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"The VMRC Newsletter"
Friday, October 6, 2023
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Message from the Executive Director
Tony Anderson
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Coming Together as One Big United Community
Tomorrow, Saturday October 7, 2023, is the 5th Disability Resource Fair (formerly the “Cultural Fair”) and the staff and board of Valley Mountain Regional Center is beyond excited to host you and your family and friends for a day of celebration, a day of learning, and a day of fellowship as we come together as one big united community. This event is the biggest day of the year for Valley Mountain Regional Center to showcase the incredible work of our service providers and contractors, the services from wonderful disability rights advocates, and all our dedicated disability community partners. You don’t want to miss this must-see event!
Last year we hosted 1500 people who attended throughout the day and though it’s a lot of people there will be so many information tables that you won’t have to wait long to get that important information you need from them. We’ll also have a Mobility Expo inside the fair where you can learn about adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs and repairs, vehicle and home adaptations, and other things that help people with disabilities with their daily living. We also have your health covered through a partnership with Safeway Pharmacy to bring you COVID and Flu vaccinations and our very own dental coordinator will be featuring dental resources.
This year we SOLD OUT every information table space available and all this action will wrap around the entire Modesto Office and some activities will be inside the building. You’ll be entertained with a magic show, musical performances by The Advocates, upbeat music selections all day from a professional DJ, carnival games, and a petting zoo. Finally, we’ll also have popcorn, snow cones, a water station and four delicious food trucks. And wait there’s more… thanks to the generosity of our many sponsors this entire event is free for our consumers, and families, and everyone participating in making this a successful event, even the parking is free.
What: the 5th VMRC Disability Resource Fair
When: Saturday, October 7, 2023, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: VMRC Modesto Office Parking Lot, 1820 Blue Gum Avenue, Modesto, CA 95358
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Come Out and See Us Tomorrow! | |
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VMRC Executive Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 6:30 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202, Cohen Board Room
Click Here for Zoom Information
VMRC Self-Determination Advisory Committee (SDAC) Meeting (Hybrid)
Thursday, October 19, 2023, 3:30 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202, Cohen Board Room
Click Here for Zoom Information
VMRC Board of Directors Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 6:00 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202, Cohen Board Room
Click Here for Zoom Information
VMRC Consumer Services Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 5:00 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202, Cohen Board Room
Click Here for Zoom Information
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Don't Wait Until the Last Minute to Register for the Premier Service Provider Conference in the Area! Spots are Filling up Fast! | |
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Announcing Our Provider Community's Third Professional Conference, Moving Forward
We are so excited to announce that our local provider coalition, the Coalition of Local Agency Service Providers (CLASP), has been hard at work to put together their third provider conference. This one will be called “Moving Forward” 2023 and will be their first major provider conference in three years. This is an opportunity for our provider community to come together to learn about policy issues and innovations in providing person-centered services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.
The event includes one of the national thought leaders on Person-Centered Thinking, Carol Blessing of Cornell University and John Raffaele and Joe Macbeth from the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, talking about the important role of Direct Support Professionals in connecting people with disabilities to their communities. We were also very excited to learn that one of our most popular speakers on creative approaches to person-center supports for people with complex needs, Lynn Seagle, will be one of the featured morning keynotes and our DDS Director Nancy Bargmann will cap off our morning with a lunch keynote.
CLASP does so much to support the provider community and it’s an honor to work with these leaders who have dedicated their careers to serving people with IDD and their families in our region. This conference is an excellent example of how our providers focus on continuous improvements in service delivery in our community. Special thanks to Candice Bright and Liz Herrera Knapp for their leadership in making this happen.
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Case Management Update - Children
Tara Sisemore-Hester
Director of Consumer Services - Children
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Vivian Weinstein Leadership Day
Looking Forward: Strengthening the Well-Being of Families and Young Children
Approved for reimbursement through an Early Start provider training initiative funded by the Department of Developmental Services.
Monday, October 16, 2023
9:00am - 4:30pm
The California Endowment
1000 Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
In-Person Event
Three Keynote Speakers
Lunch Included
Mona Delahooke will not be able to present at this year’s
Vivian Weinstein Leadership Day.
Looking forward to seeing you all!
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Cultivating a New Story for Resiliency in Early Intervention: A Powerful Exploration of Meaningful Support, Knowledge, Skills, and Insights
with Senta V. Greene, MA, CCLS and Kathleen Van Antwerp, ED.D
To honor, uplift, and walk forward with children and families, we must also honor, uplift and walk in our awareness, capacity, and self-care as a formidable workforce.
This session is a beautiful invitation to recognize, explore, and ignite insights and relevant actions for transformative change that authentically supports strengthening children, families, and the legacy of our collective work in early intervention.
More information on the topic and speakers bio's HERE
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Through Vivian’s Eyes: Supporting Maternal Well-Being Then and Now – A Cautionary Call to Action with Marie Kanne Poulsen, PhD Professor of Clinical Pediatrics Keck School of Medicine, USC
In the 1980’s when the media demonized ‘crack mothers’ as selfish, uncaring & neglectful of their ‘no hope’ babies, Vivian was a major proponent of a Call to Action espousing that mothers loved their babies and the service system needed to proactively support maternal well-being and mother-infant engagement. In the 2020’s there is a critical need for another Call to Action to ensure quality engagement stemming from the social-emotional well-being of our Part C mothers.
More information on the topic and speakers bio HERE
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Updates on California Early Start
with Maricris Acon, Deputy Director, Federal Programs – Children, Adolescents, and Young Adult Services Division, California Department of Developmental Services
Maricris Acon is the Deputy Director of the Federal Programs Division at the Department of Developmental Services. She brings professional and personal experience to this position as a policy professional and a mother of a child with disabilities.
More on speakers bio HERE
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Relationship-based Care and Inspirations from the Five Protective Factors for Strengthening Families
with Senta V. Greene, MA, CCLS and Kathleen Van Antwerp, ED.D
All families have strengths, and all families need support. Come and experience an interactive and reflective session on the importance of the Five Protective Factors with an emphasis on interpersonal insights, promising practices, and everyday actions for strengthening families. This session weaves together essential knowledge for transformative family engagement and offers meaningful strategies to enhance family stability and children’s development.
More information on the topic HERE
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Non-Member: $195
IDA Agency/Individual Member: $150
IDA Parent/Student/New Clinician Member: $100
IDA CE Hours: Nursing, PT, Speech and Language $60 (6 hours)
CDI CE Hours: LCSW, LMFT, LEP, LPCC (you will be invoiced)
Vivian Weinstein Leadership Day is approved for reimbursement through an Early Start provider training initiative funded by the Department of Developmental Services. You have time to apply for this funding as the timeline has been extended until 11/2024. For more information contact your local Regional Center and review the following link HERE
REGISTER NOW!
To read about Vivian Weinstein click here
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The registration deadline is October 6th for the October 10th training date, and deadline is October 13th for the October 17th training date. | |
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Join us!
Thursday
October 26, 2023
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We are cordially inviting you to our 4th Annual Early Child Development Virtual Conference!
It is an all day event on October 26th, 2023.
To register with your email, please click the link below and fill out your information.
Follow your registration, you will receive a link on how to attend the event.
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Case Management Update - Adults
Christine Couch
Director of Consumer Services - Adults
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Virtual Presentations
We are pleased to announce the upcoming presentations on important topics!
These presentations are designed to provide Spanish-speaking families with knowledge, skills, and tools that can help them succeed as they navigate complex systems and services.
Everyone can benefit from these presentations and that is why we invite parents to participate.
Whether they are looking to improve their advocacy skills, have questions, or simply want to learn something new, parents will find these topics informative, engaging, and useful.
The registration links are include for each presentation.
We hope to see everyone there!
This presentation will discuss effective ways to address bullying.
Thursday, November 16
5 PM – 7 PM
(Pacific Time)
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Parents will learn about The Department of Rehabilitation and how they support individuals with a disability.
Tuesday, November 21
5 PM – 7 PM
(Pacific Time)
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Come learn about CalABLE Accounts
Thursday, November 30
5 PM – 7 PM
(Pacific Time)
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Clinical Update
Dr. Claire Lazaro
Clinical Director
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FREE Vaccination Clinic at the VMRC Modesto Office
What: Flu Shots for 3 years and older (regular and senior formulation) and COVID vaccine
When: October 7th, 2023 at 11 am – 2 pm
Where: 1820 Blue Gum Avenue, Modesto, CA
Register here: https://www.safeway.com/vaccinations/group-clinic/VMRCModesto
Bring your Medical and Prescription card.
o Members not covered or not insured (e.g. Kaiser Members) will have to pay out of pocket at point of service. Please see price below:
· We will accept check or credit card for payment
COVID Vaccine (Anticipated to be the new XBB COVID Vaccine) = $160 for those uninsured or have Kaiser or MediCal (for people under 18 years old) plans.
Quadrivalent Flu Vaccine (<65 years old formulation) = $40
Senior Dose Flu Formulation (>65 years old) = $72
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SAVE the DATE! FREE Vaccination Clinic at the VMRC Stockton Office
What: Flu Shots, and other vaccines such as Hepatitis B, TDaP, Shingles, and Pneumococcal. And Health Fair with Medicare Part D Enrollment, medication review, Naloxone nasal spray, Health screenings and health supplies such as blood glucose monitor, blood pressure monitor, etc (while supplies last).
When: October 27th, 2023 at 1 – 5 pm
Where: 702 N Aurora Street, Stockton, CA
Make an appointment: call (209) 687-4014
Bring your Medical and Prescription card, Medicare Card (if you have one), and ALL your medications.
Members of Kaiser will have to go to Kaiser as UOP don’t have the ability to bill Kaiser.
| Take a Look at the Rest of the 2023 University of Pacific Health Fairs |  |  | |
National Dental Hygiene Month
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, a time to celebrate dental hygienists and raise awareness of the importance of good oral health. Good oral health plays a large role in keeping the entire body healthy. There are four components to taking care of your teeth. Brushing, flossing, rinsing, and chewing. Master these four skills and you will increase the chance of keeping your teeth healthy for your lifetime!
Brushing – Use a soft bristled toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Angle your toothbrush towards the gumline, slowing brushing in small circles. Remember to brush all sides of the teeth and don’t forget to brush your tongue! Brush for 2 minutes, 2 times a day!
Flossing – Use a piece of floss about 18’ long. Wrap the floss around your middle fingers then hold it with the thumb and index fingers. Slide floss down under the gum slowly and come back up curving the floss in a “C” shape around the tooth. Floss once every day!
Rinsing – Rinsing with water or drinking water after every meal can help remove any leftover food from your teeth. This will help prevent cavities and even bad breath.
Chewing – Chewing sugar free gum during the day helps our mouth make more saliva. Saliva protects our teeth from cavities.
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Community Services Update
Brian Bennett, Director of Community Services
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DDS’ NEW DSP TRAINING STIPEND PROGRAM
Eligible DSPs* who work 10 or more hours a week for a RC provider can now receive up to two $625 stipends (before taxes) – just complete the online training courses approved by DDS before June 30, 2024.
Other Important Information:
· Stipend payments are considered taxable income
· Online training courses are about one hour long & can be taken at any time
· Online courses can be paused & resumed at your convenience
· Training courses count towards Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for Community Care Licensing
· Register for classes online at https://bit.ly/ARCALearn
Sign up for an Informational Webinar to learn more:
Monday, Oct. 9, 2023
4:00p to 5:00p via Zoom
Register Here:
https://bit.ly/3LJVof4
For More details on the stipend program & eligibility requirements, visit:
https://www.dds.ca.gov/initiatives/workforce-initiatives
Questions?
Email: mailto: workforce@dds.ca.gov
VMRC will host an informational session for interested and eligible vendors related to the DSP Training Stipend program. This is an opportunity to ask questions and to hear about VMRC’s process
Please join us on Tuesday October 10, 2023, from 12:30-1:30 PM
Microsoft Teams meeting
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 251 451 933 084
Passcode: 5zru7r
Download Teams | Join on the web
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Employment Update
Enos Edmerson Jr, Employment Specialist
| October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) |  | |
October is recognized as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and this year’s theme is "Disability: Advancing Access and Equity." I invite everyone to join me in celebrating NDEAM and continuing to recognize the numerous contributions that individuals with disabilities make to our workforce. For more information, please check out this YouTube video from the Department of Labor:
https://youtu.be/e96nbW0ZiBY?si=o86dBlRkGDAFu2pg
Valley Mountain Regional Center has kicked off NDEAM on a positive note. In an effort to advance access and equity in employment opportunities, the California State Parks recently organized a highly successful hiring event at Sacramento Works. See the flyer below for information about hiring opportunities at over 200+ State Parks—an exciting chance for any of our individuals to work at State Parks.
October is filled with job fairs, and we will provide weekly updates in this Newsletter. One event to highlight is the VMRC's very own Disability Resource Fair, which will take place on October 7, 2023, from 11am to 3pm at our Modesto location. We look forward to seeing you all there and discussing employment opportunities for our individuals.
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The DEI Corner
Mark Crear, DEI Manger
| Valley Mountain Regional Center is intensely committed to creating an agency that reflects our diverse community and is a model for the equitable world we aspire to live in. Moreover, we view employee diversity and inclusion as crucial to innovation and creativity so celebrating the contributions of those of Hispanic backgrounds, as well as others, is immensely important to us. | Organized by the DEI committee, VMRC is embracing Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) with a vibrant celebration of culture, encompassing the rich tapestry of food, music and collaborative endeavors. There is no better expression of joy than through music and music has been a vehicle for celebration, change and resistance. | Our hope is that this celebration will leave employees not only inspired and enlightened by HHM but with courage, freedom and pride that comes with being recognized and celebrated for your contribution to the community that you serve. | |
VMRC is striving to be a place where everybody belongs.
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Tell us about your experiences getting specialty care from a doctor for your child. We have put together a short survey (10-15 minutes) that you can complete on a phone or computer. For completing this survey, we’ll send you a $30 electronic gift card. Your voice is important!
Please contact Lisa Culley or Nicki Moss at 209-472-3674 or FRNfamilies@frcn.org for more details.
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North Valley Hills Update
Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930
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Supported Decision-Making
Week of Community Conversations
The Supported Decision Making-Technical Assistance Program
(SDM-TAP) is hosting a week-long series of Community Conversations to engage with the public and gather feedback that will influence the direction of the grants available through the program.
These Community Conversations are open to anyone who has an interest in supported decision-making.
Each conversation focuses on an area of importance, but you are welcome to participate in one or more. If you are unable to attend the conversation of most interest to you, please attend one of the others.
Registration is Required
Link to register for these conversations:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIud-6hqzgrHdW-eUjIYftbmLrdHO9pu-h-
Schedule of Conversations
· Monday, October 23 from 4-6 p.m.
Supported Decision-Making in Educational Settings
· Tuesday, October 24 from 4-6 p.m.
Supported Decision-Making in I/DD Services Settings
· Wednesday, October 25 from 4-6 p.m.
Supported Decision-Making in Legal or Judicial Settings
· Thursday, October 26 from 4-6 p.m.
Supported Decision-Making in Medical or Healthcare Settings
· Friday, October 27 from 4-6 p.m.
Supported Decision-Making in Financial Settings
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The Supported Decision-Making
Community Input Survey
Needs Your Feedback!
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The results will influence the direction of grants administered by the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities' Supported Decision-Making Technical Assistance Program (SDM-TAP).
For details about the survey visit: https://bit.ly/3ZFxCqs
If you have additional questions, need language translations or additional support please email the SDM-TAP team at sdmtap@scdd.ca.gov.
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