Saturday, November 21, 2020 07:03 PM

DDS Survey: Please share with your families.

Posted 11.21.20

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) invites you to complete this self-advocate/family member survey to help us understand how COVID-19 has impacted our community and changed your services. It will be online till December 18th. DDS, regional centers, and service providers are working on new ways to safely support you. Completing this survey will identify what’s working, what’s not, and what is important to self-advocates and families.

The survey below includes fifteen questions and is available in 10 languages. DDS will share the combined information from all responses on its website.

Survey

Once you click on the survey link above, you have the option in the top right corner of the page to select alternative languages from a drop-down menu where it says “English.”

The QR code below will also take you to the survey when scanned with your smart phone’s camera

QR CODE

New Directives from DDS:

11/19/20 - Self-Determination Financial Management Directive | more information
11/10/20 - GUIDANCE REGARDING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTERNATIVE NONRESIDENTIAL SERVICES | more information

Enclosure – Alternative Nonresidential Services Sample Survey

Proposed Amendment to CA. Code of Regulations, Title 17:
The Department proposes to amend California Code of Regulations, Title 17, section 52000 by adding the definition of “assistive technology service” to more accurately align with Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1431 et seq.). The failure to amend Title 17 regulations in conformity with Part C federal rules would negatively affect the Department receiving the full Part C grant for the Early Intervention Services.

The 2021-22 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook
The annual Fiscal Outlook publication gives our office’s independent assessment of the California state budget condition for the upcoming fiscal year and over the longer term. We find the budget situation has improved considerably relative to the June budget act with an estimated $26 billion windfall in 2021-22. However, the state also faces an operating deficit beginning in 2021-22 and throughout the outlook period, growing to $17 billion by 2024-25. Our analysis also finds it is quite unlikely for revenues to grow fast enough for the budget to break even and erase the operating deficit. The 2021-22 Budget: California’s Fiscal Outlook report and the accompanying The 2021-22 Budget: The Fiscal Outlook for https://lao.ca.gov/

RESOURCES:
Article Recognizing Essential Workers:
Recognizing the role of essential workers in caring for the Developmentally disabled | more information

COVID-19 Resources for Children From Birth to Age 5
The ED-funded Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center developed a COVID-19 website with resources for states and local programs serving young children with disabilities and their families.

ECTA and the Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy) developed Determining A Child's Eligibility for Early Intervention Services Remotely. States are having to determine a child's eligibility for Part C ( Early Start)remotely using a variety of approaches, such as teleconference, videoconference, and sharing information and video synchronously and asynchronously.

CA Early Start Referrals - Many Regional Centers are posting relevant Early Start information on their websites to remind the community that they are still open and accepting referrals. More Information - check them out.

Upcoming events:
UNIVERSAL CHILDREN’S DAY - November 20, 2020 | National Today

Investing in our future means investing in our children — which is why the United Nations has designated every November 20 as Universal Children’s Day. It’s a time to promote togetherness around the world, awareness of the problems children face in every corner of the globe, and improve the welfare for all children.

Saturday 11/21/20- Self-Advocate & Family
Information Session in Spanish via Zoom on 11/21 at 10 am. Visit the “Events”
tab at this website to register in advance. See flyers for more information. Please help spread the word.

11/29/20- 45th Anniversary of IDEA -The IDEA exists to better support infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities. Find out more about the history of IDEA.

January 25th, 2021- IDA Annual Policy update - Virtual Event. Check the IDA website for additional upcoming trainings

Fran Chasen and Annie Cox
IDA Liaisons

Announcements

IDA Blog

Considering the Sibling Experience when Supporting Families in Early Intervention
Read More

Quality Incentive Program (QIP) - Early Intervention Services Directive released

The Department of Developmental Services Directive Here announced that the Quality Incentive Program is offering information on how Early Intervention providers can participate in the QIP measure. The Directive covers Eligibility Click Here and Here, Incentive Payment Processing Click Here, Conditions for a Provider to receive Incentive Payments.

The latest plan recognizes the need to have families/children enrolled in Early Start and is offering a fiscal incentive to programs. The plan HERE is different from information shared in the July, 2023 Presentation to the Interagency Coordinating Council and at the January 2024 ICC Meeting.

Steps to listing a program in the Statewide Provider Directory are not included in this Directive.

The QIP email to ask questions, share comments is [email protected]

ACTION NEEDED: Have you contacted your legislators?

Call to ACTION English Click Here in Spanish Here to let them know you are opposed to having a $1B proposed delay in implementing the rate increase to providers rates? Early Intervention providers have not had a rate adjustment. Thanks to The Arc California for offering this easy platform to communicate with legislators.

ACTION Needed to let the Members of the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 know why they need oppose the Proposed $1B budget delay for Rate Implementation

The Senate Budget SubCommittee #3 on Health and Human Services (Senate.ca.gov/calendar) is meeting on March 21st at 9:30AM at the State Capitol, Sacramento.

"We need you to amplify that we are asking the committee members to REJECT the Governor’s proposed $1 billion need to amplify that we are asking the committee members to REJECT the Governor’s proposed $1 billion in cut to funding for disability services and supports.

Where Does Early Intervention Stand in the Proposed Governor's Budget 2024-2025?

Governor Newsom released his proposed budget on January 10th. He is suggesting that providers of service through the Department of Developmental Services be prepared for a "delay" in the roll out of the rate model funds. You can have a conversation about what does delay mean .....a cut or not. Basically the funds are not going to be passed along to the providers as promised and planned.

Department of Developmental Services Announces Stakeholder Committee to Create Master Plan for Developmental Services

As mentioned in the Governor's proposed 2024-2025 Budget, the Department of Developmental Services will create a Master Plan with a March 2025 deadline. Yesterday Dr. Mark Ghaly announced the appointed Membership for the Master Plan Committee. Developmental Services Master Plan Stakeholder Committee Appointment (ca.gov) - link to go with Membership for the Master Plan
Their first meeting is scheduled for March 6th. Subcommittees are to be formed to increase input from all communities serving the populations involved with the system.

"The reality is that the developmental services system cannot, nor should it, operate in isolation given the changing needs of the consumers and families we serve today.” said CalHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “This means we must proactively think about how we connect the dots between systems and sectors, while more intentionally integrating developmental services to our work to serve the whole needs of the individual and their families."

The purpose of the Master Plan is, "...since 2019, the number of Californians served by the developmental services system has grown by 31%, with significant growth among children under the age of 22 who have an Autism diagnosis. Today, over 400,000 Californians receive services and supports through California’s 21 Regional Centers. Individuals who receive services today are more diverse and live longer. They face affordable housing shortages, lower rates of employment, and the challenges of accessing services from other systems and sectors to address their physical, social, and behavioral health needs. A 21st century developmental services system must increase its ability to provide culturally responsive services and to strengthen the accountability and standardization of the system so that it is easier for individuals and their families to navigate no matter where they live in California. "

Additional details in the 2/14/24 Press release:

CalHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly Announces Stakeholder Committee to Create Master Plan for Developmental Services - California Health and Human Services

Early Intervention ACTION Step

In the Governor's proposed budget, he is indicating there should be a "delay" for one year of completing the fiscal roll out that was part of the rate model process.
This "delay" cut of one year of income impacts the ability of families to access services, programs to recruit and maintain adequate staff,etc.
Please take a moment to connect with your legislators about your concerns.

Take Action! Urge Legislators to Reject Delay of $1 Billion to Disability Services (p2a.co)

There are Budget hearings scheduled in the Assembly and the Senate. Input can be sent via email or in person.

You can watch the Assembly hearings here: https://www.assembly.ca.gov/todaysevents.
BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE NO. 2 ON HUMAN SERVICES
Wednesday, February 28
1:30 p.m. - State Capitol, Room 444
Developmental Services and Rehabilitation Programs
The Senate Hearings can be watched here: https://www.senate.ca.gov/calendar.
Additional details to be shared via IDA EBlasts.

IDA Policy Committee