Valley Mountain Regional Center NEWSLETTER

April 2025

Leinani Walter, Executive Director

Happy Retirement Mendel!

Grassroots March 3-4, 2025

On March 4, 2025, VMRC’s delegation of dedicated Self-Advocates, Board Members, and staff participated in the Annual ARCA Grassroots Day at the Capitol. Together, the VMRC delegation advocated for person-centered services and vital initiatives including: the Blue Envelope Measure to train law enforcement on how to better support the developmental disabilities community and the Workforce Policy Bill to address the growing workforce crisis affecting services for people with developmental disabilities.

VMRC is grateful for the opportunity to meet with California State Legislators and their staff including: David Tangipa, Heath Flora, Marie Alvarado-Gil, Juan Alanis, Heather Hadwick, Jerry McNerney, and Rhodesia Ransom.

Equity & Engagement

Community Conversation on Spending Data with SAC6!

On March 15, VMRC and SAC6 hosted a Community Conversation on Spending Data & Equity Efforts for self-advocates at Person Centered Services in Stockton. Mayra Ochoa, Director of Equity & Engagement provided data and highlighted service demographics and VMRC’s initiatives to enhance equity. Addressing language barriers with Spanish-speaking Enhanced Case Managers, improving staff training related to intake and eligibility and increasing multilingual staff with pay differentials and increasing deaf and hard hearing resources. Mayra shared VMRC’s commitment to strengthening community partnerships with Acorns to Oak Trees for tribal engagement, Families United for Equity for our African American community, and connecting with Escuchen Mi Voz and the Integrated Community Collaborative leaders to support our Hispanic families. We are thankful for the input and ideas shared by our SAC6 leaders!

On March 18, Leinani Walter, Mayra Ochoa, Gabby Lopez, and Emelia Vigil, led our English and Spanish Community Conversation on Spending Data at VMRC in Stockton. We are thankful for the community participation and the important and innovative ideas shared!

To view the VMRC Spending Data Presentation: FY 23-24 POS Meeting PPT

VMRC Board of Directors

On April 26, the VMRC Board of Directors will host its annual board retreat with a focus on developing VMRC's Strategic Plan for the next 3-5 years. This is the beginning of an important journey for our Board and VMRC leadership to work together to shape the organization’s future direction. We look forward to a productive day of strengthening VMRC’s mission, vision, and values with the guidance of Catherine Blakemore who will facilitate our efforts and work in developing our new Strategic Plan.

Events/Community Resources