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
Beginning October 25, 2021, all Service Coordinators and Client Service Managers are scheduled workdays in the office at a minimum of 2 days 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.
Intake/Eligibility Data First Quarter FY21/22
Early Intervention/Intake
- 698 New Referrals
- 653 Eligibility Reviews
- 21 Reactivations
- 4 Transfer In
- 614 Children found eligible
Lanterman/Intake
- 132 New Referrals
- 147 Eligibility Reviews
- 174 Eligibility Reviews (EI transitions)
- 97 Exiting EI/ Eligible
- 47 Reactivations
- 23 Provisional Eligible
(See Attachment A)
SG/PRC COVID-19 Data
Los Angeles County COVID-19 positivity rate 7-day average reported on October 9, 2021, is 0.88%. The SG/PRC data for COVID-19 positivity rate shows a slight increase due to breakthrough infections occurring in fully vaccinated individuals served that live in a specific congregate living setting (See Attachment B).
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.
SG/PRC’s COVID-19 Testing Clinic
Our SG/PRC testing Clinic is 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 business office from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. We are very close to securing a rapid testing option through our partnership with California Department of Public Health, Color and Valencia Branch Laboratories (See Attachment C).
SG/PRC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot and Flu Shot Clinic
On November 4th, 2021, at the SG/PRC business office, SG/PRC will be offering a Pfizer COVID-19 Booster and flu shot clinic. The Pfizer COVID-19 Booster vaccine is available for individuals 18 years of age or older; have received the Pfizer vaccine series as least six months ago and have underlying medical conditions or fit within the occupation- based category of frontline/high risk/ essential workers. The Flu shot is only for individuals 18 years in age or older (See Attachment D).
SG/PRC’s Dental Clinic November 6, 2021
On November 6, 2021, SG/PRC will host its 5th 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 is held in the SG/PRC parking lot under canopy tents, allowing space for physical distancing. Attendees are 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 (See Attachment E).
Self- Determination Program Orientation Training
We are very excited about the expansion of choice in the method of service delivery available through the Self-Determination Program (SDP). The first step along the way to becoming a participant in the Self-Determination Program is attendance and participating in the SDP orientation training. SG/PRC will host a two-part orientation series; part (1) Saturday, October 23, 2021, 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. and part (2) Saturday, October 30, 2021, 9:30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Please join us, if you are interested in learning more about SDP or if you have decided to participate in the SDP. During both training sessions, we will offer translation services, in Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, and Vietnamese languages. These trainings will be offered through Zoom teleconferencing (See Attachment F).
Critical Issues Forum/Special Needs Trust
On November 10, 2021, through Zoom teleconferencing format from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., SG/PRC will be offering a critical issues conversation regarding special needs trust. Laura K. Miller, Master Trust Administrator, Revenue Manager with Inland Regional Center will serve as our guest presenter. Please join us as we learn about this important topic that will offer insight on how to protect an individual served eligibility for public benefits, and for that person to receive a loving gift for a specific purpose from a family member, relative or loved one (See Attachment G).
SG/PRC’s Expenditures FY 21/22
According to the C-1 Amendment SG/PRC’s Operations allocation is $34,724,969 with year-to-date expenditures $5,740,983 and projected remaining expenditures of $27,186,790.
The Purchase of Service Allocation is $318,032,645 with year-to-date expenditures of $38,631,441 and projected expenditures of $278, 571, 328 leaving a balance of $5,829,877 yearend.
Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Regional Center Performance Measures Workgroup
On September 22, 2021, DDS convened the Regional Center Performance Measures Workgroup.
The purpose of the workgroup is to develop recommendations before January 10, 2022, as part of the Governor’s Budget. Priority areas for performance indicators and benchmarks, include the following, although not limited:
- Equity in service access and purchase of services.
- Consumer employment and associated metrics.
- Integration of consumers in the community.
- Person- centered planning.
- Compliance with federal home and community-based standards.
- Consumer and family experience and satisfaction.
- Innovation in service availability and delivery.
- The workgroup’s composition is very diverse, including self-advocates, family members, key stakeholder agencies, and three regional center Executive Directors that includes the SG/PRC Executive Director. The workgroup’s next meeting is scheduled for October 27, 2021, through Zoom at 2:00 p.m. (See Attachment H).
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots
On September 24, 2021, DDS issued guidance regarding the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot as an added layer of protection against COVID-19 infection. This Directive provides an overview of recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and makes specific notice that underlying medical conditions include Down Syndrome (See Attachment I).
State Public Health Order Regarding Worker Vaccination Mandate
On September 28, 2021, DDS reinstated newly issued guidance under the authority of Welfare & Institutions Code Section 4639.6 applying the Public Health Order requiring a full vaccination no later than November 30, 2021, or demonstration of legal exemption that is applied to practically all service providers and service code categories found in California Title 17 California Code of Regulations, and all regional center employees. If a worker is exempted for religious beliefs or medical reasons, they must be tested once weekly and wear a surgical mask. If a worker is exempted, their employer must retain a record of exemption and each worker’s test results (See Attachment J).
Restoration of Camping, Social Recreation and Other Services Pursuant to WIC Section 4648.5
DDS issued guidance to regional centers related to restoration of camping services, associated travel expenses, and social recreation activities for all ages. Service Coordinators will discuss these restored services within conversations held during planning team meetings.
Regional Centers are required to create an outreach plan and revise their purchase of service policies and submit both to DDS before December 15, 2021 (See Attachment K).
Office of The Self-Determination Ombudsperson
On October 12, 2021, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) announced Ms. Katie Hornberger as the Acting Self-Determination Program Ombudsperson. Ms. Hornberger has served individuals with developmental disabilities for many years as an advocate in the role of the Director of the Office of Clients’ Right Advocacy. Ms. Hornberger will host two informational sessions through Zoom occurring on October 19, 2021, from 12 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and October 22, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The meeting ID is 997 9018 4809, and passcode is 174246. Ms. Hornberger can be reached at (916) 651-2025 or at Katie.Hornberger@DDS.CA.GOV.
Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan
Providers or suppliers who bill Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program Services are eligible for relief for changes in operations expenses from July 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021, with $17 billion set aside for Provider Relief Fund Phase 4. Under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural funding relief is available for changes in operations expenses dating back to January 1, 2020 (See Attachment L).
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.
U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Constitution Subcommittee
On September 28, 2021, the U. S. Senate Judiciary Committee Constitution Subcommittee held a Hearing on Toxic Conservatorships: The Need for Reform. Dr. Clarissa Kripke, Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco provided testimony as a medical professional and as a parent of a non-speaking adult opposing Conservatorships.
Dr. Kripke articulated a three-prong analysis, offering details that (1) Conservatorships Are Not Necessary; (2) Conservatorships Do Not Protect Vulnerable People from Abuse; and (3) Supported Decision-Making Works Well in Practice (See Attachment M).
October 2021 – Executive Director’s Report (PDF)
October 2021 – Attachments (PDF)