We are resharing this message from the Association of Regional Center Agencies: "People with Developmental Disabilities Need Vaccine Priority - Act Now!"
California's continuing to get vaccines distributed, based on a special set of priority "phases." It started with "Phase 1A," which included health care workers and first responders.
But people with developmental disabilities weren't part of that group. Even though they are often at extra risk because of their disability (or disabilities), the State still hasn't moved our community up the list.
YOU can help change this! We need to let Governor Newsom know that people with disabilities should be put in the very next group, "Phase 1B." When you do:
A sample letter is also provided, which you can copy and paste in your email. But personalizing your message is always better!
To contact Governor Newsom, use the official online contact form. Choose "COVID-19" as your subject in the drop-down box on that page.
SAMPLE LETTER
Honorable Governor Newsom,
Many people with developmental disabilities are at extra risk from COVID because of their disability. For instance, COVID can be 10 times more deadly for people with Down Syndrome. Because of this risk, it is critical that vaccines be prioritized for this community.
Currently, the state has prioritized people who live in institutional settings to get the vaccine. But most people with developmental disabilities live in the community, not institutional settings. This is both personal choice and a state goal. They get special services that make this possible. The biggest difference between these two groups is where they live. Their health risk factors are the same, and it is important that people with similar needs get similar treatment.
To make it clear that people with developmental disabilities should be prioritized for vaccines, I support a new definition being added to the vaccine priority list: “people with disabilities who receive services that allow them to stay out of institutional settings.” This matches with a federal definition of “Home and Community-Based Services.” It will make it easy to ensure that this at-risk population can get the protection they need.
Thank you for considering our community in Phase 1B of the COVID vaccine.
Sincerely,
_______
ARCA and the regional centers are working with community partners to help get our community prioritized for vaccinations. Yesterday, we co-sponsored a town hall webinar with Disability Voices United, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Disability Rights California.
Did you miss it? The town hall is archived on Facebook for you to watch!
California law and regulation requires that regional centers display on their Web sites information about the dollar value of services they purchase for clients. These data (called "purchase of service" or "POS" data) must be reported separately by clients' ethnic/racial group, langauge and diagnosis.
¿Cuáles son sus necesidades de servicio actuales? ¡Responda la encuesta y avísenos!
Lanterman is seeking your feedback and assistance in completing a short survey so we can better understand the current service needs. This survey is for our community to complete, including clients, family members, service providers or community partners. Thank you in advance for your time!
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Lanterman busca sus comentarios y ayuda para completar una breve encuesta para que podamos comprender mejor las necesidades actuales del servicio. Esta encuesta es para que la complete nuestra comunidad, incluidos los clientes, los miembros de la familia, los proveedores de servicios o los socios comunitarios. ¡Gracias de antemano por su tiempo!
Regional centers must post information regarding how providers are doing with ensuring individuals served are part of their communities (Welfare and Institutions Code section 4519.2(b)). This information is to be updated at least every six months until DDS has determined that statewide compliance has been met.
El Internet está inundado de información y recursos sobre el Coronavirus (COVID-19) desde el nivel federal hasta el estatal y local. Comenzamos esta página para compartir algunos de los recursos e información que encontramos más útiles y accesibles, además de compartir información específica para Lanterman sobre cualquier efecto que esto tenga en nuestras operaciones, nuestros proveedores de servicios y la comunidad en general.
The Internet is awash in info and resources about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the federal to the state and local levels. We're starting this page to share some of the resources and info we found most helpful and accessible, plus to share information specific to Lanterman about any effects this is having on our operations, our service providers and community as a whole.
