Sunday, May 16, 2021 06:03 PM

CA Early Start Outreach Resources

Posted 3.31.21

Additional IDEA Funding Coming:
Thank you's in order for our Federal Legislators who voted for the American Rescue Plan Act. It included a one time stimulus funding for IDEA of $2.5B. It will be split $250M for Part C and $200M for Part B.

Our California Senators, Diane Feinstein and Alex Padilla voted in support. To see how your Congressional representative voted click here

Outreach Efforts for CA Early Start referrals:
Outreach to families and community referral partners regarding the fact that CA Early Start is up and running has been a focus for the Department of Developmental Services staff, its collaborative agency partners, Regional Centers, Early Intervention Programs, etc. Many levels of outreach have been implemented. One features Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California's Surgeon General on Early Start, a Public Service Announcement (PSA) Take a look, share with your community collaborators.

The PSA video can be found on DDS’ YouTube page here (and the transcript for 508 compliance). The video features closed captioning in English and Spanish.For more information regarding Early Start services and referrals, please contact the Early Start BabyLine at 800–515–BABY (800–515–2229) or [email protected].

Other materials:
Early Start also has a variety of additional multilingual brochures, booklets, publications. Materials, and other free resources, are available for parents, professionals, and others at the following link: click here

Early Start Healthcare Provider Brochure – An easy-to-read brochure that outlines the screening, referral and intake process (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Hmong, Chinese, Farsi, Tagalog, Western Armenian and Eastern Armenian attached) more info
The Early Start Community Flyer – An informative flyer for families who may have a concern about their child’s development (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Hmong, Chinese, Farsi, Tagalog, Western Armenian and Eastern Armenian attached) more info
Social Media and Newsletter Scripts – Scripts to use for various social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Email Listservs, etc., provided in English and Spanish) more info

What outreach ideas have you thought of to let families, community collaborators aware that Early Start is up and running? Let us know, so we can share them [email protected].

Here are some suggestions:

Share DDS’ social media posts about the PSA on your social networks (Spanish & English)
Reach out to tell your Early Intervention stories - What is CA Early? Who does it serve? How does it make a difference?
Seek out your community ECE partners- remind them that anyone can refer to CA Early Start?
Use the attached samples to create your own social media posts with other images you have approval to use
Embed the video on your website and post the transcript to ensure accessibility
Include the video link and transcript in your publications (newsletters, email blasts, resource lists, etc.)
Look at ways to partner with your local CAAEYC Chapter in celebrating the 50th Anniversary Week of the Young Child, April 10th -16th, www.caeyc.org

Vaccine Updates:
Department of Developmental Services released a department directive to advise Regional Centers to contact consumers/caregivers ages 16 and up who are eligible to receive a COVID vaccine starting March 15th.

It means that you (consumer) may get a letter from your Regional Center with your name on it .You may also be contacted by the Regional Center with information about where you can get a vaccine, how to schedule an appointment, and options for assistance including transportation. Bring this letter to your appointment to prove your eligibility. For additional information click here

Celebrating Disabilities Awareness Month:
In March 1987, Ronald Reagan issued a Presidential Proclamation that called upon Americans to provide the “encouragement and opportunities” necessary for people with developmental disabilities to reach their potential. Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DD Awareness) promotes the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life and raises awareness about the barriers that people with disabilities still face in connecting to the communities in which they live.

Resources: DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH 2021

Additional Resources:

Early Intervention During COVID - click here
Child Care Transition Plan between CDE and DSS - click here
The Arc - Position Paper on Early Childhood - click here

Reminder:

March 19th - 12:00-12:45PM Disability Rights and Education Defense Fund (DREDF) offers a Q&A Session with the State Council on Developmental Disabilities answer questions on COVID-19 distribution for individuals with disabilities. Click here to register:
March 27th - IDA Listen 9:30AM - Register here
May 17th - CA budget update on Monday, May 17th 12-1:30PM

Fran Chasen and Annie Cox
IDA Policy Co-Chairs

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