To: All Service Providers
From: Pablo Ibañez, Director, Community Services
First and foremost, we hope that all our service providers are safe as we continue to navigate this current fire emergency. If you or your loved ones have been personally affected by the fires, we share our deepest condolences and would like to do what we can to provide the necessary support.
We also thank you for your continued support to those we mutually support. If you are in a position to, please donate to Lanterman’s Fire Relief Fund.
We also want to highlight some current activity and resources as we navigate through the current State of Emergency.
Program Closures/Suspended Services
If your agency has chosen or needed to close or suspend services due to the fires, we ask that you please e-mail the following information to providerservices@lanterman.org so we can be responsive to your needs and the needs of individuals and families:
- Vendor Name
- Vendor Number
- Service Code
- Service Type
- Contact Person
- Contact Person’s e-mail address
- Contact Person’s phone number
- Dates of closure/suspension and expected duration
- Reasons for the closure/suspension, agency needs and any other comments
Emergency Resources
For those of you experiencing immediate needs related to the fire emergency, please review available community resources. Many sources of support can be found at:
- FEMA
- LA County Recovers
- LA County Recovery Resources
- Lanterman Website (Fire Recovery: Resources and Support page)
Billing for Absences
On January 7, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, which may affect vendor services for individuals served in these areas.
As a result of the State of Emergency, the Department of Developmental Services (Department) is authorizing, pursuant to Title 17 California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 54326(a)(11), regional centers to pay vendors for absences that are the direct result of the State of Emergency. CCR, Title 17 section 54326(a)(11) states:
“[All vendors shall…] Not bill for consumer absences for nonresidential services. The Department shall authorize payment for absences which are the direct result of situations and/or occurrences for which a State of Emergency has been declared by the Governor. If payment for absences due to a State of Emergency is authorized by the Department, the vendor shall bill only for absences in excess of the average number of absences experienced by the vendor during the 12-month period prior to the month in which the disaster occurred.”
Fire Emergency Rate Adjustments
Consistent with the Department of Developmental Services’ (DDS) Emergency Rate Adjustment Authority for Wildfires Directive, time limited rate adjustments can be considered “only when the increased costs are directly attributable to health and safety needs arising from the wildfire emergency, such as evacuation support, emergency staffing coverage, or addition service hours necessitated by power outages and other emergency conditions.”
Please contact Director of Community Services Pablo Ibañez at pibanez@lanterman.org and/or Rates and Vendorization Supervisor Christian Irigoyen at cirigoyen@lanterman.org if you are seeking a fire related rate adjustment.
Individual Needs
As per usual, if you are aware of current needs of individuals, please contact the individual’s service coordinator to address. For example, you may be aware that additional hours or different types of services are needed due to this current emergency.
Repopulation Considerations
As you begin to either repopulate or consider repopulating areas previously under evacuation orders please note:
- Removal of hazardous fire debris by residents is not recommended
- PPE should be used in affected areas:
- N95 masks or P100 respirators
- Goggles/Eye protection
- Protective footwear
- Gloves
- Water is contaminated in certain areas, such as Pasadena. Bottled water is needed for drinking and cleaning. You can check the Pasadena map here: Pasadena Water Notice.
PPE and other resources can be acquired at evacuation centers, local libraries and City Parks and Recreation Centers. Water distribution has been taking place since the fire emergency began.
Unmet Fire Emergency Needs
If your agency is experiencing unmet needs which cannot be addressed by the resources or options listed above, please contact Director of Community Services Pablo Ibañez at pibanez@lanterman.org and describe what is needed and steps already taken to remedy the situation. For example, although staffing is a service provider responsibility which includes having a staffing backup plan, we are working on an updated list of staffing resources.