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ACTION on Federal & California Bills

Are you ready to Vote this November? Updates Directives, Announcements, COVID-Resources

Legislation ACTION:

Federal: Right IDEA Act - H.R. 65321/S.3544 - Congress has introduced a bill designed to address the significant gap in federal funding for IDEA Part C and the 619 Preschool Grant Program by creating a 5-year glide path of increases in the autho­rization levels of these two programs. The bill would support millions of children and their families on the path to independence. Urge your Member of Congress to co-sponsor HERE  

CA Legislation: These bills are currently on Governor Newsom's desk awaiting signature this week. You can request he takes ACTION by phoning his office 916 445-2841, check here for other options, Contact Gavin Newsom HERE and share your message.

SB562 - authored by Senator Portantino (D-Burbank) seeks to eliminate barriers to help patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder access more options for Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT). Improved /choices for infants/toddlers with PDD/autism. additional information please check HERE

SB951 - CA Family Leave Act  would increase wage replacement rates for PFL + SDI to 90% for lower wage workers by January 1, 2025, making PFL and SDI accessible to all Californians. Specifically, the 90% will apply to workers making 70% or less of the state average weekly wage (for 2022, about $57,000/year). This would be fully funded by removing the contribution ceiling, having all California employees to contribute an equal percentage of their income into the fund. 91 percent of California workers would see no change in their annual contribution. Without your signature, California’s PFL and SDI will drop to providing only 55% of regular wages on January 1, 2023, making California’s payments rates the lowest in the country. This would mean that in order to take PFL, a new mother working security in Alameda would have to survive off of only $442 per week; a farmworker in Fresno who needed leave to care for his sick son would have to get by on only $330 per week.  READ HERE

AB32 - Telehealth signed by Governor CLICK HERE

COVID-19 RESOURCES:

Department of Developmental Services releases new Directive - CLICK HERE
LA County of Public Health has an ECE/COVID version of a toolkit available-CLICK HERE

Updates from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
  1. Quality Incentive Program Directive -  Quality Incentive Program (ca.gov) "Through the collective work of the QIP workgroup, the QIP has six areas of focus: Prevention and Wellness; Employment; Early Intervention; Workforce Capacity; Service Access; and Informed Choice and Satisfaction. Each focus area has one or more quality measure(s) tied to specific desired outcomes, with corresponding performance targets and incentives. Details about the QIP can be found at HERE.
  2. Grant Availability: Due October 25, 2022 The Department of Developmental Services (Department) is now accepting applications from community-based organizations (CBOs) and regional centers for grant funds available in FY 2022-23 to assist in reducing disparities and shifting the developmental services system to attaining improved outcomes for diverse communities. 2022-2023 Grant Details  Bidders Conference-PowerPoint
  3. Focus group Recruitment announcement: DDS is forming a first-of-its-kind autism-specific focus group of self-advocates (consumers), with the goal of enhancing the service experiences of children, youth, and adults on the autism spectrum. DDS is looking for youth and adults on the autism spectrum to participate in this new stakeholder focus group. If you are - or know - a self-advocate on the autism spectrum who has experience as a regional center client, please consider a nomination for this workgroup
The new Autism Focus Group will:
  • Provide recommendations to DDS on policies, services, and supports that impact individuals on the autism spectrum.
  • The focus group will review information and data, identify areas for evaluation, consider and propose ideas for new models and needed services, and make recommendations on how to reduce barriers to community inclusion.
Nominations must be made by Friday, October 21, 2022
CLICK HERE TO MAKE NOMINATION

Are you Registered to Vote?

Check out the California Voter site..https://registertovote.ca.gov/....remind your colleagues and friends to check their registration. There may be changes due to redistricting, a move, or a name change that require re-registering. Look for Candidate nights to learn about those individuals running for office. CA League of Women's Voters CLICK HERE often hosts such events. Check out the General Information booklet with the ballot propositions for pros and cons.

2022 California General Election Timeline

The last day to register to vote for the November 8, 2022, General Election is October 24, 2022.

All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 8, General Election.

Your county elections office will begin mailing ballots no later than October 10, 2022.

Your General Election ballot will include:

  • 7 Ballot Propositions
  • Statewide candidates for U.S. Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, Member of State Board of Equalization, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • U.S. Representative in Congress, State Senator, State Assembly Member
  • Supreme Court Justices, as well as other local candidates and local measures.

Return your vote-by-mail ballot by mail with prepaid postage as long as it's postmarked on or before Election Day and received by November 15, 2022, or in-person to a secure ballot drop box, to a voting location or your county elections office by 8:00 p.m. on November 8, 2022.

We are looking forward to seeing you virtually at the 8th IDA Policy update, January 23, 2023.

REGISTER FOR POLICY EVENT HERE

Regards,
Fran Chasen and Annie Cox, IDA Policy Co-Chairs