Agenda

NOTICE/AGENDA

STATE COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIESSacramento Regional Office: Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) MEETING

POSTED AT: https://scdd.ca.gov/sacramento/

This is a Zoom meeting only. There is no physical location being made available to the public. Per EXECUTIVE ORDER N-29-20, teleconferencing/Zoom restrictions are waived during the COVID-19 crisis. Committee members are not required to list their remote locations and members of the public may participate electronically by accessing Zoom or calling the number you will receive after registering for the meeting.

Please pre-register at this link for the Zoom meeting: http://bit.ly/3a5Y7vF

DATE:February 9, 2021

TIME:10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

COMMITTEE CHAIR:

Brandy Boyd

Item 1. CALL TO ORDER

Item 2. ESTABLISH QUORUM

Item 3. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

· RAC Members: Roll call, state name and county affiliation

· Members of the Public: Please introduce yourself in the Chat

Item 4.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA for February 9, 2021

Item 5.

APPROVAL OF December 15, 2021 MINUTES

Item 6. Sacramento Regional Office Updates· Sonya Bingaman, Regional Manager

· Current and future activities

· Recordings on YouTube

Item 7.

Alta California Regional Center Update

· Jennifer Bloom, Associate Director of Client Services, ACRC

· Self-Determination Program implementation update

· Alternative vs. Traditional Services update

· Covid-19, Vaccines, and other updates

Item 8.

State Plan Community Input

· Rihana Ahmad, SCDD, Manager, State Plan and Self-Advocacy

· Review State Plan Draft Document

· Request input from RAC members and community on goals and self-advocacy activities for next 5 years (please review State Plan and Input Questions in the RAC Packet)

Item 9. PUBLIC COMMENTS

This item is for members of the public only to provide comments and/or present information to the Committee on matters not on the agenda. Each person will be afforded up to three minutes to speak.

Public Comments can be submitted via email prior to the meeting at sacramento@scdd.ca.gov

Item 10. Statewide Self-Advocacy Network (SSAN) UpdateLisa Cooley

Item 11. State Council on Developmental Disabilities – Council UpdateJoyce McNair

Item 12. Brief Reports from RAC Members on issues in their counties (3 minutes each)

Item 13. Voting for RAC Vice-Chair

Item 14. NEXT MEETING DATE March 20, 2021 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Please add to your calendar.

Item 15. National Core Indicators Presentation 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

George Lewis, CPSII/Quality Assessment Project Coordinator, North Valley Hills Regional Office

Item 16.

Meeting Adjournment

Accessibility:

Pursuant to Government Code Sections 11123.1 and 11125(f) and Executive Order N-29-20 (this Executive Order can be found by clicking the link on page one of the agenda or typing https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3.17.20-N-29-20-EO.pdf into your web browser), individuals with disabilities who require accessible alternative formats of the agenda and related meeting materials and/or auxiliary aids/services to participate in this meeting should contact Sonya Bingaman at (916) 715-7057 or Sonya.bingaman@scdd.ca.gov. Please provide at least 5 business days prior to the meeting to allow adequate time to respond to all requests.

State Council on Developmental Disabilities:

Sacramento Regional Office

Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) MINUTES (Draft)

December 15, 2020

Members Present:

Benita Ayala (FA) Sacramento

Brandy Boyd (FA), Vice-Chair

Nancy Esparza (SA) At-large

Natalie Gray (SA) Sacramento

Michael Helton (SA) Sacramento

Christine Hickey (FA) Sutter

Donnell Kenworthy (FA) Yolo

Elaine Linn (FA) At-large

Kidada Medina (FA) Sacramento

Karen Mulvany (FA), Chair, El Dorado

Glenda Servantes (SA) Yuba

Jesana Tran (FA) Colusa/Alpine/Sierra

Tyson Whitman (SA) Placer

Members Absent:

None

Others Attending:

Lisa Cooley (SA) SSAN

Joyce McNair (FA) Council Member

Jennifer Bloom, Associate Director of Client Services, ACRC

Tracy Brown, ACRC

Cindy Le, ACRC

Katherine Weston, ACRC

Shirley Skaden-Smith, ACRC

Herman Koethe, ACRC

Delayne Eskridge-Brown, ACRC

Angel Picon, The Arc

John Reven, CAC Chairperson Sacramento County SELPA

Nicole Mion, Help Me Grow – Yolo County

Lisa Gondola

Gina Oliveras

Pamela Haney

Stephanie Hart

Maribel Hernandez

Deirdre Fitzgerald

Jordan Ram

Cynthia True

Karen Smith

Laurie Russi

Dennis Curry

Lourdes Gomez

Beth Foraker

Dawn Padilla

Gail Wilson

Meena Kalyanasundaran

Shelly Pefley

Jose Garcia

Raquel Brown

Diane Bernstein

Adair Savoia

Abirimi Duraiswamy

Grace Trujillo

Lisa Gondola

Maritza Salinas

Ravita Devi, SCDD Staff

Sonya Bingaman, SCDD Staff

COMMITTEE CHAIR:Karen Mulvany

Item 1.CALL TO ORDER 10:06 am

Item 2.ESTABLISH QUORUM

Item 3.WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

RAC members each introduced themselves. Members of the Public introduced themselves in the Chat.

Item 4.Approval of Agenda for December 15, 2020

First Benita Ayala

Second Brandy Boyd

In favor Yes (all)

Opposed None

Abstain None

Item 5.APPROVAL OF October 20, 2020 MINUTES

First Brandy Boyd

Second Jesana Tran

In favor Yes (all)

Opposed None

Abstain None

Item 6.Sacramento Regional Office Updates (Sonya Bingaman, Regional Manager)

· HCBS Zoom Training, December 8th (English/Spanish) with Katherine Weston, ACRC. 45 attended

· Anthem Blue Cross Managed Care Zoom Chat, 11/17/20.

· DREDF Zoom Chat, December 2nd (English/Spanish) about new Parent Training & Information in our region, and about 30 counties. Call DREDF directly with any IEP related questions.

· On Planning Committee for Supported Life Conference, 10/22/20 which was virtual this year.

· 11/3/20 Nevada County Health Collaborative.

· 10/29 IEP Training in English. 11/5/20 in Spanish. Ruderman & Knox. SCUSD.

· SCDD hosted DDS Symposium on Alternative Services – featured Progressive Employment Concepts and 2 other programs in CA.

· Attended ACRC Board of Director’s Meeting along with several other parents. 11/19/20.

•MCDAC update. Participating in workgroups on GA and Alternatives to GA, parent education, desensitization, dentist provider education/training, better case management supporting referrals. 12/11/20 Statewide Taskforce on Oral Health for Aging Californians and People with Special Needs.

· Virtual police training to Los Rios Community College Police Department, 34 officers. With Transition Teacher and Parent.

•Continuing with collaboratives (ADRCs, Sacramento Food Collaborative, etc.), community groups, trainings, Council meetings. Collaborating on Zoom trainings which are now available statewide hosted by the 12 regional offices.

•Continuing with Tuesday Chats in 2021: Contact Sonya with topics of interest. Planning on Person Centered Thinking/Planning; Self-Determination Trainings; Housing Trainings.

· Continuing to distribute PPE: Masks, Hand Sanitizer, Gloves, Gowns, N95. Sacramento Regional Office has collaborated with ACRC and other organizations to distribute over 6 million pieces. Recently provided ACRC with 20 pallets of PPE to respond to increase in local Covid cases.

· Red Cross 3-day Emergency Backpacks. Provided 6 Zoom Emergency Preparedness Trainings to 100 self-advocates. They will each receive a backpack. Priority was those living independently in fire or PSPS prone areas.

•Lots of Technical Assistance. Families seeking guidance and information on a variety of topics, particularly accessing IEP and IPP supports. Transition aged young adults.

· List of recorded trainings is posted on SCDD’s Sacramento Regional Office webpage. https://scdd.ca.gov/sacramento/

· Aaron Carruthers, Executive Director of SCDD, is on the Statewide Vaccine Taskforce. He wants to share information with the community and get your input. Please register and participate in public comments this week. If you cannot join one of these sessions but want to contribute comments or concerns please fill out our survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VZ5J5JK.

· RAC Packet includes: SSDAC (Statewide Self-Determination Advisory Committee) Report; Quality Assessment (QA) Project – Mover Longitudinal Study; Mail Out Surveys; SSAN (Statewide Self-Advocacy Network); CRA/VAS (Client Rights Advocacy/Volunteer Advocacy Services); Update on CA Tax Credit Allocation Committee regarding housing – your voice made a difference. Based on overwhelming community input, they are now considering increasing accessible and affordable housing unit requirements (instead of reducing the requirement). Have a little fun and complete your SCDD Crossword Puzzle!

Introduced Dennis Curry, DDS Employment Plus to present SCDD 2020 Video. He shared about his work to support self-advocates in the Film Editing Class at DDSO to produce a video summarizing highlights of work completed by the SCDD Sacramento Regional Office during 2020: https://youtu.be/AX7RHixs3K8

Dennis also shared a few links from our international award-winning web series, "Gettin' DOWN":

Episode 103 – LOSS: https://youtu.be/41rFUjwwYOI

Episode 101, The Pilot: https://youtu.be/Dy73Z8KzsIQ

Episode 103 - "Keeping Your Dreams Alive": https://youtu.be/8CIDVgmInwU

Item 7. Alta California Regional Center, Jennifer Bloom, Associate Client Services Manager

ACRC will continue 100% remote services until 1/11/2021 (at least). ACRC services continue, remotely/virtually, so reach out to your Service Coordinator, as needed.

Self Determination Update: ACRC continues implementation efforts for the Self-Determination Program. 6 individuals are fully in SDP. 81 have completed the orientation and are working on Person Centered Plans, Budgets, or selecting Financial Management Services. ACRC will be training all Service Coordinators with a panel of individual self-advocates, family advocates, an FMS provider and 6 service coordinators who have gone through the process already. ACRC is also developing a checklist for service coordinators to use for individuals interested in switching to SDP when the program is open in June 2021. This will help to streamline the implementation process.

Participant Directed Services (PDS): There is a Family Member Engagement Guide on DDS’s website and information about Participant Directed Services. Historically, respite, daycare, non-medical transportation, nursing and community based training could be implemented under the participant directed services framework, but as an emergency measure during the pandemic, DDS has temporarily authorized even more PDS services which include: Personal Assistance, Independent Living Services, or Supported Employment. Like in Self Determination, a Financial Management Service provider (FMS) assists you with some aspects of hiring and managing workers for these programs. While the temporary authorization for the new PDS services may cease at some point, the Self Determination Program will become available statewide in June 2021.

DDS website on Participant Directed Services: https://www.dds.ca.gov/corona-virus-information-and-resources/participant-directed-services/

Family Member Engagement Guide (ca.gov)

https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FinalFamilyMemberEngagementGuide_9.30.20.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions for Self-Advocates and Families About Participant-Directed Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Participant-DirectedServices_Self-Advocates-Families_FAQ_10052020.pdf

Updated Covid-19 statistics:

https://www.dds.ca.gov/corona-virus-information-and-resources/data/

Statewide general population who have tested positive: 1,430,000. Deceased: 20,238

Statewide DD Service Providers tested positive for Covid: 2500.

Statewide Regional Center clients who have tested positive: 5000. 368 hospitalized. 208 deceased.

Statewide Regional Center staff who have tested positive for Covid: 200.

ACRC clients who have tested positive: 274. Deceased: 16.

Direct Service Providers in ACRC catchment area who have tested positive: 135.

ACRC staff who have tested positive: 16.

Q: Has there been any feedback from providers, caregivers, or others regarding clients who could not tolerate the Covid-19 testing, or have we heard of anyone struggling with the test so much so that they could not complete the test? Has the inability to complete the testing process reduced access to some medical procedures where a test is required?

A:  Yes. We have had a couple clients refuse to be tested. There are also 2 types of testing via the nostril, one type is less invasive (doesn’t go as far up the nose) than the other. The least invasive method was successfully used last week for a group of clients with sensory issues.  

Of note:

· Caregivers and our providers have been instrumental with supporting clients through the testing process.

· In cases where a client would not be able to be tested prior to a medical procedure, we would defer to the client’s doctor(s) and clinical team to determine next steps.

· In general, and when a client would need to be tested, but refused, or was unable to tolerate the test, the planning team would consult with the doctor on a case by case basis to determine next step and options.

Q:  To our knowledge, the Covid-19 vaccine trials have not been conducted with people who have developmental disabilities. Is there any more information available about the vaccine use with people who have a developmental disability?

A:  We are not aware of information specific to the vaccine and people who have developmental disabilities. We know that the vaccine has been tested and approved for use with humans.  

Item 8. PUBLIC COMMENT

Meena Kalyanasundaran weembracefamilies@gmail.com : WeEmbrace is offering over 40 classes per week on a variety of topics including cooking, yoga, fitness, and arts/crafts. WeEMBRACE is non-profit org and their website is weembracefamilies.org.

Nicole Mion, Help me Grow - mentioned that they are doing a free giveaway today 12/15/20 for kids ages five and up.

The Department of Developmental Services has hosted a series of alternative services webinars delivered by various service providers across the state. SCDD coordinated one of these webinars. You can access recordings of these presentations at https://www.dds.ca.gov/corona-virus-information-and-resources/creative-corner/. Some of these providers offer free access to their online programs and some charge a fee.

Item 9. Statewide Self-Advocacy Network (SSAN). Lisa Cooley

· Julia Lowe, DDS, gave a presentation at the last SSAN meeting on Alternative Delivery of Non-Residential Services.

· Service providers are continuing to provide services, in alternative settings/virtual during the Pandemic.

· SSAN produced a newsletter called the Voices of SSAN, on the State Council website. https://scdd.ca.gov/selfadvocacy/

Item 10. State Council on Developmental Disabilities – Council. Joyce McNair

Joyce represents Sacramento county on the Council. She mentioned that Aaron Carruthers, SCDD ED, is on a Statewide Vaccine Committee and has facilitated Tier 1A access to COVID vaccines for those who care for a person with developmental disabilities. The SCDD will be hosting 4 sessions later this week to share information and get input from the community about the Covid-19 vaccine.

The State Council will have a new chair and vice chair as of January 2021. Wesley Witherspoon, self-advocate – has been appointed the new Chair. Lee Bycel, a family advocate, has been appointed as the Vice-Chair.

DDS issued a grant to the University of California to develop a standardized information packet for new clients of the regional centers. All Regional centers will have the same information to give to families and anyone else needing the information. 3 SA and 3 FA will serve on this advisory committee.

California State Assembly- created a new Committee on Emergency Management to oversee management of state response to fires and disasters.

Joyce thanked Sonya for all the hard work that happens at the Sacramento Regional office and that she is doing a great job even during Covid-19.

Item 11. Brief Reports from RAC Members on Issues in their counties

Benita Ayala (FA)

· Children and adults are struggling mentally during Covid-19, and she looks forward to how they can take care of people’s mental health and create awareness of these challenges. She also wants to bring awareness to the issues of race and disability.

Brandy Boyd (FA)

· Since the pandemic her daughter’s support staff have changed 3 times already. This has been very challenging.

· She serves on the City of Sacramento Disability Advisory Commission. Anyone is welcome to attend these monthly meetings. They take place the first Wednesday of every month at 6pm on Zoom. (The calendar was shared with RAC email list). She mentioned the City of Sacramento is having discussions about Equity which lack representation of people with ID/DD or other disabilities.

Christine Hickey (FA)

· Warmline is hosting support groups for kids ages 0-5 years old, there are Scrapbooking classes and other activities taking place as well. Sam, her son, is assisting to deliver activity packets to people’s homes. There has been good attendance.

· There is a NICU support group.

· 15 families (25 kids) participate in the PALS group.

· This Friday- she is looking forward to the group meeting where they will be making cookies.

· Chris is a new grandma to Lukas and looks forward to being able to spend time with him in person.

Donnell Kenworthy (FA)

· Home caring for her son and taking care of her mom.

· Serves on the MCDAC dental committee.

· Mentioned the more people share the better. Advocacy makes a difference.

· She mentioned that Kidada, Brandy, and she have all been involved with Warmline Family Resource Center and mentioned that they have a new Executive Director, Pam Chueh.

Glenda Servantes (SA) N/A

· Her son has daily Zoom meetings with his program, Quest. He has received some in-home respite. Yuba-Sutter transportation is providing some alternative services such as transporting people to the store or to the pharmacist.

Jesana Tran (FA)

· Disability Rights and Family Soup are collaborating to provide trainings on IEPs in Sutter, Yuba, and Colusa counties.

Karen Mulvany (FA)

1. She recently joined the SDAC (Self-Determination Advisory Committee) appointed by ACRC.

1. Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) – there have been a flurry of meetings over past 2-3 months

a. EVV is a federal requirement for all Medi-Cal funded direct support services

i. Electronic log in that records the start of service and the end of service

ii. Phase I includes IHSS and WPCS

iii. Phase II includes self-directed services, and waiver funded services including HCBS regional center funded services

 

b. Phase I: CDSS has recently changed the EVV implementation for IHSS providers and expects to roll it out Jan 1

i. New requirement: Real time electronic log in at the start of service and at the end of service

1. Live in providers are exempt; these comprise about half of the state’s roughly 600,000 IHSS providers

2. CDSS has already designed an app to simplify logout and login

3. CDSS is requiring overnight providers to wake up at midnight to log out and log in

ii. Advocacy needed to eliminate midnight logouts and logins for overnight staff: Health impacts of sleep disruption: see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5449130/pdf/nss-9-151.pdf

1. Sleep disruption will create health impacts for staff and potentially recipients if they are awakened at midnight also

2. Some progress – CDSS will have the system automatically log out at midnight

3. Federal law requires that staff login at the start of service and the end of service, not at midnight.

 

c. The DHCS will also implement an EVV system for Phase II services, including regional center funded services, but not until 2022-2024

i. Self Determination clients will need to have their staff use EVV starting at the beginning of 2022

ii. Advocacy needed to eliminate midnight wake up for logout/login which would hurt providers supporting individuals that require overnight care

d. Keep informed at https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/Pages/EVV.aspx

i. Sign up for updates at EVV@dhcs.ca.gov

 

1. Like a lot of rural counties, El Dorado County had very low COVID-19 infection rates until the past month or two. Now, county infections are skyrocketing, and positivity rates are higher than the rest of the state.

2. Local regional center vendored agencies are consequently very interested in priority access tier 1A to COVID-19 vaccine for their client-facing staff.

Kidada Medina (FA)

· Bridges of the Mind is offering workshops to help families. They are for children and adults but participation is limited due to Covid-19.

Michael Helton (SA)

· Nothing new to report. Staying home and staying safe.

Nancy Esparza (SA)

· Pride Transportation is giving people rides to places in the community and is delivering PPE.

Natalie Gray (SA

· Nothing to report

Tyson Whitman (SA)

· No comments to add for Placer.

Elaine Linn (FA) N/A

· Nothing new to report

Item 12. Elections for RAC Chair & Secretary; Nomination for Vice Chair

Chair: Brandy Boyd. All in Favor, except Kidada Medina who abstained. Congratulations Brandy!

Secretary: Karen Mulvany. All in Favor. Congratulations Karen!

Vice Chair Nominations for February: Benita Ayala and Nancy Esparza. After the meeting, Benita Ayala withdrew her acceptance of her nomination.

The new Chair and Secretary will assume their new duties at the February 9 RAC meeting.

Item 13. FUTURE MEETING DATES

Tuesday, February 9, 2021 10am-1pm

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 10am-1pm

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 10am-1pm

Tuesday, August 17, 2021 10am-1pm

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 10am-1pm

Tuesday, December 14, 2021 10am-1pm

Item 14. Meeting Adjournment12:00 pm

Item 15 Presentation

Beth Foraker, Co-Director of the Redwood SEED Scholar Program and Leonard Abbeduto, Ph.D., Director, UC Davis MIND Institute, discuss this new program for individuals with intellectual disabilities to attend UC Davis. Recording of presentation is available at: https://youtu.be/d0AkYq3XNyY .

Sacramento Regional Advisory Committee (RAC)

Schedule for 2021

Sacramento Regional Office

3831 N. Freeway Blvd. Ste. 125, Sacramento, CA 95834

916-263-8134 (or 916-715-7057 mobile)

sacramento@scdd.ca.gov

Meetings are being held via Zoom until further notice. https://scdd.ca.gov/sacramento/.

Tuesday, February 9, 2021 10am-1pm*

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 10am-1pm

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 10am-1pm

Tuesday, August 17, 2021 10am-1pm

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 10am-1pm

Tuesday, December 14, 2021 10am-1pm

*Please call or email office to double check dates and locations, in case of changes.

NOTE: All are welcome to attend. RAC members should notify SCDD Sac staff, at least 2 days prior to the meeting, if they are unable to attend.

These Zoom meetings require pre-registration on Zoom. Please do so as far in advance as possible. You will be emailed your own link to the meeting.

Recordings of

2020 SCDD Sacramento Regional Office Trainings

April 21, 2020 Dante Allen, ED, CalABLE on ABLE Accounts (link to different recent CalABLE training) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aORiXaR2llI

April 28, 2020 Brittnee Gillespie, Attorney/Clients’ Rights Advocate, Disability Rights California about about supports and services her office provides to clients of Alta California Regional Center and children with special needs who have Individual Education Plans. We also discuss changes that have occurred to services as result of Covid-19. https://bit.ly/2Qcpaw4

May 5, 2020 L. Vance Taylor, Chief, Office of Access and Functional Needs, CA Governor’s Office of Emergency Services on Covid-19 and people with Access and Functional Needs https://bit.ly/34jONmE

May 12, 2020 Carole Watilo, ED, Progressive Employment Concepts and Self-Advocates on Employment & Community Based Supports https://bit.ly/31evs4i

May 19, 2020 Andrew Pentacost, Senior Health Education Specialist, Health Education Department, California Health and Wellness/HealthNet on Managed Care regulations and services under the Affordable Care Act. We also address changes to medical services during Covid-19. https://bit.ly/3hh8HlV

May 26, 2020 April Wick, Executive Director, Resources for Independent Living (RIL) on Independent Living Center services and supports https://bit.ly/3hfynj3

June 2, 2020 Diana Maffei, Program Manager, Warmline Family Resource Center on services and supports through Family Resource Centers https://bit.ly/2QhXSUJ

June 11, 2020 Anthony Pico with the Aunt Bertha online social service resource platform on how this resource works and how you can use it to help yourself or others find resources in your community by zip code and topic of what you are seeking help with. https://bit.ly/3gdcAXL

June 16, 2020 Brittnee Gillespie, Attorney/Clients’ Rights Advocate, Disability Rights California on IHSS program, how to Prepare for Home Visits, Protective Supervision, and the Appeals Process. https://bit.ly/3aKgAOr

June 23, 2020 Raymond Hampson and other dads with Dad-Vocates fathers’ group discuss fathering a special needs child and unique challenges during COVID-19 https://bit.ly/2QaOu5r

June 30, 2020 Caryl Balko, Pride Industries Supported Employment, and job exploration, preparation, searching, on-the-job training, and ongoing supports for community employment. https://bit.ly/32eWJmN

July 7, 2020 Deirdre Fitzgerald, PhD, BCBA-D, Achievement by Design, discusses practical strategies to improve sleeping and waking routines during stressful times, such as COVID-19. https://bit.ly/3dex7cy

July 28, 2020 Lori Banales, Deputy Executive Director, and John Decker, Director of Community Services and Supports with Alta California Regional Center discuss updates regarding services & supports to individuals with developmental disabilities during COVID-19.

August 4, 2020 Danielle Cannarozzi, Community Outreach Specialist, LIBERTY Dental, discusses proper oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing, as well as healthy drinks/snacks for the best oral health for individuals with developmental disabilities. https://tinyurl.com/SCDDdentaltraining

August 11, 2020 Katherine Weston, Home and Community Based Specialist, Alta California Regional Center, helps us learn more about the CMS (Centers for Medicaid Services) Final Rule requirements for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and Person Centered Planning and how they will shape day program services and supports funded by the Regional Centers in the near future. https://tinyurl.com/SCDDHCBS2020

 

August 18, 2020 Chris Flannery is an Outreach Specialist with Aurrera Health Group who works with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to help implement the Health Homes Program (HHP), a new initiative which adds extra service benefits to qualifying Medi-Cal beneficiaries. HHP offers these extra services at no cost to Medi-Cal members with certain chronic health and/or mental health issues who have high health care needs or do not have a place to live. If you qualify, the HHP will offer health care services and other help to meet your needs. https://bit.ly/3l3hF8C

August 25, 2020  Kelsey Handcock, OCRA Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy serving clients of Alta California Regional Center, on Individual Program Plan (IPP) Strategies, Procedures, and the Complaint & Appeal Process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzLTuytLb-Q        

September 8, 2020 April Wick, Executive Director, Resources for Independent Living on Census2020 and its importance for the disability community. https://youtu.be/fIhE5VL88Lk

September 22, 2020 Fred Nisen, Supervising Attorney on Voting Rights with Disability Rights California and Russel Rawlings, Statewide Organizer, California Independent Living Centers discuss Voting Rights in 2020.

https://youtu.be/jUIEugVz-sE

September 24, 2020 Katherine Westin, HCBS Specialist, Alta California Regional Center offers a training on the Home and Community Based (HCBS) Waiver or Settings Rule/Final Rule and how it may affect community services funded through the regional centers. https://youtu.be/NNwlFQbTVAc

October 6, 2020 Employment Services from ACRC, Employment First Legislation and Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE): Cindy Le, Employment Services Specialist, Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) will discuss Employment Services from ACRC, Employment First Legislation and Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). https://youtu.be/mNIdC-kdDxE

October 13, 2020 Employment Services through the Department of Rehabilitation (Jose Garcia, Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, DOR) and Career Exploration supports through Golden Sierra Job Training Agency (Jessica Conant, MS, Disability Resource Coordinator) are explored. https://youtu.be/yAQdbg77Cws

October 15, 2020 Katherine Westin, HCBS Specialist, Alta California Regional Center offers a training on the Home and Community Based (HCBS) Waiver or Settings Rule/Final Rule and how it may affect residential services funded through the regional centers in California. https://youtu.be/z3HdBDkK9Og

October 20, 2020 Steve Ruder, BAC Program Coordinator at the UC Davis MIND Institute, discusses how the Business Advisory Council reaches out to educate businesses, connects them with other businesses who have hired individuals with disabilities as well as to supported employment agencies. Dee Gavaldon, Program manager and Benefits Counselor, Crossroads, A Pride Industries company, discusses Benefits Counseling for those transition to work who receive public benefits. https://youtu.be/0yGGt78IDzc

October 27, 2020 Let’s Celebrate our Stories! Nine self-advocates (and parents) shared stories about their employment experiences before, during, and after the Pandemic. They shared about how their work duties changed, and in some cases, how their employment goals have changed due to the current work climate. Progressive Employment Concepts - PEC, Pride Industries, and Strategies to Empower People – STEP, shared how they assisted these individuals to obtain their jobs, provide on-the-job training, and ongoing employment supports and coaching as job duties change. https://youtu.be/j1eb8_jee3Q

November 17, 2020 Amanda Hill, Community Outreach Manager for Anthem Blue Cross Medi-Cal plan discusses eligibility and enrollment, choosing a health plan and Anthem specific benefits during Covid-19. https://youtu.be/8ayarlDszxk

December 2, 2020 Katherine Westin, HCBS Specialist, Alta California Regional Center offers a training on the Home and Community Based (HCBS) Waiver or Settings Rule/Final Rule and how it may affect community services and licensed residential services funded through the regional centers. https://youtu.be/rwLr-xFy7Ro

December 8, 2020 Juliet Barraza, Kenya Martinez, Cheryl Thies, and Diana Vega, DREDF (Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund) share about their services as the Parent Training & Information center for 30 Northern CA counties. https://youtu.be/fM-6RB6ChTo

December 15, 2020 Beth Foraker, Co-Director of the SEED Scholar Program and Leonard Abbeduto, Ph.D., Director, UC Davis MIND Institute, discuss this new program for individuals with intellectual disabilities to attend UC Davis. https://youtu.be/d0AkYq3XNyY

A video journey of the SCDD – Sacramento Regional Office’s activities during 2020. It highlights how the office adapted and responded to the Covid-19 Pandemic to support the health, well-being, and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities. Special thanks to the staff and students with developmental disabilities in the video production class at DDSO Employment+ who produced this video. https://youtu.be/AX7RHixs3K8

A few other trainings SCDD has been involved with that you may find interesting:

June 8, 2020 SCDD's Festival of Learning Part 1. Person Centered Planning: The Five Valued Experiences is from Kirk Hinkleman and Beth Gallagher from Life Works in San Diego. https://youtu.be/tIqCFzRKzWU

August 10, 2020 SCDD’s Festival of Learning Part 2 shared how genuine person driven planning and flexible supports have assisted these individuals to identify ways to achieve their dreams! https://youtu.be/rvl-rV_EUc0

College Students and Professionals with Disabilities – almost 50 brief video interviews with adults with developmental disabilities talking about their experiences in college and employment (Produced, in part, with Grant funding from SCDD Sacramento Regional Office). https://bit.ly/3hbdbup

Success in College Booklet: Advice and Strategies from College Students and College Graduates who have Developmental Disabilities (Produced, in part, with Grant funding from SCDD Sacramento Regional Office). https://bit.ly/3l5Alob

Success in the Workplace Booklet: Advice and Strategies from Professionals who have Developmental Disabilities (Produced, in part, with Grant funding from SCDD Sacramento Regional Office). https://bit.ly/34iNzrV

2022-26 SCDD State Plan

Goal 1

The Council will empower people with intellectual/developmental disabilities to become strong self-advocates, peer trainers and community leaders.

Objective 1.1 The Council will provide information, resources and 125 trainings to strengthen 1,250 self-advocates in:

1) identifying and asking for the supports and services that they need;

2) becoming and serving as peer trainers; and,

3) developing skills and opportunities to engage as strong activists for issues that are important to them and their families

Objective 1.2 The Council will support self-advocates in peer networks by providing facilitation, tangible supports and peer advocacy/leadership opportunities through at least 1 statewide and 12 regional self-advocacy entities, reaching 6,000 self-advocates.

Goal 2

The Council will lead in partnership with family/self-advocates and others to protect and enhance civil rights and improve community-based systems to be more fully inclusive and supportive of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families.

Objective 2.1 The Council will develop, improve and/or change 30 practices, 15 policies, and 10 regulations (or guidance) and/or laws in the systems of regional centers, community-based services, and governmental entities. This work will include the areas of employment, education, housing, and health/safety in ways that will benefit people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and protect their civil rights, promote full inclusion, and/or provide additional supports and services, improving their lives in tangible ways.

Objective 2.2 The Council will engage in 20 regional and 5 statewide innovative/special projects and/or events in the areas of employment, education, housing, and health/safety to:

1) empower 5,000 people (family/self-advocates and others) in systems change efforts and give them information, skills and/or supports to increase their abilities to become effective advocates; and/or,

2) increase services to improve supports for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families.

Objective 2.3 The Council, in collaboration with California’s four (4) partners (one Protection and Advocacy agency and three University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities), will seek to improve the generic service system that impacts people with intellectual/developmental disabilities who are underserved by choosing an area of emphasis in the State Plan, such as education, employment, housing, and/or health/safety, and report on how that system is serving people with I/DD, gaps in that service delivery system, recommendations on how to improve the systems to meet the goals of the DD Act, and pursue policy and practice changes in those areas. The collaboration will result in 2 reports, 6 recommendations for policy or practice changes, and 2 Legislative or Administrative changes to policy or practice.

Goal 3

The Council will partner with and empower more people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families, so they know their rights and can advocate for and receive supports and services.

Objective 3.1 The Council will provide (staff-led, peer-led and/or collaborative) training to 60,000 people (family/self-advocates/others) throughout the state – virtually, online and/or in person - and provide technical assistance (TA)/advocacy clinics, reaching 50,000 people with assistance and resources to identify and obtain the supports and services that will help people with intellectual/developmental disabilities live a safer and healthier life.

Objective 3.2 The Council will engage in 100 projects and events in the areas of employment, education, housing, health/safety, and emerging issues, reaching 25,000 people (family/self-advocates/others) with information and resources to enhance their knowledge and increase their capacity to obtain supports and services that are important to them.

Objective 3.3 In order to reduce the disparities in obtaining a free, appropriate public education, the Council will work with 5,000 Spanish-speaking family/self-advocates throughout the state to advocate for and increase the number and type/quality of special education services they receive through their own local education agencies.

(RAC Input)

Introductory Language:

The Council’s new 5-year State Plan has been approved and will be submitted to the Administration on Community Living (ACL) Office on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD) by August 2021. SCDD received statewide input about the needs of Californians in developing its goals and objectives. The Council identified four (4) specific focal areas (Education, Employment, Health & Safety, and Housing) as the most critical areas of need.

We are now wanting RAC input on specific or emerging regional issues within these four (4) topic areas (Objectives 2.1, 2.2 & 3.2):

Education:

1.

2.

Employment:

1.

2.

Health & Safety:

1.

2.

Housing:

1.

2.

Additionally, the Council’s first goal is in the area of Self-Advocacy. Are there specific needs or project ideas that can be recommended for inclusion in SCDD’s annual workplan?

•

•

•

The following selected reports were submitted with the SCDD Council Packet for January 26, 2021. They demonstrate highlights of statewide work by SCDD Regional Offices, the Client Rights Advocacy/Volunteer Advocacy Services (CRA/VAS) Department, and the Quality Assessment Project.

The full report can be found at: https://scdd.ca.gov/councilmeetings/

REPORT FROM: TANIA MORAWIEC

DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PLANNING &

REGIONAL OFFICE OPERATIONS

REPORT RANGE 12/01/20-1/11/21

Regional Office Operations:

• The 12 regional offices continue to meet community need in crisis via PPE

distribution and go-kit emergency preparedness training.

• Zoom is being used to broadcast training to statewide audiences. SCDD

staff conducted 408 activities in the six state plan goal areas.

• SCDD is adding personnel. SCDD is in the final stages of the interview

process for a North Coast Regional Manager. SCDD is currently recruiting

two CPSII positions and a Deputy Director of Policy.

• SCDD’s Sequoia Regional Manager, Yolanda Cruz, is named to the

International Crisis Intervention (CIT) Board. She will continue to assist in

the development of innovative de-escalation and disability awareness

models among police and other first responders.

SCDD in the News:

https://www.aviationpros.com/airports/press-release/21203639/mineta-san-jos-international-airportmineta-san-jos-international-airport-introduces-sunflower-lanyard-program-to-ease-travel-for-peoplewith-disabilities

To increase awareness of IDD in the community, SCDD staff, in collaboration with the Bay Area Regional Manager and San Jose Airport Administration, offered a training to San Jose Airport employees on the Sunflower Lanyard Hidden Disability identification program. This is the second of two trainings and included sharing a power-point, flyers, and videos. The aim is for SCDD to remain available to the airport for ongoing consultation.

State Plan and Self-Advocacy Team:

Statewide Self-Advocacy Chats to support interaction and gather input on

preferred content have occurred on topics such as mental health and

employment. The self-advocacy team is leveraging resources from the “Let’s

Work” Project to teach networking skills.

SSAN Meeting held elections and appointed new members.

The state plan team reviewed and gathered data as well as expanded the data

gathering and report creation capabilities of Qualtrics. This team worked

collaboratively with ROMs to explore the most versatile and effective online

resource library and training tool for technical assistance. This team also began

preparation and data collection for the annual PPR report due in March.

The team works in collaboration with writer, Regional Office Managers and RACs

to gather community feedback on regionally informed topics and issues for

training in 2021.

ACTIVITY EXAMPLES BY STATE PLAN GOAL AREAS

FORMAL AND INFORMAL COMMUNITY SUPPORTS

• SDP Hearing to testify on RCOC's disencumbrance process and SDP

implementation- At the request of a self-advocate and their parent, SCDD

OCRO testified at a RCOC fair hearing on 12/18/20 to help lay the

foundation and groundwork of SDP, as this was the first SDP fair hearing in

Orange County and most ALJ's are unfamiliar with it. SCDD OCRO's

participation in this hearing drives our work in systems change by

explaining the foundation of SDP to a new audience and will allow staff to

determine the need for additional training. SCDD answered questions

including the role of SCDD in the I/DD service system, the purpose/intent of

the Lanterman Act and authorization of services, PCP, SDP legislation, SDP

process, unmet needs, authorized/utilized services and practices RCOC has

enacted that do not align with Lanterman Act.

• Staff and the liaison from the San Diego Regional Center provided an

Information Session on Self-Determination to 10 interested family

members. This is a monthly opportunity to provide information to the

community as the option to receive services in a self-determination option

will be available to all in June or July of 2021. Aside from the standard DDS

Self-Determination Power Point, staff also inform participants of the public

local SDAC meeting held every month, as well as how to sign up at DDS for

updates, and how to request being added to the list of possible open spots

for the current rollout of Self-Determination (although DDS has not

provided any information on how the replacement clients will be selected).

Questions are also noted which will be considered for addition to the FAQ

which will be placed online.

• SCDD staff participates in the monthly meeting of the North Los Angeles

Regional Center Disparity meeting. The purpose of this committee is to

address issues of funding disparities by regional centers towards various

groups of consumers and families, most notably Hispanic and Black

families. At SCDD's request they are pursuing setting up a Spanish-language

self-advocates group. SCDD staff also discussed the work of the vaccine

advisory committee and role of SCDD executive director to represent the

needs of people with developmental disabilities.

• SCDD staff provided training to Bugle Horn Autism Support Group on the

ABLE act. The purpose was to provide the information needed for them to

make an informed decision about establishing ABLE accounts with and for

their children with disabilities.

EMPLOYMENT

• Staff provided technical assistance to North State Councilmember, who is a

self-advocate, to prepare a testimony on her experiences working in a

sheltered workshop earning sub-minimum wage and how working in the

community earning minimum wage or better impacted her life on many

levels. Staff also assisted in preparing her to participate in a meeting with a

California Senator along with SCDD Executive Director, SCDD Deputy

Director of Policy, Disability Rights California Executive Director and the

Chair of the Council scheduled for January 6, 2021 from 12noon-1pm via

Zoom. The purpose of the meeting is to educate and advocate for support

on pending Sub-Minimum Wage Bill legislation. Staff provided support

during the planning meeting with the committee on January 4, 2021 at

9:30am to discuss the upcoming meeting, strategies and important points

to make with the Senator. North State Councilmember developed a

powerful testimony and was well prepared for the meeting.

• CIE Blueprint Orange County Local Partnership Agreement Meeting - SCDD

Orange County staff is a committee member on the Competitive Integrated

Employment (CIE) Blueprint Orange County Local Partnership Agreement

Meeting, which met via Zoom on December 17, 2020. OC LPA was created

to identify the ways where the local educational agencies (LEAs),

Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), Regional Center of Orange County, and

local community collaborators can work to streamline service delivery and

increase CIE opportunities for individuals with I/DD. SCDD Staff provided

input and discussion, as appropriate, with respect to the items discussed

including the RCOC RFP for Self-Determination (coaching and promotion of

self-advocates to become Ifs), clarification of needs & gaps for those with

IDD with respect to Be Well OC, and SCDD Monthly Self-Advocacy Chats.

EARLY INTERVENTION, EDUCATION, TRANSITION

• SCDD (Sacramento Regional Office) hosted a training on the new SEED Scholars Program at UC Davis with Beth Foraker, Co-Director, and Leonard Abbeduto, Ph.D. Director, UCD Mind Institute. The Redwood SEED Scholars Program will begin Fall 2021 at UC Davis campus in the dorms. 12 students with developmental disabilities will be selected to attend college and participate in employment training, independent living skills, core academics, budgeting, sexual health, job internships, and social inclusion. Receiving a 4-year degree is not the goal of the program. There are still many parts of the program that are being developed and the Covid Pandemic may influence the structure of the

program soon. There are 26 similar programs around the country but none

in California. They hope this will be a model for other UC campuses. This is

a 4-year grant. Application process will be online, and students will be

selected who can best fit the program design. 67 people registered for the

class, 7 SA, 23 FA, and 37 Others

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• PPE Distribution events are well-attended and PPE demand remains high. A

description of a regional event follows: Staff organized a weekly drive thru

PPE Distribution Event in Chico and Oroville through collaborative efforts

between Far Northern Regional Center (FNRC), SCDD, North State Regional

Office and Work Training Center (WTC). The events were scheduled for

December 3rd, 10th, 17th and the 24th of December from 10am-2pm in 2

locations - WTC program sites in Chico and Oroville. The events were

attended by a total of 500 people (300 SA's; 100 FA; 100 Other) and 725 kits

were distributed. Kits include a box of surgical masks, box of N95 masks and

2-16oz. hand sanitizers. Agency brochures and emergency preparedness

resources are also provided in each kit.

• SCDD (Sacramento Regional Office) staff participated in the bi-monthly Medi-Cal Dental Advisory Committee coordinated by the City of Sacramento Public Health Department. Staff have participated for several years. As the result of a

presentation SCDD and ACRC staff gave to this committee last year on the

challenges of access to general anesthesia dentistry in the Sacramento

region for individuals with ID/DD, the MCDAC received funding to set up a

Special Needs General Anesthesia Workgroup to meet for one year. That

workgroup produced a report highlighting the needs of the ID/DD

community related to accessing dental care. 4 new workgroups are tackling

issues raised in this report. SCDD staff chairs one of these subcommittees

and provided a summary of the 2 committees focused on "family education

and dental provider trainings" and "increasing alternative to anesthesia

dentistry for the ID/DD population". 4 family advocates attended this

MCDAC meeting at the suggestion of SCDD staff.

• SCDD Sacramento Regional Office staff provided a 3-hour Disabilities

Awareness Training to 34 officers of the Los Rios Community College Police

Department. This was their entire department and included dispatch

officers, campus security, police officers, and the Chief of Police. This

department provides security for 4 community college campuses in the

great Sacramento region. Due to increased contact with individuals with

disabilities they requested this training. Due to the Pandemic, it was

necessary to offer this training via Zoom. SCDD staff adapted the interactive

in-person curriculum for a virtual format using Polls, Chat Box, and group

participation. A family advocate and parent of a child with a developmental

disability was a guest and shared her experience as a parent of an African

American son with Autism. A transition teacher from Luther Burbank High

School joined the training and shared his experiences with his students with

autism and shared suggestions from the students about the best ways to

approach and interact with them. Disability history, current system

supports, regional centers, the Lanterman Act, Conservatorship, and Autism

and Cerebral Palsy were highlighted. Suggestions for ways to identify

someone may have a disability and suggestions for ways to improve

interactions with someone with a disability were discussed. Resources for

students with disabilities and homelessness/mental illness were shared.

SELF-ADVOCACY

• SCDD hosts a weekly virtual meeting with self-advocates. The purpose of

this meeting is to find out any issues people are facing as a result of the

prolonged pandemic stay at home order as well as to provide a social outlet

and information.

HOUSING

• FA in South Lake Tahoe requested information about housing options for

her son in the community as she and her husband do "end of life" planning

for themselves. They want to begin the process of helping their 30 year old

son move out into his own living situation, with assistance, so that

everything is set, in case something happens to them and they are no

longer able to care for him at home (for example, there are situations of 2

elderly parents dying suddenly of COVID-19 and leaving an adult child with

special needs - who needs to find an emergency residential placement).

Provided FA with a detailed list of possible options and agencies that could

support this planning process and connected her with another parent

involved in this. Encouraged her to work with her ACRC SC.

• SCDD Sacramento Regional Office staff participated in the Community Living Implementation Council (CLiC) & Advisory Council for the Aging Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) for Nevada County. This group of 25 organizations serving the aging and disability population in Nevada county meets regularly to collaborate and coordinate services with a "no wrong door" philosophy. Organizations shared how they are adapting services during Covid and the struggles of placing individuals into various living situations due to Covid restrictions and staffing limitations. There is an increase in Covid in Nevada county which is now in the Purple Tier. SCDD staff offered PPE, they shared about a training tonight on Home and Community Based Services, and about a

training with DREDF on December 8th. They were referred to www.scdd.ca.gov for more information and links to recorded trainings.

STAKEHOLDER COMMENTS:

"It is obvious you are really good at your job. You listen and took the time to

help me and my son. I'm lucky to have you as a resource."

Name:_____________________

SCDD Sac 2020

Just for fun, complete the crossword puzzle below!

Across

3. Name of a bag of items to take when you evacuate your house

4. Meeting to discuss Regional Center services and supports

7. A new program to give people more control over their services

8. Something simple that helps protect people from the virus

9. Pandemic that has turned our world upside down

10. Meeting to discuss educational needs and supports

Down

1. Platform used to connect with people when we can’t meet in person

2. Sing this song twice while washing your hands

5. When you speak up for yourself and your right

6. Gooey stuff that cleans our hands

3.

Please visit www.scdd.ca.gov for Plain Language Documents related to COVID-19 that SCDD has developed. You will see other documents, along with translations into Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and other languages. Please feel free to share.

If you are not currently on SCDD Sacramento Regional Office’s email list and would like to be added, please contact sonya.bingaman@scdd.ca.gov or 916-715-7057.

We have 3 email lists:

1. SCDD Statewide List (using Constant Contact platform)

2. SCDD Sacramento Regional List (using Mailchimp platform)

3. SCDD Sacramento – “SCDD Sac Community”. Sonya Bingaman’s Group Email List – forwarding flyers, trainings, news, events related to the ID/DD community.

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