A message from our Executive Director
TO: Penelope Fode, Board President & Board of Directors, San Gabriel / Pomona Valleys Developmental Services, Inc.
FROM: Anthony Hill, M.A. J.D. Esq., Executive Director
SG/PRC’s Critical Business Functions
All critical functions including Intake/Eligibility, Client Services, Fiscal, Clinical, Human Resources, Quality Assurance and Information Technology are at optimal levels. We are implementing our Abundance of Caution strategy, in that we are adjusting our business practices according to public health policy guidance, rates of COVID-19 transmission, and SG/PRC data.
Beginning September 13, 2021, all Service Coordinators and Client Service Managers are scheduled workdays in the office at a minimum of 1 day weekly. Directors, and staff with our Fiscal, Human Resources, Intake & Eligibility, Information Technology, Records/Indexing, and Administrative Teams are working primarily in the office.
The SG/PRC office has remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors and staff are required to wear a face mask and pass a contactless temperature screening device. We have held firm with this practice, even though guidance from local public health authorities has varied. Our Porter cleans and sanitizes our business office daily, supported by other internal health and safety protocols. We are very proud of our distinction of being the only regional center throughout the pandemic that has continued to provide in-person intake/eligibility assessments and early intervention clinics.
Vaccine & Disclosure Mandate
Effective August 9th, 2021, all SG/PRC employees were mandated to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or alternatively demonstrate proof of a valid exemption allowable under the guidance of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. SG/PRC has achieved 100% compliance in that all staff are either fully vaccinated or have an allowable legal exemption.
Additionally, all SG/PRC employees are required to disclose vaccination status immediately when conducting agency business at residential facilities, intermediate care facilities, skill nursing facilities, adult family homes, supported living arrangements, schools and any setting where an individual served lives, and upon request at jails, homeless shelters or other community or governmental agencies that might require disclosure. SG/PRC employees were designated as healthcare workers from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) during February 2021 (See Attachment A).
Intake/Eligibility Data First Quarter FY21/22
Early Intervention/Intake
- 214 New Referrals
- 216 Eligibility Reviews
- 4 Reactivations
- 197 Children found eligible
Lanterman/Intake
- 49 New Referrals
- 41 Eligibility Reviews (EI transition)
- 16 Reactivations
- 59 Eligible (/EI transitions)
- 10 Provisional Eligible
(See Attachment B)
Telecommunications Upgrade
We met our timeline, set for September 1, 2021. We have successfully transitioned into our new telecommunications system, featuring unlimited teleconferencing, texting, soft phone, and one prefix (710) for all staff. Our main number has remained the same (909) 620-7722. The SG/PRC staff telephone directory is located at www.sgprc.org. Our intake staff have reported positive outcomes, in that the text feature has been used as an appointment reminder, decreasing the number of no-shows we had experienced prior.
SG/PRC COVID-19 Data
Los Angeles County COVID-19 positivity rate 7-day average reported on September 9, 2021, is 1.85%. Currently we have (5) hotspots. “Hotspots” are operationally defined as at least one COVID-19 positive test outcome for either an individual served that resides in a residential facility or a staff that delivers care and supervision (See Attachment C).
SG/PRC’s COVID-19 Testing Clinic
Effective August 16, 2021, our COVID-19 testing clinic is open an additional day. It will be open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays for individuals served and their families, service provider staff and their families, and SG/PRC staff and their families. The clinic is held at the SG/PRC office from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. We are currently exploring additional testing resources to supplement what we have, because we anticipate an increase in testing demand observed by LACDPH data and impact from the recent federal order “Emergency Temporary Standard” mandating COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 testing for employers with more than 100 employees (See Attachment D).
COVID-19 Vaccine Data
As required by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Directive, SG/PRC is collecting COVID-19 vaccine data for individuals served. We are collecting the vaccine brand, whether the individual served is fully vaccinated, and whether the individual served demonstrated their choice to decline COVID-19 vaccines. SG/PRC’s vaccine data collection efforts remain at the top of the list of regional centers according to DDS Data at www.dds.ca.gov under COVID-19 data.
Breaking Barriers
SG/PRC, in collaboration with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California is co-hosting Breaking Barriers Conference, Developing Possibilities; Lessons Learned from COVID-19. The conference will be held in a Zoom platform and live streamed. The Multidisciplinary Conference for healthcare professionals will be held on October 8, 2021, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with Mr. Andy Imparato, Keynote Speaker, Executive Director Disability Rights of California, Member of Biden/Harris COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. The Family Day Conference will be held on Saturday October 9, 2021, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with Keynote Speaker Dr. Alicia Bazzano, MD. PhD, MPH, Medical Director, Special Olympics. Please join us (See Attachment E).
SG/PRC’s Dental Clinic September 11, 2021
On September 11, 2021, SG/PRC hosted its fourth (4th) dental clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. The SG/PRC dental clinic is a collaborative partnership with Dr. Banner, University of Southern California, California State University, Fullerton, University of California, Los Angeles and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. The clinic was held in the SG/PRC parking lot under canopy tents, allowing space for physical distancing. Attendees were required to pass a contactless temperature screening monitor, and wear face masks.
The purpose of the dental clinic is to support the individual served with securing a permanent dental provider. The dental clinic offers screenings, dental x-rays and implementation of desensitization strategies relying on doctrines of applied behavior analysis. At least 60 individuals served attended our clinic.
SG/PRC’s Expenditures FY 20/21
We are projecting FY 20/21 budget reserves in Operations reflecting the amount of $251,556 and in Purchase of Service of the amount of $9,061,047.
Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
SG/PRC Caseload Ratios
As reported prior, SG/PRC did not meet statutory requirements for caseload ratios. SG/PRC is required to submit a plan of correction to DDS (See Attachment F).
FY 21/22 Budget Initiatives
Budget year has an extraordinary number of public policy initiatives (26) in comparison to prior years (See Attachment G).
Extension of Waivers, Modifications, and Directives Due to COVID-19
(See Attachment H)
Department Directive on Requirements Waived due to COVID-19
Early Start in-person meetings, Individual Family Service Plan meetings are permissible through electronic teleconferencing technologies when requested by the parent or legal guardian, until June 30, 2022. This Directive was further modified, deleting in-person Lanterman Act meetings subordinated through Trailer Bill AB 136 amending Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4646(f), allowing remote services and supports meetings through use of remote electronic technologies through June 30, 2022, when requested by the individual served, their legal representative or Conservator.
Department Directive on Requirements Waived due to COVID-19 and Additional Guidance
Day Program Services must be provided in accordance with local public health authority guidance and concurrently with guidance issued through the California Department of Social Services and the California Department of Public Health. Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4731 Complaint response timelines are no longer waived.
Amendments Requirements Waived due to COVID-19
COVID-19 absences connected to residential facility placements, are billable, if the regional center agrees the absence is related to COVID-19 and for the purpose of preventing or mitigating the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
Extension of Early Start Services
This Directive delegates regional centers authority to fund services previously authorized under the Early Start Individual Family Service Plan for the purpose of supporting the transition between Part C and Part B services. This Directive is not an extension of the age range for Early Start services or an amendment to Early Start eligibility program requirements or continuation of Early Start services in lieu of available services through the School District.
Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) Updates
The Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) represents the 21 non-profit regional centers that advocate on behalf of and coordinates services for California’s over 350,000 people with developmental disabilities.
The Association functions as a leader and advocate in promoting the continuing entitlement of individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve their full potential and highest level of self- sufficiency. The Association participates in the development of public legislative policy that impact individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Assembly Bill 445 (AB 445)
(AB 445) is a bill sponsored by Assemblymember Calderon that removes administrative barriers (collection of unrelated information) cluttering the pathway for individuals with developmental disabilities to secure eligibility assessments and delivery of critical services. Governor Newsom signed (AB 445) on August 31, 2021. It is now California Law. ARCA and SG/PRC supported (AB 445) (See Attachment I).
Assembly Bill 580 (AB 580)
Assemblymember Rodriguez (AB 580) amends existing law, requiring a standardized emergency management system for use by all emergency response agencies including the appointment of representatives of the disabled community to serve on committees that will help develop policy related to the system. On September 10, 2021, ARCA submitted a formal written request for Governor Newsom to sign ( AB 580) (See Attachment J).
Senate Bill 14 (SB 14)
Senator Portantino and others introduced (SB 14) amending Education Code Section 48205, to include accommodations related to the behavioral health needs of students, expanding the term |illness| to include mental or behavioral health for the purpose of excused absence. On September 13, 2021, ARCA submitted a formal written request for Governor Newsom to sign (SB 14) (See Attachment K).
Senate Bill 224 (SB 224)
Senator Portantino and others introduced (SB 224), that will require school districts and charter schools to include mental health instruction within health educational courses. This bill affirms that mental health is critical to overall health, well-being and academic success. It further advances that the public education system is an efficient and effective setting for providing this education to youth. It also, recognizes that mental health challenges affect all age groups, races, ethnicities and socioeconomic classes. On September 9, 2021, ARCA submitted a formal written request for Governor Newsom to sign (SB 224) (See Attachment L).
Senate Bill 639 (SB 639)
On September 10, 2021, the California Legislature took action moving California closer to the position adopted by 12 other states banning businesses from paying people with developmental disabilities wages below the prevailing minimum wage. (SB 639) establishes a timeline for full implementation. On August 5, 2021, ARCA issued a letter to the sponsor of (SB 639), Senator Elena Durazo requesting a structured pathway to achieve this goal. Approximately 10,000 individuals served are impacted through the implementation of (SB 639).
September 2021 – Executive Director’s Report (PDF)
September 2021 – Attachments (PDF)