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Early Start Transition Conference / Conferencia de Transición de Early Start / Early Start 전환 컨퍼런스

The goal of the Early Start Transition Conference is to inform parents about the transition process when their child graduates from Early Start and transitions into the school district’s special education programs. Parents will learn about their role, how to be prepared for their IEP meeting, and what to expect during the transition.

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El objetivo de la Conferencia de Transición de Early Start (Intervención Temprana) es informar a los padres sobre el proceso de transición cuando sus hijos se gradúan de Early Start y pasan a los programas de educación especial del distrito escolar. Los padres aprenderán acerca de su función, cómo estar preparados para su reunión del IEP y qué esperar de la transición.

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본 “Early Start 전환” 컨퍼런스의 목표는 부모님들께 자녀가 조기 개입 서비스를 졸업하고 교육구의 특수교육 프로그램을 시작하는 과정을 알리는 것입니다. 여러분들이 이 과정에서 부모님의 역할과 회의에 대해 준비하는 법, 그리고 이 과정이 어떻게 진행되는지에 대해 배울 수 있는 기회입니다.

*Interpretation is available upon request. / *Interpretación esta disponible a pedido. /  *요청시 통역이 제공됩니다.

This conference will be offered virtually via ZOOM. / Esta conferencia se ofrecerá virtualmente a través de ZOOM. / 본 컨퍼런스는 ZOOM을 통해 화상으로 진행됩니다.

You can participate in this conference BY REGISTRATION ONLY. / Usted puede participar en esta conferencia POR REGISTRO SOLAMENTE. / 참석을 원하시는 분은 다음 링크를 통해 사전 등록을 하셔야 합니다.

Registration link / Enlace de registro / 등록 링크

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 / Martes, 16 de abril de 2024 / 2024년 4월 16일 화요일

9:30 a.m. - Transition from Early Start / Transición de Early Start / 조기 시작 프로그램의 마무리
Becky Lam– Assistant Director of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.) Implementation, Lanterman Regional Center / Becky Lam– Subdirectora de la Ley de Educación para Individuos con Discapacidades (I.D.E.A.) Implementación / Becky Lam– 랜터맨 리저널 센터 미국 특수교육법 (I.D.E.A.) 시행의 어시스턴트 디렉터

10 a.m. - Special Education, Intake, Assessment and Inclusion / Educación Especial, Admisión, Evaluación e Inclusión / 특수교육, 인테이크, 평가 및 통합 교육

  • Allison Jolley - Program Specialist, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Special Education Services / Especialista del Programa, Distrito Escolar Unificado de Los Ángeles / 로스앤젤레스 교육구(LAUSD) 특수 교육 서비스 프로그램 전문가
  • Anjie Michalopoulos - Early Intervention Specialist, Burbank Unified School District (BUSD) / Especialista de Intervención temprana, Distrito Escolar Unificado de Burbank (BUSD) / 버뱅크 교육구(BUSD) 조기 개입 전문가
  • Andra Clarke - Preschool Special Education Inclusion Teacher, Glendale Unified School District (GUSD) / Maestra de Inclusión de Educación Especial de Preescolar, Distrito Escolar Unificado de Glendale (GUSD) / 글렌데일 교육구(GUSD) 유치부 특수교육 통합교육 교사
  • Jay Schwartz - Senior Director, Foothill SELPA / Director Senior Foothill SELPA / 수풋힐 셀파 교육구 수석 이사
  • Julie McLean - Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) / Maestra de Educación Especial de Primera Infancia, Distrito Escolar Unificado de Pasadena (PUSD) / 패서디나 교육구(PUSD) 유아 특수교육 교사

11:30 a.m. - Starting School Right - Transitioning to School District Services at Age 3 / Empezando Bien la Escuela - Transición a los Servicios del Distrito Escolar a la Edad de 3 Años / 학교 생활의 바른 시작 - 3세에 시작하는 교육구의 특수 교육
Lanterman Regional Center Law Clinic / Clínica de Leyes del Centro Regional Lanterman / 랜터맨 리저널 센터 법률 클리닉

12 p.m. - Q&A / Preguntas y Respuestas / 질의 응답
All Speakers / Todos los Oradores / 강사 전원

If you have any questions, contact the Koch-Young Resource Center at kyrc@lanterman.org or 213.252.5600/213.212.8194, or Thrawlynne Lopez at tlopez@lanterman.org or 213.212.8292. / Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con el Koch-Young Resource Center al kyrc@lanterman.org o 213.252.5600/213.212.8194, o Thrawlynne Lopez a tlopez@lanterman.org o 213.212.8292. / 질문이 있으시면 KYRC로 연락 주십시오. KYRC kyrc@lanterman.org / 213.252.5600/213.212.8194 또는 Thrawlynne Lopez tlopez@lanterman.org / 213.212.8292.

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Phase I of the New, Online Provider Directory to Launch Spring/Summer 2024

Reshare from the Department of Developmental Services

Dear Community Partners:

DDS is committed to helping Californians with developmental disabilities and their families access information about regional center services. In talking with self-advocates, families and service providers, we have heard the value of having information about services available at both a local and state level.

To help with this, DDS is actively developing an online statewide Provider Directory. The goals of the Provider Directory are to:

  • Have visibility into California’s network of developmental services providers
  • Establish consistency and standards for provider vendorization
  • Make it easier for individuals and families to find service options, leading to greater empowerment when selecting their services and supports

What is the Provider Directory? 

The Provider Directory is an online portal that will be used to input, store and view information about all service providers in the state. 

The Provider Directory will centralize information about service providers that work with multiple regional centers, help to clarify the organizational structure within companies, maintain up-to-date contact information, and assist communication among DDS, regional centers and service providers.

When fully developed, the Provider Directory will make it possible to determine where services are available and needed, track development of new resources and be searchable by self-advocates and families to identify service options in their community.

How is the Provider Directory getting started?

The Provider Directory will be developed in phases, adding features over time that will be useful to our community.

The first phase begins with gathering information about all service providers and verifying that the information is accurate and categorized in the same way. For Phase 1, only regional centers and service providers are able to access the directory to help enter and confirm data.

Future phases will focus on making the Provider Directory accessible to individuals and families. We will keep you informed as we get closer to having a search function available to individuals and families. Since the Provider Directory is a new system and one that includes approximately 46,000 distinct vendored services, it will take time, but we will provide updates on the progress.

This is a big task and to be successful we need all service providers to participate!

  • Training will be available for service providers. 
  • DDS will offer incentive payments to service providers through the Quality Incentive Program (QIP)
    • More information about the incentive payout will be provided in future communications
    • We will rely on the Provider Directory information for future QIP activities, including payment for outcome and quality measures

What will happen in future phases of the Provider Directory project? 

DDS will build on the information collected in Phase I to add features that focus on:

  • Making the vendorization process easier for service providers
  • Integrating with the State’s case management & fiscal systems
  • Helping individuals and families find services in their communities that have staff who speak their preferred language

This exciting project will serve our entire community. As a comprehensive and accessible source of information, the Provider Directory will improve transparency, evaluation of systemwide resources, and most importantly, help individuals and their families get information that can support making informed decisions about their services.

Additional Information:

Visit the Provider Directory page

Sign up to be added to the Provider Directory email distribution list.

Questions? E-mail ProviderDirectory@dds.ca.gov

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Remembering Howard McBroom - Friend to Many, Staunch Advocate and Motivational Speaker (1955-2024)

The end of February, Howard McBroom's friends, of which there were many, gathered together to celebrate his life at the La Canada Country Club. Howard was a prolific writer and in his nearly 70 years, he was also a tremendous advocate against hate, bullying and gun violence. He left a lasting impression on everyone he met and his advocacy efforts will live on in all of us who had the pleasure to know Howard and be inspired by his words and actions. The world is a better place for having had Howard in it.

Here are some favorite quotes from Howard:

  • "The way to build yourself up is by doing good things in the world and lifting up other people."
  • "Life and love are the two most valuable things. We all have a right to love, to live our lives, and to do good work in the world."
  • "Hate does not equal power; it can only lead to destruction. And hate can never build anything good, only kindness and compassion can."

To learn more about Howard's remarkable life, continue reading the tribute from Srbui Ovsepyan, on behalf of Lanterman Regional Center.

Howard McBroom came to Lanterman Regional Center in May 2004 by way of a referral through a friend from church. He was 48 years old, living in a converted garage in Burbank, and had recently lost a job. While Howard had been living in California for 27 years by that time, he had struggled with maintaining consistent employment but continued to find work and was able to support himself through the assistance of members of his church. At the time of his referral, Howard was not working, and he needed help. At his meetings early on with the Regional Center, Howard shared that he always knew he was “different” but he didn’t know what was different about him. As a child, he was diagnosed with a “neurological disorder” and he knew he had trouble with coordination, walking and was hard of hearing. His progressive hearing loss, he felt, contributed to his speech difficulties. He knew he had received services in school as a child but had never received a formal diagnosis. Finally, at the age of 48, Howard received a diagnosis of Autism. For him, this diagnosis brought a world of clarity, understanding, insight and compassion. His drive for advocacy was propelled into a new level, one that was focused on advocating for not just for himself, but for those around him with a developmental disability.
 
Howard's work in advocacy did not start when he came to the Regional Center or received his diagnosis. Rather, Howard has been an advocate all of his life. Howard often talked about how difficult his childhood was. He shared that he was bullied relentlessly by his classmates, and once said “it was no fun living in fear.” In 2011, seven years after he was diagnosed with Autism, Howard was featured in a newsletter published through the Regional Center where he talked about where his advocacy came from. He talked about his high school history teacher, Mr. Marshall. Mr. Marshall was also the coach of the school basketball team. He mentored Howard and became like a father figure to him. Mr. Marshall ultimately made Howard the team manager, inspiring him to see beyond his differences with his peers and instead focus on their similarities. It was then that Howard said he found his voice. In 2004, after learning about his diagnosis, Howard’s voice seemed to find a new purpose.
 
Shortly after coming to Lanterman, Howard was assisted with moving into subsidized housing through the United Cerebral Palsy apartments, now known as Momentum. By 2007, three short years after coming to Lanterman Regional Center, Howard was nominated to serve on the Board of Directors. He served as a Board member for three consecutive terms, finally reaching his term limits in 2014. At the same time, Howard served as the Chair of the Client Advisory Committee, a committee of the Board of Directors that was made up of self-advocates who helped inform and further the Center’s work. He also served on the Programs and Services Committee, another committee of the Board, where he helped to inform the development of purchase of service standards, reviewed and monitored the progress of the Regional Center's performance plan and gave recommendations to the Board of Directors on policy development related to case management. Howard dedicated nearly 16 years of his life to serving the developmental disabilities community through his various leadership roles and commitments held at the Lanterman Regional Center. He served on both committees up until a few months before his passing. 
 
Howard’s advocacy work didn’t stop with his service on the Board and committees of the Regional Center. Instead, Howard quickly became one of the most sought-after public speakers in the community. By 2012, Howard had many speaking engagements through the Department of Rehabilitation, and at the Job Club, where he spoke to people with disabilities about workforce challenges and ways to overcome obstacles in life and during work. Once of my favorite titles of Howard's work in this area was called, “How to Get Off Loser Street and Stay on Winners Way.”
 
Howard was also invited to speak as a motivational speaker to a parent support group through Easterseals, where he shared his life experiences and gave messages of strength and resilience to families with children with disabilities.
 
In 2011, Howard was featured in a Los Angeles Times article called “Autism Hidden in Plain Sight” about people getting diagnosed later in life. This article caught the eye of a psychiatrist from Germany,  Dr. Georg Theunissen. The following year, in 2012, Dr. Georg came to Los Angeles, and through the connections made by then Executive Director, Diane Anand, he was introduced to Howard. They had several meetings together, where Howard was interviewed for his book called, “The Practice of Autism in America.” Howard’s interview was featured in a chapter of the book. Three years later, in 2015, Dr. Georg came back to LA and presented an idea to Howard. He wanted to have a conference about Autism in Germany, the first ever of its kind, where psychiatric professionals and people with Autism could come together under one roof and have a discussion. The Conference was to be called, “Autism in Dialogue” and Howard was invited to attend and speak at it. Through the unique coordination and assistance from Lanterman Regional Center and his support staff at United Cerebral Palsy, Howard was able to get his passport, pack his essentials, make arrangements for assistance at the airport, and was on a plane to Zurich. Once there, Howard was met by Dr. Georg and his wife, with whom Howard stayed for 10 days to attend the conference and see the wonderful sights of Berlin.
 
At the conference, Howard spoke to the main audience as well as in breakout sessions on the following topics: “The Effects of Autism on Me”, “My Story” and “The Regional Center System and Self-Determination.” Howard’s story was titled, “Hope from America.” In January of 2016, Howard shared a presentation to Lanterman’s Board of Directors, where he said “I am very proud to represent the Regional Center in such a large-scale advocacy effort.” Just last year, Howard was asked to share about his experiences with the Regional Center, as part of a training video that he made for our new staff. In it, Howard recounted this trip to Germany, stating that this was one of the best experiences of his life, and with the Regional Center. He said, “In a way, I helped make a small part of history.” We certainly agree.
 
A couple of years prior to his trip to Germany, Howard was asked to participate in the filming of a documentary called “Autism in Love” which followed six individuals with Autism in varying relationships, from single to married, in order to explore their successes, trials and tribulations with love. The filming crew followed Howard to Jeffersonville, Indiana to film Howard at his 40th high school reunion. The documentary aired later that year. When talking about this experience, Howard said this documentary was very special to him because it covered two of the most important topics for him – Autism and Love. When Howard first came to the Regional Center, he shared that he often found most of his comfort when he was alone, which we know can be common for people with Autism. However, in the community that Howard found through the Regional Center, through his new apartment at United Cerebral Palsy, through his church and through the many, many community engagements he participated in, Howard found a different kind of comfort, a comfort he found from being around all of us.
 
From 2018 on, Howard continued to participate in a variety of conferences across the country and even in Canada. Many of these activities he did through Easterseals, which I’m sure we’ll hear more about later. Others, he participated as a representative of Lanterman Regional Center. He attended the SDP Local Advisory Committee and the Client Advisory Committee conferences held in Sacramento, CA. He participated in and attended various trainings on Autism, demonstrating his continued desire for knowledge, resources, advocacy and connection. In 2020, Howard was among the first group of individuals to pilot the Self-Determination Program at Lanterman Regional Center. As many of you know, Howard was a champion for the Self-Determination Program; he believed in the values of the program and promoted and advocated for the implementation of the program statewide and until his last breath. We will hear more about the work that Howard did for the Self-Determination Program and his success story directly from those who helped make that possible for Howard, so I won’t say more on this. But I think our Executive Director, Melinda Sullivan said it best when she said, “Howard lived a self-determined life long before the Self-Determination Program came into effect here in CA.” How could it have been anything but an absolute success for him?
 
Howard often talked about coming to Lanterman Regional Center and finding his home. In Howard, Lanterman Regional Center saw the embodiment of its core values in everything he did. Howard embodied the meaning of community ownership; of partnership; accountability - both to the Regional Center and to the developmental disabilities community; leadership and advocacy. When Howard truly understood what made him unique, he embraced his Autism in a way that was both inspiring and groundbreaking. Howard was truly an advocate for himself and for all of us.
 
On a more personal level, I had the pleasure of first meeting Howard in 2012, as his service coordinator. Howard was among the first people that I met and worked with as I entered this field. He and I formed an almost instant connection; we had many things in common, including our passion for mental health advocacy and a love of books. I spent a lot of time getting to know Howard and listening to him talk about his experiences and his many teachings.
 
Howard had a calling – he had the ability to draw from deeply personal and sometimes painful experiences and turn those experiences into messages of hope and solutions. He talked a lot about the damaging effects of childhood bullying and how he felt that violence in this country could be mitigated with proper anti-bullying teachings starting early in grade school. He truly believed that providing counseling and positive experiences to youth who were victims of bullying would fight the catastrophic effects of mass violence we see all too often in our society. He wrote many blogs and created many YouTube videos on this topic, he spoke about this topic to the community and hoped to share his message far and wide.
 
While I was no longer his Service Coordinator after 2017, I continued to stay in close contact with Howard over the years; I had the absolute pleasure of continuing to work with him through the Client Advisory Committee and the Programs and Services Committee. Towards the end, I spent some time with Howard at the hospital and then again just days before he passed. We held hands, we said a prayer together, we talked about all of his accomplishments in life and all the things he felt he still had to do. He again talked about mental health and how much is needed now more than ever, how he felt the field of mental health could greatly benefit from the teachings of the Self-Determination Program to reach those in need. Even from his hospital bed, faced with a terminal illness, Howard couldn’t stop thinking about and advocating for those around him. The world is a better place for having had Howard in it.
 
I’ll end with this – Howard had an amazing ability to make friends everywhere he went. I mean, look around this room. Whether you knew Howard for a few a months, or years, Howard made a lasting impact on you in some way. Howard became an instant friend. And when you were a friend of Howard's, he let you know. He let you know how important you were to him, and he often let others know about you too. When you were in Howard’s circle, you were connected not just with Howard, but with others in his circle as well. There is an instant kinship among all of us here today, because we all knew and loved Howard. Howard was a fierce advocate and a loving friend. And so today, we stand here together, as friends of Howard, in celebration of his life and legacy. We will miss you, Howard. Thank you for being our friend.

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Re-Thinking Eating and Making Food Fun for the Picky Eater / Repensar la Alimentación y Hacer que la Comida Sea Divertida para los Niños con Apetitos Delicados

Lanterman Regional Center, in collaboration with Smile Pediatric Therapy, presents Re-Thinking Eating and Making Food Fun for the Picky Eater on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 from 4 to 6 p.m. via Zoom. Come Learn about how your child’s sensory processing can impact their diet. / El Centro Regional Lanterman, en colaboración con Smile Pediatric Therapy, presenta Repensar la Alimentación y Hacer que la Comida Sea Divertida para los Niños con Apetitos Delicados el miércoles, 10 de abril de 2024 de 4 a 6 p.m. a través de Zoom. Ven y aprende cómo el procesamiento sensorial de tu hijo puede afectar su dieta.

Register online / Registrar en línea

Interpretation services available upon request. / Servicios de interpretación disponibles a pedido.

Contact: / Contacto: Thrawlynne Lopez - 213.212.8292, tlopez@lanterman.org, or/o KYRC Help Desk / Mesa de Ayuda - 213.252.5600/213.212.8194, kyrc@lanterman.org.

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Virtual Training for Self-Advocates

Join host Wesley Witherspoon, the Consumer Advocate at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles UCEDD, for a series of online training for adults and youth self-advocates and their families.

To register for the double feature workshops, select the individual dates below. All training sessions are free, and you can attend as many as you would like.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Crime Prevention and Emergency Preparedness
Register online

Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mental Health and Talking to Your Doctor
Register online

Tuesday, August 6, 2024, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Voting and Self-Advocacy
Register online

Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Voting and Self-Advocacy
Register online

Wesley Witherspoon is the Consumer Advocate at the CHLA University of Southern California (USC) University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). Wesley has given many presentations to people with disabilities for over 15 years.

For more information, contact Wesley Witherspoon at 323.361-6688 or wwitherspoon@chla.usc.edu.

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Provisional Eligibility / Eligibilidad Provisional

The Lanterman Law Clinic presents Provisional Eligibility: An Overview of Recent Changes to Regional Center Eligibility For 3- and 4-Year-Old Children on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 from 4 to 6 p.m. via Zoom. / La Clínica Legal de Lanterman presenta Eligibilidad Provisional: Una Descripción General de los Cambios Recientes en el Centro Regional Eligibilidad para Niños de 3 y 4 años el martes, 9 de abril de 2024 de 4 a 6 p.m. vía Zoom.

Register online / Registrar en línea

Interpretation services will be provided upon request. / Se proporcionarán servicios de interpretación previa solicitud.

Contact: / Contacto: Thrawlynne Lopez - 213.212.8292, tlopez@lanterman.org, or/o KYRC Help Desk / Mesa de Ayuda - 213.252.5600/213.212.8194, kyrc@lanterman.org.

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Sensory Crafts for Kids / Manualidades Sensoriales para Niños

Lanterman's Koch-Young Resource Center and the Silver Lake Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library invite you to join us for an inclusive sensory craft program for ages 3 and up of all abilities on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Silver Lake Branch Library, 2411 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039.

To register, contact: Alana Johnson at ajohnson@lapl.org, or Thrawlynne Lopez at tlopez@lanterman.org or 213.212.8292.

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El Centro de Recursos Koch-Young de Lanterman y la Sucursal Silver Lake de la Biblioteca Pública de Los Ángeles lo invitan a unirse con nosotros en un programa inclusivo de manualidades sensoriales para niños de 3 años en adelante y de todas las capacidades el sábado, 6 de abril de 2024, de 11 a.m. a 12 p.m. en la Biblioteca Sucursal de Silver Lake, 2411 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039.

Para registrarse, comuníquese con: Alana Johnson at ajohnson@lapl.org, o Thrawlynne Lopez al tlopez@lanterman.org o 213.212.8292.

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Understanding Neuro-Developmental Disorders and the Role of the Caregiver / Entendiendo los Trastornos del Neurodesarrollo y el Rol del Cuidador

Lanterman Regional Center, in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health, invites you to participate in this Neurodevelopmental Disorders presentation with Belinda Rabano, SA8 Mental Health Promoter, on Thursday, March 28, 2024 from 3 to 5 p.m. via Zoom.

Presentation in English. Interpretation available upon request.

Registration required. Register online

For more information, contact Yessenia Villacorta at yvillacorta@lanterman.org or 213.252.4986.

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En Centro Regional Lanterman, en colaboración con el Departamento de Salud Mental, les invita a participar en la presentación de trastornos del neurodesarrollo con Belinda Rabano, SA8 Promotora de Salud Mental, en jueves, 28 de marzo de 3 a 5 p.m. a través de Zoom.

Presentación en Inglés. Interpretación disponible a pedido.

Se requiere registración. Registrar en línea

Para más información, comuníquese con Yessenia Villacorta al yvillacorta@lanterman.org o 213.252.4986.

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Self-Determination Coaching Services / Servicios de Coaching de Autodeterminación

Are you a part of Lanterman Regional Center? Have you heard about the Self-Determination Program? Take advantage of Lanterman’s coaching services through Ally Comprehensive Services! Your individual coach will:

  • Answer your questions about the Self-Determination Program (SDP)
  • Share how the program can benefit you
  • Explain the difference between SDP and traditional services
  • Help you get started and guide you through the process
  • Share important SDP resources and learning opportunities

Experienced coaches are all fluent in English and Spanish.

Contact 310.933.5112 or sdp.lanterman@allycs.org to get started with coaching services.

These services are made possible by Lanterman’s Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee.

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¿Eres parte del Centro Regional Lanterman? ¿Has oído del Programa de Autodeterminación? ¡Aproveche los servicios de coaching de Lanterman a través de Ally Comprehensive Services! Su coach individual:

  • Responderá a sus preguntas sobre el Programa de Autodeterminación (SDP)
  • Compartirá cómo el programa puede beneficiarle
  • Explicará la diferencia entre SDP y los servicios tradicionales
  • Ayudará con los primeros pasos y el resto del proceso
  • Compartirá recursos importantes y oportunidades paraaprender sobre el programa de SDP

Coaches expertos hablan Inglés y Español.

Comuníquese al 310.933.5112 o sdp.lanterman@allycs.org para comenzar con los servicios de coaching.

Estos servicios son posibles gracias al Comité Asesor Local de Autodeterminación de Lanterman.

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National Core Indicators (NCI) Family Surveys / Encuestas de Indicadores Básicos Nacionales (NCI) para las Familias

From February to June 2024, let your voice be heard - participate in the National Core Indicators (NCI) Family Surveys.

Surveys evaluate the services and supports you and your family member receive through your regional center and service providers. Surveys address topics like:

  • Rights
  • Choices
  • Service Planning
  • Community Inclusion
  • Health & Safety
  • Other Important Topics

WHAT?
You will receive one of three NCI surveys based on whether your family member with I/DD is:

  • a child living in the family home
  • an adult living in the family home
  • an adult living outside of the family home

WHY?
Let your regional center and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) know what you think about your services. Participating helps your regional center and DDS understand how services and supports impact you, your family and loved ones.

HOW?
Surveys are mailed directly to you from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD). Fill out the survey on paper and mail it in (postage is already paid) OR use the code in your letter to fill out the survey online.

QUESTIONS?
E-mail QAProject@SCDD.ca.gov or NCIHelp@dds.ca.gov

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De febrero a junio de 2024, haga oír su voz - participe en las Encuestas de Indicadores Básicos Nacionales (NCI) para Las Familias.

Las encuestas evalúan los servicios y apoyos que reciben usted y el miembro de su familia a través de su centro regional y proveedores de servicios.

Las encuestas abordan temas como:

  • Derechos
  • Opciones
  • Planificación de servicios
  • Inclusión comunitaria
  • Salud y Seguridad
  • Otros temas importantes

¿QUÉ?
Recibirá una de las tres encuestas del NCI según si su familiar con I/DD es:

  • Un niño que vive en el hogar familiar
  • Un adulto que vive en el hogar familiar
  • Un adulto que vive fuera del hogar familiar

¿POR QUÉ?
Comparta su opinión sobre los servicios que recibe con el centro regional y el Departamento de Servicios de Desarrollo (DDS). Su participación ayuda al centro regional y al DDS a entender el impacto que ejercen estos servicios y apoyos sobre usted, su familia y sus seres queridos.

¿CÓMO?
El Consejo Estatal de Discapacidades del Desarrollo (SCDD) le enviará las encuestas por correo directamente. Complete la encuesta impresa y envíela por correo postal (el franqueo ya está pago). O Use el código que figura en la carta para completar la encuesta en línea.

¿PREGUNTAS?
Correo electrónico QAProject@SCDD.ca.gov o NCIHelp@dds.ca.gov

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Public Meeting to be Held Regarding Purchase of Service Differences on March 29

Lanterman Regional Center will be hosting two live video conference public meetings on: / El Centro Regional Lanterman organizará dos reuniones públicas de videoconferencia en vivo sobre:

  • Martes, 12 de Marzo de 2024 en Español a 6 p.m.
    INTERPRETACIÓN DISPONIBLE A PEDIDO
    Regístrese con anticipación para esta reunión: haga clic aquí
     
  • Friday, March 29, 2024 in English at 10 a.m.
    INTERPRETATION IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
    Register in advance for this meeting: click here

During the meetings we will be reviewing data on the differences in purchased services for Lanterman clients related to age, race and primary language.

These meetings are held to comply with (Welfare & Institutions Code, 4519.5) that calls for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and regional centers to annually compile data relating to purchase of service authorization, utilization and expenditures, and report with respect to several indicators including age, race, language and disability. Each year, this data will be compiled and posted by the regional center by December 31 for the prior fiscal year with public meetings to be held by the following March 31.  

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Durante las reuniones vamos a repasar los datos sobre las diferencias en los servicios comprados para clientes de Lanterman relacionados con la edad, raza y idioma primario.

Estas reuniones se llevan a cabo para cumplir con (Código De Bienestar & Instituciones, 4519.5) que pide el Departamento de Servicios del Desarrollo (DDS) y centros regionales para recopilar anualmente datos relacionados con la compra de servicios autorizados, utilización y gastos, e informar respecto a varios indicadores como la edad, raza, idioma y discapacidad. Cada año, esta información será compilada y publicada por el centro regional antes del 31 de diciembre para el año fiscal anterior con reuniones públicas conducidas antes del siguiente 31 de marzo.

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HCBS Final Rule Gets Hollywood Treatment

RESHARE FROM ARCA

ARCA is thrilled to share a major project spearheaded by Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC), meant to make the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule more accessible to service providers, people with developmental disabilities, and the community at large.

TCRC partnered with a Hollywood studio to create a top-quality animated series of five-minute short videos explaining key elements of the Final Rule with engaging characters, humorous stories, and top-notch production values. This resource will benefit our entire community, and we're excited to share it with you today!

“As the HCBS Final Rule affects so many people, we have to get creative in how we give both the people we serve and our vendors support in understanding the regulations. In order to remain eligible for federal reimbursement all such services must meet the HCBS Final Rule.” – Diva Johnson, Director of Community Development (TCRC)

The series has 20 videos, in two ten-episode sets. There's a version for service providers, and a version for people receiving services. Each ten-episode playlist covers the same topics, to help ensure everyone can understand their obligations (as providers) and their rights (as individuals).

For additional accessibility, versions in 20 languages are coming soon! There are also ASL versions of all available, and a special behind-the-scenes video about the making of this series!

Accessible, Engaging, Informative, and Entertaining!

This resource started with a conversation between Diva Johnson, TCRC's Director of Community Development, and Mark Wolfe, who is the president of both TCRC's board and ARCA's board of directors. As a movie producer and former owner of the Reading Rainbow brand, Mark immediately saw the benefits of this. “My son is served by TCRC and I respect their desire to feature real stories, portrayed by people with disabilities to make the HCBS requirements widely available, so when Diva came to me with the request to find a way to produce these animated videos with Hollywood quality but the non-Hollywood budget available to a non-profit, it was an easy yes.”

This series highlights the diversity of our service system, both on-screen and via the actors behind it. The "making of" video highlights how inclusivity was a guiding principle in bringing this to life.

To produce the series, Wolfe brought on board Public Pixels Media, headed up by Joe Sichta, an award-winning show runner for some of the most beloved animations including Scooby Doo, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Muppet Babies. “The amazing work done by the regional centers for so many Californians made my yes to pulling in the best talent as my part in giving back,” said Sichta.

ARCA is honored to share this new resource that will help people with developmental disabilities, their families, and the service providers who make community life possible understand the ways the HCBS Final Rule benefits us all!

“It’s vital that ARCA and all regional centers continue educating on how to comply with these regulations and continue improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities. We applaud Tri-Counties Regional Center for their leadership and commitment on this statewide project.” – Amy Westling, Executive Director, ARCA

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Autism In Entertainment Conference

We are pleased to announce the Autism in Entertainment (AIE) Conference! This one-day, in-person event is set to take place on Friday, April 5, 2024, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m at the Skirball Cultural Center located in West Los Angeles. With noteworthy panelists from companies such as The Walt Disney Company, Ubisoft, Nickelodeon and Sony, and animation director Jorge Gutierrez set to participate, this groundbreaking conference aims to bridge the employment gap between creative adults on the spectrum and the entertainment industry.

The conference is for:

  • Career-ready individuals who are on the autism spectrum and who have at least two years of training or experience in film and television production, voice-over and on-camera performance, animation, and/or video game design. (Note: each career-ready attendee can bring up to one parent, caregiver or assistant.)
  • Entertainment Professionals representing small and large companies who are interested in expanding neurodivergent employment.

There is no fee for qualified conference participants. Those interested in attending should complete the simple application. They will review the applications weekly and send out registration links to those who meet the criteria. Preference will be given to California Regional Center clients. All participants must be 18 years and older.

The Autism In Entertainment Conference is the result of a strategic collaboration between the nonprofit Orange County Asperger’s Support Group (OCASG) and disability-focused staffing and consulting firm Zavikon, plus the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS). The conference is made possible through a generous grant from DDS.

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QIP Prevention and Wellness Measure Announcement for Specific Providers of Residential Services

From January 16 to March 12, 2024, DDS is offering vendors $1,000 per individual they report on as part of the Department of Developmental Services’ Quality Incentive Program (QIP) Prevention and Wellness measure. This is for providers currently operating any of the following types of residential services:

  • Adult Residential Facility for Persons with Special Health Care Needs (ARFPSHN)
  • Enhanced Behavioral Supports Home (EBSH)
  • Family Home Agency (FHA)
  • Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE)

View flyer

For more information and resources about this measure and the DDS QIP, visit the DDS QIP webpage.

For questions about provider eligibility about this measure, contact qipquestions@dds.ca.gov.

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Tech Classes / Clases de Tecnología / 기술 수업

Join St. Barnabas Senior Services for their Digital Literacy Course. Here are the details:

  • Digital Discovery: master apps, e-mail, safety and telehealth
  • Empower Your Online Journey: by joining their tech-savvy community
  • Expert Guidance: at your fingertips
  • Direct care workers may be eligible for incentives
  • In-person, online and recorded classes
  • Class enrollment includes iPad access for those in need

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Únase a St. Barnabas Senior Services para su curso de alfabetización digital. Aquí están los detalles:

  • Digital Discovery: domine apps, correo electrónico, seguridad y telesalud
  • Potencia tu viaje en línea: uniéndote a un comunidad de expertos en tecnología
  • Orientación experta: en tus dedos
  • Los trabajadores de atención directa pueden tener derecho a incentivos
  • Clases presenciales, en línea y grabadas
  • La inscripción a la clase incluye acceso al iPad para aquellos que lo necesiten

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디지털 리터러시 과정을 위해 St. Barnabas Senior Services 에 가입하세요. 자세한 내용은 다음과 같습니다.

  • 디지털 검색: 마스터 앱, 이메일, 안전 및 원격 의료
  • 온라인 여정 강화: 기술에 정통한 커뮤니티에 참여하여
  • 전문가의 안내: 여러분의 손끝에서
  • 직접 간병인은 인센티브를 받을 수 있습니다
  • 대면, 온라인 및 녹화 수업
  • 수업 등록에는 도움이 필요한 사람들을 위한 iPad 액세스가 포함됩니다

Contact info: / Datos de contacto: / 연락처 정보:

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Maple Counseling Mindful Parenting Program

Maple Counseling presents their Mindful Parenting Program which is a free four-week virtual parenting group series.

They ask for a four-week commitment Tuesdays at 4 p.m. Learn how to:

  • Develop mindfulness and self-compassion
  • Learn self-reflective problem-solving skills
  • Strengthen connection and communication with your family
  • Set effective limits with empathy

Register here: https://bit.ly/3T0GEgr?r=qr

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DSP Training Stipend Program

DSP Training Stipend Program
 
Effective September 12, 2023 Direct Service Professionals (DSPs) can be receive up to two $625 (before taxes) stipends for completing approved training courses. The DSP Training Stipend Program is time-limited and all trainings must be completed by June 30, 2024.
 
DSPs, including some frontline supervisors and clinical staff, who meet the following criteria are eligible for the training stipend:

  • Work as a paid DSP an average of 10 hours or more per week;
  • Perform direct support tasks like skills development, guidance, and personal assistance to regional center clients as a regular part of their job duties;
  • Spend at least 50% of work hours doing direct support tasks; and
  •  Are employed by a regional center vendor or by a participant in the Self-Determination Program.

Lanterman Service Provider Instructions

  1. Interested Lanterman service providers need to complete and e-mail the DSP Training Stipend Agreement form to Pablo Ibañez, director of Community Services, at pibanez@lanterman.org.
  2. DSPs directly enroll in one of the approved courses which can be can be found under the DSP Training Stipend Program tab found at https://www.dds.ca.gov/initiatives/workforce-initiatives. The courses can be accessed via the ARCA Provider Learning Center found at https://provider.arcalearn.org/Login/Login.aspx.
  3. Lanterman will automatically receive DSP completion reports which will trigger vendor specific payments. Specific payment questions can be directed to Aide Herrera, accounting supervisor, at aherrera@lanterman.org.

The agreement form and more guidance documents can be found in the following enclosures:

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Provider Survey: Supporting People with Substance Use Concerns

Westside Regional Center and Lanterman Regional Center received a grant to expand services for people with developmental disabilities who are (or at risk of being) dually diagnosed with mental health and substance use disorders. This funding will also support the service provider community.

We would like to learn how to better support our providers and the people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Can you help us by completing this 10-minute survey?

Click here to take the survey

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Happy Holidays from Lanterman

On behalf of Lanterman Regional Center, we send our heartfelt wishes for a wonderful holiday season to all of our clients, their families and our service providers. May your celebrations be safe, peaceful and joyous and best wishes for a happy, healthy and hope-filled new year.


LA County Wheelchair Users: Claim Your Lyft Code Now

In partnership with Lyft, SCRS-IL has secured a $10,000 grant, offering the exclusive promo code 'SCRSDEC23' for wheelchair users to request Lyft's wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) in LA County. Seize this opportunity within the next 30 days, as this special offer ends on 12/31/2023.

Don't miss out! Click here to claim your code

The $10,000 grant is exclusively designated to benefit wheelchair users in LA County.

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Supporting Family Caregivers via Caring Futures / Apoyando a los Cuidadores Familiares a través de Futuros Y Esperanza

Family caregivers are a critical part of how people with developmental disabilities thrive in communities of their choosing. Their needs, though, are different from those of direct support professionals - first, because their connection is family. And second, because their needs change in different ways over the years. The Arc of California has a new initiative focused on family caregivers and long-term planning - Caring Futures.

Caring Futures is a new program that provides support, skills and community for parents and caregivers of adult family members with disabilities.
 
It’s the first program of its kind in California, and we encourage you to learn about the resources, classes and community of support Caring Futures offers:

  • The Future is Now: A free, six-week live online class series to help you develop a comprehensive plan of care for your adult family member. 
  • Self-Care Matters: A free, two-week live online class to support the well-being of family caregivers. Ensuring you're at your best for your loved ones.  
  • Connection: Meet other parents and caregivers in a private online group to connect, support one another and share experiences. 

View flyer

Visit the website to learn more

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Los cuidadores familiares son una parte fundamental de cómo las personas con discapacidades del desarrollo prosperan en las comunidades de su elección. Sin embargo, sus necesidades son diferentes a las de los profesionales de apoyo directo - primero, porque su conexión es la familia. Y segundo, porque sus necesidades cambian de diferentes maneras a lo largo de los años. The Arc of California tiene una nueva iniciativa centrada en los cuidadores familiares y la planificación a largo plazo - Futuros Y Esperanza.

Futuros y Esperanza es un nuevo programa que brinda apoyo, habilidades y comunidad para padres y cuidadores de familiares adultos con discapacidades.
 
Es el primer programa de este tipo en California y lo alentamos a conocer los recursos, las clases y la comunidad de apoyo que ofrece Futuros Y Esperanza:

  • El Futuro es Ahora: Una serie de clases gratuitas en vivo y en línea de seis semanas de duración para ayudarle a desarrollar un plan integral de atención para su familiar adulto. Consiga más información e inscríbase.
  • El Autocuidado Importa: Una clase gratuita en línea y en vivo de dos semanas de duración para apoyar el bienestar de los cuidadores familiares. Garantizar que está en su mejor momento para sus seres queridos.
  • Conexión: Conozca a otros padres y cuidadores en un grupo privado en línea para conectarse, apoyarse mutuamente y compartir experiencias.

Ver folleto

Visite el sitio web para aprender más

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DDS Emergency Preparedness Bulletin - Fall Edition: Earthquake/Tsunami

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is excited to share the Fall Edition of the Emergency Preparedness Bulletin posted on the Emergency Preparedness Consumer and Vendor pages. This bulletin provides information and preparation reminders for California’s earthquakes and tsunamis. Preparing for the unexpected is your best defense against earthquakes and tsunamis during fall months. Knowing what to do before an emergency occurs allows you to respond quickly. Do not be caught unprepared. Plan today! This bulletin provides relevant emergency preparedness information as part of DDS’ ongoing effort to alert and educate individuals and direct service providers to specific risks identified with our community.

For Vendors and Direct Service Providers:

For Self-Advocates and Families:

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Hidden Barriers to Sexuality Education for Chinese Parents with Children Who Have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Check out the article from Elevatus Training: "Hidden Barriers to Sexuality Education for Chinese Parents with Children Who Have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities."

Here's an excerpt:

"In my journey to become culturally competent in reaching people with intellectual and developmental disabilities from other cultures, I asked Bin Feng to give me some insight on working with Chinese families. Bin lives in New York with his son, with autism. He is very involved in providing sexuality education to Chinese Families by serving in communities, but also teaching classes for Chinese parents on How to Talk to you Children about Sexuality and Relationships. Here are his words of wisdom:

When parents reach out to me, they usually have questions about sexual behaviors and how to stop these behaviors. This is true for Chinese parents in both China and the United States. What I often see is parents who are in crisis or not, but want their questions to be kept private.

  1. These courageous parents reach out because they are already in crisis. For example, their son or daughter has been suspended from school or hurt by other children.
  2. The parents may not be in crisis, but they come to me privately, after seminars, asking to keep in privacy.
  3. The biggest issue for them with their kids is how to stop sexual behaviors such as masturbation in public."

Continue reading the article and view resources

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Get in the Holiday Spirit and Make Some Ornaments for the State Capitol Tree

For more than two decades, ornaments created by persons with developmental disabilities have been used to decorate the State Capitol Tree, and the Department of Developmental Services has put out the request for ornaments for 2023's tree.

To be included on the tree, DDS must receive all ornaments by Thursday, November 16, 2023.

The tree lighting ceremony will take place the first week of December. This year, as in previous years, a child with a developmental disability will participate in the evening ceremony with Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

If you have questions, contact Amy Wall, DDS Assistant Deputy Director of External and Public Affairs, at 916.869.8833 or amy.wall@dds.ca.gov.

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