Partners in Lifelong Support Since 1966
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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.

CalFresh Food Benefits for Eligible SSI Recipients Begins June 1


Beginning June 1, 2019, SSI recipients may be eligible for CalFresh food benefits. This will not change or cause reduction to your SSI/SSP amounts. There are three different ways to find out if you qualify for food benefits:

  1. Visit the CalFresh Web site (available in English, Spanish and Chinese) and apply online at http://calfresh.dss.ca.gov/food/
  2. Call the CalFresh information line at 1.877.847.3663 (available in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean and Russian). For speech and/or hearing assistance, call 711 Relay.
  3. Visit your local county office to apply. Interpretation services available in all languages, and reasonable accommodations are available.

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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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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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DDS Announces Highlights of Rate Reform


The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is pleased to share the new "Highlights of Rate Reform."

This first edition includes implementation updates for service providers. Read the first edition

As new editions of Highlights of Rate Reform become available, they will post them on the DDS website.

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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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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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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:

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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DDS Approved CPP/CRDP Projects for FY 2023-2024 + Community Input Summary for 2023/24


In 2017, the Lanterman Act was amended to allow the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to provide funding for Regional Centers to develop resources to address unmet needs in their community with certain guidelines (WIC Sections 4418.25  & 4679). This is referred to as Community Resource Development Plan/Community Placement Plan (CRDP/CPP) funding.

Based on Lanterman Regional Center’s community and stakeholder input, the following projects were identified, proposed to DDS, and have been approved for development as Lanterman’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 CRDP/CPP projects:

DDS Approved CPP/CRDP Projects for FY 2023-2024

The Department of Developmental Services awarded Lanterman Regional Center projects as part of the Community Placement Plan (CPP)/Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP) for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.

  • Multi-Family Unit
    • Date Awarded: January 18, 2024
    • Year: RAP 2023/2024
    • RAP Project ID: FDLRC-2324-1
    • Amount: $1,500,000 to support the development of the Lexington Gardens apartment complex in West Hollywood.  Lexington Gardens will be a 48-unit, 5 story, affordable housing project, with 12 studio apartments set aside for people with developmental disabilities who would benefit from coordinated onsite services.  No RFP will be issued since Detroit West Hollywood has been identified as the Housing Development Organization (HDO) to develop these units. 
  • Enhanced Behavioral Supports Home (EBSH)
    • Date Awarded: January 18, 2024
    • Year: CPP 2023/2024 (HDO)
    • CPP Project ID: FDLRC-2324-2
    • Amount: $750,000 to acquire and develop a residential Enhanced Behavioral Supports Home with delayed egress to support individuals with developmental disabilities transitioning from more restrictive living settings who require intensive services due to complex behavior support needs, which are beyond what is typically available in other community living arrangements. This home will also support adults being deflected from more restrictive settings. The funds will be used for the acquisition of the home ($350,000) and renovations ($400,000).
  • Enhanced Supported Living Services (SLS)
    • Date Awarded: January 18, 2024
    • Year: CRPD 2023/2024 (Non-HDO)
    • CRDP Project ID: FDLRC-2324-3
    • Amount: $75,000 start-up funding for an existing Supportive living Services (SLS) provider to recruit and train staff who can work with individuals with complex behavioral/forensic support needs.   Start-up funds will cover recruitment, behavioral and forensic training and first aid/CPR cost.  The recruitment will consist of hiring staff to provide a higher level of SLS support.  The provider will also have a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to provide the initial training and ongoing support for staff and to assist with the recruitment of staff to provide a higher level of SLS support.
  • Substance Abuse Treatment
    • Date Awarded: January 18, 2024
    • Year: CRPD 2023/2024 (Non-HDO)
    • CRDP Project ID: FDLRC-2324-4
    • Amount: $75,000 start-up funding for an existing substance abuse treatment center that can tailor their program to meet the needs of individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and substance abuse needs. The program will facilitate substance recovery, social connections, and linkages to other local health and recovery support services. Start-up funds will assist with staff recruitment, training, and program development. The provider may have a consultant to assist with training and program development.

View Lanterman Regional Center’s posted Requests for Proposals for FY 2023-2024

Community Input Summary for 2023/24 Community Service Needs Survey

Each year Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center develops Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP) and Community Placement Plan (CPP) proposals which are presented to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to meet the needs of the clients and families we serve. Resource development feedback for 2023/24 was obtained from an online survey and input from our support group participants.
 
Following is a summary of the input received by Lanterman Regional Center. These are the ranked priorities based on community input:

  1. Specialized Homes for Individuals with Medical and Behavioral Needs
  2. Behaviorally Enhanced Adult Services
  3. Support with Substance Abuse/Mental Health Needs
  4. After School/Community Integration Program

KYRC-Brand in Glendale Opens November 1


We are excited to announce the opening on November 1, of a second Koch-Young Resource Center (KYRC) location. The new site, referred to as KYRC-Brand is located at 611 North Brand in Glendale, right off of the 134 freeway (parking details are below).

It is very similar to the KYRC in that it has both a traditional library and a toy loan library; it has space for children’s play groups, story time, community meetings and possibly support groups. Operating hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Upon arrival, please check in with security and they will let you up to the KYRC on the second floor.

This second site was made possible through our Language Access and Cultural Competency (LACC) grant with the Department of Developmental Services. Lanterman's LACC staff, Paola Coronado, Francisco Rodriguez, Yevgeniy Epshteyn and Zayra Gonzalez, will be working there on a full-time basis.

There are two meeting rooms that can comfortably hold between two to four people, and are available to be reserved for individual meetings, such as service coordinator meetings with parents or provider meetings. Reservation requests for KYRC-Brand should be directed to Francisco Rodriguez at 213.212.8194. Reservations may be made one week in advance for one- or two-hour blocks of time. These meeting rooms cannot be reserved for recurring meetings.

There are also two work stations available for staff who may need a place to work between field appointments. These stations are referred to as ‘hoteling’ stations, meaning they are available for anyone to use also on a reservation basis in two-hour blocks of time.

As a reminder, the Center does not reimburse KYRC visitors for parking. There is metered street parking behind the building and paid parking in the structure that can be accessed on Doran, just south of the 134.

We invite you to pop in and check out the new space, and we very much look forward to welcoming our Lanterman community in the Foothill area and connecting with you in-person.

Looking for Two New Board Members, plus 11/16 Board Recruitment Fair


Lanterman Regional Center is recruiting for two potential board members, whose terms would begin July 2024 and end June 30, 2026. 

As the Center serves a very diverse community, our board must reflect this diversity, and we are looking for the following:

  • Hispanic/Latinx (2 members)
  • Adult Self-Advocate (1 member)

As there are only two positions, potential board members will in some cases meet more than one of the diversity criteria above.

We are hosting a board recruitment fair on Thursday, November 16, that will explain more about the role and responsibilities of board members. Those interested in serving on Lanterman's board of directors should attend and learn more.

See below for a list of frequently asked questions, and following is some additional reference information.

W&I Code §4622 – The state shall contract only with agencies, the governing boards of which conform to all of the following criteria:

  • (a) The governing board shall be composed of individuals with demonstrated interest in, or knowledge of, developmental disabilities.
     
  • (b) The membership of the governing board shall include persons with legal, management or board governance, financial, and developmental disability program expertise. Board governance expertise may not be acquired solely by serving on a regional center board.
     
  • (c) The membership of the governing board shall include representatives of the various categories of disability to be served by the regional center.
     
  • (d) The governing board shall reflect the geographic and ethnic characteristics of the area to be served by the regional center.
     
  • (e) A minimum of 50 percent of the members of the governing board shall be persons with developmental disabilities or their parents or legal guardians. No less than 25 percent of the members of the governing board shall be persons with developmental disabilities.
     
  • (f) Members of the governing board shall not be permitted to serve more than seven years within each eight-year period.
     
  • (i) The advisory committee shall designate one of its members to serve as a member of the regional center board.

BOARD RECRUITMENT FAIR

Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.

Click here to register in advance for this meeting via Zoom

You will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the meeting after registering.

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SCDD October Self-Determination Orientations in Multiple Languages


The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) in collaboration with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) are providing ongoing statewide orientation training for anyone interested in participating in the *Self-Determination Program (SDP).
 
After completion of the SDP orientation training, a certificate of completion will be provided.
 
* Please note: An orientation is required to enroll in SDP through a regional center.
 
Schedule of October SDP Orientation Trainings
 
Wednesday, October 18
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Training in Hmong
View flyer
 
Thursday, October 19
4 to 6 p.m. – Training in Spanish
View flyer
 
Friday, October 20
3 to 5 p.m. – Training in Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese)
View flyer
 
Thursday, October 26
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Training in ASL, Spanish and English
View flyer
 
For October dates information and registration visit: https://scdd.ca.gov/sdp-orientation/

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HealthMatters Program


Big opportunity for health education! Do you have a developmental disability? Do you want to learn more about health, nutrition and exercise? The HealthMatters Program has a free 12-week online course starting October 16, 2023, and you can pre-register now through October 13. Classes will be held online on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 2:30-4 p.m., or 4-5:30 p.m.

The Arc US has collaborated with Public Health AmeriCorps to have two ongoing sessions of the HealthMattersTM curriculum. We are looking for participants with developmental disabilities that are interested in learning more about physical education and activity.

This FREE program meets the Administration for Community Living’s criteria for evidence-based program to improve health options and health outcomes for people with IDD. About the Program:

  • Classes will begin October 16, 2023
  • 12 weeks
  • 3 times a week
  • 60-90 minutes per class
  • Delivered online via Zoom
  • Each class will include nutrition education and a fitness / movement activity.

Objectives:

  • Become stronger and healthier.
  • Learn about health, nutrition and exercise.
  • Improve your self-advocacy skills and confidence.
  • Meet new friends and hang out with old ones!

Family members, caregivers and support staff are all welcome to attend, join us.

Need more info? E-mail Presley Rodriguez at presley_rodriguez1@baylor.edu.

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Annual Early Start Family Outcome Survey 2023


Every year, DDS sends a Family Outcomes Survey to a randomized group of thousands of families and caregivers who have participated and are participating in the Early Start Program. The surveys have been sent. The paper letter and survey is available in Spanish and English, and the weblink and QR code will take the user to the survey offered in many other languages.

DDS uses this feedback to create the best experience possible for families participating in the Early Start program. We encourage you to complete the survey on or before October 31, 2023. While the survey asks for some information about your family, including the child's birthdate, the information is coded in an anonymous format and is only used in aggregate data. Questions or concerns, contact Hope Beale at hope.beale@dds.ca.gov or 916.654.2295.

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PlayLA Adaptive Youth Sports Program


The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks PlayLA Youth and Adaptive Youth Sports Program is a city-wide initiative that provides access to quality sports programming for youth of all abilities between the ages of 5 and 17, including swimming, archery, soccer, basketball, equestrian, tennis and more. Made possible by an investment from the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), PlayLA is the single largest commitment to youth sports development in California and serves as a legacy before, during and after the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Over the next several years, the PlayLA Adaptive Youth Sports Program will offer young people with disabilities access to a variety of adaptive sports programming at no cost in a safe and fun environment at their local recreation centers and neighborhood facilities. The first- of-its-kind program in the City of LA aims to remove barriers to participation by providing an underserved community with the opportunity to discover a sport they are passionate about and can pursue.

The PlayLA Adaptive Youth Sports Program raises awareness of the benefits adaptive sports can offer young people with disabilities, including enhancing lifelong leisure pursuits and helping achieve a more equitable quality of life. LA Parks is committed to creating a lasting positive impact through this initiative and fostering a new generation of para-athletes and fans ahead of the LA28 Games.

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Workforce Development and Training: DSP Training Stipend Program


In June 2022, the budget Trailer Bill for developmental services, SB 188 (Chapter 49, Statutes of 2022), added Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code section 4699.2, which established the DSP Training Stipend Program with the intent to enhance the quality of services received by clients, improve DSP retention, and increase interest among DSPs in skills development and continuous learning opportunities by offering stipends for the completion of training courses. 

Through this program, DSPs can 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.

Click here to view more information on the eligibility requirements, accessing training courses, billing process and point of contacts.

Also please click below to access additional information on the following enclosures:

For questions, e-mail Christine Irigoyen at cirigoyen@lanterman.org.

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Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week September 10 to 16


Semana de Reconocimiento de los Profesionales de Apoyo Directo del 10 al 16 de Septiembre

On behalf of the Lanterman Regional Center Service Provider Advisory Committee (SPAC), we would like to thank our Direct Care Professionals for the talent and skills they share every day in supporting people with disabilities…..you are key to success for us all!

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En nombre del Comité Asesor de Proveedores de Servicios (SPAC) del Centro Regional Lanterman, nos gustaría agradecer a nuestros Profesionales de Apoyo Directo por el talento y las habilidades que comparten todos los días para apoyar a las personas con discapacidades...¡ustedes son clave para el éxito de todos nosotros!

Adaptive Social Recreation Class / 特殊需求青年 社交娛樂項目


Social activities such as dancing, stretching, exercise, games, arts and crafts, sports and much more!

Lunch included - Training and practice social skills of eating with friends.

FFDY Fall Saturday Classes, 12-3 p.m., 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14,10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2
Participant Intake Form will be provided by instructor at the beginning of the class.

Ages 3-21

Class Fee: $40 per class, scholarships available, contact wendy.lai@ffdy.org.

Palmview Center, 1340 E. Puente Ave., West Covina, CA 91790

More info: http://ffdy.org

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社交活動,如跳舞、伸展運動、遊戲、幫術和手工藝、運動等等!

包午餐 - 訓練和練習與朋友一起吃飯的社交技巧

FFDY 秋季週六班 星期六下午12點到3點 8月 19日, 8月 26日, 9月9日, 9月 16日, 9月 23日,9月 30日, 10月 7日, 10月 14日, 10月21日, 11月 4日, 11月 18日,12月 2日

3 至 21 歲

課程費用:每節課 40 美元, 如需獎學金,請聯繫 wendy.lai@ffdy.org

Palmview Center, 1340 E. Puente Ave., West Covina, CA 91790

http://ffdy.org

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Adapted Aquatic Splash and Play and Fitness Classes


YMCA of the Foothills has been awarded a DDS social recreation grant and is able to offer aquatic classes to individuals receiving services from Lanterman between the ages of 5-12 through the “Adapted Aquatic Splash and Play Program” and 15-80 years through the "Adapted Aquatic Fitness Class." While these classes are free, participation is first based on an assessment. The YMCA does offer private pay options if staffing ratios don’t allow certain individuals to participate based on the program’s staffing ratio.

Adapted Aquatic Splash and Play

The Adapted Aquatic Splash and Play Program provides children with differing abilities a chance to play and learn fundamental movement skills in a safe, fun environment. All abilities are welcome, and all skills will be adapted and modified as needed. Each child will work one-on-one with an aquatic trained staff member and will be offered a variety of activities to take part in.

Price: Free, Open to All, Limited Spaces - 6 Spots Open
Assessments are required.
Ages: 5-12 years old

Days, Times, Location:
Mondays and Wednesdays, September 11 to October 4
4:15-5 p.m.
5-5:45 p.m.
Tierra Del Sol Foundation
9919 Sunland Blvd., Sunland

Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 11 to October 14
5-6 p.m.
Crescenta-Canada Family YMCA
1930 Foothill Blvd., La Canada Flintridge

Adapted Aquatic Fitness Class

The Adaptive Aquatic fitness program provides teens and adults with disabilities the opportunity to exercise in a safe environment and create friendships. All abilities are welcome, and all skills will be adapted and modified as needed.

Price: Free, Open to All, Limited Spaces - 10 Spots Open
Registration is required.
Ages: 15-80 years old

Days, Times, Location:
Mondays and Wednesdays, September 11 to October 4
3:30 - 4:15 p.m.
Tierra Del Sol Foundation
9919 Sunland Blvd., Sunland

Contact:
Sofia Cervantes, MSK, CSCS
Master of Science in Kinesiology
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
scervantes@ymcafoothills.org or 818.273.8810

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Self Determination Program Request for Proposal


The Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center Self Determination Local Advisory Committee is requesting proposals for services provided by an individual or organization to participants interested in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) in understanding the Self-Determination Program. There will be a focus on supporting participants and families with complex needs, specifically to individuals that are bilingual (e.g., Spanish, Korean and Armenian). Supports will include identifying Independent Facilitators (IF’s) and Financial Management Services (FMS’), and supporting and encouraging them to move forward in the process. The individual/organization who provides these services cannot also be providing other services to the same Lanterman Self-Determination Program participants. If interested, see instructions on the official request for proposal (RFP) below.

View the complete RFP: Word version l PDF version

Instructions for submission:

  • Closing Submission Date: Proposals are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023.
  • Inquiries: Inquiries concerning this RFP should be directed to Adrian Jimenez, Self-Determination Specialist, 213.252.8642 l selfdetermination@lanterman.org

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Be Prepared: Tropical Storm Warning / Prepárese: Alerta de Tormenta Tropical


We are providing you with information and resources regarding Hurricane Hilary. Your safety and well-being is very important to us and we want to ensure you are as prepared as possible.

Hurricane Hilary is forecasted to reach Southern California this weekend as a tropical storm, bringing heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds. The storm could affect you by flooding streets that can make driving dangerous, risk of rockslides and mudslides, and power outages.

The location and intensity of wind and rains is unpredictable as the hurricane approaches California, so it is important to be prepared. And be sure to follow the guidance of your local officials and be aware of updates and possible evacuation orders due to flooding.

And a reminder to charge your electronics in case of potential power outage.

If you need to reach the regional center over the weekend, call our main number at 213.383.1300 and follow the recorded instructions.

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Le proporcionamos información y recursos sobre el huracán Hilary. Su seguridad y bienestar son muy importantes para nosotros y queremos asegurarnos de que esté lo más preparado posible.

Se pronostica que el huracán Hilary llegará al sur de California este fin de semana como una tormenta tropical, trayendo fuertes lluvias, tormentas eléctricas y vientos fuertes. La tormenta podría afectarlo al inundar las calles que pueden hacer que conducir sea peligroso, riesgo de deslizamientos de rocas y lodo, y cortes de energía.

La ubicación y la intensidad del viento y las lluvias son impredecibles a medida que el huracán se acerca a California, por lo que es importante estar preparado. Y asegúrese de seguir las instrucciones de los funcionarios locales y estar al tanto de las actualizaciones y posibles órdenes de evacuación debido a las inundaciones.

Y un recordatorio para cargar sus dispositivos electrónicos en caso de un posible corte de energía.

Si necesita comunicarse con el centro regional durante el fin de semana, llame a nuestro número principal al 213.383.1300 y siga las instrucciones grabadas.

 

RESOURCES/RECURSOS

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts Ahead of Hurricane Hilary / Regístrese para Recibir Alertas de Emergencia Antes del Huracán Hilary

Click here to sign up

Create Your Emergency Plan / Crear Su Plan de Emergencia:

Click here for more info

State of California Advisory / Aviso del Estado de California

Floods/Inundaciones

Click here for more info

Power Outage/ Corte de Energía

Click here for more info

Disaster Preparedness/ Preparación para Desastres

Click here for more info

C.L.U.B. Life Social and Recreational Get Togethers for Teens and Young Adults with T.B.I.


Check out this opportunity for different social activities funded through DDS’s Community Enhancement Grant through Live the Club Life – Teens and In-Betweens project. This enhancement grant is providing social and recreational get together opportunities for adolescents and young adults with T.B.I that are 14 to 21 years old. C.L.U.B. Life has an adult program that provides social opportunities for people with TBI that have become clients of the regional center, and they now have a program for younger people. Activities with family and friends include:

  • Games
  • Bowling
  • Movies
  • Cooking and art classes
  • Hangouts
  • Brain games and cognitive exercises
  • Lunch and dinner socials

For more information, visit www.livetheclublife.org or call 626.260.5919.

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Burbank Boys and Girls Club Afterschool Programs Start August 14


The Burbank Boys and Girls Club received a DDS grant to make their services more inclusive and welcoming the individuals we serve at their upcoming afterschool programs. Families are encouraged to reach out directly to the Boys and Girls Club with further questions about the programs.

Main Club Afterschool Program
August 14, 2023 to May 23, 2024

Hours
2:30 to 6 p.m.
*afternoon snack will be provided

Fees
Registration: $95
1st-8th grade monthly afterschool: $170 (*financial aid is available for qualifying families)
9-12th grade: free

Enrichment Programs

  • Academic/homework assistance
  • Sports and recreation
  • STEM enrichment programs
  • Creative and performing arts
  • Teen services

Transportation to the Main Club from:

  • Washington Elementary
  • Burbank High School
  • John Burroughs High School

Registration opens July 3 through the parent portal: parentportal.bgcburbank.org

For more information, contact the Main Club House at 818.842.9333, x. 113 or e-mail membership@bgcburbank.org, or visit bgcburbank.org, 300 E. Angeleno Ave., Burbank, CA 91502.

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Elementary Afterschool Program
August 14, 2023 to May 23, 2024

Hours
After school to 6 p.m.
*afternoon snack will be provided

Fees
Registration: $95
1st-5th grade: $170/month
*Morning care: $110/month (TK-5 grade, Bret Harte 7-9 a.m.)
Bret Harte, Edison and Stevenson TK/Kinder: $200/month
(*financial aid is available for qualifying families)
(*a minimum of 15 members is needed in order to operate a morning and kinder program)

Enrichment Programs

  • Academic/homework assistance
  • Sports and recreation
  • STEM enrichment programs
  • Creative and performing arts

On Campus Locations

  • Bret Harte
  • Edison
  • Emerson
  • Jefferson
  • McKinley
  • Miller
  • Roosevelt
  • Stevenson

Registration opens July 3 through the parent portal: parentportal.bgcburbank.org

For more information, contact the Main Club House at 818.842.9333, x. 113 or e-mail membership@bgcburbank.org, or visit bgcburbank.org, 300 E. Angeleno Ave., Burbank, CA 91502.

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Middle School Afterschool Program
August 14, 2023 to May 23, 2024

Hours
Monday to Friday, school release to 6 p.m.

Fees
Registration: $95
Afterschool monthly fee: $110
(*financial aid is available for qualifying families)

Enrichment Programs

  • Academic/homework assistance
  • Sports and recreation
  • STEM enrichment programs
  • Creative and performing arts
  • Teen services

Sites on Campus

  • Dolores Huerta
  • John Muir
  • Luther

Registration opens July 3 through the parent portal: parentportal.bgcburbank.org

For more information, contact the Main Club House at 818.842.9333, x. 113 or e-mail membership@bgcburbank.org, or visit bgcburbank.org, 300 E. Angeleno Ave., Burbank, CA 91502.

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Lanterman Regional Center Caseload Ratio


Dear Lanterman Community,

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has found that Lanterman Regional Center is out of compliance with the requirements of the Welfare and Institutions Code, section 4640.6 (c), which requires that regional centers maintain caseload ratios at or below specific averages.

In February 2023, Lanterman reported the following caseload ratios:

  • Medicaid Waiver - 1:77 (the required ratio is 1:62)
  • Children under 6 - 1:58 (the required ratio is 1:40)
  • Individuals who moved from a developmental center over 24 months ago - 1:52 (the required ratio is 1:62)
  • Individuals who moved from a developmental center between 12 and 24 months ago - 1:14 (the required ratio is 1:45)
  • Individuals who moved from a developmental center within the last 12 months - N/A (the required ratio is 1:45)
  • Over 5, not on Waiver - 1:74 (the required ratio is 1:66)
  • Complex Needs - 1:15 (the required ratio is 1:25)
  • Low or No POS - 1:26 (the required ratio is 1:40)

Welfare and Institutions Code 4640.6 (f) requires a plan of correction be developed for a regional center that has not complied with the caseload ratio requirements for two consecutive years. The Regional Center is required to solicit input from its community, including families, adults served by the regional center, service providers, the State Council, recognized labor unions and other interested parties.  

There are two ways you can provide input:

  • Attend our Community Meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, August 22 at 4 p.m. to learn more about our caseload ratios as well as to give input into our plan to reduce caseloads. Click here to register
  • Our draft response letter will be posted soon. And if you would like to provide input once it is, you may submit via e-mail to CommunityInput@lanterman.org or send via U.S. Mail by August 25, 2023 to the address below:
    Melinda Sullivan
    Executive Director
    Lanterman Regional Center
    3303 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700
    Los Angeles, CA 90010

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DDS Emergency Preparedness Bulletin - Extreme Heat and Wildfire Safety


The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is excited to share the Summer Edition of the Emergency Preparedness Bulletin posted on the Emergency Preparedness Consumer and Vendor pages. This bulletin addresses the topic of Extreme Heat and Wildfire Safety. Preparing for the unexpected is your best defense against extreme heat and wildfire emergencies during the summer 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:

ASL Summer Immersion Program / Programa de Verano Inmersión de ASL


Deaf (Hard of Hearing, Deafblind, Deaf Disabled) Families join GLAD's Family Outreach Advocate and Deaf Coach this summer for ASL Storysigning, Arts and Craft, Socialize with Others and Play Activities at various Los Angeles Public Libraries. / Las familias sordas (con dificultades auditivas, sordociegas, sordas discapacitadas) se unen al Defensor de alcance familiar y Entrenador de sordos de GLAD este verano para las actividades de escritura de cuentos, artes y manualidades, socializar con otros y jugar en varias bibliotecas públicas de Los Ángeles.

  • Monday/Lunes, July 10 at 10 a.m. - R.L. Stevenson Library, 803 Spence Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023
  • Wednesday/Miércoles, July 12 at 12 p.m. - R.L. Stevenson Library, 803 Spence Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023
  • Wednesday/Miércoles, July 19 at 11 a.m. - Van Nuys Library, 6250 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91401
  • Thursday/Jueves, July 20 at 12 p.m. - Van Nuys Library, 6250 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91401
  • Thursday/Jueves, July 27 at 12 p.m. - Exposition Park Library, 3900 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062

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Limited FREE Spots for Lanterman Families for Camp Woodcraft - Must Apply by July 14


Camp Woodcraft has limited FREE spots for families that receive services through Lanterman Regional Center. You must apply by Friday, July 14.

There is one remaining session for the weeklong overnight camp for ages 7-13 held near Idyllwild:

  • Session 4 - July 23 to 28

Offerings include archery, archery tag, low ropes, rock climbing, gaga ball, nature hikes, water activities, arts and crafts, campfire and sing-a-longs, team building and more.

They have enhanced staff to meet the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. Families can reach out directly to Woodcraft Rangers for scholarship consideration and to learn more about the camp.

Click here for the interest form

More info at www.campwoodcraft.org, call 213.249.9293 or e-mail campwoodcraft@woodcraftrangers.org.

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Riders with Disabilities and Companions Save 15% on Rail Travel with Amtrak San Joaquins


Summer is here...and did you know...Amtrak San Joaquins connects the San Francisco Bay Area with the Central Valley, and to the rest of California. With connecting Thruway buses to over 100 destinations throughout California, you can make an easy getaway to attractions like Yosemite, Los Angeles, Napa Valley and Las Vegas. Wherever you go, enjoy the journey aboard Amtrak San Joaquins with their spacious seats equipped with charging outlets, internet on-board with Amtrak Wi-Fi, and Café car with delicious food and beverages.

Amtrak San Joaquins offers a 15% off discount for riders with disabilities and companions. Select ‘Passenger with Disability’ or ‘Companion’ for each passenger as appropriate and enter code V577 when purchasing your ticket and be prepared to show written documentation of your disability at the ticket counter and when boarding the train. Valid for travel now through December 31, 2024.

Accepted written documentation include:

  • Transit system ID card for persons with disability
  • Membership card from a disability organization
  • Letter from a physician
  • Medicare card, if under 65
  • Veteran’s Administration ID with “Service Connected”
  • Disabled/Accessible parking placard issued by a state Department of Motor Vehicle (photocopy is acceptable)

Some limitations apply. Please visit https://amtraksanjoaquins.com/promotion/disabled-discount/ to learn more.

Routes, train schedules and station locations can be found at www.AmtrakSanJoaquins.com. For inquiries, train passengers can reach out to Amtrak San Joaquins on Twitter at @SanJoaquins, Facebook and Instagram at @AmtrakSanJoaquins or call 1.800.USA.RAIL.

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Catch a Performance of the Mystery Theater Horror Show


Created by and performed by people with autism!

The Strindberg Laboratory presents "The Mystery Theater Horror Show" performed at the Frida Kahlo Theater, 2332 4th St., Los Angeles, CA 90057 on Sunday, June 25 at 4 p.m. and Saturday, July 1 at 4 p.m.

The show uses puppetry, shadow theater, live acting and more to tell the story of a group of actors from outerspace who have created a theater in Palmdale, CA. The show is an original creation and all of the stories and elements have been created by people with autism and other intellectual disabilities. The show is loosely inspired by the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Mystery Theater Horror Show, besides being entertaining, deals with the important theme of displacement that the autism community and other marginalized communities know first hand. They hope this show will spur audiences to take action in their communities and come together so Los Angeles will become more inclusive of people from all backgrounds.

For more information e-mail strindberglaboratory@gmail.com or call 213.265.6313.

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DSP Workforce Data Collection - $8,000 Incentive Payment


Due to the high volume of vendor agencies registering for the DSP Workforce Data Collection 2022 the deadline for completing the survey has been extended for vendor agencies that register by June 30.

  • Vendors must complete the online registration form for the DSP Workforce Data Collection 2022 by June 30, 2023 to access the survey. Click here
  • After registering, vendors may enter their survey data through July 31, 2023.

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is collecting data from agencies that employ Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) about factors that impact the workforce. Registration is required to participate. The data collection effort will collect data, through an online survey, on vendor agencies’ direct service professionals (DSPs) for calendar year 2022. Vendor agencies who are eligible to participate in the data collection and complete the survey in its entirety will receive an $8,000 incentive after the data collection has ended. 

The survey registration and survey went live May 1, 2023. The presentation from the meeting on April 25, 2023, which provides information about registering for and completing the survey can be found here. In addition, more information can be found on the DDS DSP Workforce Data Collection webpage.
 
On that webpage you will find the following and more:

  • The DSP Workforce Survey online vendor registration form (goes live on 5/1/2023) – *Registration is required to participate in the survey*
  • A video recording of the meeting and presentation on April 25, 2023
  • General information about the data collection effort and survey
  • Tips on completing the DSP Workforce Survey (English and Spanish videos)
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents covering these topics: eligibility requirements, incentive payment, survey details and technical assistance

We encourage you to share this valuable information with other vendors and vendor networks who are interested in earning the $8000 incentive payment for completing the DSP Workforce survey.  
 
For questions, e-mail dspworkforce@dds.ca.gov.

DDS Releases New Info Packet for Clients and Families on Early Start Services


The Department of Developmental Services has released its new Information Packet for Consumers and Families on Early Start Services. This is the first of two standardized information packets being developed. They will help support regional centers in ensuring all families who are potentially eligible for services learn about how their center can serve them and their family member.

This first packet focuses on children ages 0-3. The second, which will be available this summer, will be about Lanterman Act services. The packet is also available in Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Tagalog and Vietnamese. English and Spanish audio options, as well as an ASL version, will be available soon. 

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Check Out the Article: Fun for All


Check out the very informative article in May's Costco Connection “Fun for All - Vacationing with an Anxious, Inflexible or Neurodiverse Child.” It’s authored by Dawn M. Barclay, who wrote "Traveling Different." Topics covered include:

  • Strategies to enhance every vacation
  • Certification programs
  • Venues
  • Avoid meltdowns
  • For the family

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April is Autism Acceptance Month / Abril es el Mes de la Aceptación del Autismo


April is Autism Acceptance Month and there is lots going on in and around Los Angeles.

Steppin 4 Autism on April 15

Steppin 4 Autism will be on Saturday, April 15 with registration starting at 9 a.m. and the event staring at 10 a.m. Being held at the Woodley Airport in Compton.

View flyer

Click here to sign up

KYRC Storytime on April 19

The KYRC is hosting a virtual Storytime event on Wednesday, April 19 via Zoom from 4 to 4:45 p.m.

The books they will be reading are “It was Supposed to be Sunny” by Samantha Cotterill and “I am Odd, I am New” by Benjamin Giroux. 

View flyer

Click here to register

Tools 4 Transformation Conference on April 22

Every year, SNN brings families and providers together with renowned experts for the region’s largest and most comprehensive free autism/ADHD/LD conference on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Parents, clinicians, and providers build connections while learning about the latest research and strategies from experts in intervention, education, healthcare, culturally competent services, advocacy, and social justice. 

View flyer

Visit website for more info

Thinkers for Autism Fair on April 23

Thinkers for Autism will have their free Autism Awareness Fair on Sunday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Norwalk Sports Complex.

View flyer

Learn more

City of Los Angeles Fair on April 29

The City of Los Angeles will have their Autism Acceptance Fair on Saturday, April 29th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chatsworth Park South Recreation Center in Chatsworth.

View flyer

Learn more

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Abril es el Mes de la Aceptación del Autismo y están sucediendo muchas cosas en Los Ángeles y sus alrededores.

Steppin 4 Autismo el 15 de abril

Steppin 4 Autism será el sábado 15 de abril con el registro a partir de las 9 a. m. y el evento comenzando a las 10 a.m. y se llevará a cabo en el Aeropuerto Woodley en Compton.

Ver folleto

Haga clic aquí para registrarte

KYRC Storytime el 19 de abril

El KYRC está organizando un evento virtual Storytime el miércoles 19 de abril a través de Zoom de 4 a 4:45 p.m. Los libros que leerán son "Se suponía que iba a estar soleado" de Samantha Cotterill y "Soy extraño, soy nuevo" de Benjamin Giroux.

Ver folleto

Oprima aquí para registrarse

Herramientas 4 Transformación Conferencia el 22 de abril

Cada año, SNN reúne a familias y proveedores con expertos de renombre para la conferencia gratuita sobre autismo/TDAH/LD más grande y completa de la región el sábado 22 de abril de 2023 de 8 a.m. a 3 p.m. en Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Los padres, médicos y proveedores construyen conexiones mientras aprenden sobre las últimas investigaciones y estrategias de expertos en intervención, educación, atención médica, servicios culturalmente competentes, defensa y justicia social.

Ver folleto

Visite el sitio web para más información

Thinkers for Autism Fair el 23 de abril

Thinkers for Autism tendrá su Feria de Concientización sobre el Autismo gratuita el domingo 23 de abril de 10 a.m. a 2 p.m. en el Complejo Deportivo Norwalk.

Ver folleto

Aprende más

Feria de la Ciudad de Los Ángeles el 29 de abril

La Ciudad de Los Ángeles tendrá su Feria de Aceptación del Autismo el sábado 29 de abril de 10 a.m. a 2 p.m. en el Centro Recreativo Chatsworth Park South en Chatsworth.

Ver folleto

Aprende más

DDS Emergency Preparedness Bulletin - Winter Weather Safety


The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is excited to share the first Emergency Preparedness Bulletin posted on the Emergency Preparedness Consumer and Provider pages. This bulletin addresses the topic of Winter Weather Safety. Winter weather and cold temperatures can be dangerous. Winter weather may include rain, snow, hail, flooding, strong winds, and very cold temperatures. Power outages also may happen. Stay safe and healthy by planning ahead and creating an emergency plan. 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:

Creating a State Digital Equity Plan (SDEP)


Over the next eight months, California is leveraging a federal planning grant to develop a State Digital Equity Plan (SDEP). The California Department of Technology (CDT) is heading up this effort.

When completed, the SDEP will deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to the State and ensure Californians have affordable, high-speed internet access, as well as the skills and tools needed to participate in the digital economy.

Since the digital divide looks different for everyone, CDT needs to hear from people throughout the State to collectively identify how digital equity barriers can be removed. 

Are you interested in learning more about the SDEP or participating in the plan development process? Click here

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DDS and CDA Awarded Grant to Help Connect CA’s Disabled Community and Aging Services


California’s Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and Department of Aging (CDA) have been jointly selected as a grantee to help lead a national effort to better connect the state’s intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) and aging services.

The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities chose California as one of five new participant states in a national “Community of Practice” that brings together expertise from a wide range of disciplines to improve aging services for individuals with I/DD and their families.

DDS and CDA’s partnership as a State Alliance Team is enhanced by the participation of California’s State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Rehabilitation and a variety of community-based organizations that advocate for and improve the lives of Californians with I/DD and the aging population.

The State Alliance Team expands our collective reach to serve more of California’s diverse aging population, and especially those with I/DD and family caregivers, in a way that is respectful of the variety of cultural and linguistic needs within California communities.

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Public Charge Update


On December 23, 2022, a new public charge rule went into effect. This rule says that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will NOT consider health, food, and housing services as part of the public charge determination. This means many government-funded benefits and services are safe to use.

EVERY FAMILY IS DIFFERENT, SO REACH OUT FOR QUALIFIED LEGAL ADVICE:

The CalHHS Public Charge Guide provides current information regarding federal changes to “public charge” determinations and the use of public benefits. The guide is available in 21 languages here.

Winter Storm Assistance / Asistencia para Tormentas de Invierno


California is continuing support to communities and maximizing state and federal aid to those who have been adversely impacted by the winter storms. Read more here including where to go for help or how to register for assistance.

California está comprometido a seguir apoyando y maximizar la ayuda estatal y federal dirigida a las comunidades impactadas por la tormenta invernal. Obtenga más información aquí, incluso adónde acudir para obtener ayuda o cómo registrarse para recibir asistencia.

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Services During the Strike / Servicios Durante la Huelga


With the 3-day Los Angeles Unified School District strike scheduled to begin tomorrow, Tuesday, 03/21 through Thursday, 03/23, if your family needs services during this time, contact your regional center service coordinator. They can be reached directly at the info they provided to you or by contacting 213.383.1300 or kyrc@lanterman.org.

We encourage you to follow LAUSD on their social media for the latest news about the strike and for resources, including a family and resource student guide, grab-and-go meal locations and more.

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Con la huelga de 3 días del LAUSD programada para comenzar mañana, martes 03/21 hasta el jueves 03/23, si su familia necesita servicios durante este tiempo, comuníquese con su coordinador de servicios del centro regional. Puede contactarlos directamente en la información que le proporcionaron o comunicándose con 213.383.1300 o kyrc@lanterman.org.

Lo alentamos a que siga a LAUSD en sus redes sociales para conocer las últimas noticias sobre la huelga y para recursos, incluida una guía para familias y estudiantes de recursos, ubicaciones de comidas para llevar y más.

CA START Services Now Available Through Lanterman


In response to the unique needs of individuals with both a developmental disability and a mental health need that at times cannot be sufficiently met by our community, Lanterman Regional Center is pleased to announce the availability of START services.

What is START?
The Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources and Treatment (START) Model provides mental health crisis support and prevention to people with developmental disabilities and mental/behavioral health needs. Services include crisis planning, crisis response, education, team collaboration, consultation, care management, and therapeutic coaching. All services are person-centered and assess the individual based on their environment and individual need. The START program aims to build capacity through relationships, support families and organizations, and assist individuals in enhancing their overall quality of life.

Who is Eligible for CA START?
CA START services are available for people ages 6 and over who have a documented developmental disability or co-occurring mental/behavioral health need and are receiving regional center services.

How to make a referral?
Please speak to your regional center service coordinator for more information about how to be referred to CA START.

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AB637 Public Comment Announcements, Public Hearing Scheduled for 03/30 / AB637 Anuncios de Comentarios Públicos, Audiencia Pública Programada para el 03/30


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 to increase rates for Clinical Psychological Evaluation services.

Lanterman’s proposal will increase our ability to hire qualified licensed clinical psychologists to meet Lanterman eligibility determination needs and timelines. The current rate structure does not allow us to recruit additional licensed psychologists for Lanterman eligibility determinations in order to meet the growing demand for these services. The demand for psychological evaluations for individuals seeking initial and continued regional center eligibility greatly outweighs the supply of available vendored psychologists. A review of local prevailing rates for psychological testing has confirmed that our rate of $644.19 per assessment is substantially subpar.

In order to negotiate competitive rates which will align with other local regional center rates for the same services, Lanterman is seeking to waive California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 1, Section 57300, Rate-Setting Requirements Applicable to All Nonresidential Service Vendors allowing for a rate to be negotiated higher than prevailing Medi-Cal rates.

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El Centro Regional Frank D. Lanterman está buscando la opinión del público de acuerdo con el Código de Bienestar e Instituciones (WIC) §4669.75 (b) para presentar una Propuesta de Exención AB637/1543/1106 al Departamento de Servicios de Desarrollo (DDS) de acuerdo con los requisitos legales. Estamos buscando específicamente la opinión del público para aumentar la tarifa de los servicios de Evaluaciones Clínicas Psicológicas.

La propuesta de Lanterman aumentará nuestra capacidad de contratar psicólogos clínicos calificados con licencia para satisfacer las necesidades y determinación de elegibilidad de Lanterman. La estructura de tarifa actual no nos permite reclutar psicólogos con licencia adicionales para las determinaciones de elegibilidad de Lanterman con el fin de satisfacer la creciente demanda de estos servicios. La demanda de evaluaciones psicológicas para las personas que buscan la elegibilidad inicial y continua del centro regional supera la oferta de evaluaciones psicológicas disponibles por el proveedor. Una revisión de las tarifas locales vigentes para las evaluaciones psicológicas ha confirmado que nuestra tarifa de $ 644.19 por evaluación es sustancialmente inferior.

Con el fin de negociar tarifas competitivas que se alinearán con otras tarifas de centros regionales locales para los mismos servicios, Lanterman está tratando de renunciar al Código de Regulaciones de California (CCR), Título 1, Sección 57300, Requisitos de fijación de tarifas aplicables a todos los proveedores de servicios (no residenciales), lo que permite que se negocie una tarifa más alta que las tarifas vigentes de Medi-Cal.

Public Hearing Scheduled for 03/30 / Audiencia Pública Programada para el 03/30

A public hearing to receive comments on this proposal will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. / Una audiencia pública para recibir comentarios sobre esta propuesta se llevará a cabo el jueves, 30 de marzo de 2023 a las 10 a.m. a través de Zoom.

Register online / Registrar en línea

After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the meeting. / Después de registrarse, recibirá un correo electrónico de confirmación con información sobre cómo unirse a la reunión.

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, April 7, 2023. / Se solicitan aportes, comentarios y sugerencias de la comunidad en general. Envíe comentarios públicos por escrito a Pablo Ibáñez a pibanez@lanterman.org antes del viernes 7 de abril de 2023.
 

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Take the ABA Services Research Study Survey / Realice la Encuesta de Investigación de Servicios de ABA


Easterseals Southern California Autism Services is conducting a research study to understand how people who have been through Applied Behavior Analysis feel about ABA.

Participation will take approximately 10-15 minutes, and responses will be collected via an online survey, phone or by mail. All responses will be anonymous and no personally identifying information is being collected. At any time during this survey, participants may choose to withdraw from the study by not completing it. The survey is available in both English and Spanish.

Eligible participants must currently be receiving ABA or have received ABA in the past. Participants must be at least 9 years old and able to self-report on their own personal lived experience. Caregivers are not eligible to participate in the study except for assisting the participant in selecting their answers.

Take the survey in English

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Los Servicios para el Autismo de Easterseals Southern California están llevando a cabo un estudio de investigación para entender cómo se sienten las personas que han pasado por el Análisis Conductual Aplicado (ABA, por sus siglas en inglés).

La participación tomará aproximadamente 10-15 minutos y las respuestas se recogerán a través de una encuesta en línea, por teléfono o por correo. Todas las respuestas serán anónimas y no se recogerá ninguna información de identificación personal. En cualquier momento de la encuesta, los participantes podrán optar por retirarse del estudio sin completar esta última. La encuesta está disponible tanto en inglés como en español.

Los participantes elegibles deben estar recibiendo actualmente ABA o haber recibido ABA en el pasado. Los participantes deben tener al menos 9 años de edad y ser capaces de responder sobre su propia experiencia personal vivida. Los cuidadores no son elegibles para participar en el estudio, excepto para ayudar al participante en la selección de sus respuestas.

Tomar la encuesta en español

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DDS Wellness and Safety Bulletin - Pneumonia


The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is excited to share the latest Wellness and Safety Bulletin posted on the DDS Wellness Toolkit. This bulletin addresses the topic of identifying and preventing pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs more frequently impacting the population this time of year. Some people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at an increased risk of getting pneumonia which can become life-threatening if untreated. Recognizing the signs and symptoms can help prevent health complications, hospitalization and death. This bulletin provides relevant health and safety information as part of DDS’ ongoing effort to improve our collective management of risks to the wellness of the individuals that we serve.

For Vendors and Direct Service Providers:

For Self-Advocates and Families:

Meeting Announcement: Coordinated Family Support (CFS) / Anuncio de Reunión: Apoyo Familiar Coordinado (CFS)


DDS is hosting four webinars to share information on a new service option for adults served by regional centers who live with their families. This new service is called Coordinated Family Support (CFS). / DDS está organizando cuatro seminarios web para compartir información sobre una nueva opción de servicio para adultos servidos por centros regionales que viven con sus familias. Este nuevo servicio se llama Apoyo Familiar Coordinado (CFS, por sus siglas en ingles).

Please choose one of the following Community Webinars on Coordinated Family Support to attend. / Por favor elija uno de los seminarios web comunitarios sobre Apoyo Familiar Coordinado para asistir.

Wednesday, February 15, 2023 / miércoles, 15 de febrero de 2023 
3 to 4 p.m.
English presentation with interpretation provided in American Sign Language (ASL) / Presentación en inglés con interpretación en lenguaje de señas americano (ASL, en inglés)
REGISTER HERE / REGÍSTRESE AQUÍ

Wednesday, February 15, 2023 / miércoles, 15 de febrero de 2023
6 to 7 p.m.
Spanish presentation with interpretation provided in English and Spanish/Mexican Sign Language (LSM) / Presentación en español con interpretación en inglés y español/mexicano lenguaje de señas (LSM, en inglés)
REGISTER HERE / REGÍSTRESE AQUÍ

Thursday, February 16, 2023 / jueves, 16 de febrero de 2023
2 to 3 p.m.
Spanish presentation with interpretation provided in English and Spanish/Mexican Sign Language (LSM) / Presentación en español con interpretación en inglés y español/mexicano lenguaje de señas (LSM, en inglés)
REGISTER HERE / REGÍSTRESE AQUÍ

Thursday, February 16, 2023 / jueves, 16 de febrero de 2023
6 to 7 p.m.
English presentation with interpretation provided in American Sign Language (ASL) / Presentación en inglés con interpretación en lenguaje de señas americano (ASL, en inglés)
REGISTER HERE / REGÍSTRESE AQUÍ

In Our Thoughts…


Dear Lanterman Community,

Our neighbors in the city of Monterey Park experienced an unimaginable tragedy last night during Lunar New Year festivities.

This is supposed to be a time of celebration and starting anew and it was beyond heartbreaking to wake up to news of a mass shooting in the midst of such celebrations.

Our thoughts go out to those who lost loved ones, and those who were injured. We stand in solidarity with the Asian Pacific Islander community as we begin to process this senseless violence.

In the event you need support related to this tragic situation, contact the Regional Center so we can help connect you to the appropriate resources.

Holding thoughts of healing and peace for this new year.

Melinda Sullivan
Executive Director

As a Designated Voter Registration Agency, Lanterman Can Help You Register to Vote


Did you vote in the recent elections? We hope so, and if you didn’t because you weren’t registered, did you know that Lanterman can help you register to vote?

Lanterman is designated as a Voter Registration Agency (VRA); the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) designates agencies that provide services to individuals with disabilities as VRAs. As such, our staff can assist individuals who are of voting age to register to vote. Lanterman staff will also assist parents of minor children to register to vote.

Lanterman service coordinators will be asking if you are registered to vote at your next IPP, and if you are not yet registered, this is an excellent opportunity to become part of the democratic process.

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Montserrat Works as a Student Assistant at Cal State Long Beach While Pursuing a Degree in English


Montserrat (right) is pictured with Britt Wilson, her ILS Instructor and Career Navigator

Written by Montserrat herself, she shares: "My name is Montserrat Ruiz and I am a current student attending California State University Long Beach. As a student with ADHD and Autism, I have gone through many obstacles in life from struggling to make friends, or find work. But now that I am older and more immersed in regional center programs, such as Start to Finish Services, I am more confident in applying for internships, training and advocating for myself. You can find me working at my college campus as a student assistant for the College of Arts, while pursuing a degree in English: Rhetoric & Composition.”

Allan Succeeds at Food 4 Less with Support from AbilityFirst


Allan is hard-working and always has a positive attitude...whether it’s on the job, or meeting with his supervisor, or job coach. Allan is punctual, courteous, and always respectful of others.

He started with the Employment Facilitation Training Services (EFTS) program at AbilityFirst in June 2018 and then transitioned to Supported Employment where he was hired to work for Food 4 Less.

When Allan first started, he had a hard time asking others for help. He struggled with some of the physical labor at Food 4 Less, like stocking items on high shelves, or assisting a customer if an item fell off the shelf.

Allan’s job coach Lucy helped Allan by showing him proper safety procedures and encouraging him to ask for help whenever he needs it.

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Deadline to Apply for 2023 Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities Extended to 03/17/23


Applications for the 2023 California Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (YLF) are now due Friday, March 17, 2023. Develop your leadership skills, and learn how to reach your academic, career and independence goals...and make new lifetime friends. Talk with policy makers and educate them on ways they can improve the lives of young people with disabilities.

YLF is a seven-day summer self-advocacy and leadership development program for students with disabilities, which includes post-YLF workshops after the weeklong event (workshop dates and times to be determined). The 2023 YLF is tentatively on July 13-19, 2023 YLF and will be held partly virtually and partly in-person. All selected delegate’s expenses are sponsored through a public-private partnership.

Students must complete an application, write an essay and provide letters of recommendations. This is a competitive process and not all students will be selected. Applicants must be sophomores, juniors or seniors during the 2022-23 school year ending by June 30 to be eligible to apply.

YLF applications must be completed electronically and emailed to ylf@dor.ca.gov. The deadline to apply was extended to March 17, 2023.

The 2023 application and related documents, including an outreach flyer, can be found at https://www.dor.ca.gov/Home/YLF.

For other questions, please call the CCEPD office at 855.894.3436 or e-mail at YLF@dor.ca.gov.

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New Advisory Committee to Advise on the Lanterman Act Hearing Process / Nuevo Comité Asesor para asesorar sobre el proceso de audiencia de la Ley Lanterman


The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) are accepting applications for the new Lanterman Act Hearing Advisory Committee (LAHAC).

This Committee will provide input to the departments regarding mediations and hearings conducted by the OAH.

To be considered as an initial committee member, applications are due by January 31, 2023.

Please share this information with your networks.

Please e-mail Ombudsperson@dds.ca.gov with any questions.

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El DDS y la Oficina de Audiencias Administrativas (OAH, por sus siglas en inglés) están aceptando solicitudes para el nuevo Comité Asesor de Audiencias de la Ley Lanterman (LAHAC).

Este Comité brindará información a los departamentos sobre las mediaciones y audiencias realizadas por OAH.

Para ser considerado como miembro inicial del comité, las solicitudes deben entregarse antes del 31 de enero de 2023.

Por favor comparte esta información con sus redes.

Envíe un correo electrónico a Ombudsperson@dds.ca.gov si tiene alguna pregunta.

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.

Child Care Financial Assistance / Asistencia financiera para el cuidado de niños


Get Help Paying for Child Care

We all know child care is expensive but did you know CCRC can help with the cost?

Many families don’t know that they qualify for help paying for child care. Financial assistance is available for child care all hours of the day, including nights, weekends, or for just a few hours a week. Whether you are looking for employment, going to school, or working and in need of care, CCRC can help!

And, you can choose your child care type such as licensed center, family child care home, a family, friend or neighbor to take care of your child. Need help finding a provider? We can help with that too.

The application is quick and easy. Most people complete it in 3-5 minutes.

Click here to begin or update your application

Call 1-866-67-4KIDS to check your status or if you have any questions.

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Obtenga ayuda para pagar el cuidado de niños

Todos sabemos que el cuidado de niños es costoso, pero ¿sabía que CCRC puede ayudar con el costo?

Muchas familias no saben que califican para recibir ayuda para pagar el cuidado infantil. La asistencia financiera está disponible para el cuidado de niños durante todo el día, incluidas las noches, los fines de semana o solo unas pocas horas a la semana. Ya sea que esté buscando empleo, yendo a la escuela o trabajando y necesita atención, ¡CCRC puede ayudarlo!

Y puede elegir su tipo de cuidado infantil, como un centro con licencia, un hogar de cuidado infantil familiar, una familia, un amigo o un vecino para cuidar a su hijo. ¿Necesita ayuda para encontrar un proveedor? Podemos ayudar con eso también.

La aplicación es rápida y fácil. La mayoría de las personas lo completan en 3-5 minutos.

Haga clic aquí para comenzar o actualizar su aplicación

Llame al 1-866-67-4KIDS y solicite hablar con la FAO para verificar su estado, realizar actualizaciones o si tiene alguna pregunta.

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New Baby? Project SAFE Can Help! / Recién Nacido? El Proyecto SAFE Puede Ayudar!


The Help Group's Project SAFE (Support and Advocacy for Family Empowerment) welcomes dads and male caregivers.

New baby? Project SAFE can help! They provide:

  • Home visits by trained counselors
  • Assistance accessing community resources (ex. food, healthcare, child care, parent support)
  • Education about child development, parenting and safety
  • Strategies for managing stress and other challenges
  • Techniques to develop a strong and positive relationship with your child

To determine your eligibility and to learn more, call or e-mail: 818.809.4187 or ncorvino@thehelpgroup.org.

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The Help Group's Proyecto SAFE (Apoyo y Abogacía Para el Empoderamiento Familiar) lo da bienvenidos a padres de familia y cuidadores.

Recién nacido? El Proyecto SAFE puede ayudar! Ofrecen:

  • Visitas domiciliarias por consejeros capacitados
  • Asistencia para acceder a los recursos de la comunidad (por ejemplo, alimentos, atención médica, cuidado de niños, apoyo para padres)
  • Educación sobre desarrollo infantil, crianza y seguridad
  • Estrategias para manejar el estrés y otros desafíos
  • Técnicas para desarrollar una relación fuerte y positiva con su hijo

Para determinar su elegibilidad y obtener mas información, envíe un correo o llámenos: 818.916.4720 o dperdomo@thehelpgroup.org.

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Little Hoover Commission Hearing on the Developmental Disabilities System


Resharing the "Buidling Our System Forward" e-mail from ARCA about the Little Hoover Commission Hearing on the Developmental Disabilities System:

For over fifty years, California's regional centers have provided community-based services to people with developmental disabilities to meet local needs. And as times - and needs - change, so does our system. 

The Little Hoover Commission, an independent state oversight agency, is holding hearings on the developmental disabilities services system. They've been exploring the challenges the system is facing and will be making recommendations for how to strengthen it. 

Recent independent surveys of people served give a clear picture. The experiences of the vast majority of people served in our system are positive. We have a strong foundation to build from that respects people, supports their choices, and helps them lead good lives. Knowing this, ARCA and the regional centers remain committed to equitably serving Californians with developmental disabilities and their families, and helping them to meet their unique needs.

The Little Hoover Commission is asking for ways to make the system work better. ARCA submitted a letter with our ideas, which cover topics ranging from ending family fees, to eliminating the requirement families appeal denials from generic agencies, to letting social recreation be easier to use, to updating regional center funding calculations. 

ARCA and the regional centers will use our proposals to build upon and improve a system that works, spending the next 14 months on four major focus areas:

  1. Standardizing how family support needs, including respite, are assessed
  2. Making it easier to access regional center data reports
  3. Simplifying the process for new service providers to contract with regional centers
  4. Creating intake processes that are more similar statewide and smoother, particularly for foster youth

ARCA and the regional centers are committed to seeing these improvements happen by the end of 2023. We appreciate all opportunities to advance the service system, including collaborating with the Little Hoover Commission and stakeholders to improve the experience of all individuals with developmental disabilities and their families - regardless of race, ethnicity, language, or place in the State.

Are you one of the hundreds of thousands of families whose lives have been improved by their regional center? The Little Hoover Commission needs to hear from you!

The biggest challenge your service coordinator has is time - regional centers struggle to hire enough staff to ensure there's enough time to develop the relationships that move your service experience from good to greatClick here to e-mail them your story of how your service coordinator helped you - and to urge them to "modernize regional center funding!"

Community Input Summary for 2022/23 Community Service Needs Survey


Each year Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center develops Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP) and Community Placement Plan (CPP) proposals which are presented to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to meet the needs of the clients and families we serve. Resource development feedback for 2022/23 was obtained from an online survey and input from our support group participants.

Following is a summary of the input received by Lanterman Regional Center. These are the ranked priorities based on community input:

  1. Behavior management services
  2. Early start therapies (OT, speech)
  3. Social skills training
  4. Employment support
  5. Specialized housing for individuals with behaviors

Looking for Six New Board Members, plus 11/03 Board Recruitment Fair


Lanterman Regional Center is recruiting for six potential board members, whose terms would begin July 2023 and end June 30, 2025. 

As the Center serves a very diverse community, our board must reflect this diversity, and we are looking for the following:

  • Hispanic/Latinx (4 members)
  • Asian (1 member)
  • Adult Self-Advocate (2 members)
  • Community (1 member)
  • An individual with legal expertise (1 member)

As there are only six positions, potential board members will in some cases meet more than one of the diversity criteria above.

We are hosting a board recruitment fair on Thursday, November 3, that will explain more about the role and responsibilities of board members. Those interested in serving on Lanterman's board of directors should attend and learn more.

See below for a list of frequently asked questions, and following is some additional reference information.

W&I Code §4622 – The state shall contract only with agencies, the governing boards of which conform to all of the following criteria:

  • (a) The governing board shall be composed of individuals with demonstrated interest in, or knowledge of, developmental disabilities.
     
  • (b) The membership of the governing board shall include persons with legal, management or board governance, financial, and developmental disability program expertise. Board governance expertise may not be acquired solely by serving on a regional center board.
     
  • (c) The membership of the governing board shall include representatives of the various categories of disability to be served by the regional center.
     
  • (d) The governing board shall reflect the geographic and ethnic characteristics of the area to be served by the regional center.
     
  • (e) A minimum of 50 percent of the members of the governing board shall be persons with developmental disabilities or their parents or legal guardians. No less than 25 percent of the members of the governing board shall be persons with developmental disabilities.
     
  • (f) Members of the governing board shall not be permitted to serve more than seven years within each eight-year period.
     
  • (i) The advisory committee shall designate one of its members to serve as a member of the regional center board.

BOARD RECRUITMENT FAIR

Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.

Click here to register in advance for this meeting via Zoom

You will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the meeting after registering.

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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resource Needs Survey / Encuesta de Necesidades de Servicio Actuales de la Comunidad Sorda+


Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resource Needs Survey

Lanterman is seeking your feedback and assistance in completing a short survey so we can better understand the current service needs of the Deaf+ community.

If you are a client, family member or community partner with knowledge and/or experience as it relates to the Deaf+ community, please complete the following survey.

Click here for the survey in English

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Encuesta de Necesidades de Servicio Actuales de la Comunidad Sorda+

Lanterman busca sus comentarios y ayuda para completar una breve encuesta para que podamos comprender mejor las necesidades de servicio actuales de la comunidad Sorda+.

Si usted es un cliente, miembro de la familia o socio de la comunidad con conocimiento y/o experiencia en relación con la comunidad Sorda+, complete la siguiente encuesta.

Haga clic aquí para la encuesta en español

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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resource Needs Survey for Service Providers

If you are a regional center service provider that currently serves the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community or are interested in serving this population please complete the following survey.

Click here for the survey for service providers

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Be Ready: Disaster Preparedness for Families with CYSHCN (American Sign Language version)


This ~10 minute video instructs families of children and youth with special healthcare needs (CYSHCN) on the importance of disaster readiness and what they can do to prepare. The longer video length accommodates the ASL translation.

Be Ready Videos have been designed to serve as a non-threatening introduction to disaster readiness for families with children and youth with disabilities and medical needs. The videos should be used across disciplines, communities, and jurisdictions in both the private and public sectors.

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M.E.T.A. Small Goals are Important Goals / M.E.T.A. Las Metas Pequeñas son Importantes Metas


Fiesta Educativa invites you to their new program M.E.T.A - Motivate. Educate. Techology. Advocate. - Small Goals are Important Goals: From Zero to Meta.

Topics covered:

  • Technology 101 (e-mails, online search, web, etc.)
  • How to navigate the regional center
  • Learn about service requests and Individual Program Plans (IPP)
  • Self-Determination and resources

Participants must be:

  • Parents/caregivers of regional center clietns from Lanterman Regional Center or Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center.
  • Participant will receive certificate of participation upon completion.

Parents/caregivers will receive a total of $50.00 in gift cards.

To participate, register here: https://forms.gle/3q42AdoV69Zq95bE6 or call Fiesta Educativa at 323.221.6696 and ask for Marely Gomez or Lucia Babb.

Deadline to register is Saturday, September 10.

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Fiesta Educativa les invita a su nuevo programa M.E.T.A - Motivar. Educar. Tecnología. Abogando. - Las Metas Pequeñss son importantes Metas: De Zero a Meta.

Tópicos cubiertos:

  • Tecnología 101 (correos electrónicos, búsqueda en línea, web, etc.)
  • Cómo navegar el centro regional
  • Aprender sobre las solicitudes de servicio y los Planes de Programas Individuales (IPP)
  • Autodeterminación y recursos

Los participantes deben ser:

  • Padres/cuidadores de clientes del centros regionals del Centro Regional Lanterman o del Centro Regional del Este de Los Ángeles.
  • El participante recibirá un certificado de participación al finalizar.

Los padres/cuidadores recibirán un total de $50.00 en tarjetas de regalo.

Para participar, regístrese aquí: https://forms.gle/3q42AdoV69Zq95bE6 o llame a Fiesta Educativa al 323.221.6696 y pregunte por Marely Gomez o Lucia Babb.

La fecha límite para registrarse es el sábado 10 de septiembre.

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DDS Wellness and Safety Bulletin - Safe Medication Management


The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is excited to share the latest Wellness and Safety Bulletin posted on the DDS Wellness Toolkit. This bulletin addresses Safe Medication Management. Safe and accurate medication management is an important component of care and supervision. Medication errors are the second most frequent special incident reported to DDS. This bulletin provides relevant health and safety information as part of DDS’ ongoing effort to improve our collective management of risks to the wellness of the individuals that we serve.

For Self-Advocates and Families:

For Vendors and Direct Service Providers:

Take Our Social Rec Survey by August 31 / Realice Nuestra Encuesta de Recreación Social Antes del 31 de Agosto


Effective July 1, 2021, changes to Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code section 4648.5 restored regional center authority to fund social recreation services. Each Regional Center was required to submit an outreach plan to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and revise its purchase of service (POS) policies to reflect restoration of funding for social recreation services. Lanterman wants to know what is most important to you when it comes to social recreation services. We invite you to complete this survey to help us learn what the community needs are. Take the English Survey

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A partir del 1 de Julio del 2021, cambios en la sección del Código de Bienestar e Instituciones (W&I) 4648.5 restauró la autoridad del Centro Regional para financiar los servicios de recreaciónes sociales.  Se requirió que el Centro Regional presentara un plan de divulgación al Departamento de Servicios del Desarroyo (DDS) y revisar sus normas de compra de servicios (POS) para reflejar la restauración de la financiación de los servicios de recreación social.  FDLRC quiere saber qué es lo más importante para usted cuando se trata de servicios de recreación.  Lo invitamos a completer esta encuesta para ayudarnos a saber cuáles  son las necesides de la comunidad. Toma la Encuesta en Español

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Lanterman Regional Center Hosting Job Fair Saturday, Aug 6


Looking for a job?  We have several. 

Join us for a walk-in interview Saturday, August 6, between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Koch-Young Resource Center located at Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010.

Please come prepared with your resume and dress professionally.

View all open positions, including in accounting, administration, service coordination and more at https://lanterman.org/jobs. For more information, contact Human Resources at 213.252.8680.

All positions are full-time and in-person. The Center requires all employees to be vaccinated or adhere to weekly testing protocol.

Lanterman serves over 11,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities, including children who are at risk for a developmental delay or disability, and adults who are at high-risk of parenting an infant with a disability. The Center offers lifelong services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to enable them to live independent, productive and satisfying lives as active members of their communities.

Interested in joining the team, the following is included in the benefits package for Lanterman employees:

Benefits

  • Employer Paid Medical
  • Employer Paid Dental
  • Employer Paid Life Insurance
  • Employer Paid STD
  • Employer Paid LTD
  • Employer Paid Parking 
  • Employer Paid EAP Program
  • Defined Contribution Retirement Plan – 11 percent of employee’s gross earnings  
  • Vision
  • Flex Spending 
  • Discounted Gym Memberships
  • Pet Insurance
  • Voluntary Life 
  • Voluntary Critical Illness
  • Voluntary 403(b) Retirement Plan
  • Voluntary 457(b) Retirement Plan

Vacation

  • Accrual rate of 5 hours per pay period to a maximum of 200 hours from date of hire through 48 months.
  • Accrual rate of 6.5 hours per pay period to a maximum of 300 hours starting at the 49th month.

Sick

  • Accrual rate 3.75 hours per pay period to a maximum of 640 hours.

Personal

  • Accrual of 2 days per year; 8 hours accrued January 1 and 8 hours accrued July 1.

The Center also offers:

  • 9/80 work schedule after the completion of a 6-month introductory period.
  • Bilingual Pay Differential for eligible positions.

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AB637 Public Comment Announcements, Public Hearing Scheduled for 07/28


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:

  1. Use of Financial Management Service (FMS) agencies to pay for social recreation services.
  2. Improved rate for a residential service provider.

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.

  • Both proposals will increase the quality and quantity of direct services to individuals and will respond to the expressed need for immediate access to service providers.
  • Both proposals are cost effective, as costs will not exceed the current projected costs of funding comparable services through existing vendored service providers.
  • The proposals will be implemented within our existing budget.

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.

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State Auditor Report Released on Department of Developmental Services


DDS Has Not Ensured Regional Centers Have the Necessary Resources to Effectively Serve Californians with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
 
The California State Auditor’s recent audit of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) confirmed what both the regional centers and the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) have been saying for years: regional centers “have neither sufficient staff nor funding. As a result, service coordinators at the regional centers are responsible for assisting more consumers than the maximum set in state law, which limits the total amount of time that service coordinators can spend to assist their consumers.”
 
Additional audit highlights include the following:

  • DDS has not ensured that regional centers monitor vendors, and therefore cannot be assured of the quality of services that the regional centers' vendors deliver to consumers
  • Neither DDS nor the regional centers monitor whether consumers experience difficulties in accessing services.
  • DDS has not provided adequate oversight of regional centers' processes for resolving consumer rights violations. And regional centers did not consistently inform consumers about the process for filing complaints, and frequently took too long to investigate complaints.
  • DDS should also ensure that regional centers make timely decisions on applicants' eligibility for services. 

In conclusion, DDS has been aware of many of these issues, but has not always taken timely and adequate actions to address them. DDS generally agreed with the auditor’s recommendations and indicated that it will take action to implement many of them, setting a number of deadlines for the end of 2022 and through 2023 to address the issues identified in the audit, including:

  • Training and policy development for ongoing vendor monitoring
  • Establishing standards for measuring consumer’s access to services
  • Issuing guidance and developing best practices for providing required info to consumers and completing complaint and appeal investigations by the statutory deadline.

The one area DDS disagreed with the auditor’s recommendation was annually reviewing and updating as necessary the core staffing formula to ensure adequacy of regional center staff’s salaries. While DDS is aware of this problem, it did not take steps to address it until recently, and the steps it has taken to date do not represent long-term solutions. This issue will need continued advocacy.
 
The end goal is to ensure that regional centers are able to effectively serve Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
 
Click here to view the entire audit: http://auditor.ca.gov/reports/2021-107/index.html

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Lanterman’s SDAC Independent Facilitator (IF) Scholarship Request


Lanterman Regional Center's Self-Determination Advisory Committee (SDAC) presents their Independent Facilitator (IF) Scholarship Request with up to 10 scholarships available.

SDAC has identified the need for more Independent Facilitators (IF) that speak a language in addition to English. In response to this identified need, Lanterman is offering up to 10 scholarships for individuals who are interested in becoming an IF.

In addition to English, scholarship applicants must speak Spanish, Armenian or Korean and commit to providing IF services to a minimum of four Lanterman Regional Center individuals/families.

Applying
If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, complete an application in accordance with the instructions posted on our website. Each selected individual may receive funds of up to $2,000.

Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Friday, July 15, 2022.

Questions pertaining to submission instructions:
Adrian Jimenez, SDP Coordinator, at 213.252.8642

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Technology Lending Library / Biblioteca de Préstamo de Tecnología


Easterseals Southern California has developed a Technology Lending Library in partnership with five Los Angeles County Regional Centers (Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center, Harbor Regional Center, Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center, North Los Angeles County Regional Center, and San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center) intended for individuals and families who need technological equipment and support to continue their services.

  • Traditional laptop for day services, vocational training, and telehealth
  • iPad with screen protector and traditional touchscreen usage for day services, vocational training and telehealth
  • JayPad is an Android tablet with traditional touchscreen, self-charging stand to support the tablet, and an auto-join feature. Auto-join allows individuals to receive services, telehealth, and phone calls with no action needed on their part.

Easterseals will be responsible for the equipment loan, training and ongoing support. This includes the Easterseals IT Helpdesk.

If interested in this program for yourself or a family member, contact your Regional Center service coordinator for information about participation.

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Easterseals Southern California han desarrollado en colaboración con cinco Centros Regionales del Condado de Los Ángeles (Centro Regional del Este de Los Ángeles, Centro Regional de Harbor, Centro Regional Frank D. Lanterman, Centro Regional del Norte de Los Ángeles, y el Centro Regional de San Gabriel y Pomona una biblioteca de préstamo de tecnología para individuos y familiares que tienen la necesidad de equipo tecnológico y apoyo para su uso continuo.

  • Laptop tradicional para su uso en programas de día virtuales, entrenamiento vocacional y tele-salud.
  • iPad con protector de pantalla y con pantalla táctil, fácil de usar, para el uso durante los programas de día virtuales, entrenamiento vocacionales y tele- salud.
  • JayPad es una tableta Androide con pantalla táctil tradicional y cargador en estante que cuenta con la opción de auto iniciar sesiones virtuales. Esta opción permite que individuos reciban servicios virtuales, incluyendo llamadas y tele-salud sin ninguna acción de su parte.

Easterseals será responsable del préstamo de equipo, entrenamiento y apoyo continuo. Esto incluye acceso directo a la línea de apoyo de tecnología de Easterseals.

Si usted o a alguien de su familia está interesado en este programa, contacte a su coordinador de servicios en el Centro Regional para información acerca de su participación.

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From awareness…. to acceptance… to inclusion.


Nearly 400,000 Californians are empowered by the state of California to lead lives of greater inclusion in the community, with the support of regional centers, service providers, and family members.

ARCA is proud to sponsor Senate Concurrent Resolution 91, by Senator Melissa Hurtado (representing Central Valley and Kern Regional Centers). This celebrates May 2022 as "Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Inclusion Month." 

Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families can and should make decisions for themselves, instead of having outcomes dictated to them. Making these choices with as much or as little support as needed and desired more effectively recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of these individuals.

We've seen growing awareness of disabilities generally, and the unique needs and contributions of people with disabilities specifically.

New tools like the Self-Determination Program and Supported Decision-Making strengthen person-centered planning and help ensure individuals with developmental disabilities can lead their lives as they choose. 

With innovations like these, our service system is working to find ever-more effective ways to center itself around the person with developmental disabilities.

Thus, the opportunity for full inclusion and community membership is the next logical step in the progress California must make to fully realize the promise of the Lanterman Act.

ARCA and the regional centers strongly support the full inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in community life, and we are thrilled to have Senator Hurtado championing this resolution!

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You’re Feedback Helps Us Make Our Best Even Better


Effective feedback, both positive and negative, is very important for any organization to continually improve and search for ways to make our best even better. While feedback from all of the Regional Center’s stakeholders is valuable, this most recent survey provided every client and family served by Lanterman Regional Center the opportunity to provide feedback on how we’re doing.
 
We invited the 11,000 clients and families we serve to participate in a mail-in survey sent out in their primary language to evaluate our performance and processes, and received an above average response, hearing back from 20 percent or more of you in each of the five languages – English, Spanish, Armenian, Korean or Chinese.
 
So, what did you have to say?
 
Overall, 93% of clients and families reported that they were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the services and support that Lanterman provides. And then we broke it down into 10 different aspects of service and support for which responses were given along a 5-point scale:

  • Extremely Satisfied
  • Satisfied
  • Not sure
  • Dissatisfied
  • Extremely Dissatisfied

 We asked survey recipients questions in the following 10 areas and we’re sharing the percentage satisfied/extremely satisfied:

  1. Easy to reach by telephone – 87%
  2. Timely response to concerns as needed – 90%
  3. Respectful/professional staff communication – 97%
  4. Staff respect and honor my race/ethnic culture – 96%
  5. I feel listened to/understood by staff – 94 %
  6. Staff partner with helpful solution-based ideas – 91%
  7. Service coordinator knows and informs me about relevant services and supports – 90%
  8. Feel comfortable as active participant in IPP/IFSP – 92%
  9. I receive the services and supports I need – 91%
  10. The services and supports I receive have made a difference – 93% 

In 9 out of the 10 areas, 90 percent or more were satisfied or extremely satisfied. Our lowest mark at 87 percent satisfied/extremely satisfied was how easy, or perhaps not easy, we are to reach by telephone. Overall percent satisfaction by ethnicity was also over 90% among 7 self-identified ethnicities.
 
While there is a small percentage that is unsure, dissatisfied or extremely dissatisfied, in each of these areas, feedback on both our strengths and weaknesses helps us improve. Also, respondents who had expressed a question or concern in their survey response, and chose to provide contact information, received a follow-up phone call.
 
Overall, two years into the COVID pandemic, it’s affirming that we have continued to be able to meet and exceed your expectations. There will always be room for growth, and room to improve and enhance how we provide services and supports, and your feedback helps us deliver an ever-better experience with the regional center to our clients and families.

Lanterman Regional Center Caseload Ratio


Dear Lanterman Community,

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has found that Lanterman Regional Center is out of compliance with the requirements of the Welfare and Institutions Code, section 4640.6 (c), which requires that regional centers maintain caseload ratios at or below specific averages.

In February 2022, Lanterman reported the following caseload ratios:

  • Medicaid Waiver - 1:82 (the required ratio is 1:62)
  • Children under 3 - 1:65 (the required ratio is 1:62)
  • Individuals who moved from a developmental center over 24 months ago - 1:59 (the required ratio is 1:62)
  • Over 3, not on Waiver - 1:84 (the required ratio is 1:66)
  • Complex Needs - 1:17 (the required ratio is 1:25)
  • Low or No POS - 1:10 (the required ratio is 1:40)

Welfare and Institutions Code 4640.6 (f) requires a plan of correction be developed for a regional center that has not complied with the caseload ratio requirements for two consecutive years. The Regional Center is required to solicit input from its community, including families, adults served by the regional center, service providers, the State Council, recognized labor unions and other interested parties.  

In addition, the state of California has committed to making a significant investment this coming fiscal year intended to assist in the reduction of caseload size. There are two ways you can provide input:

  • Attend our Community Meeting on Wednesday, May 18 at 4:30 p.m. to learn more about our caseload ratios as well as to give input into our plan to reduce caseloads. Please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMudeytpzwuGNLQOKX437j6DreceIokAUN9   
  • Our draft response letter is listed below. If you would like to provide input, please submit via e-mail to CommunityInput@lanterman.org or send via U.S. Mail by May 21, 2022 to the address below:
    Melinda Sullivan
    Executive Director
    Lanterman Regional Center
    3303 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700
    Los Angeles, CA 90010

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DDS Wellness and Safety Bulletin: Crime Prevention


Check out the latest DDS Wellness and Safety Bulletin on the topic of Crime Prevention. This bulletin is intended to inform our community about what steps they can take to reduce the likelihood of becoming the victim of a crime and what to do if victimized. 

All bulletins are available on the DDS website in the Wellness Toolkits section: https://www.dds.ca.gov/consumers/wellness-toolkit/

Crime Prevention for Self-Advocates

Crime Prevention for Vendors/Providers

Project SEARCH CHLA is Looking for Interns for the 2022-2023 School Year


Project SEARCH CHLA is looking for interns for the 2022-2023 school year. Information sessions coming soon.

Project SEARCH is a one-year school to work program that takes place at a host business site, Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The focus is training students with developmental disabilities for competitive work. The curriculum teaches students employability skills, soft skills, transferable job skills as well as functional life skills in a real world setting. Students rotate between internships learning the skills below:

  • Team building,
  • Accessing workplace technologies,
  • Social skills/Health and wellness,
  • communication skills,
  • interviewing skills,
  • money management,
  • job search skills.

Looking for students who:

  • Are in their last year of LAUSD. Born in late 2000 or 2001
  • Be a SCLARC or Lanterman Client
  • Willing to commit to travel training to and from site
  • Commit to job development and work at least 16 hours a week once employed
  • Be motivated to have a job and learn about independence.
  • Willing to commit to a year long internship

For more information, contact:

Alejandra Alvarez
Program Coordinator
alejandra.alvarez@pathpoint.org
562.233.3604

or

Mike Whitfield
LAUSD Instructor
mdw6633@lausd.net
310.291.6788

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“Special Alert” Request by The LA County Sheriff’s Department


Solicitud de “Alerta Especial" Creado por El Departamento del Sheriff del Condado de Los Ángeles
Families can notify law enforcement if a loved one lives at home with a mental health condition, developmental, and/or intellectual disability. The “Special Alert” computer system will allow deputies to decide how to best handle the situation, what resources to bring, and if a team of mental health professionals is needed.

Families can submit more than one form to include other locations that are often visited by their loved one (for example, a park, mall, theater, etc.).

Visit https://lasd.org/specialalert/ for more information.

To fill out a form, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3hfn2p98


Las familias pueden notificar a la policía si un ser querido vive en casa con una condición de salud mental, y/o una discapacidad del desarrollo o intelectual. El sistema "Alerta Especial" permitirá que los policías decidan cómo manejar la situación, qué recursos traer, y si necesitaran llamar a un equipo de profesionales de la salud mental.

Las familias pueden llenar más de un formulario para incluir otros lugares que son visitados por su ser querido con frecuencia (por ejemplo, un parque local, una tienda, un teatro, etc.).

Para más información, visite https://lasd.org/specialalert/

Para completar un formulario, visite: https://tinyurl.com/3hfn2p98

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.

Emergency Preparedness Guide/Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities


The Emergency Preparedness Guide/Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities was developed through a partnership between the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR).

This guide describes actions and considerations that individuals with disabilities can use to increase preparedness before, during, and after disasters.

Cal OES and DOR encourage individuals to:

  1. Get emergency alerts
  2. Make an evacuation plan
  3. Pack a Go Bag
  4. Build a Stay Box for when you can’t leave
  5. Help friends and neighbors get ready

Please note: Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese Traditional, Chinese Simplified and Tagalog versions are in the works.

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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 2021's tree.

Their goal is to again contribute hundreds of ornaments to this year's tree. To be included on the tree, DDS must receive all ornaments by Friday, November 12, 2021.

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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Looking for 3 New Board Members, plus Board Recruitment Fair on 11/04


Lanterman Regional Center is recruiting for three potential board members, whose two-year terms would begin July 2022 and go thru June 2024. 

The Center is also looking for someone with financial, insurance or human resources experience willing to serve on the Administrative Affairs committee, which meets the second Tuesday of the month at 12 p.m. 

We are hosting a board recruitment fair on Thursday, November 4, that will explain more about the role and responsibilities of board members. Those interested in serving on Lanterman's board of directors should attend and learn more.

See below for a list of frequently asked questions, and following is some additional reference information.

W&I Code §4622 – The state shall contract only with agencies, the governing boards of which conform to all of the following criteria:

  • (a) The governing board shall be composed of individuals with demonstrated interest in, or knowledge of, developmental disabilities.
     
  • (b) The membership of the governing board shall include persons with legal, management or board governance, financial, and developmental disability program expertise. Board governance expertise may not be acquired solely by serving on a regional center board.
     
  • (c) The membership of the governing board shall include representatives of the various categories of disability to be served by the regional center.
     
  • (d) The governing board shall reflect the geographic and ethnic characteristics of the area to be served by the regional center.
     
  • (e) A minimum of 50 percent of the members of the governing board shall be persons with developmental disabilities or their parents or legal guardians. No less than 25 percent of the members of the governing board shall be persons with developmental disabilities.
     
  • (f) Members of the governing board shall not be permitted to serve more than seven years within each eight-year period.
     
  • (i) The advisory committee shall designate one of its members to serve as a member of the regional center board.

 

BOARD RECRUITMENT FAIR

Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83162346084

Meeting ID: 831 6234 6084
Passcode: 641910

One tap mobile
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Dial by your location
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Meeting ID: 831 6234 6084
Passcode: 641910

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kzqcfWvMh

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Community Input and Support Needed on Alternative Staffing Model by 10/29, Meeting Being Held 10/19 About This


Lanterman Regional Center is requesting to continue its Alternative Staffing Model as described in the Welfare and Institutions Code, section 4640.6 (c). Any proposed changes to staffing must benefit clients and families served, and demonstrate clear and convincing support by the community served and impacted – such as clients, families, service providers, advocates and staff. In addition to service coordinators, our model includes two Family Support Specialist positions and two Quality Assurance positions.

Without clear and demonstrated support from Lanterman clients, families, service providers and community members, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) will not approve our alternative staffing request. If you value the Koch-Young Resource Center (KYRC) and the role of Quality Assurance staff, please take the time to write a short letter of support.

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Check Your Mail for a Regional Center Satisfaction Survey / Revise su Correo para Obtener una Encuesta de Satisfacción del Centro Regional


Check your mail! Over the next two weeks, all clients and families served by Lanterman Regional Center will be receiving a satisfaction survey in their primary language.
 
There is the option to complete a paper survey or take the survey online. Either way, please take just a few minutes to complete the survey and share with us how we are doing during these challenging times.
 
Directions for accessing the survey online are in the left-hand side of the letter you will be receiving. If you prefer using the paper survey, we have included a stamped return envelope, so once completed, just drop it back in the mail to us. Please complete the survey online or return via mail by the end of October.
 
Responses will be kept confidential and it is not necessary for you to provide your name. If you want someone from the Regional Center to reach out to you to assist with any concerns or questions, please provide your name and telephone number as well as a description of your concern.
 
We're all in this together, so please take a few minutes to share your thoughts on how we're doing.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

¡Revisa tu correo! Durante las próximas dos semanas, todos los clientes y familias atendidos por el Centro Regional Lanterman recibirán una encuesta de satisfacción.

Existe la opción de completar una encuesta en papel o realizar la encuesta en línea. De cualquier manera, tómese unos minutos para completar la encuesta y compartir con nosotros cómo lo estamos haciendo durante estos tiempos difíciles.
 

Las instrucciones para acceder a la encuesta en línea se encuentran en el lado izquierdo de la carta que recibirá. Si prefiere utilizar la encuesta en papel, hemos incluido un sobre de devolución sellado, así que una vez completado, envíenoslo por correo. Complete la encuesta en línea o devuélvala por correo antes del fin de octubre.

Las respuestas se mantendrán confidenciales y no es necesario que proporcione su nombre. Si desea que alguien del Centro Regional se comunique con usted para ayudarlo con cualquier inquietud o pregunta, proporcione su nombre y número de teléfono, así como una descripción de su inquietud.

Estamos todos juntos en esto, así que tómese unos minutos para compartir sus pensamientos sobre cómo lo estamos haciendo.

New Provisional Eligibility for 3 and 4-Year-Old Children / Nueva Elegibilidad Provisional para Niños de 3 y 4 Años


Starting July 2021, 3 and 4-year-old children may be eligible for regional center services under the Lanterman Act provisionally. The child does not need to be found to have a developmental disability to be eligible if the child is 3 or 4 years old. However, the child must:

  • Have a disability that is not solely physical in nature, and
  • Must have significant functional limitations in at least two of the following areas:
    • Self-care
    • Receptive and expressive language
    • Learning
    • Mobility
    • Self-direction

Prior to age 5, a child must be reassessed to see if the child has a developmental disability which is needed to be eligible for ongoing regional center services.

To apply or re-apply for services, e-mail referrals@lanterman.org or contact the Intake referral line at 213.252.8610. Read more on our Applying for Services webpage.

If you currently receive Early Start services, ask your service coordinator for more information.

/////////////////////////////////////////////

A partir de julio de 2021, los niños de 3 y cuatro 4 años de edad pueden ser elegibles para los servicios del centro regional bajo la Ley Lanterman provisionalmente. No es necesario que se descubra que el niño tiene una discapacidad del desarrollo para ser elegible si el niño tiene 3 o cuatro 4 años de edad. Sin embargo, el niño debe:

  • Tener una discapacidad que no es únicamente de naturaleza física, y
  • Debe tener limitaciones funcionales significativas en al menos dos de las siguientes áreas:
    • Autocuidado
    • Lenguaje receptivo y expresivo
    • Aprendizaje
    • Movilidad
    • Autodirección

Antes de los 5 años de edad, un niño debe ser reevaluado para ver si el niño tiene una discapacidad del desarrollo que es necesaria para ser elegible para los servicios continuos del centro regional.

Para aplicar o volver a aplicar para servicios, envíe un correo electrónico a referrals@lanterman.org o comuníquese con la línea de referencia de admisión al 213.252.8610. Lea más en nuestra página web aplicar para servicios.

Si actualmente recibe servicios de Early Start, pídale a su coordinador de servicios para más información.

National Disability Voter Registration Week, September 13-20, 2021


Lanterman Regional Center is proud to announce our participation in the National Disability Voter Registration Week during the week of September 13-20, 2021. The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) launched the REV UP campaign in 2016 with a goal to increase the political power of the disability community. The National Disability Voter Registration Week (NDVRW) grew out of the REV UP efforts and organized yearly with the help of organizations serving people with disabilities across the nation.

NDVRW is a national, nonpartisan campaign to register, educate and prepare voters with disabilities for the 2021 elections and beyond. This NDVRW is focusing on the message that our vote is powerful. One in 4 adults in America lives with a disability, and we need more of them to participate in elections. Together, we can hold our leaders accountable to make decisions that ensure people with disabilities have access to employment, community living, education, transportation, healthcare and more.

If you are not registered to vote, and would like to register, click on the link below.

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2021/22 Community Resource Development Plan Community Input Summary


Each year Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center develops Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP) and Community Placement Plan (CPP) proposals which are presented to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to meet the needs of the clients and families we serve. Resource development feedback for 2021/22 was obtained from an online survey and input from our support group participants.

Following is a summary of the input received by Lanterman Regional Center. These are the ranked priorities based on community input:

  1. Behavior management services
  2. Employment support
  3. Early start therapies (OT, PT, speech)
  4. Social skills training
  5. Specialized housing for individuals with behaviors or health care needs
  6. Community integrated services

Lanterman Regional Center Caseload Ratio


Dear Lanterman Community,

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has found that Lanterman Regional Center is out of compliance with the requirements of the Welfare and Institutions Code, section 4640.6 (c), which requires that regional centers maintain caseload ratios at or below specific averages.

On March 1, 2021 Lanterman reported the following caseload ratios:

  • Medicaid Waiver - 1:82 (the required ratio is 1:62)
  • Children under 3 - 1:59 (the required ratio is 1:62)
  • Individuals who moved from a developmental center over 24 months ago - 1:70 (the required ratio is 1:62)
  • Individuals who moved from a developmental center between 12 & 24 months ago - 1:43 (the required ratio is 1:45)
  • Complex Needs - 1:24 (the required ratio is 1:25)
  • Over 3, not on Waiver - 1:70 (the required ratio is 1:66)

Welfare and Institutions Code 4640.6 (f) requires a plan of correction be developed for a regional center that has not complied with the caseload ratio requirements for two consecutive years. The regional center is required to solicit input from its community, including families, adults served by the regional center, service providers, the State Council, recognized labor unions and other interested parties.  

Please read the draft response letter. If you would like to provide input, please submit via e-mail to CommunityInput@lanterman.org or send via U.S. Mail by August 31, 2021 to the address below:

Melinda Sullivan
Executive Director
Lanterman Regional Center
3303 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90010

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Welcome Back! KYRC Reopening for Visitors on 08.05.21


¡Bienvenido de vuelta! Reabriendo del KYRC para visitantes el 08.05.21

The Koch-Young Resource Center is reopening for visitors beginning Thursday, August 5, 2021. / El Centro de Recursos Koch-Young está reabriendo para los visitantes a partir de jueves, 5 de Agosto de 2021.

Contact the KYRC Help Desk to make an appointment at: kyrc@lanterman.org or 213.252.5600 / Póngase en contacto con el Help Desk de KYRC para hacer una cita en: kyrc@lanterman.org o 213.252.5600

  • Available appointment days are Thursday and Friday. Once we receive your request we will confirm your time. / Los días de cita disponibles son jueves y viernes. Una vez que recibamos su solicitud, le confirmaremos su hora.
  • All library items (including toys) will be available for loan (2 items at a time). We ask that you call ahead of time to reserve the items. Search the library catalog online at: www.library.lanterman.org  / Todos los artículos de la biblioteca (incluidos los juguetes) estarán disponibles para préstamo (2 artículos a la vez). Le pedimos que llame con anticipación para reservar los artículos. Busque en el catálogo de la biblioteca en línea en: www.library.lanterman.org
    • All items will be thoroughly cleaned upon return. / Todos los artículos se limpiarán a fondo a su regreso.
  • In order to ensure social distancing, we will enforce a maximum capacity of one visitor at a time per appointment only (no children). Masks will be required. / Con el fin de garantizar el distanciamiento social, haremos cumplir una capacidad máxima de solamente un visitante a la vez por cita (sin niños). Se exigirán mascarillas.

We are excited to begin reopening to the public! / ¡Estamos muy contentos de comenzar a reabrir al público!

Final Budget Agreement - The Biggest Investment Our System Has Seen In Many Years


Resharing from the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA):

Legislative leaders, members of the Senate and Assembly, and Governor Newsom have agreed to a Budget that gives our system tremendous reason for hope.

As Rita Walker, ARCA's Board President put it, "the new funds in this budget set the stage for enhancing the ability of regional centers and service coordinators to serve clients and address their individual and unique needs.”

The bottom line? A lot of money in the coming years to support a more modern, responsive system that can better meet individual and family needs. 

Key points (more details here) are:

  • A five-year phase-in of rate reform for service providers
  • A total of nearly $90 million a year for new regional center service coordinators, starting July 2022
  • Modernized technology to both help families and people served by regional centers have more control over their data and support critical system infrastructure 
  • Creation of a training and certification program for direct support professionals, as well as extra funds for cultural competency and language access
  • Restoration of social recreation and camp! (as well as educational services and non-medical therapies)
  • A performance incentive pilot program for regional centers
  • Additional funds for individuals seeking employment
  • Expanded regional center service eligibility for certain 3- and 4-year-old children
  • New support for reaching diverse communities
  • Ending the Uniform Holiday Furlough Schedule
  • Getting rid of the sunset on the ~8% rate increase for service providers


Soon, we'll be launching an effort to help you connect with your legislators to let them know you appreciate them responding to your advocacy. This is a huge long-term commitment to our system and the over 350,000 Californians it serves. It's critical they know this was the right choice. Sign up today!

ARCA's Executive Director, our own Amy Westling, said it best. 
"We are deeply grateful for the long-term commitment the Legislature and Governor have made to our community, and their collaborative work to secure this funding. As these funds come into our system, they will help ensure the needs of people with developmental disabilities, and their families, are front and center."

Lanterman Regional Center Reopening Update


Dear Lanterman Community,

With the reopening of California on June 15, and the lifting of most restrictions by the State and Los Angeles County, we know you may be wondering when Regional Center activities will return to pre-pandemic practices.

Since COVID-19 rates are at the lowest levels since the start of the pandemic:

  • social distancing is no longer required 
  • limits on capacity at restaurants, supermarkets, gyms, etc. are lifted
  • masks will no longer be mandated for vaccinated people in most settings, (except on public transportation, in health care settings, indoors at K-12 schools, child care settings, day camps, and youth facilities, in cooling centers, and at some businesses and offices that require them).

The Center, however, has not yet reopened to the public at this time. We are in the process of preparing our offices and planning for gradually and safely resuming in-person meetings, resource center visits, etc. in the coming months. These plans will be consistent with all current directives from the CDC, California Department of Public Health, Cal/OSHA, and the appropriate local departments of public health.

We have also asked our service providers to work with us in planning for resuming in-person services that are reflective of these directives as well, taking into account all individual clients’ needs, so that their clients will be safe and successful in returning to onsite activities.

We continue to encourage everyone who is not yet vaccinated to do so. Vaccinations have played a crucial role in allowing this reopening and it’s never been easier to get a vaccine locally. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, free and effective, and are now available to everyone age 12 and up.

Let’s end this pandemic. If you have not yet received your vaccine, check for available appointments and book your vaccination as soon as you can.

Please let your Service Coordinator know if there is any assistance the Center can provide as we move into the next stages of this pandemic.

We hope that you and your family remain healthy and are able to enjoy the summer months.

Kind Regards,
Melinda Sullivan
Executive Director

More Energy at Our Lowest Rate with Medical Baseline


Enroll Before June 30 — No Doctor’s Signature Needed

There is nothing more important than your health. That’s why we created the Medical Baseline Allowance program. Specifically designed for households that rely on in-home medical equipment, this program allows you to use more electricity at our lowest rate, which can lower your overall monthly energy costs, assuming consistent electricity use.

Enroll Before June 30 — No Doctor’s Signature Needed
The COVID consumer protections which waived the need for a medical professional’s signature to apply for the Medical Baseline Allowance program expire on June 30 (a signature will be required after that date). A wide range of medical devices and equipment are eligible, so qualifying is easier than ever. Apply today and start saving!

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