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Message from the Executive Director



Tony Anderson

How Are We Doing?

It’s that time again when we ask our staff, service providers, and all the people we serve about their thoughts on how we’re doing. We ask our staff about workplace engagement, equity and belonging, and the quality of work life at VMRC. We ask our providers about receiving support and training opportunities in helping them develop and innovate in service to people with disabilities. And we ask our consumers and families about their experiences with their service coordinators, program managers, their providers, and the service system.

Since we sent the first notice out just over a week ago our response rate has been a little low. We have about 116 responses from the people we serve and our contractor, Kinetic Flow, will begin interviewing people on the telephone next week (interviews and surveys are completed in a variety of languages). Our goal is to get feedback from at least 377 people, and we’ve done much better than that in years past. Our staff numbers are also a little low this time with only 198 surveys which is about a 45% response rate so far. And finally, we’ve only received 124 survey responses from our vendor community, which is only a third of our goal. 

Since last Thursday we received updates from the Department of Developmental Services on the following topics:

• March 2, 2023: Lanterman Act Appeals process changes (Mutual Consent, Hearing Decisions, and Summary Changes)
• March 3, 2023: A notice that Amador County was under state of emergency status, allowing for nonresidential absence billings.
• March 3, 2023: New rate schedule reflecting new minimum wage for community care facilities.
• March 7, 2023: Requirements under ADA Effective Communication with Deaf Consumers.

The Director's Travels

The March 12, 2022 board communication on the director's activites...

Apply to be on our Board of Directors!

Valley Mountain Regional Center has 2 openings for representation from Stanislaus County to sit on our Board of Directors. If you are interested you can

Upcoming VMRC Public Meetings

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

Executive Committee Meeting (Hybrid)

Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 6:30 PM

702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202

Click Here for Zoom Information

Board of Directors Meeting (Hybrid)

Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 6:00 PM

702 N. Aurora Street, Stockton, CA 95202

Click Here for Zoom Information

Case Management Update - Adults

Christine Couch

Director of Consumer Services - Adults

2023 Transition Fair Dates, Times, and Locations are Set! See the Flyers Here!

Above Flyer in PDF Here

Above Flyer in PDF Here

Above Flyer in PDF Here

Case Management Update - Children

Tara Sisemore-Hester

Director of Consumer Services - Children

Self Determination Orientation

Trainings

Would you like to know how Self Determination Works?



Come Learn About the Program

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.  

REGISTRATION OPEN:

16th Annual Autism Update

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

When: Saturday, March 25, 2023        8:45am-4:30pm

Where: In person at the Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center

*virtual option available

Who: Parents, caretakers, family members, educators and clinicians are all welcome to attend.

A one-day in person conference for parents, educators and care providers of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. Our annual update will focus on new research and services for individuals with autism to optimize their long term functioning. 

Please note: This conference will provide scientific information to families who are seeking interventions and therapeutic support for their children and to professionals working with individuals who need a significant level of support. 

Registration Fees:

$75 In person 

$25 Virtual

click here to register 

SCHOLARSHIPS available, click here for info

Key Note Speakers:

Sally Rogers, PhD “Where early intervention has been and where it needs to go: Supporting young autistic children and their families in a time of change”

Shulamite Green, PhD "Sensory challenges in autism: Where are the areas of greatest need and how can neuroscience help us fill in the gaps?"

James McCracken, MD "Pharmacological Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Focus on Adolescents and Transitional age group"

New Trends in Autism Research at Stanford

Philippe Mourrain, PhD "Can sleep disruptions in fish shine a new light on neurodevelopment relevant to autism?"

Allessandro Morganti, MD "How to design Autism-friendly healthcare spaces: evidence and experience based research"

Joachim Hallmayer, MD & Antonio Hardan, MD

"Sleep physiology in autism: From clinical to research investigation"

Grace Gengoux, PhD, BCBA-D & Tatyana Lark, M.S.

"Teaching PRT via Telehealth"

Breakout Sessions

(in person attendees choose one to attend, one breakout will be streamed for virtual attendees)

Sally Rogers, PhD: Dialogues involving supports for young autistic children and their families.

Shulamite Green, PhD: Sensory challenges in autism: Where are the areas of greatest need and how can neuroscience help us fill in the gaps?

James McCracken, MD: Questions and answers about pharmacological treatment of autism spectrum disorder

Registration Fees:

$75 In person 

$25 Virtual

click here to register

For scholarship info, click here



Clinical Update



Dr. Claire Lazaro

Clinical Director

Community Services Update



Brian Bennett

Community Services Director

Department of Developmental Services Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) March Office Hours

The DDS EVV webpage has been updated to include upcoming March office hours focusing on ‘Verifying EVV Visits’. Office hour dates and times are located under the “Meetings” tab on the webpage and are listed below.

March 16, 2023, from 5:30pm-6:30pm

Join Zoom Meeting (only available at the time/date above)

March 21, 2023, from 1:00pm-2:00pm

Join Zoom Meeting (only available at the time/date above)

March 29, 2023, from 10:00pm-11:00pm

Join Zoom Meeting (only available at the time/date above)

Office Hours are a time to ask questions regarding the identified topic. Advanced registration is not required. People may join the link at any time during the call’s scheduled time to ask questions and do not need to remain on the call the whole hour.

If you have any questions, please email EVV@dds.ca.gov.

VMRC has a Request for Proposal for a Family Home Agency (FHA)

Emergency Services Update



Aaron McDonald

Emergency Services and Safety Specialist

North Valley Hills Update

   Dena Hernandez, Regional Manager (209) 473-6930

Family Resource Network (FRN) Update



Lisa Culley, Executive Director

Sibshops...a group just for children and youth who have a sibling with a disability or special need. For children 7 to 14 years old, this free event provides a time to be away from their family, and to know that there are other unique kids just like them. The evening is an activity-filled time to discuss the fun (and not so fun) parts of having a sibling with disabilities, a time to celebrate, and have a great time! Our next San Joaquin group meets on Friday, March 31, 2023 (see flyer for details)

Pre-registration is required, and spaces are limited. Please contact the Family Resource Network office at 209-472-3674 or FRNfamilies@frcn.org to receive a registration packet.