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"The VMRC Newsletter"
Friday, February 10, 2023
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Message from the Executive Director
Tony Anderson
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New Service Option Coming Soon: Coordinated Family Supports
Last year we began reporting that there was going to be a new service option for adults living at home and that the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) would be piloting this with Valley Mountain Regional Center and the other 20 regional centers in California. Well, we’re getting pretty close now, and the state is holding informational webinars next week to further explain how the new program will work. In short, the new service is meant to support adults who are living with their family and are wanting their own support service to allow them to keep living at home with them.
The new program requires that the services respect the individual and family language and culture. VMRC will be conducting outreach efforts to consumers, families, and providers to make sure our community is aware of this new option and how they could receive or provide this service.
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Community Webinar on Coordinated Family Support
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
English presentation with interpretation provided in American Sign Language (ASL).
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Community Webinar on Coordinated Family Support
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Spanish presentation with interpretation provided in English and Spanish/Mexican Sign Language (LSM).
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Community Webinar on Coordinated Family Support
Thursday, February 16, 2023
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Spanish presentation with interpretation provided in English and Spanish/Mexican Sign Language (LSM).
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Community Webinar on Coordinated Family Support
Thursday, February 16, 2023
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
English presentation with interpretation provided in American Sign Language (ASL).
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Service Access and Equity Public Forums: Hybrid on March 29, 2023
Join us for for a public forum for our most recent developments towards service access equity in our region. We'll cover the latest data showing the progress from our outreach efforts and all our community based projects to increase understanding about the regional center and other community service options. Every year we publish our data reports showing the increases in access to services by various ages and ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This year we are going to be hosting an extended "open house" providing people the opportunity to give public comments throughout the day and mixing in presentations on the various grant projects and data reports showing the progress and efforts to continuously improve our service delivery in support of people with disabilities and their families.
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Upcoming VMRC Public Meetings
Self-Determination Advisory Committee (SDAC) Meeting (Hybrid)
Thursday, February 16, 2023 3:30 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202
Click Here for Zoom Information
Board of Directors Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 6:00 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202
Click Here for Zoom Information
Consumer Services Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 5:15 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202
Click Here for Zoom Information
Executive Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 6:30 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202
Click Here for Zoom Information
Purchase of Services (POS) Expenditures Community Meeting (Hybrid)
Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 2:00 PM
702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202
Click Here for Zoom Information
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The DEI Corner
Mark Crear, DEI Manger
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Celebrating Black History Month With Kids Explaining Black History Month | |
Case Management Update - Children
Tara Sisemore-Hester
Director of Consumer Services - Children
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Self Determination Orientation
Trainings
Would you like to know how Self Determination Works?
Come Learn About the Program
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Self Determination Trainings
3 CEU Units offered for vendors who pre-register
Register in advance for this webinar:
Thursday, March 16, 2023 from 1 PM-4PM via Zoom English with Spanish Translation
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_trTf_yyLTj2iCtn5dn0UNg
Friday July 7, 2023 from 9AM-12PM via Zoom English with Spanish Translation
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dHDzHcAxR26XftxhRdOqzg
Tuesday September 26, 2023 from 9AM-12PM via Zoom English with Spanish Translation
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UwYVV250TSiltd8kEiJJag
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Please contact Angelique Shear at (209) 955-3294 or ashear@vmrc.net for questions.
One session of training is mandatory if you would like to participate in Self Determination.
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Case Management Update - Adults
Christine Couch
Director of Consumer Services - Adults
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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) announced that individuals and families affected by the recent severe winter storms in Calaveras, Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz Counties may be eligible to receive Disaster CalFresh food benefits as part of continuing disaster recovery efforts. A family of four with a monthly income of up to $3,130 per month may be eligible to receive up to $939 in food benefits through this program. For more information and instructions on how to apply, please click here.
The temporary CalFresh Emergency Allotments that provided a minimum of $95 for CalFresh households will be ending in March 2023. CalFresh Emergency Allotments were authorized under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. Beginning in April 2023, CalFresh benefits will return to normal. If you believe your circumstances have changed and are eligible for more funds, please get in contact with your county office by calling 1-877-847-3663 or by visiting GetCalFresh.
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Clinical Update
Dr. Claire Lazaro
Clinical Director
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COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ending… What Now?
The COVID-19 public health emergency will expire on May 11, 2023, according to the White House. What does this mean for the public? Sharing this article from the Expert Insights of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health[1]:
Experts broke down some of the changes we can expect in this TIME article.
Vaccines:
- People without health insurance will no longer be able to get free COVID-19 vaccines through state Medicaid programs.
- People on Medicare and Medicaid will continue to receive free vaccines.
- People with private insurance: Vaccines and boosters will be covered when using an in-network provider.
COVID Tests: Currently, people with private insurance or Medicare can get reimbursed for up to eight rapid tests.
- It’s possible insurance companies may continue to cover tests, if they are distributed by select in-network providers.
- Medicare beneficiaries will start paying for a portion of tests.
- Medicaid will continue to cover the cost of tests ordered by a doctor, but at-home test coverage will vary by state.
Remember: U.S. residents are still eligible to order free at-home tests until the PHE ends, so it may be a good idea to keep some on hand.
COVID-19 Treatments:
- Privately insured: COVID-19 treatments (including antiviral therapies like Paxlovid) will continue to be covered.
- Medicare Part D: Antiviral treatments will be covered until the federal supply is depleted. After that, beneficiaries will have to pay for a portion.
- Medicaid: Only treatments approved by the U.S. FDA will be reimbursed. Medications under EUA will also vary by state.
Hospital Care:
- Medicare reimbursements that hospitals received during the pandemic will end with the PHE, and patients receiving COVID-related hospital care could see higher bills.
“The virus doesn’t care whether there’s a public health emergency declaration or not,” Sharfstein told AARP. It’s important to stay up to date on vaccines, watch out for symptoms, and test yourself if you’re going to be around vulnerable people, he says.
[1] https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?e=43337e8f93&u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=c077b8734c
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OT Tips for Consumers, Families and Direct Support Providers
We had a great turnout at this training done by Elaine Damo, OTR/L, ECHM, CAPS, AIA, of LifeWorks, held yesterday. We had about 105 attendees both in person and virtual. Thank you, Elaine, for this training. Thank you also to the attendees. For those who were unable to attend but want to learn, here is the link to the recording:
https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/TuxsK8wJEyy_Mv-oHKflIV_P5BoAN10VesQFki4vYqpY7tXfyRBYMaF84rd_38Os.YjMDwdO_Mo4--stF
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HPSJ Training on CalAIM ICF Carve-in
Thank you to all who attended this training. For those who want to reference it again or were not able to be there, here is the recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTIDYK1qXc
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Community Services Update
Brian Bennett
Community Services Director
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-Minimum Wage Increase Notice-
Effective January 1, 2023, the minimum wage in California will increase based on the number of employees an employer has. Many vendors may be eligible to request a rate increase to adjust employees’ pay to comply with the new minimum wage. Please see the attached directive from the Department of Developmental Services for information on how to submit a request to VMRC using the provided worksheet. You may also view Minimum Wage information on DDS’ website: https://dds.ca.gov/rc/vendor-provider/minimum-wage/.
All rate adjustments must be submitted to VMRC no later than March 1, 2023. Should you have any questions about this notice, please contact Corina Ramirez in Community Services, via email CRamirez@vmrc.net or phone (209) 955-3398.
DDS Letter - Minimum Wage Increase Effective January 1, 2023
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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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Is your child turning 3 soon? Join FRN for a parent workshop on Building Bridges: Transitioning Your Child From the Early Start Program! Learn about the process of advocacy, what's happening during the months leading up to your child's 3rd birthday, the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process, and ongoing services available through VMRC. You will walk away from this training with knowledge that will give you a great foundation for the next stage of parenting your child with special needs. Attendees will receive a Building Bridges workbook to complete as you prepare for your child's transition. Spanish interpretation will be available. This training is on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, virtually on Zoom. Register by clicking the link on the flyer, calling the FRN office at 209-472-3674 or by email at FRNfamilies@frcn.org | | | | |
