| Program Manager Danielle Wells, and her team of Service Coordinators were able to deliver some holiday cheer and gifts to a few families served by VMRC in December. | |
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IDA 8th Annual Policy 2023 Update
Monday January 23, 2023
8:30am-12:30pm
Virtual Event
Join us to hear and discuss current policies and regulations that providers need to know in 2023 at the Federal, State and Local Levels
New Presenters Added
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Stephen Propheter , Director of the Early Education Division (EED) at the California Department of Education (CDE). Stephen will discuss the following
· Expansion of eligibility for children with disabilities in State Preschool, including funded enrollment
· Investments in the Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program
· Incorporation of a tool for early identification of learning delays or disabilities (and a process for follow-up)
For Stephen Propheter's bio click here
Jim Knight, Deputy Director Department of Developmental Services Administration Division | Update on the Rate Model Implementation for Early Intervention
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Presenters
Sharon Walsh
Governmental Relations Consultant
Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC)
“The New Congress: Federal Update and What Can We Expect for Young Children and their Families”
This session will review the activities of the last 117th Congress as well as plans for the new Congress convening in January 2023. This will include a discussion on funding, possible bills under consideration and federal policy activities related to young children and their families.
Sharon Walsh currently provides consultation to state and local agencies on the implementation of Part C and Part B of IDEA She works as a consultant on the federally funded Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) and the Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy). Sharon also serves as the Governmental Relations Consultant for the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC) and the IDEA Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA), which is the national association representing the state Part C lead agencies.
For Sharon Walsh's bio click here
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Ryan Anderson, Principal Fiscal & Policy Analyst - CA. Legislative Analyst Office
Sharing updates CA. Budget- Department of Developmental Services
For Ryan Anderson's bio click here
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Sara Cortez, Senior Fiscal & Policy Analyst, Legislative Analyst's Office
Sharing updates on special education, preschool and nutrition issue
For Sara Cortez's bio click here
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Maricris Acon
Deputy Director of the Federal Programs Division at the Department of Developmental Services |CA Early Start - Part C - What's ahead for 2023
Focus: Early Start Update
For Maricris Acon's bio click here
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Heather Calomese, State Director of Special Education, CA Department of Education | What's Going on at CA Department of Education: California Preschool, Transition, Part C and Low Incidence services in Special Education
For Heather Calomese's bio click here
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James Moses
Regional Director for the Child Care Resource Center (CCRC)
Focus: ECE California Legislative Landscape.
For James Moses's bio click here
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Non-Member: $75
IDA Agency/Individual Member: $50
(discount rate if registering 3 or more, email Jennie at mail@idaofcal.org)
IDA Parent/Student/New Clinician Member: $40
ADA Requests: Contact IDA @ mail@idaofcal.org
with ADA request by December 29, 2022
Register NOW
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Case Management Update - Adults
Christine Couch
Director of Consumer Services - Adults
| VMRC’s After-Hours Response System (AHRS) includes an After-Hours Response Team (AHRT) which responds to emergency calls 24 hours per day. The AHRT is comprised of VMRC employees who work in full-time capacities serving our individuals during business hours. They then work additional rotating seven-day shifts, after business hours, assisting individuals, families, and community stakeholders with emergency situations that arise. Current members of the AHRT are Senior Service Coordinator, Michele Graves; Senior High Risk Case Management Specialist, Maria Garcia; and Senior Community Services Liaison, Chris Pillsbury. Neidra Clayton is the AHRT Manager. If you have, or need to report, an emergency which occurs after business hours, the AHRT can be reached at (209) 955-3255. Please leave a message and your call will be returned within one hour. | |
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Do you know a graduating high school senior in need of financial aid? The San Joaquin Community Foundation offers community-funded scholarships to eligible students with post-secondary aspirations. Awards range from hundreds to thousands of dollars and target students based on career interests and educational goals. We encourage eligible San Joaquin County high school seniors to explore and apply for the available scholarships – click here,
https://sanjoaquincf.org/scholarships/
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Clinical Update
Dr. Claire Lazaro
Clinical Director
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Oral Health for Caregivers
Oral and dental health is an integral part of keeping ourselves healthy. It affects our entire system including our heart, our skin, and our digestive system to name a few. Here is a link on a self-study materials that will help caregivers, direct support professionals and family members caring for individuals with developmental disabilities in maintaining a good oral and dental health: Overcoming Obstacles: training caregivers to take care of patients' oral health. You just need to register, for free! It can also give you credits. Available in Spanish!
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Emergency Services Update
Aaron McDonald
Emergency Response Coordinator
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Disaster Distress Helpline
The Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. For more information visit: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline .
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Family Resource Network (FRN) Update
Lisa Culley, Executive Director
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Family Resource Network's Mothers Retreat is back! Join us for a day where you can meet other mothers of children or adults with disabilities or special needs. The day will be filled with networking, discussion, learning, and celebrating you! The Mother's Retreat is on Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 9:30am-3:00pm.
Open to the primary female caregiver of a child or adult with disabilities, and living in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Amador, Calaveras, or Tuolumne Counties. Registration is required and due to space is limited to 50 attendees. Register early!
THIS IS A CHILD FREE EVENT! See flyer for more details and registration form. Any questions, please call FRN at 209-472-3674 or email to FRNfamilies@frcn.org
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