Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center is seeking public input in accordance with Welfare and Institutions (WIC) Code §4669.75(b) in order to submit an AB637/1543/1106 Waiver Proposal to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) in accordance with statutory requirements. We are specifically seeking public input for the following two proposals:
Use of FMS Agencies for Social Recreation Services - Innovative Means to Gain Access to Newly Restored Services
Lanterman is proposing to increase access to newly restored funding for services including camping, social recreation activities such as specialized recreation, art, dance and music. Effective July 1, 2021, Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Code section 4648.5 restored regional center authority to fund for these restored services. However, there are a limited number of vendored service providers for social recreation services at this time and current Participant-Directed Services do not include social recreation services as an option. This proposal requests a waiver of the California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 58886 to include these restored services.
Lanterman proposes to include social recreation services as an additional Participant-Directed service. Our hope is that this will allow more access and flexibility in delivery of service so that individuals may choose to coordinate these services through participant direction. Individuals and families will be able to procure their own community-based services (such as AYSO, park and recreation services, art, etc.) through the use of an FMS Co-Employer or FMS Fiscal/Employer Agent agency as per California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 58886. Under the Co-Employer model the FMS is the employer of record for the worker. Under the Fiscal/Employer Agent model the vendored adult client or family member remains as the employer of record for the worker.
Improved Rate for a Residential Service Provider - Service Contracts with Providers
Lanterman is seeking an increased rate for two specific Specialized Residential Facilities (SRF) which are in different stages of development; both homes are for young adults with developmental disabilities that currently reside in or are at risk of residing in a State-Operated Developmental Center, Institute for Mental Disease (IMD) or other locked facility.
One home is located in Burbank and renovation efforts are now complete. The second home is located in Pasadena and renovations will begin soon. The selected licensee and operator for both homes, Mercedes Diaz Home (MDH), is currently being vendored and licensed. Prospective clients have all already been identified for both homes. Lanterman is seeking to waive Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section § 4691.9 so that Lanterman can use a rate higher than the median rate. Currently this section prevents regional centers from negotiating a rate with a new service provider that is higher than the regional center's median rate for the same service code and unit of service, or the statewide median rate for the same service code and unit of service, whichever is lower. Lanterman is also seeking to waive Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section §4681.6 which specifies the same median rate setting requirement as above but specific to residential service providers.
Service providers are experiencing an unprecedented work force crisis and staffing shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic which is impacting the ability of service providers to deliver critical services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Our providers are unable to compete in the current job market with businesses at large. Providers are unable to fill jobs and are at risk of reducing capacity and/or closing their businesses. Current rate reform implementation efforts are not sufficiently addressing the issues providers are experiencing now.
Public Hearing Scheduled for 07/28
A public hearing to receive comments on these proposals will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 2 p.m. via Zoom.
Click here to register
After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the meeting.
Input, comments and suggestions are being solicited from the community at large. Please submit written public comments to Pablo Ibañez at pibanez@lanterman.org by Friday, August 5, 2022.
California law and regulation requires that regional centers display on their Web sites information about the dollar value of services they purchase for clients. These data (called "purchase of service" or "POS" data) must be reported separately by clients' ethnic/racial group, langauge and diagnosis.
¿Cuáles son sus necesidades de servicio actuales? ¡Responda la encuesta y avísenos!
Lanterman is seeking your feedback and assistance in completing a short survey so we can better understand the current service needs. This survey is for our community to complete, including clients, family members, service providers or community partners. Thank you in advance for your time!
////////////////////////////////////
Lanterman busca sus comentarios y ayuda para completar una breve encuesta para que podamos comprender mejor las necesidades actuales del servicio. Esta encuesta es para que la complete nuestra comunidad, incluidos los clientes, los miembros de la familia, los proveedores de servicios o los socios comunitarios. ¡Gracias de antemano por su tiempo!
Regional centers must post information regarding how providers are doing with ensuring individuals served are part of their communities (Welfare and Institutions Code section 4519.2(b)). This information is to be updated at least every six months until DDS has determined that statewide compliance has been met.
El Internet está inundado de información y recursos sobre el Coronavirus (COVID-19) desde el nivel federal hasta el estatal y local. Comenzamos esta página para compartir algunos de los recursos e información que encontramos más útiles y accesibles, además de compartir información específica para Lanterman sobre cualquier efecto que esto tenga en nuestras operaciones, nuestros proveedores de servicios y la comunidad en general.
The Internet is awash in info and resources about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the federal to the state and local levels. We're starting this page to share some of the resources and info we found most helpful and accessible, plus to share information specific to Lanterman about any effects this is having on our operations, our service providers and community as a whole.
