BEFORE HMM. THANK YOU. GOOD
AFTERNOON AND WELCOME. THIS IS
THE ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE
NUMBER ONE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES. TODAY WE WILL BE
DISCUSSING THE ISSUES AND
PROGRAMS RELATED TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO
READ SOME DIRECTIONS REGARDING
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN TODAY'S
HEARING TO HELP ENSURE THE
SAFETY OF EVERYONE HERE TODAY
WHILE ALLOWING FULL PUBLIC
ACCESS TO THE DISCUSSION. TODAY
WE'RE HAVING AN IN PERSON
HEARING AT THE STATE CAPITOL IN
ROOM 1 26. PANELISTS TODAY ARE
ALL IN THE ROOM AND PRESENTING
IN PERSON, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF
ONE WHO'S ON WEBEX RIGHT NOW. WE
ARE ACCEPTING PUBLIC COMMENT AT
THE END OF THIS HEARING, BOTH IN
THE HEARING ROOM AND ON THE
PHONE. THE PHONE NUMBER TO
CONNECT IS ON THE COMMITTEE
WEBSITE AND SHOULD BE ON THE
SCREEN IF YOU ARE WATCHING OVER
THE INTERNET, THE NUMBER IS
18776. AND THE PUBLIC ACCESS
CODE IS 1315. IF YOU ENCOUNTER
ANY PROBLEMS, PLEASE CONTACT THE
ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE AT
916319 2099, A STAFF MEMBER WILL
ASSIST YOU. THOSE WISHING TO
TESTIFY IN PERSON MAY DO SO WHEN
WE START PUBLIC COMMENT, WITH
THE EXCEPTION OF US ENSURING
THAT OUR SL INTERPRETER WILL WE
WILL HAVE THOSE WHO WANT TO GIVE
PUBLIC COMMENT DO SO AT FOUR PM
THE REMAINING PUBLIC COMMENT
WILL COME AFTER THE CONCLUSION
OF OUR PANELS. ONCE WE'VE
COMPLETED ALL THE DISCUSSION
ISSUES, WE WILL BEGIN THAT
PUBLIC COMMENT AFTER THE MEMBERS
HAVE CONCLUDED. THERE ARE
QUESTIONS THERE WILL BE NO VOTES
IN TODAY'S PANEL, AND I WANT TO
NOTE THAT WE ARE ACCEPTING
WRITTEN FEEDBACK THROUGH THE SUB
ONE EMAIL ACCOUNT AND THE
ADDRESSES BUDGET SUB ONE AT A SM
DOT CA.GOV. BEFORE WE INVITE OUR
FIRST PANEL TO BEGIN. I'LL MAKE
A FEW INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS AND
OPEN IT UP TO MY COLLEAGUES TO
SEE IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO THE
SAME. I WILL BEGIN BY
APPRECIATING THE SPEAKER'S
OFFICE FOR WORKING HARD TO MAKE
SURE WE ARE PROVIDING ACCESS
THROUGH RAS EL INTERPRETERS WHO
ARE HERE AND ALSO FOR ENSURING
THAT WE'RE IN THIS ROOM TO
PROVIDE AS MUCH ACCESS TO THE
PUBLIC AS WE CAN. I'M GRATEFUL
FOR THAT LEADERSHIP AND BELIEVE
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US AND THE
PEOPLE'S HOUSE TO CONTINUE
AVAILING OURSELVES TO THE
PUBLIC. I ALSO WANT TO BEGIN BY
APPRECIATING ALL OF THE STAFF.
AND HARD WORK THAT GOES INTO OUR
AGENDAS AND WILL UPLIFT NICOLE
VASQUEZ, WHO FOR YEARS HAS BEEN
A CHAMPION IN THE HUMAN SERVICES
SPACE, AS WELL AS ANDREA
MARGOLIS, CHRISTIAN GRIFFITH AND
JASON SYDNEY. THOSE WHO DO THE
HARD WORK OF PUTTING OUR BUDGET
NEED TO BE RECOGNIZED RIGHT FROM
THE START. FIRST BEFORE I BEGIN
. I ALSO WANT TO WELCOME SOME
NEW MEMBERS TO THE COMMITTEE.
I'LL BEGIN WITH ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S
ALL IN THIS. AND DR JACKSON.
THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING THE
COMMITTEE. WE ARE JOINED AGAIN
BY ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S PATERSON,
RUBIO AND DOCTOR WOULD AND THANK
YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE TO
THIS SUBCOMMITTEE AS WELL.
SECOND I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT
TO PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT FOR THE
WORK THAT WE WILL DO IN THIS
YEAR'S BUDGET CYCLE. AS WAS WITH
LAST YEAR ARE FOCUSED WITHIN SUB
ONE THIS YEAR IS TWOFOLD. ONE IS
TO ELEVATE THE PRIORITY ISSUES
IN THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL,
ASKING QUESTIONS AND GATHERING
INFORMATION THAT WILL AID US AND
MAKING DECISIONS AS WE HEAD
TOWARDS THE JUNE 15TH. DATE
WHERE WE CAN TAKE ACTIONS TO
PASS A BALANCED BUDGET. TWO
GIVEN THE MANY MEANINGFUL
INVESTMENTS, RESTORATIONS AND
EXPANSIONS IN THE RECENT BUDGETS
, IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE EXERCISE
OUR OVERSIGHT ROLE. THIS MEANS
THAT WE SEEK TRANSPARENCY AND
UNDERSTANDING ABOUT HOW
IMPLEMENTATION IS WORKING. WHAT
OUTCOMES WE'RE SEEING, AND THE
DIFFICULTIES THAT WE MAY BE ABLE
TO ADDRESS NOW TO ENSURE THAT
PRACTICE MATCHES INTENT FOR
APPROPRIATED PUBLIC DOLLARS. THE
CHALLENGE FACING CALIFORNIANS IN
OUR SAFETY NET PROGRAMS TODAY
ARE REAL AND VERY TOUGH. WE ARE
HERE TO PROVIDE THE STATE
LEADERSHIP TO PRIORITIZE THE
MOST CRITICAL ISSUES AND TO
CHART A PATH TOWARDS PROGRESS
WHEREVER WE CAN. I LOOK FORWARD
TO HAVING THE CONVERSATIONS THAT
WE HAVE AGENDAS FOR TODAY
REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. WITH THAT I'LL OPEN IT
UP AND INVITE ANY OF MY
COLLEAGUES WHO WOULD LIKE TO
SPEAK. SO BEFORE WE BEGIN.
SEEING NONE. LET'S BEGIN WITH
PANEL ONE. WE WILL ESTABLISH
QUORUM BY CALLING ROLL FIRST.
ARAMBULA. HERE. ALLEN'S JACKSON.
RAMOS RUBIO WOULD. YOU WILL
NOTICE THAT THERE ARE FIVE
CHAIRS THAT ARE BEFORE US. AND
SO I WOULD ASK THE FIRST FIVE TO
COME FORWARD. AND AFTERWARDS WE
WILL HAVE. YOU KNOW, I GO
THROUGH. UM LET'S BEGIN WITH
PANEL ONE REGARDING EQUITY IN
THE DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
SYSTEM AND STRATEGIES TO REDUCE
DISPARITIES. FOR THOSE PANELISTS
WHO ARE PRESENTERS, PLEASE
PRESENT IN THE ORDER THAT YOUR
NAME APPEARS IN THE AGENDA. I'D
LIKE TO REMIND ALL OF THE
PANELISTS TO PLEASE LIMIT YOUR
REMARKS TO FIVE MINUTES MAXIMUM
, GIVEN THE DENSITY OF OUR
AGENDA OF SPEAKERS TODAY AND OUR
DESIRE TO TURN TOWARDS PUBLIC
COMMENT. I AM ASKING ALL OF THE
PANELIST Tð. UH FOR THIS ISSUE
TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS. WHAT ARE THE EQUITY
ISSUES IN THE DDS SYSTEM AND
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE TRENDS? WHAT
ARE THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE
RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES
OBSERVED WITHIN THE DDS SYSTEM.
AND WHAT STRATEGIES SHOULD THE
STATE CONSIDERED TO ADDRESS
DISPARITIES IN THE PURCHASE OF
SERVICES TO CREATE A MORE
EQUITABLE AND Tð? BETTER ACCESS
FOR ALL FAMILIES WHO ARE SERVED
WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES SYSTEM. WE WILL HAVE
NINE PRESENTERS WHO ARE ON PANEL
ONE, INCLUDING NANCY BARGMANN,
DIRECTOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES LINE ON
E. WALTER CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. GRACE
HUERTA. THE MOTHER AND PRESIDENT
AND CO FOUNDER OF THE
EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY CENTER AND
CURRENT COUNTY AND ALSO THE VICE
PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT OF THE ARC
OF CALIFORNIA. DORA CONTRERAS,
GRANDPARENTS OF A PERSON WHO HAS
SERVED AT THE VALLEY MOUNTAIN
REGIONAL CENTER AND MANAGER OF
THE INTEGRATED COMMUNITY
COLLABORATION. ENTER GRAD AURAS.
JUDY MARK, PRESIDENT OF THE
DISABILITY VOICES UNITED AND
PARENT OF A PERSON SERVED BY A
REGIONAL CENTER. VIVIAN JUAN,
SENIOR ATTORNEY OF THE
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES PRACTICE GROUP FOR
DISABILITY RIGHTS, CALIFORNIA AS
WELL AS AMY WESTLING, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF
REGIONAL CENTER AGENCIES,
CHRISTOPHER O'NEILL WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND RYAN
ANDERSON WITH THE LAO WE WILL
HOLD ALL MEMBERS QUESTIONS ON
THIS PANEL UNTIL AFTER ALL OF
THE PRESENTERS HAVE CONCLUDED.
LET US BEGIN WITH DIRECTOR BARGE
MAN WHEN YOU ARE READY. THANK
YOU, MR CHAIR AND THANK YOU TO
THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ALSO WANT
TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE STAFF'S WORK
ON THE AGENDA AND THE
INFORMATION THAT WAS PROVIDED AS
CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND. I'M
NANCY BARGMANN, THE DIRECTOR OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES, AND PLEASED TO BE HERE
WITH YOU TODAY. THIS IS A REALLY
IMPORTANT TOPIC. THIS IS A TOPIC
THAT IS A PRIORITY FOR THE
DEPARTMENT AND MIND PERSONALLY
FOR THE FOR MANY YEARS IN AREA
IN WHICH WE HAVE TO CONTINUE
CONVERSATIONS. WE HAVE TO MAKE
SURE WE'RE CONTINUING TO
EVALUATE THE PROGRESS THAT WE'RE
MAKING AND SUPPORTING ALL
INDIVIDUALS TO RECEIVE SERVICES
FROM THE REGIONAL CENTERS TODAY
WE SUPPORT OVER 400,000
INDIVIDUALS. UM, AND LIKE
CALIFORNIA. WE HAVE A VERY
DIVERSE POPULATION IN WHICH WE
SERVE. SO WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT
KIND OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HEAR
FROM THE COMMUNITY AND THE
ISSUES THAT WE'VE ADDRESSED OVER
THE YEARS HAS REALLY BEEN
CENTERED ON A NUMBER OF THINGS
AND APPRECIATE L. A S REPORT AND
, UM, HIGHLIGHTING THE INEQUITY
OR THE DISPARITY AND SPENDING
THAT'S NOTED, I BELIEVE IT'S ON
PAGE 11 OF YOUR AGENDA. UM AND
WHILE WE DO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE
AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LOOKING AT
THE EXPENDITURES BY INDIVIDUAL
IS REALLY IMPORTANT, AND WHAT
WAS NOTED IN THE REPORT IS THAT
THAT WAS ON AN AGGREGATE LEVEL.
UM IT'S IMPORTANT TOOL IN OUR
TOOL CHEST OF A VALUATION,
DISPARITIES AND EQUITY. BUT I
ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
TAKE A STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE
BIGGER PICTURE. WHEN WE LOOK AT
THE, UM TOTAL SPENDING IN OUR
SYSTEM THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT IT,
UM, TAKING DIFFERENT VARIABLES,
THE VARIABLES ARE ALSO EQUALLY
AS IMPORTANT SO INDIVIDUALS THAT
ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 22 TEND NOT
TO BE AN OUT OF HOME SERVICES
WHEN WE TAKE IT, THOSE WHO ARE
ACCESSING OUT OF HOME SERVICES.
IT'S A HIGHER COST OF SERVICE.
WHEN WE LOOK AT KIND OF
GENERALLY, THOSE SUPPORTS VERY
EXCITED ABOUT SOME OF THE
INITIATIVES THAT WE PUT FORWARD
AS LISTENING TO OUR COMMUNITY
BUILDING ON TRUST AND MAKING
SURE THAT THERE IS AN EQUAL SEAT
AT THE TABLE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, IN AREAS
IN WHICH WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO
THAT IS DOING A TOTAL REFORM OF
OUR APPEALS PROCESS. HAPPY TO
SAY THAT MOST OF THOSE CHANGES
ARE EFFECTIVE MARCH 1ST. REALLY
IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
PEOPLE HAVE AN EQUAL VOICE AND
FEEL THAT THEY ARE BEING HEARD.
UM REALLY PLEASED WITH OUR
DISPARITY FUNDS. THE $11 MILLION
THAT BACK IN 15 16. IT WAS
TARGETED FOR REGIONAL CENTERS
WERE ABLE TO TAKE A STEP BACK,
HEARD THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE
SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY BASED
ORGANIZATIONS HAVE AN EQUAL
SEAT. SERVICE AT A SERVICE CODE
LEVEL. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES HAVE
HAPPENED. SO I HAVE MANY OF YOU
HAVE HEARD ME SAY, BASED ON
RESPITE EXPENDITURES AND RESPITE
BACK IN 15 16. ESSENTIALLY IT
WAS EQUAL TO THE EXPENDITURE. NO
MATTER KIND OF LOOKING AT EACH
OF THE RACE AND ETHNICITIES.
I'VE STILL SAID THAT YOU HAVE TO
TAKE A LOOK AT THE EXPERIENCE OF
THE INDIVIDUAL BECAUSE JUST
BECAUSE THERE'S AN ACCESS TO
THAT SERVICE DOESN'T MEAN THAT
THE EXPERIENCED BY THE PERSON IS
THE SAME. SO MOVING TO A NEW
SYSTEM, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE
EVALUATING THE EXPERIENCE OF
INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE SURE THAT
NOT ONLY ARE WE LOOKING AT THE
EXPENDITURES BUT MAKING SURE
THAT THE EXPERIENCE IS A
MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE FOR THE
PERSON, SO AS WE LOOK TODAY ON
THE EXPENDITURES FOR RESPITE
OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS,
THERE'S BEEN A SIGNIFICANT
INCREASE OF UTILIZATION. OF
RESPITE BASED ON OUR COMMUNITIES
OF COLOR VERSUS WHITES. I STILL
WILL SAY THAT WE CAN'T TAKE A
STEP BACK AND SAY OKAY, WE
FINISHED THAT WE HAVE TO STILL
EVALUATE IS THE EXPERIENCE WHAT
THE INDIVIDUALS NEEDY AND HAVING
ACCESS TO SERVICES BEYOND
RESPITE OR BEYOND OTHER
SERVICES, SO IT'S AN IMPORTANT
CONVERSATION THAT WE REMAIN
ENGAGED IN. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE
A NANNY BE ABLE TO SHARE SOME OF
THE WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING
THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO
STATEWIDE AS AN EXPERIENCE OF
SOME OF THE COMMUNITY BASED
ORGANIZATIONS. THANK YOU, NANCY
. THANK YOU, MR CHAIR AND
COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS LANE ANI
WALTER AND THE CHIEF EQUITY
OFFICER AT THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. AND AS
NANCY SAID, SOME OF OUR OUR
FOCUS AND OUR VALUE FROM THE
GRANT PROGRAM ALSO COMES FROM
LIFTING UP THE VOICE IS AND WHAT
I MEAN BY THAT IS EVERY MONTH WE
HAVE OVER 75 ORGANIZATIONS THAT
COME TOGETHER. NOT ONLY TO SHARE
INFORMATION BUT TO COLLABORATE
TO LEARN AND TO HEAR FROM THE
COMMUNITY. WHAT IS HAPPENING?
THAT'S MONTHLY. WE ALSO HAVE, UM
AND VERY PROUD IN THE LAST THREE
YEARS HAVE ESTABLISHED AN
AFRICAN AMERICAN FOCUS GROUP
FOCUSED SPECIFICALLY ON THE
NEEDS AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN
COMMUNITY. THIS IS A COMPILATION
OF LEADERS. AND FAMILY MEMBERS
AND SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT COME
TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT THESE
ISSUES. THESE ARE DIFFICULT
CONVERSATIONS, BUT THEY'RE
MEANINGFUL AND THEIR AUTHENTIC.
IT'S AN IMPORTANT WAY FOR THE
DEPARTMENT TO LEARN. AND AS WE
PARTICIPATE IN SOME OF THESE
LISTENING SESSIONS, I WOULD SAY
THAT THE MOST VALUE COMES TO THE
DEPARTMENT. UM WHILE FAMILIES UM
, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS AND MANY
OF OUR CBOS ARE FAMILY MEMBERS,
THEY ARE PARENTS. I AM A SISTER
OF A PERSON WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITY. SO WHEN I DO THIS
WORK, I THINK OF HIM. I THINK OF
AS A NATIVE HAWAIIAN WOMAN. I
THINK OF MY FAMILY ACCESSING
SERVICES IN THIS SYSTEM, AND IT
MEANS SOMETHING. UM AS DIRECTOR
BARGMANN SAID, THE QUALITY OF
THE SERVICE AND THE TYPE OF
SERVICE MATTERS AND THOSE ARE
SOME OF THE HARD CONVERSATIONS
THAT WE HAVE. BUT THEY'RE GOOD
ONES BECAUSE THEY HELP US TO
LEARN MORE AND TO DEVELOP POLICY
THAT'S MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE
NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES AND JUST
WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF
THE INITIATIVES THAT HAVE BEEN
IMPLEMENTED IN THE LAST YEAR.
THE COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR PROGRAM
IS ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT I AM
, UM, EXCITED TO REPORT OVER
1200 FAMILIES HAVE BEEN SERVED
IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS. UM WE
HAVE OVER 44 COMMUNITY
NAVIGATORS. THIS WAS AGAIN ONE
OF THE SEEDLINGS COMING FROM THE
GRANT PROGRAM. WE HAVE IMPLICIT
BIAS TRAINING, WHICH I AM
THANKFUL TO REPORT THAT WE NOW
HAVE A CONTRACT. UM A STATEWIDE
CONTRACT FOR REGIONAL CENTERS TO
UTILIZE AND THAT, UM, FINISHED
JUST LAST WEEK, SO THERE ARE
OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE TO
NOT ONLY LEARN, BUT TO RECOGNIZE
WHERE SOME OF OUR CHALLENGES ARE
IN THE COMMUNITY EARLY START
TRAVEL ENGAGEMENT. THAT HAS BEEN
ONE OF THE MOST MEANINGFUL
EXPERIENCES NOT ONLY FOR ME AND
OUR DEPARTMENT, BUT FOR EACH OF
THE REGIONAL CENTERS THAT ARE
NOW LEADING OUR EFFORTS AND
WORKING WITH OUR TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES. UM NOW WE HAVE
LISTENING SESSIONS WHERE WE
DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT REGIONAL
CENTERS MAY EXIST. WE NOW HAVE
OPPORTUNITIES THAT REGIONAL
CENTERS AND TRIBAL NATIONS ARE
COMING TOGETHER TO HAVE
CONVERSATIONS. WE ALSO HAVE OUR
ENHANCED SERVICE COORDINATION
THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE
THE TIME TO DEVELOP A SMALLER
CASELOAD. THOSE ARE AGAIN IDEAS
THAT WERE BORN FROM THE GRANT
PROGRAM. SO WHILE WE LOOK AT THE
GRANT PROGRAM ON THE SURFACE AND
SEE MAYBE WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN
TERMS OF AN INDIVIDUAL PROJECT,
I WANT US TO LOOK AT THE BIGGER
PICTURE AND SEE WHAT'S BEEN.
WHAT HAS COME FROM THE GRANT
PROGRAM IS NOW DIALOGUE.
OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMUNICATE
WITH LEADERS FROM DIVERSE
COMMUNITIES. WE NOW HAVE, UM
SOME OF THOSE LEADERS NOW PART
OF OUR EVERYDAY CONVERSATION
RATHER THAN JUST ONCE A YEAR,
IT'S EVERY MONTH. SO, UM I THINK
THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF WHERE
GRANT PROGRAM HAS FOCUSED IN
THIS YEAR JUST HIGHLIGHTING. WE
HAVE THE ADDITIONAL 11 MILLION.
I THINK OUR FOCUS HAS BEEN TO
PRIORITIZE DIVERSIFYING THE
WORKFORCE. YOU'LL SEE THAT
THAT'S ONE OF OUR PRIORITIES AND
THE GRANTS THAT WERE AWARDED AND
EXPANDING OUR COMMUNITY
NAVIGATION AND AWARDING AREAS
THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE A FOCUS
BEFORE. WE NOW HAVE THE FIRST
NATIVE AMERICAN, UM, NAVIGATION
PROGRAM ON TRIBAL LAND. WE HAVE
THE FIRST, UM DEAF AND HARD OF
HEARING. NAVIGATION PROGRAM, AND
THAT'S THE FIRST OF ITS KIND. UM
SO THERE ARE MANY OTHER EXAMPLES
THAT CAN SHARE. I THINK THE
IMPORTANCE THAT I WANTED TO
SHARE IS JUST THAT OUR WORK DOES
NOT HAPPEN IN ONE DAY, IT
HAPPENS OVER TIME AND SERVICE
ACCESS AND EQUITY IS SOMETHING
THAT NEEDS TO BE PART OF THE
NARRATIVE AND PART OF THE FABRIC
OF ALL THE WORK THAT WE DO.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT WE
WILL HEAR FROM GREECE. HUERTA
WHO WILL BE JOINING US HERE,
WEBEX. THAT AFTERNOON. DR
ARAMBULA AND MEMBERS OF THE
COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS GRACE
WHARTON. I AM A WIFE, MOTHER OF
TWO ADULT CHILDREN WITH
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND
HAVE OVER 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE AS
CO FOUNDER OF THE EXCEPTIONAL
FAMILY CENTER LOCATED
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA MUSCLE
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ART OF
CALIFORNIA AND CURRENT SHARE OF
AN ARCTIC CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE
NETWORK OF SPANISH SPEAKING
PARENTS AND PARTNER PROFESSIONAL
MANY YEARS AGO, WHEN MY SON WAS
VERY YOUNG, HE RECEIVED A
DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM AT U C L. A
I WAS REFERRED TO CARITAS CENTER
BUT WAS DENIED SERVICES. I WAS
LOST, CONFUSED, FRUSTRATED BUT
ALSO HAD A SENSE OF URGENCY. AND
YOU EVERY DAY THAT MY SON DIDN'T
HAVE SERVICES. HE WAS FALLING
BEHIND. BUT I WAS FORTUNATE THAT
I MARRIED INTO A FAMILY WITH A
STRONG ROOTS AND ADVOCACY,
DECIDED TO GO TO THE REGIONAL
CENTER OFFICE AND REFUSED TO
LEAVE UNTIL SOMEONE CAME OUT TO
HELP ME. IT WASN'T AN EASY
PROCESS. BUT AFTER MUCH ADVOCACY
, HE FINALLY GOT QUALIFIED.
SADLY FAMILIES CONTINUE TO
EXPERIENCE THIS TODAY. THAT
EXPERIENCE IS VERY COMMON FOR A
LOT OF PARENTS WE SUPPORT.
PARTNERSHIP IS IMPORTANT FOR
PARENTS BECAUSE OFTEN FAMILIES
IN RURAL AREAS OF BAKERSFIELD
STRUGGLE TO RECEIVE THE
INFORMATION THEY NEED IN THEIR
LANGUAGE. THERE ARE MANY
OBLIGATIONS OF WORK AND FAMILY
RESPONSIBILITIES THAT LIMITED
ABILITY TO FIND RESOURCES. PART
OF THE CHALLENGE IS THERE IS NOT
ONE PATH ACHIEVED EQUITY. AS
ADVOCATES. WE HAVE HIGHLIGHTED
THIS ISSUE DISPARITIES. THIS
COMPANY HAS LANDED THE ISSUE.
THE LITTLE HUMBER COMMISSION HAS
HIGHLIGHTED THE ISSUE AND DO THE
S HAS MADE IT A PRIORITY IN
THEIR FUNDING AND WORKGROUPS.
YET DATA CONTINUES TO PROVE THAT
NEEDLE HAS NOT MOVED MUCH
TOWARDS A MORE EQUITABLE SYSTEM.
WHY SOMETHING IN THE SYSTEM IS
NOT DESIGNED FOR EQUITY BECAUSE
OF THE CALIFORNIA WE REALIZE WE
HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ORGANIZE
THE PARENTS IN MY AREA. THIS ONE
NEEDS A CURRENT COUNTY ORGANIZED
REQUESTED THE REGIONAL CENTER
EXECUTIVE TEAM TO INCLUDE THEM
AS PART OF THE DISPARITY. PLAN
OF ACTION PLAN INCLUDES ONGOING
EDUCATION SERVICE COORDINATORS
AND FAMILIES RECORDING THE
REGIONAL CENTER SERVICE OPTIONS
. ADDITIONALLY PARENTS ARE
ASKING FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF
CURRENT REGIONAL STANDARD TO GO
WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE TO HAVE A
PRESENCE IN THE UNDERSERVED
AREAS. WE HAVE LEARNED SEVERAL
THINGS AT THE MONTHLY MEETINGS
THAT CURRENT READERS CENTER,
WHICH INCLUDES SYSTEMIC ISSUES
EXIST, TURNOVER SERVICE
COORDINATORS AND REGIONAL
CENTERS CONTINUES TO BE A
PROBLEM. THEY ARE NOT ADEQUATELY
FUNDED, DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE
SERVICE COORDINATORS OR EVEN
ENOUGH SPACE FOR THEM, TOO MANY
OF THEM ARE STILL WORKING FROM
HOME CENTER AND DEPARTMENT
SHOULD CONSIDER SATELLITE
OFFICES IN THE UNDERSERVED
AREAS. THE REGIONAL STANDARD
REMAINS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.
THE PROCESS NEEDS TO BE MORE
STREAMLINED. IT SHOULD NOT BE
THAT DIFFICULT FOR FAMILIES TO
OBTAIN SERVICES, THE POLICY OF
CURRENT RESOURCE CENTER AS A
PAIR OF LAST RESORT, CAUSING
DELAYS. OBTAINING SERVICES,
FAMILIES BEING GUIDANCE AND
LEARNING WHAT GENERIC SERVICES
ARE AND HOW TO ACCESS THEM.
THERE CONTINUES TO BE OF LACK OF
AWARENESS OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES
. WE MUST BRIDGE FAMILIES TO
AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO HELP WITH
THE PROCESS, SUCH AS OFFICER
PLANE RIGHTS, FAMILY RESOURCE
CENTERS, NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA
CULTURAL PARAS CENTERS SUCH AS
FAMILY ARE DIVA. MANY PARENTS DO
NOT KNOW THEY EXIST, ESPECIALLY
THE SPANISH SPEAKING COMMUNITY,
AND EVEN IF THE REGIONAL
STANDARD IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE
THE INFORMATION WE KNOW IT
DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN. I
RECOMMEND ATTACHING A ONE PAGE
DOCUMENT IN THEIR LANGUAGE OF
CHOICE WITH THE I P P WITH THE
NAMES OF THE LOCAL ADVOCACY
CENTERS. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT
FAMILIES KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR
SUPPORT. WHITE EDUCATED FAMILIES
WITH A STRONGER SKILL SET AND
HIGHER INCOME LEVELS. GET MORE
SERVICES. PEOPLE OF COLOR
TREATED DIFFERENTLY. BIASES
EXIST, NOT KNOWING THE LAST OF
ME, RIGHT? WHAT'S THAT
DISADVANTAGE? MANY DO NOT KNOW
THEY CAN APPEAL IF THEY DO NOT
AGREE ON THE ELIGIBILITY
RESULTS, IN CONCLUSION, THE
PRINCIPLES OF THE LETTERMAN ACT
MUST BE PROTECTED. DO NOT DO SO
IT WOULD BE A VIOLATION OF THE
CIVIL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. AS A
LEADER. IT IS NOT ONLY MY JOB,
MY RESPONSIBILITY CARRIED
FORWARD THE VOICES OF MY
COMMUNITY. WE CONTINUE TO HEAR A
LOT OF FRUSTRATION FROM FAMILIES
WHOSE NEEDS ARE NOT BEING MET
MANY OTHER RACISM AND
DISCRIMINATION EXISTS AND
IMPEDES FAMILIES FROM ACCESSING
THE SERVICES THEY NEED. IT'S
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT KIRK
COUNTY HAS THE SECOND HIGHEST
POVERTY RATE OF 58 COUNTIES IN
CALIFORNIA AND THE PARENTS OF
YOU DISPARITY AS A
DISCRIMINATION TO PEOPLE OF
COLOR. WE DID A DRASTIC CHANGE
THE SYSTEM BECAUSE REALITY YOUR
FAMILY'S NOT ACCESSING SERVICES
IS A REFLECTION OF THE SYSTEM.
WE SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT OR
REGIONAL CENTERS AND THE
DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS. WE HAVE
A COMMON GOAL OF THE CHEATING
AND EQUITABLE SYSTEM AGAINST
DICTATED RESPECT TO ALL
INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES
THAT SUPPORT THEM. WE WANT TO
WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD, TRUST
AND STRENGTHEN A SYSTEM THAT
WORKS FOR EVERYONE. BUT I SAID
THE DOUBLE UP 1% CAMPION'S THANK
YOU. THANK YOU, MR HUERTA. NEXT
WE WILL HEAR FROM DORA
CONTRERAS, WHO IS, UM THE
GRANDPARENTS OF A PERSON SERVED
AT THE VALLEY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL
CENTER AND MANAGER OF THE
INTEGRATED COMMUNITY
COLLABORATIVE. THANK YOU. MY
NAME IS DORA CONTRERAS AND I'M
FROM THE STOCKTON AREA. MY
GRANDSON SAID HE WAS IN THE
AUDIENCE. HE HAS BEEN A CLIENT
OF THE VALLEY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL
CENTER FOR SINCE HE WAS TWO. AS
A SINGLE GRANDPARENTS. I HAVE
RAISED MY GRANDSON FOR ALMOST
HIS ENTIRE LIFE SINCE HE WAS A
TODDLER. SERGIO IS NOW 30 YEARS
OLD AND NEEDS CONTINUOUS CARE
AROUND THE CLOCK. SURGEON DID.
SERGIO DIDN'T HAVE ANY REGIONAL
CENTER SERVICES UP UNTIL HE WAS
NINE, WHEN THEY SAID THEY WOULD
PAY FOR A DAYCARE. THEY WOULD
PAY FOR DAYCARE. BECAUSE I WAS A
TEACHER, BUT NO DAYCARE WOULD
KEEP HIM. NO BABYSITTER WOULD
KEEP HIM. WHEN SERGIO WAS 10, A
SERVICE COORDINATOR TOLD ME ONE
DAY I WOULD HAVE TO GIVE HIM UP
INSTEAD OF GIVING US THE
SUPPORT. WE NEEDED TO KEEP
SURGERY AT HOME WHEN SERGIO WAS
12 THAT BECAME A HARSH REALITY.
WHEN I BECAME A PRINCIPAL WORKED
MANY HOURS, THE REGIONAL CENTER
FOR THE REGIONAL CENTER OF
SOLUTION WAS TO PAY FOR HIM TO
GO TO AN EXPENSIVE FOR I CRISIS
GROUP CARE HOME THAT STARTED A
HORRIBLE JOURNEY FOR FOUR
DIFFERENT FOR DIFFERENT CARE
HOMES FOR HIM AT THE FIRST CARE
HOME, SOMEBODY ENGRAVED WITH
THEIR RAZOR, THE INITIALS OF A
RAPPER ON HIS ARM, AND AT THAT
SAME LEVEL FOR I HOME. HE GOT
TUBERCULOSIS. AT THE SECOND HOME
, SERGIO LANDED IN THE HOSPITAL
AND THE CARE HOME WOULDN'T TAKE
HIM BACK. THE THIRD CARE HOME
ALMOST KILLED HIM BECAUSE OF
OVER MEDICATION. IT SEEMS LIKE
MY GRANDSON HAD ACCESS TO VERY
LIMITED OPTIONS AT THAT TIME,
AND EVEN WHAT OPTIONS HE HAD
WERE VERY CHALLENGING. SERGIO
HAS BEEN PLACED IN JAIL
OVERNIGHT WHILE UNDER OUT OF
HOME RESPITE CARE FOR ATTACKING
LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN THEY WERE
CALLED BECAUSE OF DESTRUCTION OF
PROPERTY. HE HAS HAD THREE BAD
INCIDENCES WITH LONG FORCE MINT
HAS BEEN ARRESTED, HANDCUFFED,
PUT IN A STRAITJACKET AND THROW
IN THE NECK. LAW ENFORCEMENT CAR
IN FEAR FOR HIS SAFETY AND
QUALITY OF LIFE. I FINALLY
BROUGHT HIM HOME DURING THE
PANDEMIC, AND I WAS RETIRED BY
THEN, AND HE WAS STAYED. HE HAS
STAYED WITH ME EVER SINCE.
DURING COVID, THE STATE WAS
OFFERING MORE SERVICES TO KEEP
PEOPLE OUT OF CONGREGANTS
SETTINGS, AND NOW THE REGIONAL
CENTER IS MAKING AN EXCEPTION
FOR ME. AND I'M ASSUMING FOR MY
AGE BY PROVIDING SUPPORTED
LIVING SERVICES TO SERGIO WHILE
HE LIVES WITH ME. CURRENTLY HE'S
DOING MUCH BETTER IN OUR HOME
WITH THE RIGHT SUPPORT. HERE'S A
PICTURE OF HIM WHEN HE WAS
OVERMEDICATED AND CLOSE TO
DYING. AND HERE HE IS NOW SAID
TO STAND UP. PLEASE STAND UP SO
THEY CAN SEE YOU NOW, SERGIO. HE
WENT TO THE BATHROOM. THAT'S HIM
. HI TO EVERYBODY OUTSIDE. HE'S
HAPPY TO. HE'S A HAPPY GO LUCKY
PERSON. NOW HE'S HE BRIGHTENS UP
ANY ROOM. HE HAS INLETS THUGS
FOR EVERYBODY AS THE YOUNG LADY
STANDING AT THE DOOR FOUND OUT.
WHILE MY STORY MAY SEEM UNIQUE,
IT IS NOT MANY FACES FACE
SIMILAR BATTLES TO GET SUPPORTS
AND SERVICES THEY NEED FOR THEIR
CHILD. I'M EDUCATED AND I SPEAK
ENGLISH AND LOOK WHAT I WENT
THROUGH. WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO
OTHERS? I FOUND OUT A COUPLE OF
YEARS AGO I WENT TO A BOARD
MEETING AT MY REGIONAL CENTER
AND SAW MANY LATINO WOMEN
SPEAKING UP ABOUT THE SERVICES
THEY NEEDED AND ADVOCATED FOR
CHANGES. AND I THOUGHT I NEED TO
KNOW THEM AND I THOUGHT I WILL
JOIN THEM. IT TURNS OUT THAT
THEY WERE PART OF THE INTEGRATED
COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE,
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION
THAT HELPS FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE
SYSTEM AND BREAK DOWN BARRIERS
ON A PEER TO PEER BASIS. THROUGH
THE COMMUNITY. INTEGRA DORA'S
FINALLY I FOUND A GROUP WHOM I
CAN RELATE TO, AND THEY TO ME. I
NOW WORK AS A MANAGER FOR ICE TO
UNITE AND HELP OTHER FAMILIES.
WHILE WHAT I HEAR CONSISTENTLY
FROM THE COMMUNITY IS THAT
PEOPLE DON'T TRUST THE REGIONAL
CENTERS. THEY DON'T WANT THEM
COMING IN THEIR HOMES, DIGGING
INTO THEIR PRIVATE AFFAIRS. SOME
PEOPLE ARE AFRAID THAT THE
REGIONAL CENTER WILL TAKE THEIR
CHILD AWAY FROM THEM. IN A WAY,
ISN'T THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?
MANY LATINO FAMILIES SAW THAT
THEY GET TRICKED INTO THINKING
THAT THEY'RE BEING HELPED. BUT
THE REGIONAL CENTER TAKES THEIR
INFORMATION AND USES IT AGAINST
THEM. ALSO IT DOESN'T MATTER IF
THE REGIONAL CENTER STAFF SPEAK
SPANISH. THE TRUST ISSUE WILL
NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND IT
NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. THE
LEGISLATURE READ, RESTORED
FUNDING FOR SOCIAL WRECK TO
REDUCE DISPARITIES, BUT STILL,
LATINOS ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCESS
THEIR SERVICES. ONE REGIONAL
CENTER SAYS. YOU CAN'T GET THE
SERVICE UNLESS YOU GIVE UP
NEEDED RESPITE. ANOTHER IS
TELLING PEOPLE I. H S S MONEY
SHOULD GO TO PAY FOR SOCIAL REC
PROGRAMS. SOME REGIONAL PROGRAM
. SOME REGIONAL CENTERS ARE
REQUIRING FAMILIES TO PAY FOR
THE PROGRAM. FIRST PAY FOR THE
PROGRAM FIRST AND GET REIMBURSED
. MONTHS LATER. MOST FAMILIES
CAN AFFORD TO DO THIS AND SHOULD
NOT BE PAYING OUT OF THEIR OWN
POCKET. SOME FAMILIES DON'T HAVE
CREDIT CARDS WE KNOW AND
APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT DDS IS
TRYING TO MAKE THINGS BETTER. AS
YOU HEARD THESE LADIES STAY AND
THAT THE REGIONAL CENTERS ARE
TRYING HARD TO MAKE THE NEEDED
CHANGES, BUT IT DOES. DOESN'T
SEEM TO BE WORKING, AND IT'S NOT
QUICK ENOUGH. FOR THINGS TO
TRULY CHANGE. THERE MUST BE A
COMMITMENT TO A CHANGE OF THE
CULTURE AT EVERYONE OF THE 21
REGIONAL CENTERS. MY PERSPECTIVE
IS THAT TODAY THE SYSTEM STILL
LACKS A SENSE OF COMPASSION.
FAMILIES MUST STILL GO TO
UNREALISTIC LENGTHS TO OBTAIN
MUCH NEEDED SERVICES. MANY FEEL
HUMILIATED. FOR HAVING TO BEG
FOR SOMETHING THAT THEIR CHILD
IS ENTITLED TO. THIS PROBLEM IS
DEEP, AND IT REQUIRES OVERSIGHT
OF EVERY SINGLE INTERACTION THAT
REGIONAL CENTERS HAVE WITH
FAMILIES. IT REQUIRES REGIONAL
CENTER STAFF, REGARDLESS OF
THEIR COLLEGE DEGREES AND YEARS
OF EXPERIENCE TO BE HUMBLE AND
HAVE EMPATHY WITH FAMILIES IT
REQUIRES THE INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES SERVED BY REGIONAL
CENTERS TO FEEL EMBRACED AND
EMPOWERED AND NOT TO FEEL
INTIMIDATED OR DISCOUNT OR
DISCOUNTED. SADLY WE ARE FREE
FROM REACHING THESE GOALS, BUT
THE COMMUNITY HAS WOKEN AND WE
PLEDGE TO BE PART OF THE
SOLUTION. WE PLEDGE TO WORK WITH
THE LEGISLATURE. WE PLEDGE TO
WORK WITH DDS AND WE PLEDGE TO
WORK WITH OUR OWN REGIONAL
CENTERS TO KEEP TRYING AND
MAKING THE SYSTEM FAIR AND
EQUITABLE FOR ALL I SPEAK FOR
EVERYONE HERE FROM OUR
COMMUNITY, AND FOR THOSE THAT
COULDN'T COME AND THEY'RE
SEATED. CAN YOU STAND UP,
PLEASE? MY COMMUNITY STAND UP.
THEY'RE SERGIO AND THE RED
SERGIO HIGH. I SPEAK FOR MY
COMMUNITY AND FOR THOSE THAT
COULDN'T COME BECAUSE I CAN'T
DRIVE A BUS AND I CAN'T PARK IT
. BUT NEXT TIME WE'RE COMING BY
BUS, THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU
FROM ALL THE SURGE OF SITTING
HERE TODAY. AS YOU CEASE. MOST
OF OUR MOMS HAVE BROUGHT THEIR
SONS AND THEY'RE STANDING RIGHT
NEXT TO THEM. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. THANK YOU, DORA. NEXT WE
WILL HEAR FROM JUDY MARK.
PRESIDENT FOR DISABILITY VOICES
UNITED. HOW DO I FOLLOW THAT,
HUH? MAN? I FEEL LIKE I FEEL BAD
THAT I'M MY BACK IS TO YOU AS
WELL. BUT I'LL TRY TO GO LIKE
THIS. MY NAME IS JUDY MARK AND
PRESIDENT OF DISABILITY VOICES
UNITED. I'M ALSO THE PARENT OF A
26 YEAR OLD SON WHO SERVED WHO
HAS AUTISM WHO SERVED BY A
REGIONAL CENTER AND I'M GONNA
DIE RIGHT IN BECAUSE I'M NOT
GOING TO SUGARCOAT IT, UH,
CALIFORNIA IS FAILING PEOPLE OF
COLOR WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES WERE ALSO FAILING
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO
LIVE IN CERTAIN AREAS WHERE
REGIONAL CENTERS HAVE A STORE.
ECCLESIA PROVIDED FEW SERVICES.
AND DESPITE STATE SPENDING OF
$88 MILLION INTENDED TO
ELIMINATE THESE PROBLEMS, RECENT
REPORTS, STATE AUDITS AND THE
LITTLE HOOVER COMMISSION HAVE
HIGHLIGHTED HOW CALIFORNIA'S
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY SYSTEM
IS STILL PLAGUED WITH RACIAL,
ETHNIC AND GEOGRAPHIC
DISPARITIES. NEWSPAPERS HAVE
ALSO TAKEN NOTICE AND WRITTEN
EXTENSIVELY ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH
DISTURBING HEADLINES LIKE IN
TODAY'S SACRAMENTO BEE, IN CASE
YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT. THIS IS A
STORY FROM TODAY'S SACRAMENTO
BEE, WHICH IS ENTITLED
CALIFORNIA BILL WOULD OVERHAUL
FAILING SYSTEM SERVING ADULTS
AND KIDS WITH DISABILITIES. AND
ANOTHER ONE FROM A FEW MONTHS
AGO IN THE ORANGE COUNTY
REGISTER, TITLED IT'S HELD. IT
HELPS TO BE WHITE. IF YOU'RE
DISABLED IN CALIFORNIA, THE
BOTTOM LINE IS THAT REGIONAL
CENTER CLIENTS RECEIVE VASTLY
DIFFERENT SERVICES LEVELS OF
SERVICES, DEPENDING ON THE COLOR
OF THEIR SKIN AND WHERE THEY
LIVE. DISABILITY VOICES UNITED
IS DIRECTED BY PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES
AND HAS PRODUCED MULTIPLE
REPORTS ON THIS ISSUE. OUR MOST
RECENT REPORT IS TITLED A MATTER
OF RACE AND PLACE, AND I BROUGHT
COPIES FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE
HERE, AND IT SHOWS THAT THE
STATE HAS MADE LITTLE PROGRESS
EVEN WHEN THE RESEARCH ACCOUNTS
FOR THE UNDERLYING CULTURE,
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND
DIFFERENT LIVING SITUATIONS.
ADULTS OF COLOR LIVE AT HOME,
FOR EXAMPLE OF COLOR WHO ARE
LIVING AT HOME, FOR EXAMPLE,
RECEIVED THE LEAST AMOUNT OF
SORT OF SERVICES THAT EVERY
SINGLE REGIONAL CENTER WITH
LATINOS, FEARING THE WORST THERE
IS NOT ONE REGIONAL CENTER IN
WHICH WHITE ADULTS LIVING AT
HOME RECEIVED THE LEAST AMOUNT
OF SERVICES. AT 15 REGIONAL
CENTERS, HISPANIC AND ASIAN
ADULTS ARE FAR MORE LIKELY TO
RECEIVE NO SERVICES AT ALL. AND
THAT EVERY REGIONAL CENTER WHITE
ADULTS ARE THE LEAST LIKELY TO
RECEIVE NO SERVICES, BUT
FOCUSING SOLELY ON DIFFERENCES
IN SPENDING BY RACIAL GROUPS
DOESN'T COME CLOSE TO TELLING
THE FULL STORY, YOUR PLACE OR
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION MATTERS AS
MUCH AS RACE. FOR EXAMPLE, IF
YOU ARE A LATINO LIVING AT HOME
AND SERVED BY WESTSIDE REGIONAL
CENTER IN LOS ANGELES, YOU MAY
RECEIVE LESS SERVICES THAN
WHITES, BUT YOU WERE STILL
RECEIVING MORE SERVICES THAN
ALMOST EVERY OTHER SIMILAR ADULT
IN THE ENTIRE STATE. THE CHART
ON PAGE THREE. IF YOU WANT TO
LOOK AT IT, AND I WILL TRY TO
HOLD IT UP FOR THE CAMERA, FOR
THOSE OF YOU DON'T HAVE IT. IN
OUR, UM UH, LOOKS AT THE
INTERSECTION OF RACE AND PLACE.
FOR ADULTS, THE LINES SHOW THE
VARIATION BETWEEN SPENDING A
VIRUS FROM LOWEST TO HIGHEST.
AND THE WIDER LINES ARE THERE
RACIAL DISPARITIES FROM THE
HIGHEST RACE TO THE LOWER,
LOWEST RACE RECEIVING RECEIVING
SERVICES, YOU'LL SEE THE VAST
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AN AVERAGE
SPENDING BETWEEN REGIONAL
CENTERS RANGING FROM A HIGH OF
60 THAT OVER $60,000 AT GOLDEN
GATE TO A LOW OF 26,400 INLAND.
THE HIGHEST SPENDING, REGIONAL
CENTERS HAVE MUCH GREATER RACIAL
DISPARITIES, BUT AT THE LOWER
SPENDING REGIONAL CENTERS, THE
RACIAL DISPARITIES ARE SMALLER,
BECAUSE, FRANKLY, NO ONE'S
GETTING VERY MUCH THERE. WE NEED
TO ASK WHY, WITH ALL OF THE
FOCUS BY THE LEGISLATURE ON A
MEDIA COVERAGE AND GRANTS
PROVIDED THAT THESE SIGNIFICANT
RACIAL AND ETHNIC AND GEOGRAPHIC
DISPARITIES STILL EXIST.
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OF
COLOR REPORT TO US THAT THEY
BELIEVE THE CAUSE IT'S SYSTEMIC
RACISM ROOTED IN A BIAS TOWARD
WHITE EDUCATED FAMILIES WITH THE
RESOURCES TO FIGHT FOR SERVICES
AND THE ABILITY AND TIME TO
NAVIGATE AND INTENTIONALLY
COMPLICATED AND BUREAUCRATIC
SYSTEM. MANY PEOPLE OF COLOR.
TELL US THAT THEY FACE A CULTURE
OF NO AND NO MEANS NO IN MANY
DIFFERENT LANGUAGES. THAT
INCLUDES INTIMIDATION,
DISCRIMINATION AND FEAR OF
RETALIATION IN THEIR
INTERACTIONS WITH THEIR REGIONAL
CENTER. AND THESE EXPERIENCES OF
RACIAL DISCRIMINATION LAY ON TOP
OF THE GEOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE
DISPARITIES IN A STATEWIDE
SYSTEM THAT IS ANYTHING BUT
STATEWIDE. WITH THAT IN MIND, WE
HAVE LAID OUT A SET OF
RECOMMENDATIONS IN OUR REPORT.
WHICH YOU CAN READ AND ARE CO
SPONSORING A B 11 47 THE
DISABILITY EQUITY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT THAT I HOPE
YOU WILL CONSIDER SUPPORTING. TO
BRING ABOUT THIS CHANGE THIS
CHANGE IN OUR SYSTEM THE VERY,
VERY BRIEFLY AND 20 SECONDS. I
WILL TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS. WE BELIEVE
THAT WE SHOULD CREATE A MORE
PERSON CENTERED, EQUITABLE AND
CONSISTENT EXPERIENCE FOR EVERY
PERSON SERVED REGARDLESS OF WHO
THEY ARE OR WHERE THEY LIVE. WE
SHOULD DEVELOP A SET OF A LEVEL
OF OUTCOMES AND PERFORMANCE,
INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY
SATISFACTION THAT ALL REGIONAL
CENTERS MUST MEET, AND IF THEY
DON'T THEY GO ON PROBATION AND
GET TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM D.
D S. WE NEED TO INCREASE
OVERSIGHT OF REGIONAL CENTERS BY
IMPROVING GOVERNANCE OF THEIR
BOARDS OF DIRECTORS AND
EMPOWERING DDS TO DO MORE. AND
FINALLY, WE SHOULD ENHANCE THE
TRANSPARENCY OF REGIONAL CENTERS
BY MAKING THEM SUBJECT TO THE
PUBLIC RECORDS ACT. AND ENSURING
THAT DATA IS ACCESSIBLE TO
COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
RESEARCHERS. WE MUST STOP
APPROACHING THIS ISSUE WITH THE
SAME STRATEGIES AND EXPECTING
DIFFERENT RESULTS. WHILE IT IS
VERY DIFFICULT TO LEGISLATE
CULTURE CHANGE, WE MUST WORK
TOGETHER TO CHANGE THE CULTURE
OF NO TO A CULTURE OF TRUST AND
REGIONAL CENTERS, ESPECIALLY FOR
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. WE BELIEVE
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS MOVE US IN
THAT DIRECTION. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM
VIVIA. JUAN VIVIAN JUAN, SENIOR
ATTORNEY WITH THE INTELLECTUAL
AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
PRACTICE GROUP WITH DISABILITY
RIGHTS, CALIFORNIA THANK YOU SO
MUCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS. MY NAME
IS VIVIAN HAN. I WORK AT
DISABILITY RIGHTS, CALIFORNIA I
AM ALSO THE SIBLING OF SOMEONE
WHO IS SERVED BY REGIONAL
CENTERS. MY BROTHER HAS AUTISM
AND HAS BEEN SERVED BY THE
REGIONALS SPEAKING INTO THE MIC.
SORRY MY BROTHER HAS AUTISM AND
HAS BEEN SERVED BY THE REGIONAL
CENTER SYSTEM NEARLY ALL HIS
LIFE. UM. WE HAVE SO MUCH MORE
WORK LEFT TO BE DONE TO ADDRESS
RACIAL DISPARITIES IN THIS
SYSTEM. AND. THE REASON WHY I
THINK THE NEEDLE HAS NOT MOVED
AS MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE FOR IT
TO HAVE MOVED IS NOT BECAUSE THE
INITIATIVES THAT DEPARTMENT HAS
LAUNCHED HAVEN'T BEEN VALUABLE.
THEY'VE BEEN VERY VALUABLE AS
MISS WALTER AND OTHERS HAVE
DESCRIBED TODAY, BUT
UNFORTUNATELY THEY HAVEN'T BEEN
ENOUGH. THEY ONLY FOCUSED ON
CERTAIN PARTS OF WHAT WE KNOW TO
BE A MULTIPART PROBLEM. IF WE
THINK ABOUT THE PIPELINE THAT
PEOPLE SERVED BY REGIONAL
CENTERS MOVED THROUGH TO GET
SERVICES FROM THEIR REGIONAL
CENTER. IMAGINE THREE SEGMENTS
TO A PIPELINE WITH A TOP SEGMENT
BEING THE COMMUNITY WHERE THEY
FIRST LEARNED ABOUT THE REGIONAL
CENTER, SO COMMUNITY OUTREACH
THE BOTTOM SEGMENT CLOSEST TO
THE SERVICES THEMSELVES WOULD
REPRESENT THE SERVICE PROVIDERS.
THE MIDDLE SEGMENT WOULD BE THE
REGIONAL CENTER RIGHT WHERE THEY
MOVE THROUGH TO GET ACCESS TO
THOSE SERVICE PROVIDERS. THE
MANY GOOD INITIATIVES THAT THE
DEPARTMENT DESCRIBED TODAY HAVE
TENDED IN LARGE PART TO FOCUS ON
THE TOP SEGMENT AND THE BOTTOM
SEGMENT. SO IF WE THINK ABOUT
THE COMMUNITY SEGMENT REALLY
GOOD WORK AROUND OUTREACH
SERVICE NAVIGATION, CULTURAL
NAVIGATION. THERE'S BEEN A LOT
OF INVESTMENT AND BUILDING THE
SERVICE PROVIDER WORKFORCE AND
RAISING RATES AND INCREASING THE
NUMBER OF LINGUISTICALLY
APPROPRIATE AND CULTURALLY
APPROPRIATE PROVIDERS, BUT THERE
HASN'T BEEN NEARLY AS MUCH FOCUS
ATTENTION PAID TO THE MIDDLE
SEGMENT. REGIONAL CENTERS AND
THEIR CENTRAL NOT JUST TO THIS
IMAGE OF THIS PIPELINE THAT I'VE
SKETCHED OUT FOR YOU IS CENTRAL
TO THE PROBLEM ITSELF. THEIR
CENTRAL BECAUSE REGIONAL CENTERS
ARE THE ENTITIES THAT DETERMINED
THE CRITERIA OF WHO GETS
SERVICES. WHAT SERVICES AND
WHEN. UNDER WHAT CRITERIA?
REGIONAL CENTERS HAVE LONG HAD
BROAD DISCRETION TO SET THEIR
OWN RULES. ABOUT WHEN SERVICE
REQUESTS ARE APPROVED OR DENIED.
AND THAT IS WHAT DRIVES THE
INTENSIVE REGIONAL DIFFERENCES
THAT YOU JUST HEARD, MISS MARK.
DESCRIBE AND WHILE MANY OF THESE
PURCHASE OF SERVICE POLICIES
APPEARED TO BE RACIALLY NEUTRAL
ON THEIR FACE, THEY DON'T
MENTION RACE IN PRACTICE. MANY
OF THEIR IMPACTS ARE HIGHLY
RACIALIZED. THEY JUST ARE THEY
TEND TO OVERLY AND
DISPROPORTIONATELY RESTRICT
SERVICES IN A WAY THAT TENDS TO
CORRELATE HIGHLY WITH RACE WITH
LANGUAGE, INCOME AND EDUCATION
LEVELS. WE THINK THAT IT'S TIME
TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE 21
. DIFFERENT REGIONAL CENTERS, 21
DIFFERENT WAYS OF DOING THINGS.
WE'VE HEARD ABOUT THAT A LOT.
BUT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT 21
DIFFERENT LOCAL PURCHASE OF
SERVICE POLICIES THAT PEOPLE
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SET WITH WIDE
DISCRETION THAT AFFECT PEOPLE SO
DIFFERENTLY. WE ALL KNOW IN
SYSTEMS. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
THERE'S A LOT OF DISCRETION.
IT'S WHERE BIAS CAN SEE IT. AND
THE LAYERS OF DISCRETION DON'T
JUST STOP AT THEIR WRITTEN
POLICIES. THERE'S DISCRETION
THEN AND HOW IT GETS APPLIED BY
SERVICE CORN AIDERS BY OTHER
REGIONAL CENTER STAFF. AND SO
THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT I
THINK SHOULD BE TAKEN A CLOSER A
CLOSER LOOK AT, UM, ONE OF THE
OTHER. I THINK MAJOR DRIVERS OF
DISPARITIES IN OUR SYSTEM. UM AS
I MENTIONED ARE THOSE POLICIES
IN PARTICULAR PURCHASE OF
SERVICE POLICIES THAT WE CALL
GATEKEEPING POLICIES BECAUSE
THEY'RE DESIGNED TO PRIORITIZE.
LTD DOLLARS BY DECIDING OR BY
DETERMINING. WHEN A REQUEST FOR
SERVICES IS ACTUALLY THE
REGIONAL CENTERS OBLIGATION.
MANY OF THESE GUIDELINES WILL
SAY TO A DISABLED PERSON. THAT
THING YOU'RE ASKING FOR. THAT'S
NOT OUR OBLIGATION. THAT'S
SOMEONE ELSE'S OBLIGATION. IT'S
YOUR SCHOOL'S OBLIGATION. IT'S
MEDICALS OBLIGATION OR
OFTENTIMES IT'S YOUR FAMILY'S
OBLIGATION. YOU LIVE AT HOME
WITH YOUR FAMILY YOU RENT
INSTEAD OF OWN OWN YOUR HOME.
THAT'S ON YOU. THAT'S NOT OUR
OBLIGATION TO PAY FOR THAT. UM.
THESE POLICIES AGAIN ARE SET.
REGIONALLY BY EACH REGIONAL
CENTER. UM AND WHILE THERE IS
SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR SOME
LOCAL CONTROL, I THINK WE'VE
REACHED THE POINT WHERE IT'S
TIME TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK. AT
STANDARDIZING CERTAIN CORE
PRINCIPLES THAT THE SYSTEM
STANDS FOR AND JUST NEED TO BE
MADE. UM PART AND PARCEL OF
EVERY PURCHASE OF SERVICE POLICY
AT EVERY REGIONAL CENTER SO THAT
WE CAN LIVE UP TO THE PROMISE OF
THE LANTERN ACT. THE LAST DRIVER
THAT I MIGHT POINT TO AGAIN IS
GENERIC RESOURCES WHEN I
MENTIONED EARLIER, UM, POLICIES
THAT POINT TO OTHER SYSTEMS,
SCHOOLS MEDICAL THE DEPARTMENT
OF REHABILITATION. UM THE
REGIONAL CENTER SYSTEM IS OFTEN
DESCRIBED AS THE PAYER OF LAST
RESORT. THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS IN
THE LAW. THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS IN
MEDICAID LAW. UM IT HAS BEEN
DESCRIBED AS A GAP FILLING
SYSTEM RIGHT WHEN ALL THE OTHER
SYSTEMS FAIL. SOMEONE WITH A
DISABILITY. THE REGIONAL CENTER
SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO STEP IN TO
FILL THAT GAP. HOWEVER WE CAN'T
KNOW IF WE'RE FILLING THAT GAP
ADEQUATELY WITHOUT KNOWING MUCH
MORE ABOUT THE SIZE AND SHAPE
AND LOCATION OF THAT GAP. IF WE
LEARNED ANYTHING FROM THE
PANDEMIC, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT
THE OTHER SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN
FAILING PEOPLE OF COLOR, FAILING
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, SO WE KNOW
THAT THOSE GAPS THAT THE
REGIONAL CENTER NEEDS TO FILL
MUST BE LARGER. BUT WE DON'T
HAVE VERY GOOD DATA YET ABOUT
EXACTLY HOW BIG WHAT IS THEIR
SHAPE AND WHAT DIRECTION BUT WE
KNOW THEY MUST BE REALLY LARGE.
SO THE FACT THAT AFTER 10 YEARS
THEY ARE STILL COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR ARE STILL UM, HAVING LESS
SPENT ON THEM. WE KNOW THAT IT'S
NOT ENOUGH TO FILL THAT GAP. SO
UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
TODAY APPRECIATE THE
OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU. I'M
GOING TO ASK IF WE CAN
TRANSITION A FEW OF THE CHAIRS
JUST TO MAKE SPACE FOR AMY
WESTLING, WHO IS NEXT EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF ARCA, AS WELL AS THE
L A AND DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE,
AND I WILL BRING YOU BACK UP FOR
QUESTIONS.
WHEN YOU'RE READY, PLEASE BEGIN,
MISS WESTON. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY
NAME IS AMY WESTLING, AND I'M,
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
ASSOCIATION OF REGIONAL CENTER
AGENCIES, AND I HAVE THE HONOR
OF WORKING WITH ALL OF THE
STATES. 21 REGIONAL CENTERS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO
BE HERE TODAY AND THANK YOU TO
YOUR STAFF FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE
AGENDA THAT DID A WONDERFUL JOB
SETTING THE TABLE FOR THIS
IMPORTANT DISCUSSION. I WANT TO
TAKE A MOMENT TO TAKE A STEP
BACK. AND I WANT TO TELL YOU THE
PRINCIPLES AND THE FOUNDATIONAL
IDEAS THAT HAVE ALWAYS GUIDED MY
CAREER AND THAT OF THE REGIONAL
CENTERS. WHEN I FIRST STARTED AT
A REGIONAL CENTER, THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR SAT ME DOWN MY FIRST
DAY, AND HE SAID, THIS IS SOCIAL
WORK, AND THIS IS ABOUT
RELATIONSHIPS AND NOTHING THAT
YOU DO IN THIS SYSTEM. CAN GET
IN THE WAY OF THAT RELATIONSHIP.
IT IS ALL ABOUT BUILDING A
RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT FAMILY
AND THAT INDIVIDUAL AND THIS
RELATIONSHIP NEEDS TO ENDURE
BECAUSE WE AS A REGIONAL CENTER.
WILL BE SERVING THAT INDIVIDUAL.
OFTENTIMES BEYOND THE LIFE OF
THEIR FAMILY, AND THEY NEED TO
TRUST US, AND THEY NEED TO
BELIEVE THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO
WHAT'S BEST. WE KNOW THAT
INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES
ARE LEADING UNDENIABLY COMPLEX
LIVES. WE ALL ARE, BUT THEY DEAL
ALSO WITH THE COMPLEXITY OF A
NUMBER OF SYSTEMS BEING BROUGHT
INTO THEIR LIVES AS A RESULT OF
THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY,
THE INTERFACE WITH THE REGIONAL
CENTER IN HOME SUPPORTIVE
SERVICES, MEDIC AL SPECIAL
EDUCATION. AND ONE OF THE
PRIMARY GOALS OF THE REGIONAL
CENTER AS I USED TO TELL MY
STAFF OVER AND OVER IS TO HELP
MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER AND
EASIER. AND PART OF THE WAY WE
DO THAT IS THROUGH IRONING OUT
SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES THAT
ARISE IN INTERFACING WITH
VARIOUS SYSTEMS. OVER TIME, OUR
SYSTEM HAS BECOME MORE
BUREAUCRATIC. IT IS NATURAL FOR
THAT TO HAPPEN AS A SYSTEM
SWELLS TO SERVING 400,000
INDIVIDUALS AND WITH THE SIZE OF
BUDGET WE'RE DEALING WITH TODAY.
THERE HAVE TO BE SYSTEMATIC WAYS
TO DEAL WITH THINGS, BUT IN SOME
INSTANCES, WE ARE TAKING A STEP
BACK AND THINKING ABOUT HOW CAN
WE BEST SUPPORT COMMUNITIES, ALL
COMMUNITIES AND INDIVIDUALS,
REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND. AND
THAT'S SOME OF THE IMPORTANT
WORK THAT IS TAKING PLACE. SOME
OF THE BARRIERS THAT WE'VE
HEARD. I BELIEVE MISS HAN SPOKE
OF THE, UM IDEA THAT PEOPLE
REALLY HAVE TO EXHAUSTION. ERIC
RESOURCES BEFORE REGIONAL
CENTERS CAN STEP IN TO ASSIST
THEM. I AM QUITE HONESTLY, BY
THE TIME THEY EXHAUST THOSE
GENERIC RESOURCES, THEY'RE
EXHAUSTED. THEY'RE TIRED AND SO
PART OF THE ROLE OF THE REGIONAL
CENTER IS TO STEP IN AND HELP
THEM TO NAVIGATE SYSTEMS. AND
WHAT THIS REQUIRES AS WELL AS,
UM, THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRUST.
ALL THOSE THINGS BOILED DOWN TO
THAT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE
INDIVIDUAL SERVED AND THEIR
SERVICE COORDINATOR AND ENSURING
THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT TIME
BUILT IN TO DEVELOP THAT
RELATIONSHIP SO THAT IT ISN'T
JUST AN INTERACTION WHERE THE
SERVICE COORDINATOR IS DOING THE
REQUIRED PAPERWORK, CHECKING THE
BOX AND MOVING ON. BUT IS
INSTEAD SPENDING QUALITY TIME
GETTING TO KNOW AND BUILD TRUST
WITH INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR
FAMILIES. THAT'S THE CORE OF OUR
SYSTEM IN TERMS OF THE WORK
THAT'S BEEN DONE TO SUPPORT AND
DEVELOP OUR CAPACITY TO BETTER
SERVE COMMUNITIES, UM FROM A
VARIETY OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS.
WE'RE VERY PROUD OF A LOT OF THE
WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE. AND THE
QUESTION NOW IS WHERE DO WE GO
FROM HERE? WE KNOW THAT, UM ONE
OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED IS TO
BE ABLE TO CLEARLY ARTICULATE.
WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?
DIRECTOR BERGMAN NOTED THAT IN
MANY WAYS WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE
SYSTEM THROUGH THE LENS OF POS
SPENDING. HOW MUCH ARE WE
SPENDING ON EACH INDIVIDUAL AS A
MEASURE OF EQUITY, BUT IT IS
MUCH DEEPER THAN THAT. IT IS
ALSO OUR PEOPLE REPRESENTED IN
OUR SYSTEM. DO THEY MAKE IT
THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR? DO THEY
MAKE IT THROUGH INTAKE? THE HOW
QUICKLY ARE UM, THERE NEEDS
BEING MET. AND THOSE ARE ALL
THINGS THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS
WORKING HARD ON. IN TERMS OF
SOME OF THE SYSTEM REFORM.
THAT'S THAT'S TAKING PLACE. AND
THE IMPORTANT THING FOR THAT IS
THAT WE KNOW THAT YOU GET WHAT
YOU MEASURE AND IF WE MEASURE
OUTCOMES, AND WE MEASURE THE
QUALITY OF SUPPORTS THAT PEOPLE
RECEIVE. IN THEIR OWN WORDS AND
ASKING THEM TO BE PART OF THE
CONVERSATION. THEN WE KNOW THAT
WE HAVE SOMETHING TO BUILD UPON.
ADDITIONALLY IT'S IMPORTANT TO
DRILL INTO DATA BECAUSE THAT
TELLS US WHERE TO TARGET OUR
INTERVENTIONS, SUCH AS THE
COORDINATED FAMILY SUPPORTS.
INITIATIVE WHICH IS REALLY
TARGETING CLOSING THE GAP FOR
THOSE INDIVIDUALS, PARTICULARLY
THOSE WHO ARE LATINO AND LIVING
AT HOME WITH FAMILIES INTO
ADULTHOOD. SO THERE'S A LOT OF
WORK TO BE DONE, AND THERE'S A
LOT OF GREAT WORK THAT HAS TAKEN
PLACE, AND I'M PERSONALLY
ENCOURAGED BY, UM MISS HUERTA,
AS WELL AS MISS CONTRERAS AND
THEIR DEDICATION TO WORKING
TOGETHER TO CONTINUE TO ADVANCE
THIS CRITICAL WORK. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. NEXT, WE WILL HEAR
FROM CHRISTOPHER O'NEILL WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. THANK
YOU. EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU, MR
CHAIR, CHRISTOPHER O'NEILL WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
NOTHING FURTHER TO ADD AT THIS
TIME. NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM
RYAN ANDERSON WITH THE L E O
GOOD AFTERNOON, RYAN ANDERSON
WITH THE LEGISLATIVE ANALYST'S
OFFICE. YEAH I THINK I'LL JUST
SUMMARIZE WHAT I'VE HEARD THIS
AFTERNOON. WHICH IS THAT, UM BUT
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE ARE
LACKING FOR POTENTIAL ANSWERS TO
THE QUESTION OF WHY THESE
DISPARITIES EXIST. AH! WHAT
APPEARS TO BE LACKING AS SOME
CONSENSUS ABOUT WHAT WHAT THOSE
DRIVERS ACTUALLY ARE INTO AT
LEAST SOME EXTENT. UM THIS DOES
SEEM LIKE A QUANTIFIABLE ANSWER
THAT JUST HAS NOT YET BEEN
QUANTIFIED. UM I'VE HEARD AND
PREVIOUS TESTIMONY OF VARIETY OF
POTENTIAL DRIVERS FOR THESE
DISPARITIES, WHICH VERY FROM
WHAT YOU MIGHT CALL.
COINCIDENTAL UM, YOU KNOW THE
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DIFFERENT
ETHNIC AND RACIAL GROUPS AND
THEIR PROPENSITY TO LIVE AT HOME
AND THUS DEMAND RESIDENTIAL
SERVICES OR TO BE YOUNG AND THUS
CONSUMES SPECIAL EDUCATION
SERVICES. THIS. YOU KNOW,
ANOTHER CATEGORY MIGHT BE UM,
DISPARITIES THAT DERIVED FROM
SPECIFIC POLICIES OR LACK OF
SPECIFIC POLICIES ALL THE WAY TO
SOME OF THE CULTURAL ISSUES THAT
WERE BROUGHT UP BY SOME OF THE
TESTIFY. THERE'S NOW SOME OF
THESE ARE QUANTIFIABLE AND COULD
POTENTIALLY WITH A CLOSE
EXAMINATION OF THE PURCHASE OF
SERVICE DATA. WE COULD GET SOME
ANSWERS AS TO, UM HOW IMPORTANT
ARE THESE SPECIFIC DRIVERS,
WHICH WOULD LEAVE US WITH THE
ANSWER OF HOW IMPORTANT DO WE
THINK THAT THE NON QUANTIFIABLE
ANSWERS HAVE BEEN DONE, AND THAT
THAT MIGHT BE A USEFUL FIRST
STEP? AND UH, APPROACHING THIS
NEXT PHASE OF ADDRESSING THESE
DISPARITIES. THAT'S ALL I HAVE
TO SAY FOR NOW. THANK YOU. WITH
THAT I WILL. THANKS VERY MUCH.
THE ENTIRE PANEL, BRING IT UP TO
THE DIOCESE AND SEE IF ANY
MEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONS. DR
JACKSON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR
CHAIR. YES MY FIRST QUESTION IS
FROM L. A IN TERMS OF TRYING TO
FIND THOSE QUANTIFIABLE ANSWERS
, OR AT LEAST AGAINST SOME
CONSENSUS BASED UPON THE DATA
THAT'S AVAILABLE TO US. UM OR DO
YOU AND TEST DO WE ANTICIPATE?
UM THE STUDY THAT IS BEING DONE
ON THE EQUITY BY GEORGETOWN. DO
WE ANTICIPATE THAT THAT WILL PUT
WILL HELP US TO GET TO THE
BOTTOM OF THIS OR WE NEED TO GO
ON ANOTHER JOURNEY TO FIGURE OUT
HOW DO YOU GET TO THE BOTTOM OF
THIS? THANK YOU, UM. THAT
PERHAPS MY COLLEAGUES FROM THE
DEPARTMENT CAN SPEAK MORE TO
THAT SPECIFIC STUDY. I HAVE NO
SPECIAL INSIGHT INTO IT, EXCEPT
TO SAY, OF COURSE I AM AS A
RESEARCHER LOOKING FORWARD TO
IT. MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE
SCOPE OF THAT, UH THAT
PARTICULAR PAPER IS THAT IT IS
ASKING THE QUESTION. ABOUT THE
EFFECT EFFICACY OF SPECIFICALLY
THE EQUITY GRANTS, WHICH HAVE
ALREADY BEEN OFFERED. THAT'S AN
IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE PUZZLE AS
WE KNOW IT IN OUR ANALYSIS. IF
YOU LOOK AT SOME IMPORTANT
INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE SHARE OF
PURCHASE A SERVICE BY SPECIFIC
RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS, YOU
HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF THE
PROGRESS IN THOSE INDICATORS
THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO OVER THAT
TIME. UM BUT THAT LEVEL OF
ANALYSIS DOESN'T TELL YOU
EVERYTHING YOU'D WANT TO KNOW
ABOUT THE LIFE OF THAT PROGRAM.
UM, SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT UH, THE
RESEARCH THAT WE'RE AWAITING
FROM GEORGETOWN WILL GIVE US
SOME DEEPER INSIGHT INTO THAT IT
LIKELY GIVEN THE SCOPE OF THE
PROJECT WOULD NOT ANSWER THE
EVEN DEEPER QUESTION ABOUT WHAT
ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL DRIVERS
BEHIND THESE DISPARITIES TO BE
IN WITH MISS BARGMANN, CAN YOU
ADD TO THEM? SURE YOU'RE EQUALLY
AS CONCERNED WITH THESE THINGS.
UM WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON OR
WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS TO TRY
TO START? GETTING TO THE BOTTOM
OF THIS. THANK YOU. AND YOUR
CORRECT I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED
HAVE BEEN AND BUT I'M ALSO UM,
VERY OPTIMISTIC FOR A NUMBER OF
REASONS. UM, I'M I'M NOT
OPTIMISTIC THAT WE'RE GOING TO
FIX ALL THE INEQUITY OR CONCERNS
AND TRUST TODAY, BUT I'M
EXTREMELY I MEAN, JUST LISTENING
TO THE PANEL. I'VE KNOWN MANY OF
THEM FOR SO MANY YEARS. UM A
COUPLE OF TAKEAWAYS THAT I DO
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS THAT WE ARE
A SYSTEM OF PARTNERS WHERE A
SYSTEM OF PARTNERS THAT ARE
REALLY FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING
INDIVIDUALS. UM SELF ADVOCATES
IF YOU WILL, THE FAMILY MEMBERS
UM AND REALLY THOSE WITHIN THE
COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT'S SERVICE
PROVIDERS AND CERTAINLY REGIONAL
CENTERS, UM THAT THE AMOUNT OF
INTERACTION RIGHT NOW THAT THE
DEPARTMENT HAS WITH THE
COMMUNITY IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER
TIME IN OUR SYSTEM. AND YOU KNOW
, EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, BUT
CERTAINLY AT THE TIME OF THE
PANDEMIC. THAT THAT
UNDERSTANDING OF WHO DDS IS. I
THINK IT'S REMARKABLE. YOU KNOW,
WE ENDED UP HAVING, UM,
STATEWIDE CALLS WITH OUR
COMMUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE
ISSUES, AND I DON'T WANT TO SAY
THAT THAT WAS THE EVENT THAT
KIND OF OPENED UP THAT DOOR
BECAUSE WE CERTAINLY DID A LOT
OF THAT. BUT IT REALLY
CATAPULTED AN OPPORTUNITY AND
WHETHER WE LIKE ZOOM CALLS OR
NOT, I MEAN IT REALLY, AND WE
HAVE TO STILL ADDRESS AND MAKE
SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE LIKE A
TECHNOLOGY AND EQUITY AND
TECHNOLOGY, BUT IT BROKE DOWN
WALLS. WE HAVE PARTICIPANTS AND
REALLY MEANINGFUL. THERE'S A
SEAT AT THE TABLE, BUT WE'RE
STILL MISSING SOME THINGS AS FAR
AS TRUST UM, BUT THE COMMUNITY
BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE
REALLY YIELDED THROUGH THE $11
MILLION I TRUST ME THROUGH THE
PANDEMIC IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THOSE
PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR COMMUNITY
BASED ORGANIZATIONS OVER 70 THAT
WE'RE ABLE TO GET OUT THERE AND
CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND
BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, BE A
MESSENGER DURING A TIME WHEN
THERE WAS LACK OF TRUST IN A LOT
OF DIFFERENT AREAS. I REALLY
BELIEVE WE SAVE LIVES. THAT SAID
WITHIN OUR SYSTEM OF INEQUITY,
YOU KNOW, HEARING FROM OUR
COMMUNITY OVER THE LAST 5 TO 10
YEARS, MANY OF THE POLICIES AND
INITIATIVES THAT WE'VE OPENED UP
IN OUR INVESTING IN THAT THE
LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN SO GRACIOUS
AND SUPPORTING HAS REALLY STEM
FROM THOSE CONVERSATIONS. I I'VE
BEEN DOING THIS WORK FOR OVER 40
YEARS AND I'VE I'VE NEVER SEEN
US REALLY CHANGED KIND OF THAT
ELIGIBILITY AND A POSITIVE TO
REGIONAL CENTER SERVICES. WE'VE
LEARNED FROM OUR COMMUNITIES,
WHETHER IT'S OUR LATINO
COMMUNITY, BUT CERTAINLY ARE
AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND
AFTER DIGGING INTO THE RESEARCH
, WE NOTICED THAT, UM, THOSE
FROM COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAD A
LATER DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM THAN
THOSE THAT DID NOT AND BEING
ABLE TO PEEL BACK AND LOOK AT
THE DATA AND BE ABLE TO SAY WAIT
, WE START WE ACTUALLY STARTED
ASKING THE QUESTIONS. YOU KNOW,
WHO IS IT? THAT'S LEAVING EARLY
START SERVICES AND THEN COMING
BACK, UM TO THE REGIONAL CENTER
SYSTEM AT 789 YEARS OLD AND
LOSING SOME REALLY IMPORTANT
TIME. YOU KNOW, WE'RE THROUGH
THOSE CONVERSATIONS. WE GET TO
ASK QUESTIONS THEN, AND I THINK
THAT'S WHAT THE PURCHASE OF
SERVICE DATA DOES FOR US, BUT IT
DOESN'T GIVE US THE ANSWERS
EQUAL DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN EQUITY
AND WE HAVE TO ASK THOSE
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND BEING
ABLE. I COULD GO ON ABOUT ALL OF
THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE
TO DO THAT'S BEEN STEMMED FROM
THOSE CONVERSATIONS. I REALLY
BELIEVE WE HAVE TO IMPLEMENT
MANY OF THE INITIATIVES THAT WE
HAVE. WE HAVE. UM MS WESLEY HAS
NOTED THE COURT. THE COORDINATED
FAMILY SUPPORTS THAT CLEARLY WAS
STEMMED AROUND THE COMMUNITY OF
SAYING WAIT. WE AS A CULTURE, A
MULTI EVENT MULTIGENERATIONAL
FAMILIES, OFTEN TIMES THAT ARE
THE NON HISPANIC WHITE.
COMMUNITY THAT HAS MULTIPLE
GENERATIONS AND A FAMILY SAYING
, WHY IS IT THAT SOMEBODY HAS TO
MOVE OUT TO GET SUPPORTED LIVING
SERVICES? SO THIS IS THE FIRST
TIME WE HAVE A NEW INITIATIVE.
THAT'S A COORDINATED FAMILY
SUPPORT WHERE THERE'S GOING TO
BE REALLY THOUGHTFUL PROCESS OF
SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
CHOOSING TO LIVE AT HOME WITH
FAMILIES BUT LOOKING AT IT FROM
A WHOLE WHOLE FAMILY
PERSPECTIVE. AND IT'S NEW, YOU
KNOW, SO DO I HAVE DATA? IS IT
GOING TO WORK? IT'S GOING TO
TAKE US HONESTLY SOMETIME, YOU
KNOW, TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHO'S
ACCESSING IT. BUT I WILL TELL
YOU IN OUR PUBLIC MEETINGS OF
INTRODUCING THIS INITIATIVE. WE
HAVE HAD THOUSANDS OF
INDIVIDUALS ATTEND TO BE ABLE TO
HEAR ABOUT THIS NEW INITIATIVE.
YOU KNOW, WE CHANGED THE
PROVISIONAL ELIGIBILITY TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE COULD OPEN THAT
DOOR FOR THOSE WHO ARE EXITING
EARLY START AND COMING BACK AT A
LATER DATE. SO WE CAN REALLY
MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE TIME FOR
THOSE WHO IT COULD BE FROM
SYSTEMIC RACISM. IT COULD BE
IMPLICIT BIAS. THERE'S A NUMBER
OF THINGS WHY INDIVIDUALS ARE
NOT BEING IDENTIFIED AS HAVING
AUTISM. UM AS COMPARED TO THOSE
WHO ARE WHITE, BUT OPENING THAT
DOOR FOR GIVING MORE TIME TO
REALLY ASSESS IT, SO WE DON'T
LOSE INDIVIDUALS. IN THE
MEANTIME. SO MY RECOMMENDATION
RIGHT NOW IS WE STILL DEFINITELY
NEED TO IMPLEMENT THE MANY
INITIATIVES CONTINUE TO REPORT
OUT IN THE VERY TRANSPARENT WAY
WHERE WE ARE ON THAT CONTINUE TO
EVALUATE WHAT'S WORKING. WHAT'S
NOT WORKING SPECIFICALLY TO THE
GEORGETOWN AND OUR PARTNER AND L
A O IS CORRECT. IT'S FOCUSED
PRIMARILY ON THE DISPARITY FUNDS
. HOWEVER I WILL TELL YOU THAT
THEY ARE TAKING A STEP BACK. IN
THE INITIAL KIND OF DISCUSSIONS
THAT WE'VE HAD ON THEIR THEIR
THEIR WORK. IS THAT THEY ARE
LOOKING AT WHAT? WHAT IS THE
DEFINITION OF EQUITY IT? YOU
KNOW NATIONALLY WITH AN I D D
SPACE WERE BEHIND THE HEALTH
SPACE AND DEFINING EQUITY. AND
SO THOSE ARE THE REALLY
IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS THAT
WE'RE HAVING, AND I'M REALLY
EXCITED THAT WE GET TO BE AT THE
TABLE WITH THOSE WHO RECEIVE
SERVICES AND HAVE THOSE
DISCUSSIONS AND TO INCLUDE
SOMEBODY LIKE GEORGETOWN. YOU
KNOW, IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS
THAT GET TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT
FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF CULTURE
AND LINGUISTIC KIND OF
SENSITIVITIES AND COMPETENCIES,
BECAUSE EXPERIENCES WE HAVE TO
MAKE SURE WE HAVE ACCESSIBILITY
THAT THERE'S SOMEBODY YOU KNOW,
MAKING SURE THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE
LOOKING AT UM, THE ACCESSIBILITY
BUT ALSO THE AVAILABILITY. YEAH
AND THE ACCEPTING BECAUSE EVERY
CULTURE IS DIFFERENT, THE
QUALITY AND UTILIZATION. THOSE
ARE REALLY KEY PILLARS TO SEE
HOW PEOPLE ARE ACCESSING
SERVICES. AND I'M LOOKING
FORWARD TO EXPLORING THAT MORE.
AND I THINK I LOOK FORWARD TO
HAVING GEORGETOWN'S REPORT TO BE
ABLE TO GIVE GUIDANCE AND
RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE OUR
SERVICE. ACCESS AND EQUITY
GRANTS. UM BUT I'M ALSO REALLY
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE LIFT
UP THE IMPORTANT POLICIES THAT
THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE
LEGISLATURE NATURE OF SUPPORTED
TO ADDRESS THESE REALLY, REALLY
IMPORTANT AND CRITICAL ISSUES,
AND OBVIOUSLY WE'RE EXPECTING
THE RE DRAFT OF THE REPORT IN
APRIL. I BELIEVE ARE WE STILL ON
THAT TIMELINE? WE ARE WE ARE AND
WE'RE LOOKING AT THE END OF JUNE
RIGHT NOW FOR THE FINAL REPORT,
CORRECT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU,
DOCTOR NGUYEN. YEAH AND MY
QUESTION IS, IS KIND OF AROUND
AROUND THE GRANTS THAT WERE
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE. HOW
ARE WE ENSURING THAT? 100 REALLY
UNDERSERVED REMOTE. DIFFICULT TO
REACH. COMMUNITIES ARE GETTING
AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS THIS. I
THINK IN IN I MET YOU MENTIONED
MISS WALTER. TRIBAL NEGOTIATE
TRIBAL NAVIGATORS, SO I HAVE 32
INDEPENDENT. RECOGNIZED TRIBES
IN MY DISTRICT. YOU DON'T HAVE
32 NAVIGATORS THERE. SO HOW IS
THIS WORKING? YOU KNOW FOR OUR
TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, BECAUSE
HISTORICALLY THEY HAVE BEEN SOME
OF THE MOST UNDERSERVED PEOPLE
IN THIS ENTIRE STATE. SO HOW IS
THAT WORKING? AND HOW ARE WE
ENSURING ALSO THAT THAT OTHER
RURAL AREAS AND THINGS THAT
DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE TECHNICAL
EXPERTISE? THE GROUPS DON'T HAVE
THE ABILITY TO APPLY FOR A LOT
OF THESE GRANTS THAT THAT THAT
THERE AT LEAST GETTING AN
OPPORTUNITY AT THEIR FAIR SHARE
OF THE RESOURCES BECAUSE THAT
OFTENTIMES, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT
THE LARGE, LARGER URBAN AREAS
THAT LARGE SUCKING SOUND IS ALL
THE RESOURCES COMING THERE. UM
WHILE SOME OF THE MOST
UNDERSERVED PEOPLE ARE LEFT
BEHIND, LIKE TO JUST SHARE WITH
YOU, UM AND THEN I CAN.
CERTAINLY HADLEY, NANI PROVIDES
SOME ADDITIONAL DETAIL. I AM
EXTREMELY PROUD OF A PARTICULAR
PARENT WITHIN THE TRIBAL NATION
THAT, UM, AS A PARENT, SHE CAME
TO US, UM AND I'M SHARING THIS
BECAUSE SHE'S PUBLICLY HAS
SHARED WITH SHARED THIS
INFORMATION. SHE'S A REMARKABLE
LEADER. UM AND SHE SHARED WITH
US. I'M A PARENT, YOU KNOW,
TRYING TO EXPERIENCE AND
NAVIGATE THROUGH EARLY START.
OTHER FAMILIES DON'T UNDERSTAND
. AND SHE HERSELF HAD JUST
REALLY BRAVE COMING TO US AND
SAYING THERE'S A PROBLEM AND
THROUGH THAT DIALOGUE, WE WERE
ABLE TO AGAIN. TAKE A LOOK AT
SOME OF THE DATA AND IT WAS
ABSOLUTELY TRUE WHEN WE STARTED
TAKING A LOOK WITHIN THE TRIBAL
NATIONS AND LOOKING AT YOU KNOW,
ACCESS AND COMPARING WHO'S WHO'S
COMING THROUGH THAT FRONT DOOR?
WE WERE REALLY NOTING THAT WE
WERE BEHIND THE COMMUNITY AND
THE PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION IN
CALIFORNIA. SO TO THAT POINT AND
MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE KIND OF
THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE
WHO ARE IN VERY RURAL AREAS TO
BE ABLE TO ACCESS IT. ONE OF THE
THINGS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY BASED
ORGANIZATIONS. THEY'VE WE'VE HAD
A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT KIND OF
TRIBAL NATIONS THAT HAVE APPLIED
FOR GRANTS AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO
GIVE A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES. BUT
THE INITIATIVE THAT THIS YOUNG
PARENTS LEAD WAS TO BE ABLE TO,
UM, GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO
MAKE A REQUEST AND IT WAS
SUPPORTED $500,000 PER YEAR TO
BE ABLE TO GAIN UM NAVIGATORS
AND ACCESSING THROUGH EARLY
START SERVICES. AND MANY TIMES
THE THINGS THAT WE'RE NAVIGATING
. WE'RE LOOKING AT PILOT
PROJECTS, YOU KNOW? IS IT
WORKING? ARE WE ABLE TO USE THAT
AND THEN SPREAD THE WORD EVEN
BROADER AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE
DOING RIGHT NOW IS THAT WE HAVE
BEEN TARGETING THAT 500,000 AND
THEN LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN TAKE
IT KIND OF USE THAT 500,000 EACH
YEAR TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND TO BE
ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THE
ADDITIONAL UM, KIND OF TRIBES
AND TRIBAL NATIONS THAT WE CAN
WITHIN CALIFORNIA. BUT EVEN
WITHOUT THAT, WE NEED TO MAKE
SURE THAT THE ACCESS TO THE 11
MILLION AND IF THERE'S TIMES
WHERE WE CAN THEN DO EDUCATION
AND OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE THE
TEAM HAS ABSOLUTELY SAID, HEY,
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC
MEETING ON HOW TO ACCESS THESE
RESOURCES. UM SO WE'LL SEND IT
TO YOU SO YOU CAN SHARE WITH
YOUR COMMUNITY. IF THERE'S
ADDITIONAL, UM KIND OF LESSONS
OR CONVERSATION WOULD BE MORE
THAN HAPPY TO HAVE THAT WITH
YOU. I GUESS MY PART OF WHAT MY
AND I DIDN'T ARTICULATE IT AS
WELL AS I'D LIKE, IS ONE OF THE
CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE IN IN
SOME OF THESE COMMUNITIES IS, UM
THEY REALLY NEED TECHNICAL
SUPPORT. IT'S NOT JUST KNOWING
ABOUT IT. IT'S THE TECHNICAL
SUPPORT THAT'S MISSING BECAUSE
OTHERWISE LARGER AREAS HAVE THE
EXPERTISE AND THE RESOURCES
OFTEN GO GO BY THE WAYSIDE. AND
THEN IN AND NOT NECESSARILY WITH
THIS PROGRAM. UH BECAUSE THIS IS
THIS ISN'T THIS IS A NEW NEWER
INITIATIVE. UM ONCE ONCE ONCE
YOU DON'T APPLY FOR SOMETHING,
BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE THE
EXPERTISE, YOU OFTEN DON'T APPLY
FOR THE NEXT ONE AND THE NEXT
ONE AND THE NEXT ONE, AND YOU
FALL FURTHER AND FURTHER BEHIND.
AND SO MY PLEA IN GENERAL IS
WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THESE
KINDS OF INITIATIVES TO THINK
ABOUT THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT
COMPONENT FOR SMALLER,
UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, RURAL
AREAS WHATEVER AND YOU KNOW SOME
OF THE AREAS THAT WERE WE TALKED
ABOUT RURAL. I TALK ABOUT
FRONTIER. YEAH BECAUSE AND
THERE'S A DISTINCTION. THERE IS
A HUGE DISTINCTION THERE. WE
HAVE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT WHO
STILL DON'T HAVE ELECTRICITY. UM
AND THAT'S THAT'S WHAT I MEAN.
WHEN I'M TALKING ABOUT
COMMUNITIES ARE THERE REALLY,
REALLY UNDERSERVED? THANK YOU.
THANK YOU CAN ADD TO JUST A
COMMENT TO THAT. UM ONE OF THE
THINGS THAT WE HAVE FOCUSED ON
IS PROVIDING TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE, PROVIDING NOT ONLY A
BIDDER'S CONFERENCE, BUT THE
OPPORTUNITY. TO WORK WITH
GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS LONG
BEFORE THE GRANT IS DUE. SO I'M
PROUD TO SAY THIS YEAR OUT OF
THE 75 GRANTS. 22 OF THE GRANTS
ARE BRAND NEW GRANTEES, SO I
THINK THAT SHOWS THAT WE ARE
LOOKING FOR GRASSROOTS
ORGANIZATIONS. UM WE HAVE, YOU
KNOW LARGER ORGANIZATIONS. IT'S
TRUE, BUT WE ALSO HAVE VERY
SMALL PARENT RUN ORGANIZATIONS
THAT WE'RE PROUD TO SAY ARE PART
OF THE GRANT PROGRAM NOW. THANK
YOU. ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S RAMOS.
THANK YOU, MR CHAIR AND
FOLLOWING UP ON MY COLLEAGUE'S
QUESTIONS WITHIN THE TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES, UM, THE OUTREACH
CERTAINLY MY COLLEAGUE MENTIONED
THE MANY TRIBES IN HIS DISTRICT
AND FRONTIER AREA. UM THAT'S OUT
THERE AND SOME OF THOSE RURAL
AREAS, BUT CALIFORNIA'S A LARGE
STATE, AND SO ARE WE BUILDING A
MODEL TO REACH OUT TO THE NATIVE
AMERICAN POPULATION. WHERE THE
SUPPORT SERVICES AND
UNDERSTANDING THAT SOME OF THE
TECHNOLOGY IS LIMITED IN CERTAIN
AREAS. SO I GUESS GETTING AWAY
FROM A COOKIE CUTTER PROCESS AND
ARE WE MAKING, UM ADAPTIONS TO
THE DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE
OUTREACH THAT WE'RE DOING TWO
NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, I WILL
BE THE FIRST TO SAY WE HAVE MORE
TO LEARN, AND, UM, THE
OPPORTUNITY THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE
TO USE WITHIN THE GRANT OR GRANT
PROGRAM, BUT ALSO THE $500,000
ON AN ANNUAL BASIS IS REALLY THE
BENEFIT OF THE LISTENING
SESSIONS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO
BE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE A
LISTENING SESSIONS, BUT I THINK
THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT POINT
THAT I HEAR YOU SAYING THAT WE
CAN GO BACK. TAKE A LOOK AT YOU
KNOW WHO'S ATTENDED THE
LISTENING SESSIONS AND SEE IF
THERE'S ANY ADDITIONAL KIND OF
OUTREACH TO MAKE SURE WE'RE
OPENING THAT DOOR AND MAKING
SURE THAT THERE'S UM THE SEAT AT
THE TABLE FOR ALL AND BEING
PURPOSEFUL IN AND DOING THAT
OUTREACH. I GUESS ANOTHER
QUESTION IS WITH THE 500,000
THERE ANNUALLY. IS THAT ADEQUATE
TO ENSURE THAT YOU'RE REACHING
OUT TO CALIFORNIA'S FIRST PEOPLE
AND MAKING SURE THAT MESSAGE IS
GETTING OUT WITH A TECHNICAL
SUPPORT? UM WITH THE
COMPLEXITIES WITHIN INDIAN
COUNTRY. YEAH WE HAVE THE
500,000. WE'RE STILL ABOUT THIS
IS A NEW PROGRAM FOR US. AND SO
WE'RE USING THAT RECOGNIZING THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND
BEYOND JUST ONE KIND OF REGIONAL
CENTER OR TRIBAL KIND OF TRIBAL
COMMUNITY AND BEING ABLE TO DO
THAT ACROSS THE STATE WE'RE
GOING TO LEARN MORE IS TO KIND
OF WHAT THAT OUTREACH CAN BE.
BUT I AM ALSO REALLY PLEASED
THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO TARGET
AND DEDICATE A NUMBER OF THE
GRANTS WITHIN THE 11 MILLION OR
THIS YEAR. THE 22 MILLION, UM
EACH HERE. WE HAVE REALLY SEEN
AN INCREASE OF THAT
PARTICIPATION AND WE'LL CONTINUE
TO EVALUATE IT. ISN'T IT
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT COMMUNITY,
UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
MONITORING AND EVALUATING AND
DOING THAT OUTREACH. THROUGH THE
CHAIR IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO SET UP
A MEETING TO FIND OUT EXACTLY
HOW THE OUTREACHES HELP
HAPPENING, AND IF THERE'S ANY
WAY THAT THAT I COULD ASSIST OR
EVEN COLLEAGUES COULD ASSIST IN
GETTING THAT WORD OUT IN THE
TECHNICAL SUPPORT IS JUST
CONCERNING THAT FOR MANY YEARS,
THE ISSUE HAS BEEN NOT EVEN
ADDRESSED WITHIN CALIFORNIA'S
FIRST PEOPLE IN INDIAN COUNTRY
ITSELF, THAT NOW WE'RE
DISCUSSING IT. BUT I WANNA
CONTINUE TO BE AN ADVOCATE TO
ENSURE THAT THAT $500,000 IS WE
KNOW WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE
FOR THE OUTREACH GOING FORWARD
IN THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND
SOME OF THE AREAS THAT TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES LIVE IN SO THROUGH
THE CHAIR. WE'D LOVE TO SET UP A
MEETING AND LEARN MORE ABOUT
THAT. YES, THANK YOU.
ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S RUBIO. JUST A
COMMENT DOESN'T TEACHER UM YOU
KNOW, AND I PICKED UP ON WHAT
YOU SAID, UM, IT'S EQUITY IS NOT
EQUAL. IT'S GETTING PEOPLE WHAT
THEY NEED. THAT'S EQUITY. AND
UM, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE
COMMENTS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT, UH
AS MY COLLEAGUE STATED, YOU KNOW
, THE STATE HAS SO MANY
DIFFERENT ISSUES AND PROBLEMS
THAT YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON
WHERE YOU ARE IN THAT REGION,
AND SO EQUITY AGAIN IS NOT
EVERYBODY EQUAL. IT'S GETTING
PEOPLE WHAT THEY NEED. AND SOME
FOLKS OBVIOUSLY AND MR WOODS
DISTRICT, UH, NEED DIFFERENT
THINGS THAT YOU KNOW, FOR
EXAMPLE, THOSE OF US IN SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA OR EVEN IN, UH IN IN
THE INLAND EMPIRE. BY SO THANK
YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS. THANK
YOU. THE SAME DOCTOR WOULD THANK
YOU AND JUST AND JUST KIND OF
AND I'M NOT TRYING TO. UM WELL,
UM, BELABOR THE POINT HERE, BUT
I THINK THE OUTREACH IS REALLY,
REALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSERVED
COMMITTEE COMMUNITIES BECAUSE
THERE IS OFTEN LIMITED ACCESS TO
BROADBAND, LIKE MY DISTRICT IS
THE LEAST SERVED, BUT IT HAS THE
LOWEST PERCENTAGE OF SERVED
PEOPLE FOR BROADBAND IN THE
STATE. AND SO HOW THAT OUTREACH
IS HAPPENING, UM, AND A DISTRICT
WIDE LEVEL IS A CHALLENGE, AND
THEN WE LOOK AT CALIFORNIA'S
FIRST PEOPLE. AND AS I SAID,
SOME SOME SOME OF THOSE
COMMUNITIES DON'T HAVE RELIABLE
ELECTRICITY. THEY DEFINITELY
DON'T HAVE BROADBAND. AND SO HOW
THAT OUTREACH IS HAPPENING IS
CRITICAL TO BEING ABLE TO REACH
PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP AND THAT
AND THAT IS, YOU KNOW, THAT'S
ONE EXAMPLE. BUT AS YOU GET INTO
YOU CAN BE AN UNDERSERVED
COMMUNITIES IN IN IN URBAN AREAS
THAT FACE SIMILAR CHALLENGES.
AND THEY MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO
INTERNET THEIR FAMILIES MAY NOT
HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET. AND
SO THE QUESTION BECAUSE HOW HOW
ARE WE REACHING TO THOSE PEOPLE
WHO ARE ARGUABLY SOME OF THE
MOST VULNERABLE AND WITH SOME OF
THE HIGHEST NEEDS, SO IT'S JUST
THAT'S THAT'S WHERE I THINK
THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING, OR AT
LEAST THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING.
THANK YOU WITH THAT. I WILL
BRING IT BACK UP TO THE CHAIR.
MY FIRST QUESTION WILL BE FOR
DIRECTOR BARGMANN AND MISS
WALTER, IF I CAN WE? WE'VE HEARD
A LOT ABOUT HOW THESE
IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE WITHIN
A DAY AND THAT THIS WILL TAKE
TIME. BUT I'M TRYING TO
UNDERSTAND IF YOU CAN SHARE SOME
OF THE DATA THAT DEMONSTRATES
THE MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENTS
TOWARDS EQUITY IN THE SYSTEM
THAT YOU'VE DISCUSSED. AS WELL
AS WHAT ARE SOME CONCRETE SYSTEM
GOALS THAT WILL REDUCE
DISPARITIES OVER THE NEXT FIVE
YEARS THAT THE TORMENT IS
LOOKING TO OPERATIONALIZE. YES
THANK YOU. THERE'S A COUPLE OF
THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING
IMMEDIATELY AND WHILE YOU'LL
HEAR ME SAY THAT IMPLEMENTING
SOME OF THESE CHANGES OR
INITIATIVES, IF YOU WILL WILL
TAKE SOME TIME. IT DOESN'T MEAN
THAT WE WAIT FOR ALL OF THAT. WE
STILL HAVE TO TAKE STEPS.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT
WE'RE DOING. WE'RE WORKING WITH
ARCA AND THE REGIONAL CENTERS,
LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT
THE IMPORTANCE OF STANDARDIZING
SOME OF THE AREAS WHERE WE CAN
ACTUALLY GET SOME MEASUREMENT.
SO TO BE ABLE TO MEASURE UM WE
NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE
STANDARDIZED DATA. WE NEED TO
HAVE THE DATA TO BE ABLE TO
INFORM THAT I'LL GIVE YOU ONE
EXAMPLE. UM IT IS THE INTAKE.
YOU KNOW WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR
COMMUNITIES TO NAVIGATE THROUGH
THE INTAKE PROCESS AT THE
REGIONAL CENTER AND TO ACCESS
INITIAL SERVICES AS A GOOD
EXAMPLE. SO WE NEED A HAVE A
STANDARDIZED APPROACH AND HOW
WE'RE DOING INTAKE AND
ASSESSMENT WHILE WE HAVE AN
INFORMATION PACKET THAT IS GOING
TO BE INFORMATIVE FOR FAMILIES
THAT SOON TO BE RELEASED, UM,
THAT'S GOING TO BE EXTREMELY
HELPFUL FOR EARLY START, BUT WE
HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SAY WHAT IS
THAT KIND OF INTAKE STANDARD AND
EACH REGIONAL CENTER THAT'S
FOLLOWING IT. SO THOSE ARE
THINGS THAT WERE IMMEDIATELY
DOING, AND THOSE ARE SOME OF THE
MEASURES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE
ABLE TO DO AND THROUGH THE
PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM
THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE'S ACTION
OF FUNDING, UM, SERVICE
COORDINATORS WITH THE REDUCED
CASELOAD RATIOS FOR BIRTH
THROUGH FIVE AND THEN ALSO TO
ACHIEVE CASELOAD RATIOS THAT'S
EFFECTIVE THIS YEAR THAT THE
INITIAL INVESTMENT WAS TO SAY,
WHAT ARE THOSE PERFORMANCE
MEASURES? THAT IS AN AREA IN
WHICH WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO
MEASURE THE TIMELINES? FOR
EXAMPLE TO, UM GET THROUGH KIND
OF INTAKE AND ACCESS TO SERVICES
IS A GOOD EXAMPLE. SO THOSE ARE
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE
LOOKING AT IMMEDIATELY TO BE
ABLE TO ADDRESS IT. UM AND I HAD
ALSO SHARED SOME OF THE OTHER
TRANSFORMATIONAL REFORM AREAS AS
FAR AS CHANGING THE APPEAL
PROCESS AND A NUMBER OF OTHER
INITIATIVES THAT ARE CURRENTLY
AND ACTION. SO IT SOUNDS FROM
THERE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE
MEASURING INTAKE AND ACCESS TO
SERVICES AS A GOAL. WHAT OTHER
GOALS ARE WE WORKING ON? THAT
WILL ALLOW US TO FOCUS ON THE
DISPARITIES WE SEE CURRENTLY.
YEAH SO WE CAN WE CAN PROVIDE
YOU SOME OF THE PERFORMANCE
MEASURES THAT WE'RE WORKING ON
AS ONE OF THE AREAS THAT IS PART
OF THAT INVESTMENT. IT'S NOT
JUST WITHIN THE REGIONAL CENTERS
BUT THEN ALSO TAKING A LOOK AT
WHAT THE MEASURES WERE DOING. UM
TO WITHIN QUALITY INCENTIVE
PROGRAM, SO IT WOULD BE HAPPY TO
PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO THE
COMMITTEE. I MAY ASK MR
CONTRERAS TO MAKE HER WAY UP IF
I CAN AND UM, FIRST, I'M JUST
GONNA APPLAUD YOU FOR YOUR
ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF SAID HERE
. HE'S LUCKY TO HAVE YOU AS A
GRANDMOTHER AND, UM BUT IT'S
UNFORTUNATE THAT IT WAS REQUIRED
TO HAVE SOMEONE ADVOCATE A
STRONGLY AS YOU DID. BUT
SATURDAY WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE
YOU AND JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE
TO SAY THAT BOTH IN PUBLIC AND
IN FRONT OF EVERYONE ELSE.
PEOPLE PICTURE CAREFUL YOU SEE
HIM STAND UP. YOU CAN SEE HE'S
VERY ACTIVE AND QUITE I'M GOING
TO HAVE YOU SIT DOWN IF I CAN SO
YOU CAN SPEAK INTO THE MIKE. I'M
SORRY. YOU SPOKE POWERFULLY
ABOUT THE SERVICE COORDINATION
AND WHAT OCCURRED TO YOU
INDIVIDUALLY, BUT I'M HOPING YOU
CAN PROVIDE A PERSPECTIVE ON
SERVICE COORDINATION OVERALL.
AND HOW THE RATIO IS COMING INTO
COMPLIANCE COULD ASSIST WITH
GREATER EQUITY. CURRENTLY JUST
SO WE'RE ALL AWARE THERE ISN'T A
REGIONAL CENTER THAT HAS MET.
AND IS COMPLIANT. UM WITH THOSE
RATIOS, WHAT WOULD IT MEAN? IF A
SERVICE COORDINATOR WOULD HAVE
HAD THOSE RATIOS TO YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY. I THINK WHAT WOULD
HAPPEN AND WHAT WE ARE ASKING
FOR THE COMMUNITY IS
TRANSPARENCY TO HAVE A MENU OF
SERVICES. SOMETIMES YOU CAN GO
INTO THE ZIP MEETINGS. AND AS
YOU KNOW, I WORK AS A GREAT AT
THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL FOR
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION,
AND WE OFTEN GO INTO THESE
MEETINGS AND WE HELP PARENTS
IDENTIFY THEIR NEEDS. BUT
SOMEHOW THE SERVICES ARE NOT
OFFERED. WE HAVE TO FIND OUT
LATER THAT THEY'RE AVAILABLE. SO
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD
HOPE THAT OUR SOCIAL COORDINATOR
COULD DO AND WOULD DO WOULD LOOK
AT THE WHOLE FAMILY BE ABLE TO
IDENTIFY THEIR NEEDS AND BE ABLE
TO SAY THESE ARE THE SERVICES
THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR
LOVED ONE. AND THIS IS NOT
HAPPENING, AND THAT IS WHAT I
THINK NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS THAT
THEY SEE A MENU AND THEY HEAR
THE NEEDS LIKE I'M HERE. I WAS
AT MY EYE PPS MEETINGS. I SAID,
I NEED CARE FOR MY GRANDSON. I
WORK FULL TIME I'M SINGLE.
NOTHING WAS OFFERED TO ME.
EXCEPT DAYCARE DURING THAT TIME
, AND THEY CARE WAS HARD TO
FIND. SO I BEGGED MY FAMILY TO
NOT MY FAMILY BECAUSE MY FAMILY
IS NOT ACTIVE IN HIS CARE. BUT I
BEGGED MY FRIENDS REALLY CLOSE
FRIENDS TO COME AND HELP ME
PROVIDE THAT BABYSITTING. AND
WHEN I WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL
OF THE SCHOOL, IT GOT EVEN
HARDER AND THAT'S WHEN I
COULDN'T DO IT ANYMORE. AND I
JUST HAD TO PUT HIM SOMEWHERE.
SOMEBODY WOULD CARE FOR HIM. BUT
I DO WANT THE COMMITTEE TO KNOW
THAT EVERY WEEKEND HE WAS HOME
WITH ME. SO I TOOK HIM OUT. PUT
HIM BACK IN, TOOK HIM OUT, SO I
KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS GOING ON.
AND I'M SPEAKING FOR ALL YOUNG
PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THOSE HOMES.
THAT NEEDS TO HAVE A LOT OF
OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY. I
THINK WHAT I'M TRYING TO ASK IF
I CAN IS IF THIS SERVICE
COORDINATOR WOULD HAVE HAD LESS
FAMILIES THAT THEY WERE
INTERACTING WITH. DO YOU FEEL
THAT THEY WOULD HAVE FOCUSED AND
PROVIDED MORE ATTENTION AND
GIVING YOU INFORMATION ABOUT HOW
TO ACCESS RESOURCES THAT HAVE
BENEFITED YOU? THAT WOULD BE A
HOPE, BUT WHAT IS CURRENTLY
HAPPENING IS THERE'S A CULTURE
OF NO. AS JUDY SAID, THERE'S A
CULTURE OF MAYBE BECAUSE THEY
ARE OVERWHELMED. I CAN'T SAY
WHAT THAT IS. BUT THERE'S A
CULTURE OF NO. THERE'S A CULTURE
WHERE THEY NOT DESCRIBING THE
SERVICES. I SAID BEFORE, AND
THEY'RE NOT ACTIVELY INVOLVED
WITH THE FAMILY. THERE'S
FAMILIES PRESENT HERE THAT WE
FOUND WITH ZERO SERVICES. ZERO
SERVICES. WHY THERE THEY HAD IBP
MEETINGS. I THINK THAT, UH, THE
SERVICE COORDINATORS REALLY NEED
TO HAVE A LOT OF TRAINING WITH
AND IT'S HARD TO BE EMPATHETIC,
SYMPATHETIC, COMPASSIONATE.
THAT'S I THINK THE KEY HERE IS
THAT OUR FAMILIES ARE BEING
LISTENED TO, EVEN IF WE DO TRY
TO HELP THEM WHEN WE SIT IN AT
THE ZIP MEETINGS THAT OUR
REGIONAL CENTER I HAVE TO SAY
HAS COME A LONG WAYS AS FAR AS
RESPECTING US AS A COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION COMING IN TO TRAIN
PARENTS TO BE ABLE TO DO THEIR
OWN IBP'S AND BE ABLE TO
ADVOCATE OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD BE
ABLE TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES.
NOT HAVE AN ORGANIZATION THAT
HAS TO HELP THEM ADVOCATE
BECAUSE THE SOCIAL SERVICE
COORDINATORS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
AND THAT'S NOT ALL OF THEM
BECAUSE WE HAVE RAN ACROSS A
VERY, VERY GOOD ONES, EVEN WITH
THE HIGH RATIOS THAT ARE
LISTENING ARE EMPATHETIC,
COMPASSIONATE, AND WE'LL TELL
YOU THIS IS WHAT'S AVAILABLE.
I'LL BRING UP MISS MARK IF I
CAN. I FIRST WANT TO APPLAUD YOU
FOR THE INFORMATION THAT YOU
PROVIDED. IT'S THE FIRST TIME
WE'VE SEEN IT IN SUCH A CONCISE
AND SUCCINCT. WAY AND I'M HOPING
YOU CAN SPEAK TO THE GEOGRAPHIC
DISPARITIES THAT YOU POINTED OUT
TO WITHIN YOUR PRESENTATION. CAN
YOU TELL US WHAT IS THE FIRST
STEP THE STATE CAN DO TO ADDRESS
THOSE GEOGRAPHIC DISPARITIES? I
MEAN, DO YOU? GRAPHIC
DISPARITIES HAVE BEEN AROUND AS
LONG AS THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC
DISPARITIES. UM BACK WHEN MY SON
FIRST STARTED GETTING SERVED,
AND I GOT TO START MEETING THE
STATEWIDE LEADERS. THEY WOULD
SAY THERE ARE SEVEN GOOD
REGIONAL CENTERS, SEVEN MEDIOCRE
AND SEVEN BAD ONES. AND THAT WAS
LIKE AN ACCEPTED THING. AND LIKE
, HOW HOW CAN WE ACCEPT THAT
THIS IS A STATEWIDE SYSTEM AND I
DO BELIEVE THERE HAS TO BE MORE
STANDARDIZATION IN THE STATE.
THERE HAS TO BE A MINIMUM LEVEL
OF SERVICES THAT EVERY REGIONAL
CENTER OFFERS. YOU SHOULDN'T
LIVE ON ONE SIDE, A ROSECRANS
BOULEVARD WHERE I LIVE IN LOS
ANGELES AT HARBOR REGIONAL
CENTER AND HAVE NO ACCESS TO
SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES
BECAUSE THEY DON'T PROVIDE IT
THERE AND LIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE STREET AND HAVE ACCESS TO
IT AT WEST SIDE. AND I'M GONNA
WANT THIS RELATES TO WHAT YOU
JUST ASKED. ADORA UM IT IS ABOUT
LEADERSHIP. IT IS ABOUT THE
LEADERS OF THE REGIONAL CENTERS.
I'M NOT HERE TO SIT AND
CRITICIZE THE SERVICE
COORDINATORS BECAUSE THEY'RE
DOING HEROIC WORK, JUST LIKE THE
SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND MANY OF
THEM ARE ABSOLUTELY DISEMPOWERED
. THEY HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO MAKE
ANY DECISIONS THAT I PEEPS AT
EVERY I JUST HAD AN I P P FEW
DAYS AGO WITH MY SON AND SERVICE
COORDINATORS. LOVELY BUT HE
SAID, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GO
ASK MY SUPERVISOR. THAT IS
AGAINST THE LAW IN THE LANTERN
ACT, ACTUALLY SAYS THE TEAM IS
EMPOWERED TO MAKE DECISIONS AND
THE FACT THAT EVERY SINGLE
DECISION THAT I HEAR ABOUT FROM
ALL OF THE FAMILIES SAY THEY
HAVE TO ASK THE SUPERVISOR THAT
NEEDS TO CHANGE. MY FEELING IS
LET'S LOWER THE PLACE LOAD
CASELOADS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME,
LET'S EXPECT MORE. LET'S LET'S
PUT THIS TO A HIGHER STANDARD. I
AM TIRED OF EVERYDAY GETTING
CALLS FROM DOORS, FRIENDS FROM
PEOPLE SAYING I DON'T TRUST MY
SERVICE CORNER. I DON'T TRUST MY
REGIONAL CENTER. THAT IS THE
CRUX OF THIS. IT'S ABOUT
LEADERSHIP AT EVERY REGIONAL
CENTER AT VALLEY MOUNTAIN, THEY
HAVE A NEW LEADER. THINGS ARE
STARTING TO CHANGE. AND I THINK
THAT THAT THAT IS WHAT WE NEED
TO SEE. AND I WANT TO SAY
SOMETHING TO NANCY. PEOPLE TRUST
NANCY. PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY
TRUST NANCY BECAUSE HER DOOR IS
ALWAYS OPEN. AND THAT IS, YOU
CANNOT SAY THE SAME THING TO THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF ALL THE
REGIONAL CENTERS. AND SO WE'VE
GOT. WE'VE GOT TO CHANGE THE
CULTURE AND AT OUR REGIONAL
CENTER JUST WANT TO ADD TO WHAT
JUDY SAID. WE DO HAVE THE
PROGRAM MANAGERS PRESENT AT THE
COURT, THE SERVICE COORDINATOR
IBP MEETINGS AND THEY ARE
INSTRUMENTAL SOME OF THEM HAVE
REALLY SWITCH THE SWITCH WHERE
THEY RESPECT US AND ARE ABLE TO
BE THERE TO ALSO HELP THE SOCIAL
SERVICE COORDINATOR IF THEY GET
STUCK WITH A QUESTION FROM HER
FAMILY. I MAY BRING UP MISS
WESTLING, IF I CAN. WE JUST
HEARD ABOUT THE NEED TO OH,
SORRY. I'LL WAIT UNTIL YOU SIT
DOWN. WE JUST HEARD ABOUT THE
NEED FOR STANDARDIZATION AND FOR
MINIMAL LEVELS OF SERVICES. AND
I'M WONDERING HOW ARCA RESPONDS
TO THE GEOGRAPHIC DISPARITIES
THAT WE SAW. PRESENTED BY DVU
WITHIN THEIR TESTIMONY. AND WHAT
RESPONSES YOU HAVE. YEAH
ABSOLUTELY. UM SO AS AN
ASSOCIATION, WE HAVE HEARD THE
COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE TAKEN A
CLOSE LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND WE
HAVE DECIDED THAT RATHER THAN
WAITING FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO TELL
US, IT'S TIME TO DO SOMETHING TO
INCREASED LEVELS OF CONSISTENCY
AND STANDARD STANDARDIZATION TO
TACKLE THIS ISSUE OURSELVES. SO
UM, IN OUR TESTIMONY THAT WE
SENT INTO THE LITTLE HOOVER
COMMISSION BACK IN NOVEMBER, WE
COMMITTED TO DOING FOUR THINGS
TO IMPROVE CONSISTENCY WITHIN
THE SYSTEM, AND THIS HAS THE BUY
IN FROM ALL 21 REGIONAL CENTERS.
SO FIRST. UM WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE
WANT ACCESS. TO PUBLIC
INFORMATION. THEY WANT
INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE IS THE
MONEY GOING? HOW IS IT BEING
SPENT? WHAT ARE THE POLICIES
RELATED TO PURCHASE OF SERVICE
AND REGIONAL CENTERS ARE
REQUIRED TO POST MUCH OF THAT
INFORMATION TODAY. BUT THAT
POSTING ISN'T CONSISTENT ACROSS
REGIONAL CENTER WEBSITES IN
TERMS OF WHERE THE INFORMATION
IS FOUND, OR HOW IT'S LABELED OR
TITLED WHICH MAKES WHICH WE
UNDERSTAND MAKES COMPARISON
BETWEEN REGIONAL CENTERS
CHALLENGING SO AS AN ASSOCIATION
. WE WILL BE DEVELOPING A
CONSISTENT STRUCTURE FOR THOSE
TRANSPARENCY PORTALS TO ENSURE
THAT THE INFORMATION IS INDEXED
AND TITLED THE SAME WAY ACROSS
REGIONAL CENTER WEBSITE SO THAT
IT CAN BE MORE EASILY FOUND.
SECOND IN THE AREA OF INTAKE.
UM, DIRECTOR BARGMANN MADE
REFERENCE TO PEOPLE MAKING IT
THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR AND
THROUGH THE PROCESS AND ONE OF
THE, UM, PERFORMANCE MEASURES
THAT WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT
THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEGUN IS THAT
STANDARDIZATION OF THE INTAKE
PROCESS? BUT AS AN ASSOCIATION
WE WANTED TO TAKE IT A COUPLE
STEPS FURTHER. ONE OF THEM IS
THAT WE KNOW THAT ONE OF THE
THINGS THAT CHALLENGES INTAKE IN
THE STATE IS THE SHORTAGE OF
CLINICAL STAFF. UM IT'S
DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE REGIONAL
CENTER ELIGIBILITY. IF YOU DON'T
HAVE PSYCHOLOGISTS WHO CAN DO
THOSE ASSESSMENTS? SOME REGIONAL
CENTERS HAVE TURNED TO
TELEHEALTH IN ORDER TO, UM WHEN
APPROPRIATE, DO THOSE
ASSESSMENTS SO WE'VE COMMITTED
TO FINDING A WAY TO BETTER SHARE
THOSE RESOURCES ACROSS REGIONAL
CENTER AREAS BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT
GEOGRAPHICALLY TIED. AND SECOND
WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE DATA
WHAT THE DATA TELLS US IS THAT
SOME OF THE KIDS THAT HAVE THE
GREATEST CHALLENGE MAKING IT
THROUGH THE INTAKE PROCESS OUR
CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN THE FOSTER
CARE SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY MOVE
FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER AND
START THE INTAKE PROCESS OVER SO
BY THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR,
WILL HAVE IDENTIFIED AWAY. TO
MAKE IT SO THAT WHEN ONE
REGIONAL CENTER STARTS AN INTAKE
, THEY WILL FINISH THAT INTAKE
FOR A FOSTER CHILD. SO THAT THEN
THAT CHILD ISN'T LEFT IN LIMBO
EACH TIME THEY MOVE ADDITIONALLY
, WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR SERVICE
PROVIDER PARTNERS THAT VENDOR
IZATION OR CONTRACTING WITH A
REGIONAL CENTER CAN BE CONFUSING
AND CHALLENGING. PARTICULARLY
WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH MORE
THAN ONE REGIONAL CENTER, SO
WE'RE GOING TO STANDARDIZE AND
STREAMLINE THE VENDOR IZATION
PROCESS TO MAKE THAT EASIER AND
MORE CONSISTENT ACROSS REGIONAL
CENTERS, BEGINNING WITH AN
EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL RECREATION
PROVIDERS, WHICH I BELIEVE MISS
CONTRERAS SPOKE ABOUT. BECAUSE
SOCIAL RECREATION WHAT WE KNOW
ABOUT THAT SERVICE IS A COUPLE
OF THINGS FIRST. WE KNOW THAT
PRIOR TO IT BEING SUSPENDED THAT
THOSE INDIVIDUALS FROM NON WHITE
COMMUNITIES ACCESS THE SERVICE
MORE AND ACCESS MORE OF IT, AND
SO WE KNOW THAT IT'S VERY
IMPORTANT TO NON WHITE
COMMUNITIES. BUT WHEN WE
RESTORED SOCIAL RECREATION IT
WAS LESS OF A RESTORATION AND
MORE OF A REIMAGINING. BECAUSE
THE SERVICE THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY
FROM PEOPLE WAS SEGREGATED FOR
THE MOST PART, AND SO NOW WE'RE
REACHING OUT TO, UM, VARIOUS
INTEGRATED COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS. UM YOU KNOW, T
BALL LEAGUES AND THOSE KINDS OF
THINGS WITH THE SUPPORT OF
ADDITIONALLY, SOME GRANT FUNDING
FOR THIS SERVICE. UM SO WE'RE
GOING TO START THE VENDOR
IZATION STREAMLINING WITH SOCIAL
RECREATION BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT
IT'S CRITICAL AND WE DON'T WANT
FAMILIES TO BE IN THE POSITION.
OF PAYING IT IN ADVANCE AND US
REIMBURSING THEM, WHICH IS THE
MECHANISM WHEN VENDOR IZATION IS
CHALLENGING, AND THE FINAL THING
IS THAT WE KNOW THAT, UM MANY
FAMILIES RELY UPON REGIONAL
CENTERS FOR FAMILY SUPPORT
SERVICES WHEN THEY HAVE
INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE FAMILY
HOME THINGS LIKE RESPITE AND
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE AND DAYCARE
AND. WE HEAR, UM ADVOCATES SUCH
AS MISS MARK WHO HAVE SAID THAT
THE VOLUME OF SERVICES YOU
RECEIVE SHOULDN'T BE TIED TO
YOUR GEOGRAPHY. SO BY THE END OF
THE CALENDAR YEAR, WE WILL HAVE
DEVELOPED A CONSISTENT
ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR THE VOLUME
OF THOSE RESOURCES. UM THAT ALL
21 REGIONAL CENTERS WILL EMPLOY
. WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT,
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VARIOUS
STAKEHOLDERS TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE CONSIDERING THOSE RIGHT
FACTORS. BUT THESE ARE THINGS
THAT HAS A SYSTEM WE THINK WILL
MAKE US STRONGER, MORE
CONSISTENT AND MORE PREDICTABLE.
THANK YOU, DR JACKSON. YEAH YOU
KNOW, A COUPLE OF THINGS JUST
KIND OF STAND OUT TO ME HERE,
AND THAT IS NUMBER ONE. I
REMEMBER. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN WE
STARTED TO REALIZE WHEN MY, UM
MY GRANDMOTHER COULD NO LONGER
LIVE BY YOURSELF AND SHE HAS
SOME MEDICAL ISSUES, AND SHE HAD
TO STAY IN EXTENDED TIME AT A
FACILITY. AND I REMEMBER HER
DIRECT WISHES AFTER SHE CAME OUT
, AND THAT IS, IF I EVER HAVE TO
GO BACK. JUST LET ME GO. JUST
LET ME GO. I AM. I DON'T I WILL
NOT GO BACK. AND BARRETT
CORRELATES. TO UH, FACILITIES
FOR WOW. THIS POPULATION. AND
THAT UM THE STATE IS OBVIOUSLY
PAYING FOR THESE PLACEMENTS TO
FACILITIES THAT QUITE FRANKLY.
UH UM. CAN BE DANGEROUS AT
TIMES. AND. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO
MAKING SURE THAT STATE DOLLARS
ARE NOT GOING TO FACILITIES THAT
ARE CREATING UPSET OPPORTUNITIES
. FOR UM, CONTINUED HARM TO BE
DONE, AND I KNOW IT'S NOT
INTENTIONAL. DON'T GET ME WRONG.
BUT OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU HEAR UM
WHEN YOU HEAR DORIS STORY UM,
ABOUT WHEN HER GRANDSON WAS IN
IN THE PLACEMENT SETTING. AND.
WHAT WHAT ARE WE DOING TO
PREVENT? UM. THESE DOLLARS BEING
USED IN FACILITIES SUCH AS THAT
? I MEAN, I KNOW THERE'S A LOT
MORE COMPLICATIONS. DON'T GET ME
WRONG. I WORKED AT A LEVEL 12.
UM. FOSTER CARE PLACEMENT
FACILITIES. SO I KNOW HOW
COMPLICATED THESE THINGS CAN BE.
BUT ANY THOUGHTS ON HOW DO WE
IMPROVE THOSE TYPE OF, UM
CIRCUMSTANCES. ANY THOUGHTS
ABOUT THAT? YES, IF I CAN. THANK
YOU, DR JACKSON. UM WHEN WE TAKE
A LOOK AT, UM RESIDENTIAL
SETTING TYPES LICENSE SETTINGS,
PRIMARILY, UM, FIRST OF ALL SAY
THAT WE'VE REALLY HAD A
SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE NUMBER
OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ACCESSING
LICENSED SETTING TYPES AND I'M
I'LL SPEAK TO IT HERE IN A
SECOND, UM, BUT WITH SUPPORTED
LIVING SERVICES, AND I'M REALLY
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE
COORDINATED FAMILY SUPPORTS
THAT'S GOING IN THE FAMILY HOMES
BECAUSE THERE'S THE SITUATIONS
WHEN FAMILIES HAVE SHARED WITH,
UM, THEIR ADULT. CHILD OR
SIBLING. YOU KNOW WHO WANTS TO
LIVE AT HOME WITH THE FAMILY?
BUT IF THERE IS CONFLICT, YOU
KNOW, KIND OF COMPLICATED FAMILY
ISSUES THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO
HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION UNLESS
IT'S A DECISION YOU WANT TO MAKE
SO BECAUSE THERE'S TIMES WHEN
YOU HAVE A GRANDPARENT, OR YOU
HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE IN THE FAMILY
THAT MAY ALSO BE NEEDING
SERVICES AND SUPPORTS SO HAVING
THE COORDINATED FAMILY SUPPORTS
ALLOWS FOR KIND OF THE GRACE AND
SPACE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE
DECISION AS A FAMILY AS TO WHAT
IS BEST FOR THE END OF THE SELF
ADVOCATE AND THE FAMILY, SO
WE'RE HAPPY TO SEE THAT WE'RE
ABLE TO ADVANCE OUR SYSTEM TO BE
ABLE TO HAVE KIND OF PERSON
CENTERED DECISIONS AND
APPROACHES. UM THE OTHER THINGS
THAT WE HAVE RECENTLY DONE, UM,
IN THE AREA OF OVERSIGHT FOR
RISK MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY.
THERE'S TWO THINGS THAT I THINK
ARE REALLY CRITICAL IS THE
QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM? SO
THE LEGISLATURE UM SO, UH,
APPROVED AND ACTUALLY EXPEDITED
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A RATE
STUDY THAT WAS DONE IN 2019 THAT
RESTRUCTURED ALL OF THE RATES,
UM, AND FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF
THOSE RATES, AND IT DOES SEVERAL
THINGS ONE OF IT. HMM IT RISK IS
RESPONSIVE TO SOME OF THE
INEQUITIES BETWEEN SOME OF THE
REGIONAL CENTERS AND THE RATES
THAT HAVE BEEN KIND OF BEEN
SYSTEMIC FOR DECADES. UM BUT IT
IT ALSO TAKES A LOOK AT
ESTABLISHING FOR THOSE
RESIDENTIAL SETTINGS. WHAT'S THE
COST OF BUSINESS? WHAT'S THE
COST OF SERVICES AND LOOKING AT
KIND OF STRUCTURING THAT UM, AND
THAT THAT IS A PIECE BECAUSE
THAT IN THE BUILDING OF THE RATE
MODELS INCLUDED, YOU KNOW 10.
WELL, IT'S. WELL, YES, THAT'S
THE QUALITY INCENTIVE. CORRECT
THAT'S THAT PART OF IT IS WHERE
WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO, AND
GRANTED. WE HAVE PHASES THAT
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ADVANCE
BASED ON DATA BECAUSE WE'LL BE
ABLE TO START TAKING A LOOK AT
INDIVIDUAL AND YOU'RE GOING TO
HEAR SOME MORE ABOUT THAT
INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES IS THE
INDIVIDUAL WHO IS LIVING IN THAT
RESIDENTIAL SETTING, HAVING A
POSITIVE EXPERIENCE, SO IT'S
ISSUE, TOO, IS RATES AND QUALITY
INCENTIVES. UM IT'S A IT'S
IMPORTANT CONVERSATION BECAUSE
WE WANT TO GET TO A OUTCOME
BASED SYSTEM BASED ON THE
EXPERIENCE OF INDIVIDUALS AND
BEING ABLE TO UNDERSTAND, BUT I
THINK NOT TO COMPLICATE THIS
MORE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE
GIVING IT'S GOING ON WITH WHAT
MISS WESLEYAN WAS SAYING IS THAT
WE HAVE TO HAVE CHOICE. YOU KNOW
, FAMILIES NEED TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE, YOU
KNOW, AND YOU KNOW, FAMILIES
HAVE SAID, I'M HAPPY WITH THIS.
BUT DO THEY KNOW WHAT THEIR
OTHER OPTIONS ARE? SO AS WE
CONTINUE TO HAVE DIFFERENT
SERVICE OPTIONS BECAUSE WE NEED
TO BE ABLE TO MEASURE YOU KNOW
WHAT IS THAT EXPERIENCE AND IF
YOU'RE LIVING IN A LICENSED
RESIDENTIAL SETTING IS THAT
EXPERIENCE BASED ON IT AN
INFORMED CHOICE. AND THEN WHAT
DOES THAT EXPERIENCE THE OTHER?
THE OTHER AREA THAT WE'RE WE
HAVE IS THAT WE ARE MEASURING,
BASED ON RISK MANAGEMENT WERE WE
REALLY I WISH I COULD MITIGATE
ALL RISK, BUT THE VERY LEAST WE
HAVE TO DO IS ALSO MEASURE WHAT
THE RISKS ARE. SO WE ARE
TRACKING ALL INCIDENT REPORTS IN
THE STATE. WE'RE WORKING WITH
OUR CONTRACTORS TO TAKE A LOOK
AT TRENDS SEEING IF THERE'S
ANYTHING WITHIN THOSE LICENSED
SETTINGS. WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR
OUR SISTER DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT
OF SOCIAL SERVICES OR DEPARTMENT
OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOR OUR OTHER
LICENSE SETTINGS. TO SEE. ARE
THERE THINGS THAT ARE RISK FOR
INDIVIDUALS AND BEING ABLE TO
COLLECTIVELY? UM PROVIDE THE
APPROPRIATE RESPONSE IS A
CORRECTIVE ACTION AS A TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE, SO THERE'S MANY
FACETS OF MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE
REALLY EVALUATING THE LEVEL OF
QUALITY. UM, AND ALL SERVICE
TYPES. UM AND THEN TRAINING
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT
THAT WE'RE DOING. TO REALLY MAKE
SURE THAT WE'RE MEASURING IT.
I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT THOSE
UNDER AGE 22 VERY SMALL
PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS UNDER
THE AGE OF 20 TO ACTUALLY LIVE
IN A LICENSED SETTING. YOU KNOW,
AND SO WE CONTINUE TO EVALUATE
AND CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE EVALUATING RISK AND ALSO,
UM, THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE
WHEN WE DO SEE IT, AND ARE WE
SEEING ARE ARE WE ISSUING
DIRECTIVES IN TERMS OF WHEN
PEOPLE ARE, UM WORKING OR BEING
SERVED OF CUSTOMERS GO TO
REGIONAL CENTERS. IS THERE A
DIRECTIVE IN TERMS OF MAKING
SURE THAT ALL OPTIONS ARE
PRESENTED TO THEM IN TERMS OF A
BIG QUALIFY? THEY WILL BE AWARE
OF THEY WILL BE PRESENTED WITH
ALL THE OPTIONS. YEAH WE'RE
CONTINUING TO EVALUATE WHAT THAT
IS. SO UM, WHEN WE LOOK AT HOW
DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
GIVING THE, UM KIND OF EQUAL
INFORMATION AND AN EXAMPLE OF AN
AREA IN WHICH WE ARE DOING. THIS
IS THAT WE HAVE, UM I BRIEFLY
MENTIONED THE EARLY START
INFORMATION PACKET THAT'S GOING
TO BE RELEASED BECAUSE WE WANT
EVERY SINGLE CONTACT FOR ANYBODY
WHO'S JUST MAKING INITIAL
CONTACT AT A REGIONAL CENTER
THAT EVERY PERSON GETS THE SAME
INFORMATION IN THIS STATE. SO
THE STATE TOOK THE
RESPONSIBILITY TO SAY WE'RE
GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE
THIS INFORMATION PACKET, BUT
THEN ALSO BROADLY GET IT OUT TO
SAY NICK USE AND OTHER AVENUES,
SO THERE'S INFORMATION. WE'RE
ACTIVELY WORKING ON THE
LETTERMAN ONE AS WELL. SO WITHIN
THAT INFORMATION PACKET, IT'S
LIKE, WHAT ARE THE SERVICES THAT
ARE AVAILABLE? KIND OF GENERALLY
SPEAKING, SUPPORTED LIVING
SERVICES, SO WE'LL BE ABLE TO
HAVE THAT LIST OF INFORMATION
THAT'S IN THERE AND THEN ALSO
CONTACT FOR ADVOCATES. IS THERE
MORE THAT CAN BE DONE AS FAR AS
MAKING SURE THERE IS
AVAILABILITY AND ACCESS TO WHAT
TYPES OF SERVICES? ABSOLUTELY
AND THAT'S WHAT OUR ELECTRONIC
RECORD SYSTEMS INTENDED TO DO.
WE ARE WORKING ON REVAMPING OUR
ENTIRE ELECTRONIC RECORD SYSTEM
THAT WOULD BE OUTWARD FACING SO
FAMILIES OR SELF ADVOCATE CAN GO
ONLINE TO THEIR REGIONAL CENTER
AND SAY, YOU KNOW, I'M AN ADULT,
YOU KNOW, I'M GRADUATING WHAT
SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ME?
AND THEN WE CAN START REALLY
TAKING A LOOK AT HAVING
INFORMATION TO FAMILIES I THINK
IS SO CRITICAL UM AND AGAIN, WE
HAVE TO BUILD OUR INFRASTRUCTURE
ON SOME OF THE TECHNOLOGY SIDE
OF THIS TO GET THERE, BUT WE'RE
I'M EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT OUR
FUTURE AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO BE
ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO FAMILIES
THAT WE DON'T HAVE TODAY. MY
LAST QUESTION IS FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. IF YOU
DON'T MIND. OBVIOUSLY OFF
OBVIOUSLY MEETING ARE, UM
FEDERAL REQUIRED CASELOAD IS
VERY IMPORTANT AND IT SEEMS LIKE
WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO
BE DONE. UM ALTHOUGH WE ARE
SEEING A, I BELIEVE IT'S AN 11%
INCREASE IN THIS BUDGET. UM,
OVERALL. UM WHAT ARE WE DOING TO
MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE GIVING
MY REGIONAL CENTERS THE FUNDING
THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE
WE'RE MEETING THE FEDERAL
CASELOAD REQUIREMENTS. THANK
YOU, DR JACKSON, CHRISTOPHER
O'NEILL WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE. UM AS HAS BEEN NOTED.
THE LAST COUPLE OF BUDGETS HAVE
INCLUDED SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS
TO CLOSE SOME OF THOSE
COORDINATES SERVICE COORDINATOR
TO CONSUMER RATIO. GAPS THAT
HAVE BEEN HIGHLIGHTED IN THE
AGENDA AND ALSO BEEN PART OF THE
CONVERSATION TODAY. UM WE WERE
JUST HIGHLIGHT THAT AS PART OF
THE REGIONAL CENTER PERFORMANCE
MEASURES INCENTIVE PROGRAM, UM
THE INITIAL FOCUSES ON CLOSING
THE SERVICE COORDINATOR. UM
RACIAL GAPS INTO THE FUNDING. UM
IS ALLOCATED FOR THOSE PURPOSES
AND THAT AS PART OF THAT
PROGRAM, AND, UM INCLUDING ABOUT
$59.5 MILLION CHANNEL FROM THIS
YEAR. AND THEN ALSO, WE HAVE
TARGETED REDUCED CASELOAD RATIOS
FOR, UM FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE
AGE OF FIVE TO REDUCE THOSE 212
40 SO AS WELL AS TRYING TO MEET
THOSE 1 TO 62 RATIOS, THE
FEDERALLY MANDATED ONES. WE ALSO
HAVE TARGETED FUNDING AVAILABLE
FOR, UM OTHER OTHER CASELOAD
RATIOS AS WELL. AND WHEN DO WE
INTEND? WHEN DO WE INTEND TO UM
, GET TO THOSE NUMBERS WHERE
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE. IS THERE A
UH, BENCHMARK HERE. IS THERE A
DEADLINE BY WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO
GET TO THEIR I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY,
I HAVE UM FLASHBACK IN TERMS OF
MY SOCIAL WORK DAYS AND IN TERMS
OF HOW CASELOADS ARE SO
IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE
GETTING THEM DOWN. WHETHER WE
WHAT IS OUR DEADLINE TO SAY THIS
IS WHEN WE'RE SUPPOSED TO GET
THERE. I'LL DEFER TO THE, UM TO
MY DEPARTMENT COUNTERPARTS. FOR
MORE INFORMATION ON THAT
TIMELINE. I DO KNOW. I BELIEVE
THAT NEXT MONTH WE HAVE UM,
UPDATED CASELOAD RATIOS THAT ARE
GOING TO BE REPORTED OUT. THAT'S
TWICE A YEAR IN OCTOBER AND
MARCH. BUT ALL THE FURTHER
DIRECTOR. THAT'S CORRECT. SO
NANCY BARGMANN, UM ON THE
FUNDING. SO UM, ARE MR O'NEILL
HAD HAD NOTED THAT WE RECEIVED,
UM, FUNDING FOR THE BIRTH
THROUGH FIVE. REDUCE CASELOAD
RATIO THIS SO IN CURRENT YEAR,
UM, NINE MONTHS OF FUNDING IS
AVAILABLE FOR THAT REGIONAL
CENTERS ARE WORKING TO DO THE
HIRING. WE'RE MONITORING BASED
ON THE CASE LOAD RATIO REPORTING
, ADDITIONALLY, WITH THE
REDUCING TO THE WAIVER
REQUIREMENTS OF THE RATIOS, UM
THAT FUNDING ALSO CAME IN FOR
THIS YEAR. SO THE REGIONAL
CENTERS HAVE BEEN, UM, REPORTING
TO US. THOSE RATIOS ARE REQUIRED
TO DO IT TWICE A YEAR. WE'RE
CONTINUING TO WORK WITH ARCA AND
THE REGIONAL CENTERS TO TRACK
IT. UM WE HAVE HEARD THAT THERE
HAS BEEN SOME CHALLENGES AND THE
WORKFORCE OF BEING ABLE TO
RECRUIT AND HIRE. UM SO AS FAR
AS THE STEP FOR THOSE CASELOAD,
SO I IN YOUR AGENDA, I WOULD
HAVE TO KIND OF GET ITS STAFF
HAD INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA. I'D
HAVE TO LOOK TO SEE WHAT PAGE
NUMBER APOLOGIZED. I DON'T HAVE
THAT THAT READILY AVAILABLE, UM,
FROM PANEL. I'M SORRY. ISSUE
FIVE. NEVER MIND. I'LL WAIT
UNTIL ISSUE FIVE. BUT OKAY,
WELL, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION
AND MORE TO COME. THANK YOU. I'M
GOING TO BRING IN MISS CONTRERAS
, WHO HAD A COMMENT TO THE
PREVIOUS QUESTIONS. YES. I
CANNOT SAY THAT. I'M VERY
KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT CARE HOMES
BECAUSE AS MY GRANDSON AND I'M
VERY, VERY GRATEFUL TO DR
JACKSON FOR BRINGING THE CARE
FACILITIES IN. THESE CARE
FACILITIES NEED MORE OVERSIGHT,
MORE OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY
AGAIN, AND THE NEPOTISM INVOLVED
WHICH IS PART OF OUR BILL THAT
JUDY MARK TALKED ABOUT. IS
OUTRAGEOUS. THERE ARE PEOPLE
WITHIN THE REGIONAL CENTER
RUNNING CARE HOMES. NUMBER ONE
NUMBER TWO. HOW DOES ONE
INDIVIDUAL OWNED FIVE CARE
HOMES? YOU KNOW, I'M RUNNING A
CARE HOME NOW AND YOU THINK
ABOUT IT BECAUSE I HAVE MY
GRANDSON WITH ME AND I HAVE THE
SLS SERVICES, BUT I'M THERE. AND
MOST OF THE TIME I'M MANAGING
THE EMPLOYEES THAT WORK WITH HIM
TO GET BETTER SERVICE FROM THEM
, SO THEY KNOW HOW TO TALK TO
HIM AND KNOW HIM. BUT THEN
THAT'S HARD ENOUGH. BUT TO ALLOW
ONE PERSON TO FIVE HOMES AND
BECOME MULTIMILLIONAIRES TO ME
IS A SIN. AND I WANTED TO SAY
THAT TOO. AND I WANNA WANTED DR
JACKSON TO HEAR THAT AND I DON'T
KNOW HOW THAT HAPPENS. AND I
LOVE NANCY. SHE KNOWS I LOVE
HER. AND I'M SURE THAT, UH I'M
SURE SHE'S THINKING ABOUT WHAT
I'M SAYING RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE I
LOVE HER FOR THAT, BECAUSE SHE
LISTENS TO US ALL THE TIME AS
LATINO WOMEN. BUT I PROMISE
TODAY WHEN I BROUGHT SERGIO THAT
I WOULD SPEAK FOR THOSE THAT
WERE LEFT BEHIND. FOUR YOUNG MEN
THAT ARE STILL IN THE SAME
FACILITY. AND. I'VE DONE MY JOB
TODAY. TO THEM. AND TO GOD.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. DOCTOR
WOULD YES. AND I'M PLEASE STAY
FOR A SECOND. IF YOU DON'T MIND,
UM SO I WAS GOING TO BRING THIS
UP ON THE NEXT PANEL. BUT SINCE
YOU YOU BROUGHT A DIRECTOR
PARLIAMENT, YOU BROUGHT UP THE
RATE STUDY. UM ONE OF THE
CONCERNS THAT I HAVE, UM UM, IS
THAT THAT RATE STUDY? THERE WERE
IT WAS NOT PERFECT. AND ONE OF
THOSE AREAS IS NOT PERFECT IS
THE IS THE RATES FOR INDEPENDENT
LIVING, UH, SERVICES AND WHAT'S
BECAUSE THEY ARE MISCLASSIFIED
AND I WILL QUOTE A LETTER FROM
THE L A. OH, QUOTE SINCE THE L S
SERVICES FOCUS MORE ON
FUNCTIONAL SKILLS TRAINING THAN
PERSONAL CARE. THE WAGE
ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING THE RATE
MODEL FOR LS MAY NEED TO BE
ADJUSTED UPWARDS AT THE DESIRE
TO IS TO ACCURATELY REFLECT
ACTUAL COSTS. THAT WAS AN L. A
LETTER IN 2019. SO FAST FORWARD
TO TODAY WE'RE LOSING THESE
PROVIDERS AND, UM. IT'S GOING TO
BE REALLY, REALLY DIFFICULT TO
TRAIN A NEW WORKFORCE IF WE
DON'T FIND A WAY TO RETAIN AND
ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE THOSE
PEOPLE WHO CAN THEN HELP SOME
SOME PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY TO
ACTUALLY LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, SO
I WANT TO ASK THE DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE ABOUT THIS AND ALSO WANT
TO ASK YOU. WHAT ARE WE GONNA
WHAT ARE ARE THERE PLANS? WHAT
ARE THE PLANS AND WHAT DO WE
NEED TO DO TO PUSH THAT FORWARD
MAY ASK FOR US TO ADDRESS THIS
AND PANEL TO BROUGHT IT UP
BECAUSE SHE BROUGHT UP THE RATE
STUDY AND SHE'S NOT ON PANEL
TWO. UM WELL, I'M HAPPY TO HAVE
HER PROVIDE COMMENTS UNLESS
YOU'RE GOING TO LEAVE UNLESS
YOU'RE KIND OF STAY FOR THE
SECOND PANEL. CHAIR I'M SORRY.
I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T LEAVE IT UP
TO THE DIRECTOR IF SHE WANTS TO
PROVIDE SOME COMMENTS. I'M MORE
THAN HAPPY TO STAY WITH THE NEXT
PANEL. UM, I'D BE HAPPY TO DO
THAT. WITH THAT, THEN I WILL
THANK VERY MUCH THE ENTIRE PANEL
ONE GIVEN THE PENDING REPORT
FROM GEORGETOWN, I WOULD LIKE TO
ASK THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES TO COME
BACK ON APRIL 26TH FOR OUR SUB
ONE HEARING SO WE CAN DISCUSS
THE BEST PRACTICES AND THE
LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE
DISPARITIES GRANTS. AND OTHER
EFFORTS AND TO HEAR ABOUT A
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO MOVE
FORWARD TOWARDS GREATER EQUITY
WITHIN PURCHASES OF SERVICE. IS
THIS SOMETHING THE DEPARTMENT
WOULD BE AMENABLE TO I WILL ALSO
BE ASKING THE LITTLE HOOVER
COMMISSION TO ATTEND THE HEARING
TO PRESENT ON THEIR REPORT,
WHICH IS PENDING RELEASE NOW.
BUT WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE
AMENABLE TO BEING THERE ON APRIL
26TH. YEAH WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO
BE THERE ON THE 26TH, AND I'LL
HAVE TO CONNECT WITH OUR
CONTRACTOR REGARDING THE REPORT
AND THE TIMING OF IT BEFORE I
CAN COMMIT TO THAT, WITHOUT ALL
ISSUES IN THIS TOPIC WILL BE
HELD OPEN AND WE WILL NOW MOVE
ON TO ISSUE TOO. REGARDING
PROVIDER ADEQUACY RATES, QUALITY
INCENTIVES AND THE PROVISION OF
SERVICES. THE QUESTION FOR THE
PANELISTS FOR THIS ISSUE ARE
WHAT ARE THE KEY ISSUES WITH
REGARD TO THE PROVISION OF
SERVICES? WHAT ARE THE
CHALLENGES AND WORKFORCE AND
WHAT IMPACT ARE THE RATE
INCREASES? HAVING WHAT IS OR%
SHOULD BE THE ROLE OF THE
QUALITY INCENTIVES AND WHAT ARE
THE PRIOR PRIORITY AREAS THAT
THE ADMINISTRATION AND
LEGISLATURE SHOULD CONSIDER TO
ADDRESS CONTINUED QUALITY
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FOR SERVICES
AND SUPPORTS WITHIN THE SYSTEM.
WE WILL HAVE EIGHT PRESENTERS ON
PANEL TWO, BEGINNING WITH DEPUTY
DIRECTOR JIM NIGHT WITH DDS.
RUBY KEEFE IS A SELF ADVOCATE
AND PERSONS SERVED BY THE ALTAR
REGIONAL CENTER. FOLLOWED BY
JUDY MARK, PRESIDENT OF DVU
BARRY GIARDINI, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR FOR THE CALIFORNIA
DISABILITY SERVICES ASSOCIATION
, REPRESENTING THE LANTERN IN
COALITION. MARC MELANSON,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY LIVING
NETWORK. ERIC SIGMUND, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR FOR THE GOLDEN GATE
REGIONAL CENTER, CHRISTOPHER OG
, NEIL WITH FINANCE AND RYAN
ANDERSON WITH THE L. A. OH LET'S
BEGIN WITH DEPUTY DIRECTOR AT
NIGHT WHEN YOU ARE READY. THANK
YOU, DOCTOR. ARAMBULA COMMITTEE
MEMBER STAFF AM JIM KNIGHTON,
DEPUTY DIRECTOR AT THE
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL MENTAL
SERVICES. YOU KNOW, WE'RE AS THE
AGENDA NOTES THIS, UH THERE'S A
SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT AND NOT
JUST RATES BUT ALSO REFORM AS A
STATUTE HAS, AND IT IMPACTS SO
MUCH. IT EVEN SPILLED INTO THE
PRIOR DISCUSSION. AND I'M SURE
WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT MORE BECAUSE
NOT ONLY IS IT A SIGNIFICANT
DOLLAR AMOUNT, IT'S SIGNIFICANT
SCOPE. IT REALLY DOES HELP SET
SOME OF THE BASIS TO A REALLY A
COUPLE OF PILLARS AND REALLY
NEEDED THINGS AS PART OF A
SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM THAT
THAT MEANS ACCESS TO SERVICES
AND ALSO THE QUALITY OF THOSE
SERVICES BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST
ABOUT GETTING THEM, IT'S OR
THOSE SERVICES REALLY PROVIDING
A BENEFIT. AND ARE THEY GETTING
PEOPLE WHAT IT IS THAT THEY NEED
AND WHAT ARE THOSE EXPERIENCES
THAT THEY'RE HAVING WITH THOSE
SERVICES? SO AS WE TALK ABOUT
ACCESS, AND DIRECTOR BARTMAN
SUCH DONE IT A LITTLE BIT AND
THE AGENDA ALSO DISCUSSES ABOUT
THE WAY THAT RATES AND SERVICES
ARE SET UP. NOW THERE'S A
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF
INCONSISTENCY AND THE RATES EVEN
FOR SIMILAR SERVICES IN THE SAME
AREA AS WELL AS IN SOME TYPE
PLACES WHAT THE SERVICE IS
ACTUALLY CALLED, SO THERE'S NOT
MUCH TRANSPARENCY IN THERE, AND
IT'S VERY, VERY CONFUSING. SO
ONE OF THE ONE OF THE THINGS
WILL BE ABLE TO DO AS WELL IS
SET SOME CONSISTENCY AND IN WHAT
WHAT THOSE SERVICES ARE AND THE
RATES AS WE MOVE FORWARD. SO.
THAT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ACCESS
TO SERVICE THAT'S ALSO NOT ONLY
DEPENDENT ON THE RATES BUT ALSO
I WORK FOR SECOND PROVIDE THOSE
SERVICES AND OUR SERVICES ARE
LARGELY DEPENDENT ON FOLKS WHO
ARE REFERRED TO AS DIRECT
SERVICE PROFESSIONALS. SO WE'VE
ALSO AND I WANT TO TOUCH ON SOME
OF THE INVESTMENTS THAT WE'VE
DONE TO HELP ENCOURAGE MORE
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONALS AS
WELL. UM THREE OF WHICH WERE OR
ARE VERY SOON TO ROLL OUT.
HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT MONTH OR
SO, UM, ONE OF THOSE IS TRAINING
STIPENDS. THERE WILL BE UP TO
TWO OF THOSE AVAILABLE FOR FOLKS
WHICH WOULD BE ABOUT $500 EACH
FOR COMPLETING A TRAINING
CURRICULUM ONLINE. THERE'S ALSO
ADDITIONAL FUNDS, WHICH WOULD BE
ONGOING, UM FOR DIRECT SERVICE
PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE ABLE TO
COMMUNICATE IN LANGUAGES OTHER
THAN ENGLISH, AND THAT WOULD
INCLUDE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
AS WELL. AND THE OTHER THING
THAT WE'RE WORKING ON TO IS THAT
WE'VE GOT OUR WORKFORCE AT. I
THINK ALL OF US RECOGNIZE HAS
CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE
LAST THREE YEARS, AND IN SOME
WAYS THAT THAT'S SHRUNK, AND SO
WE NEED TO LOOK AT AND USING THE
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONALS
THAT WE HAVE MORE EFFICIENTLY SO
LOOKING AT A PILOT PROJECT THAT
WILL AH, BE ABLE TO USE THE
REMOTE AND TECHNOLOGY REMOTE
SERVICES IN TECHNOLOGY TO
PROVIDE, UM, SUPPORT FOR
INDIVIDUALS WHO MAYBE DON'T NEED
SOMEONE RIGHT NEXT TO THEM ALL
THE TIME, BUT CAN USE SOME
REMINDERS. SOME CUES LIKE I
SAID, WITH TECHNOLOGY TO SPREAD
OUT THE LIMITED RESOURCES THAT
WE HAVE THERE ARE OTHER UPCOMING
INITIATIVES GEARED TOWARDS THE
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONALS AS
WELL, A LONGER TRAINING
CURRICULUM BEING OPTION FOR
FOLKS THAT WILL INCREASE THEIR
WAGES DIRECTLY FOR THE AS MORE
TRAINING THAT THEY COMPLETE, THE
HIGHER THEIR WAGES CAN GO AS
WELL AS AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM,
WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE
HAVEN'T STARTED ARE OR TALKED
ABOUT PREVIOUSLY, BUT IT'S
REALLY TRYING TO DRAW IN MORE
FOLKS WHO MAYBE AREN'T
INTERESTED IN THE SYSTEM. AND BY
DOING THAT, GIVEN INCENTIVE, NOT
ONLY TO THOSE FOLKS WHO COME IN
AND TRY THAT TRY THIS SERVICE
DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH TRAINING,
BUT ALSO THEN IT'S AN INCENTIVE
TO THE PROVIDERS AS WELL BECAUSE
FOR TIME LIMITED PERIOD, THEN
THEIR WAGES AND EMPLOYER COSTS
WILL BE COVERED. THROUGH THIS
PROGRAM, SO REALLY TRYING TO
LOOK AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS
IN WAYS TO HELP INCREASE AND
SUPPORT THAT WORKFORCE IN
ADDITION TO THE RATES THAT WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT. SO GETTING BACK
TO RATES, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN
WORKING THROUGH THIS PHASED
IMPLEMENTATION AND, AS WAS
BROUGHT UP, JUST, UM, PREVIOUSLY
THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CONCERNS
FROM STAKEHOLDERS AND IN
PARTICULAR IN SOME SERVICES THAT
MAYBE THERE'S SOME CHANGES THAT
NEED TO BE MADE IN THE
ASSUMPTIONS USED IN THE RATE
STUDY, INDEPENDENT LIVING WAS
WAS BROUGHT UP. CERTAINLY WE'RE
LOOKING AT EARLY INTERVENTION.
THOSE THOSE PROVIDERS THAT SERVE
OUR OUR YOUNGEST KIDS AND
FAMILIES AND AS WELL AS
TRANSPORTATION, FAMILY, HOME
AGENCY AND SOME OTHERS. AS NOTED
IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET. WE'RE
CONTINUING TO WORK WITH
STAKEHOLDERS AND LOOK AT THAT,
AND WE'LL BE EVALUATING WHAT
POSSIBLE CHANGES MAY BE NEEDED
THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS. SO.
WHEN WE MOVE ON TO INCENTIVES,
SO WE TALKED ABOUT THAT ACCESS
NOW INCENTIVES TALKING OUR OUR
SERVICES, REALLY, UM, PROVIDING
THE DESIRED RESULTS. UM WE
WORKED WITH A NUMBER OF
STAKEHOLDERS TO IDENTIFY WHAT
ARE SOME OF THOSE KEY FOCUS
AREAS THAT WE SHOULD WE SHOULD
LOOK AT TO INCENTIVIZE AND THE
MESSAGE WAS PRETTY CLEAR THAT WE
REALLY WANTED TO UM, DIDN'T
NARROW THAT FOCUS DOWN TO WHAT
ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS AND
THERE ARE SIX AREAS SOME OF
WHICH WE'VE WE'VE TOUCHED ON
ALREADY TODAY. WORKFORCE ACCESS
, UM, EARLY START INTAKE AS ONE
AND THERE'S SOME OTHERS.
EMPLOYMENT IS ANOTHER KEY AREA
AS WELL. AND SO THAT'S KIND OF
IN THE INTERIM. WHEN I SAY IN
THE INTERIM PRIOR TO THE FULL
IMPLEMENTATION IN JULY OF 2024
WHEN THOSE QUALITY INCENTIVES
WILL BE PART OF THE OVERALL
RATES. SO WHILE WE HAVE SOME NOW
TARGETED INCENTIVES OR CERTAIN
SERVICES, WE DO NEED TO BE
MINDFUL AND WILL CONTINUE TO
WORK ON. WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE
MAYBE CORE, UM, MEASURES THAT
WILL APPLY TO ALL SERVICES
BECAUSE THE QUALITY INCENTIVE
DOES IMPLY TO ALL SERVICES. SO
AS WE MOVE TOWARDS JULY OF 2024
WILL NEED TO BE MINDFUL AND WORK
THROUGH DEVELOPING MEASURES
STROLL. THE OTHER THING THAT I
WANT TO POINT OUT, AND I KNOW MR
MELANSON WILL BE ON THE PANEL
LATER AS WELL. YOU KNOW, SOME OF
THE OUTCOMES AND THE INTENT IS
THAT WE TALKED ABOUT OUR MORE
SYSTEMIC LEVEL. BUT WE'RE
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE
COLLABORATION AND WORKING
TOGETHER WITH THE CALIFORNIA
COMMUNITY LIVING NETWORK ON THE
PAVED PROJECT, WHICH IS LOOKING
AT INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER LEVEL
OUTCOMES AGAIN WITH THE SERVICES
ARE HERE TO GIVE PEOPLE WHAT IT
IS THAT THEY NEED AND WANT SO
GETTING DOWN TO THOSE OUTCOMES.
IT'S GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT.
SO THANK YOU. NEXT WE WILL HEAR
FROM RUBY KEITH. MY NAME IS RUBY
KEYS. I HAVE THE LOVE UP THIS
ABILITY FOR ENTIRE LIFE. BUT I
DIDN'T GET ANY SERVICE BÀN
REGIONAL SENATOR UNTIL I WAS AN
ADULT. MY PARENTS WERE
IMMIGRANTS FROM MICHAEL MEXICO
CITY. THEY DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING
ABOUT REGIONAL CENTER. NO ONE
GAVE INFORMATION TO EXPANDING
PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH.
MY PARENTS HAD TO HELP ME WITH
EVERYTHING MY DAD WOULDN'T
LIKED. MY DAD WOULD TAKE ME TO
THE STORE. HE WOULD TEACH ME HOW
TO PAY FOR THINGS. MY MOTHER HAD
TO DO EVERYTHING FOR ME AROUND
THE HOUSE. BUT I WANTED TO BE
INDEPENDENT. I WANTED TO LEARN
TO COOK IRON PAY RENT AND PILLS
AND YOU LIKE COULD DO AND YOU I
COULD DO THOSE THINGS. I JUST
NEEDED HELP. I HAD TO ADVOCATE
FOR MYSELF TO BECOME
INDEPENDENT. I KNOW THE REGIONAL
CENTER DIDN'T THINK THAT I COULD
BE INDEPENDENT AND HAVE A JOB
AND A LIFE. AFTER AFTER MANY
YEARS OF GETTING NOTHING. I
FINALLY GOT ORIGINAL CENTER TO
HELP ME BY GIVING ME THIS
SERVICE. I NEEDED SOMETHING THAT
SERVICE PROVIDES ARE GREAT.
SOMETIMES THERE ARE NOT, BUT
THEY INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES
I GET FROM STEP HAS CHANGED MY
LIFE. THEY HELP ME WITH
TRANSPORTATION AND TAKE ME TAKE
ME SHOPPING BECAUSE I DON'T
DRIVE. THEY COME WITH ME TO
MEDICAL DEPARTMENTS AND HELP
EXPLAIN THINGS TO ME. THEY
REMIND ME TO TAKE MY MEDICATION
AND REFOLD THEM. BUT MOST
IMPORTANT, THEY TEACH ME HOW TO
DEFEND MYSELF WHEN PEOPLE
CRITICIZE ME BECAUSE I MIGHT
DISABILITY. I GOT TO I GO TO
SUPPORT GROUPS AT STEP TWO WHEN
I FIRST STARTED GOING MANY YEARS
AGO, I WOULD NOT TALK TO ANYBODY
. BUT THE SUPPORT GROUP HELPED
ME NOW I AM NOW I AM ONE OF THE
LEADERS AND HELPING TO BRING A
HELP YOU TO BRING OTHER PEOPLE
INTO SUPPORT GROUP. I WANTED TO
TELL YOU A STORY. ABOUT HOW
IMPORTANT THE SERVICE HAS BEEN
FOR MY LIFE AFTER I STARTED
GETTING SERVICE ONE STEP I GOT
PREGNANT WITH MY DAUGHTER,
MACKENZIE. JUST STEP WAS ABLE TO
HELP ME WITH PARENTING. THEY
HAVE THEIR PARENTING STEP
PROGRAM. I WAS ABLE TO MEET WITH
OTHER PARENTS WITH DISABILITY.
WE WOULDN'T GET TOGETHER WITH
CHILDREN'S AND CELEBRATE
HOLIDAYS HAVE PICNICS AND OTHER
ACTIVITIES. WHERE MY DAUGHTER
STARTED HAVING HEALTH ISSUES. I
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO STEP.
HELP ME TAKE DOCTOR'S
APPOINTMENT. THEY HELPED ME
UNDERSTAND WHAT DOCTORS OFFICE
WAS SAYING. I NOW HAVE ANOTHER
DAUGHTER, MY HUSBAND AND TWO
CHILDREN AND I LIVE IN BOSTON
TOGETHER. MY ORDERS. MY OLDEST
DAUGHTER WHO IS NOW 21 ALSO HAS
THIS BUILDING. JUST LIKE ME AT
THE AGE SHE RECEIVED THOSE
SERVICES FROM THE ORIGINAL
CENTER. SO NOW I HAVE TO START
THIS BY ALL OVER AGAIN. I HAVE
TO HELP MY DAUGHTER BECAUSE SHE
NEEDS ALL THESE ARE ALL THIS
SAME SERVICE THAT I IF I DIDN'T
HAVE STEPPED I WILL NOT BE WHERE
I AM AT. THE PEOPLE WHO COME TO
MY HOUSE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE
DOING, BUT I KEEP GETTING NEW
PEOPLE AT THE TIME BECAUSE IT'S
HARD FOR THEM TO KEEP THEIR
STAFF. THAT I THAT'S BECAUSE
THEY DON'T GET PAID IN. THE
REBEKA IS A DIRECTOR OF VIOLAS
AT STEP YOU YOU CAN COUNT ON HER
ANYTIME. IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERN
, SHE'S THERE TO DEFEND US AND
ADVOCATE FOR US. SHE SHOWED US.
I'M HERE FOR YOU. YOU'RE NOT
ALONE. YOU HAVE SOMEBODY TO BACK
UP. BUT I KNOW THERE IS A
PROBLEM WITH FUNDY. THIS SERVICE
DIDN'T GET ANY RATE INCREASE. I
WORRY THAT I WON'T GET THIS
SERVICE ANYMORE. REBECCA REALLY
BORING. PLEASE STAND BACK. I
DIDN'T GET ANY SERVICE FOR A LOT
OF MY LIFE. NOW THAT I HAVE A
GREAT SERVICE, BUT STEP. I
WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I KEEP
THEM FOR ME. IT'S MADE MATTER OF
LIFE AND DEATH. BUT IT'S A
MATTER OF BEING HAPPY, AND IT'S
A MATTER OF KEEPING MY FAMILY
TOGETHER. THANK YOU. REALLY WELL
DONE. THANK YOU, RUBY FOR HAVING
THE COURAGE TO SHARE THEM. THAT
WAS VERY POWERFUL. GREAT MISS
MARK. WHY DO I ALWAYS HAVE TO
FOLLOW THESE PEOPLE? LIKE
SERIOUSLY HIGH AGAIN, UM. SIX
YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, A GROUP OF
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND
FAMILY MEMBERS GATHERED TO
CREATE ORGANIZATION. DISABILITY
VOICES UNITED AT THE CORE OF OUR
MISSION, UM, IS ADVOCATING FOR
MEANINGFUL OUTCOMES THAT MATTER
TO US TO US, NOT TO DDS NOT TO
THE REGIONAL CENTERS AND NOT TO
SERVICE PROVIDERS BUT TO US SO
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? SO, FOR
EXAMPLE, REGIONAL CENTERS OFTEN
THINK OF OUTCOMES AS CONTROLLING
OR FIXING BEHAVIORS. BUT FOR US
, WE SAY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO
COMMUNICATE. WE WANT TO SUPPORT
TO COMMUNICATE WHICH, OF COURSE
, ADDRESSES BEHAVIORS AND
PRODUCES BETTER OUTCOMES. SOME
PROVIDERS THINK GOOD OUTCOMES
ARE MAKING FRIENDS. BUT YOU'RE
SITTING ALL DAY IN A CENTER
THAT'S COMPLETELY SEGREGATED
FROM THE COMMUNITY. WHAT WE WANT
IS TO BE INCLUDED. SO MEANINGFUL
OUTCOMES. UNFORTUNATELY UM, HAVE
BEEN HISTORICALLY LOOKED AT HIS
CHECKING BOXES. IT'S INDICATE A
PROVIDER JUST SHOWS UP. SO
YOU'RE GETTING A GOOD OUTCOME
BECAUSE YOUR PROVIDERS SHOWED
UP. OUR OUR PARENTS WHO SAY TO
ME, MIKE, MY KIDS JUST WE'RE
KEEPING HIM BUSY, SO IT'S FINE.
THAT'S NOT AN OUTCOME.
MEANINGFUL OUTCOMES THAT MATTER
TO US ARE BEING PART OF THE
COMMUNITY BEING CONTRIBUTORS TO
THE COMMUNITY. IT'S ABOUT HAVING
FULFILLING LIVES WITH CHOICE AND
CONTROL, JUST LIKE PEOPLE
WITHOUT DISABILITIES HAVE SO,
LOOKING THROUGH THIS LENS, WE
HAVE A VERY STRONG INTEREST IN
ENSURING THAT THE THIS
ABSOLUTELY UNPRECEDENTED AND
HISTORIC RATE INCREASE LEADS TO
THOSE MEANINGFUL OUTCOMES THAT
MATTER TO US. SO TO THAT END, UM
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT
THE PEOPLE WHO DIRECTLY SUPPORT
US ACTUALLY ARE MAKING LIVABLE
WAGES AND ARE RECEIVING THE
MAJORITY OF THESE RATE INCREASES
. WE ADVOCATED THAT LAST YEAR'S
BUDGET INCLUDE A REQUIREMENT TO
THAT EXTENT WE ARE. IT'S STILL
UNCLEAR TO US HOW HOW WE'RE
GOING TO VERIFY THAT AND WHEN
WE'RE GOING TO KNOW IF THAT
ACTUALLY HAPPENED. SECOND WE
BELIEVE THAT ONLY SERVICE
PROVIDERS WHO OFFER CHOICE
DIGNITY AND INCLUSION SHOULD BE
ELIGIBLE FOR INCENTIVES. AT A
MINIMUM. THAT MEANS ALL
PROVIDERS WHO RECEIVE INCENTIVES
MUST BE COMPLIANT WITH THE CBS
SETTINGS RULE, WHICH I KNOW YOU
HAVE A PANEL ON LATER, BUT I
WANT TO MENTION SOMETHING. MOST
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES HAVE NO
IDEA WHAT THE H CBS SETTINGS
ROLE IS. WHICH GOES INTO EFFECT
IN 23 DAYS. AND $105 MILLION AND
ANOTHER $15 MILLION YOU'RE GOING
TO DISCUSS TODAY HAS BEEN SPENT
, AND THERE ARE NO STATEWIDE
EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT SELF
ADVOCATES AND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO
ARE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THIS
RULE EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT. THIRD
QUALITY INCENTIVE MEASURES FOR
PROVIDERS MUST BE CLEAR AND
AMBITIOUS. DDS HAS BEEN LEADING
A STAKEHOLDER EFFORT TO
ESTABLISH HIS BEST MEASURES THAT
I'M PART OF, BUT THERE HAS NOT
BEEN A LOT OF CLARITY OR
DEFINITION YET. SUB MEASURES
ONLY AFFECT A TINY FRACTION OF
PEOPLE. MANY MEASURES ARE ONLY
ABOUT ADULTS AND THE MEASURES
AROUND INFORMED CHOICE AND
SATISFACTION, WHICH ARE THE
OUTCOMES THAT MATTER TO US. I
STILL HAVEN'T BEEN DETERMINED
AND I KNOW THAT YOU'RE GOING TO
HEAR THAT. IT'S VERY HARD TO
MEASURE THESE INCOME THESE THESE
OUTCOMES AND BECAUSE OF THE NEW
IT SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN
DEVELOPED. WE AGREE WITH THAT,
BUT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT
SOMETHING TO DO IN THE MEANTIME.
FOURTH WE NEED TO WORK WITH
INDIVIDUALS, SO THEY ACTUALLY
RECOGNIZE WHAT QUALITY SERVICES
LOOK LIKE. THAT MAY BE SIMPLE OR
SEEMS SIMPLE, BUT MANY PEOPLE
SERVED ARE THINGS THAT THEY'RE
COMPLETELY FINE PROGRAMS BECAUSE
THEY HAVE NO OTHER CHOICES, AND
THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT GOOD LOOKS
LIKE. BUT WHEN YOU ASK THEM, DID
YOU GET TO CHOOSE YOUR STAFF? DO
YOU GET TO CHOOSE WHAT YOU DO
EVERY DAY? DO YOU GET TO HAVE
VISITORS AND MEALS? AT THE TIMES
THAT YOU CHOOSE ALL OF A SUDDEN
THEY REALIZED I'M NOT INEQUALITY
SERVICE AT ALL. HOW ARE THEY
SUPPOSED TO RECOGNIZE QUALITY
SERVICES AND MEANINGFUL OUTCOMES
WHEN THEY'VE NEVER HAD IT BEFORE
, AND FINALLY WE MUST IMPROVE
REGIONAL CENTER ACCOUNTABILITY
SERVICE PROVIDER OVERSIGHT AND
INCREASED TRANSPARENCY SO THAT
CLIENTS AND FAMILIES HAVE THE
INFORMATION THEY NEED TO MAKE
INFORMED CHOICES. MANY OF US
HAVE HAD INCREDIBLE AND HEROIC
STAFF. LIKE RUBY, BUT MANY OF US
HAVE ALSO HAD SOME PRETTY BAD
SERVICE PROVIDERS. KIND OF LIKE
THIS NURSING HOME THAT YOUR
MOTHER OR THE REHAB HOME THAT
YOUR GRANDMOTHER WAS STUCK IN.
UM MY FRIEND HOWARD HAD TO
SUPPORT STAFF WHO BELITTLED AND
MADE FUN OF HIM. HE REQUESTED
FOR THE STAFF TO BE REMOVED. BUT
HOWARD HAS TO REGULARLY SEE THAT
STAFF TAKING CARE OF HIS
NEIGHBORS. NATALIE WAS RAPED BY
A STAFF MEMBER AT A DAY PROGRAM
AND CONTRACTING GONORRHEA. NO
ONE WAS EVER ARRESTED. THE ABUSE
IS BEING COVERED UP AND THE
AGENCY CONTINUES TO PROVIDE
SERVICES FOR OTHERS. WHEN MY
AUTISTIC SON WAS YOUNG. HIS
STAFF PERSON SLAPPED HIM ACROSS
THE FACE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.
SHE STILL WORKS IN THE FIELD 20
YEARS LATER. ALL OF THESE
PROVIDERS ARE GETTING THE SAME
RATE INCREASES AS THE HEROIC
ONES. RATE INCREASES SHOULD BE
PRIORITIZED FOR THOSE PROVIDERS
WHO ARE SUPPORTING THEIR CLIENTS
TO ACHIEVE THE OUTCOMES THAT
MATTER TO THEM, AS OPPOSED TO
AGENCIES, LED BY EXECUTIVES WHO
MAKE OUTRAGEOUS SEVEN FIGURE
SALARIES WHILE THEIR CLIENTS SIT
IN SOILED DIAPERS IN THE PARK.
AND THEY EXIST. MANY PEOPLE
SERVED AND THEIR FAMILIES DON'T
KNOW WHAT MEANINGFUL OUTCOMES
AND QUALITY SERVICES ARE BECAUSE
THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN OR FELT
THEM. LET'S MAKE SURE THEY ALL
FEEL IT SOON. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM
BARRY GIARDINI WITH THE LANTERN
AND COALITION. GOOD AFTERNOON,
MR CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE
COMMITTEE AS AS YOU INDICATE.
I'M VERY GIARDINI. I'M THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
CALIFORNIA DISABILITY SERVICES
ASSOCIATION. BUT TODAY I'M HERE
AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
LANDERMAN COALITION, WHICH IS A
COALITION OF STATEWIDE AND
REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
REPRESENTING PROVIDERS, REGIONAL
CENTERS, LABOR, FAMILIES AND
CLIENTS TO TALK ABOUT OUR
PRIORITIES AND APPRECIATE THE
OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO BE
IMPANELED ON THIS PARTICULAR
SUBJECT. RIGHT? I WAS HEARTENED
TO HEAR MR KNIGHT START WITH
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS
BECAUSE I WANT TO PROVIDE JUST A
LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT, THE
SUPPORT THAT WE RECEIVED FROM
THE LEGISLATURE AND THE
ADMINISTRATION IN GETTING THIS
RATE. THIS RATE IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN THROUGH IS NOTHING SHORT OF
EXTRAORDINARY. I DON'T CONSIDER
MYSELF A PESSIMIST, BUT I WAS
NOT BULLISH ON THE OPPORTUNITY
FOR US TO EVEN BE IN THIS
SITUATION WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT
AT RATE INCREASES COMING DOWN
THE LINE AND FULL IMPLEMENTATION
IN JUST 15 MONTHS TIME. SO THAT
IS A TREMENDOUS WIN FOR OUR
COMMUNITY. BUT RIGHT NOW WE ARE
REALLY, REALLY STRUGGLING AND I
WANT TO JUST PROVIDE SOME
CONTEXT DURING THE PANDEMIC. ONE
IN FIVE DIRECT SUPPORT
PROFESSIONALS LEFT THE FIELD.
THEY'RE GONE. WE HAVE WAGES IN
THE RATE STUDY THAT ARE INDEXED
TO SLIGHTLY MORE THAN MINIMUM
WAGE IN MOST SERVICES, BUT
CERTAINLY NOT ADEQUATE TO
COMPETE WITH THE NEW MARKET
FORCES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE
OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS. WE
KNOW THAT WAGE PRESSURES, LOW
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES, THINGS LIKE
THAT NATURE MAKE IT
EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT NOT ONLY
TO RETAIN YOUR EXISTING STAFF.
NOT NOT TO MENTION HIRING NEW
FOLKS TO SERVE ADDITIONAL, UH,
CLIENTS WHO YOU COULD OTHERWISE
SURVEY ORGANIZATION OR TO ADAPT
TO THE GROWING CENSUS IN OUR
POPULATION THAT GROWTH CONTINUES
TO GROW YEAR ON YEAR AND NEW
SERVICES WILL NEED TO BE
DEVELOPED. SO WE HAVE A REAL
PROBLEM FOUNDATIONAL E WITH WITH
KIND OF WHERE THE RATES ARE
INDEXED AT THIS POINT. AND IT
REQUIRES RECOGNITION OF
CONSISTENT OVERSIGHT AND REVIEW
OF WHETHER THOSE RATES ARE GOING
TO BE ADEQUATE FOR THE LONG
TERM. I'M GONNA I'M GONNA JUMP
TO THAT. I'LL JUMP BACK TO THAT
IN A MOMENT. BUT I ALSO WANT TO
TALK ABOUT THE SERVICE PROVISION
GENERALLY BECAUSE SO MUCH OF
THIS CAME UP IN THE FIRST PANEL
IN DR ARAMBULA AND DR JACKSON
USE BOTH SPOKE TO THE CONCERN
AROUND REGIONAL CENTER SERVICE
COORDINATORS. REGIONAL CENTERS
ARE THE HUBS, RIGHT? THEY TAKE
PEOPLE IN THEY DETERMINE
ELIGIBILITY. THEY MAKE
DETERMINATIONS AROUND PROGRAMS.
THEY TAKE QUESTIONS AND CLIENT
COMPLAINTS FROM THEIR CLIENTS.
AND RIGHT NOW, WE ARE ASKING
THOSE SERVICE COORDINATORS TO DO
AN EXCEPTIONALLY IMPOSSIBLE JOB
IF YOU HAVE 50% MORE THAN WHAT
THE FEDERALLY MANDATED RATIO IS
TO SERVE. HOW CAN YOU DO YOUR
JOB? WELL THIS IS A YEAR WHERE I
KNOW WE'RE IN A TOUGH BUDGET
CIRCUMSTANCE. WE'RE NOT WHERE WE
WERE LAST YEAR. WE DON'T HAVE
RECORD SURPLUSES TO PLAY WITH,
BUT WE DO HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO
SERVE THIS POPULATION. THESE
INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL
AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
HAVE BEEN PROMISED SUPPORTS AND
SERVICES TO MEET THEIR NEEDS IN
CALIFORNIA. AND WE HAVE AN
OBLIGATION TO DO SO. SO I THINK
THAT WELL, THE LETTERMAN
COALITION IS PUSHING THIS YEAR
FOR A REVISION TO THAT CORE
STAFFING FORMULA TO NOT ONLY
FOCUS ON THAT THAT TARGETED
POPULATION IS 05, WHICH
ABSOLUTELY WE NEED TO GET THOSE
CASELOAD RATIOS DOWN TO WHERE
THEY NEED TO BE. BUT WE NEED TO
ADDRESS THE CASE MANAGER AND KEY
SERVICE COORDINATOR RATIO IN
COMPLIANCE CHALLENGES, NOT ONLY
FOR ACCESS, BUT MOSTLY FOR THAT
. MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE GETTING
THE SERVICES THEY NEED. QUALITY
OUTCOMES QUALITY PROVIDERS THAT
JUDY'S BOOK, MISS MARK SPOKE TO
BUT ALSO TO THE POINT THAT YOU
WERE MAKING AROUND FEDERAL
FUNDING. WE ARE PUTTING A
SIGNIFICANT RISK BILLIONS OF
POTENTIAL DOLLARS IN FEDERAL
FUNDING THAT WE YOU KNOW, THESE
ARE FEDERAL REGULATIONS THAT WE
ARE NOT COMPLYING WITH AT SOME
POINT IF THEY CAME BACK TO GET
US, YOU KNOW WE ARE. WE ARE
REALLY WE NEED TO INVEST NOW SO
THAT WE ARE MAKING WISE FISCAL
DECISIONS IN THE LONG RUN FROM
OUR PERSPECTIVE. UM I WANT TO GO
BACK TO THE RATE MODEL
IMPLEMENTATION IF I MAY IN AND
REALLY TALK ABOUT HOW HARD AND
WE WERE ABOUT THE ACCELERATION
BUT ALSO NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT
WE ARE ONLY NOW AS OF LAST
MONTH, 50% OF CLOSING THE GAP
BETWEEN WHERE WE WERE WHEN THIS
BEGAN AND WHERE WE'RE GOING TO
ULTIMATELY BE. WE CAN'T GET
THERE FAST ENOUGH BECAUSE WE
CAN'T HIRE. WE CAN'T RETAIN
STAFF AND WE HAVE SOME
RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND FIXES IN
THOSE RATE MODELS, SO IF YOU'RE
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, AND YOU
SEE A RATE INCREASE, AT LEAST
YOU CAN PLAN AHEAD. BUT AS
DOCTOR WOULD MENTIONED, THERE
ARE SOME SERVICES. YOU'RE NOT
SEEING A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE FOR
YOURSELF BECAUSE THE RATE MODEL
FOR YOU IS NOT BUILT CORRECTLY,
AND THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME
AMENDMENTS AND I WANT TO. I WANT
TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THINK THE
DEPARTMENT FOR CONSISTENTLY
BEING OPEN AND APPROACHABLE WHEN
WE HAVE PRESENTED ISSUES AROUND
PARTICULAR SERVICES. THEY HAVE
PROVEN THEMSELVES TO BE VERY
GOOD PARTNERS IN THIS IN THIS
CIRCUMSTANCE, BUT WE ARE CALLING
AS ATLANTA ME COALITION CALLING
FOR AN ADDENDUM TO THE RATE
STUDY. TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT
THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH
EXACTLY EVERY EVERY RATE MODEL
BUT MAKE SURE WHERE THE
IDENTIFIED AREAS OF CONCERNS
EXIST. WE ARE TAKING ANOTHER
LOOK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE
GOING TO BE DOING THIS RIGHT. IN
ADDITION TO THAT THERE WAS SOME
SERVICES FOR WHICH THERE WAS NO
RIGHT RIGHT MODEL EVER BUILT. IN
INNOVATIVE PROGRESSIVE PROGRAMS
SUCH AS PROJECT SEARCH, WHICH IS
AN EMPLOYMENT THING THAT DOESN'T
EVEN HAVE A RATE MODEL AT THIS
POINT, SO THE ADDENDUM WOULD
ALSO CALL FOR THE BUILDING OF
SOME RATES THAT DON'T EXIST
TODAY AND THE THIRD THING ON
THOSE THAT RATE BOTTLE
IMPLEMENTATION IS REALLY AT THAT
FINAL STAGE. WHAT IS THAT GOING
TO LOOK LIKE FOR PROVIDERS? FOR
THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T LOOKED
THROUGH THE THOUSANDS OF PAGES
OF THE RATE MODELS? THOSE ARE
ALL BUILT ON AN HOURLY BASIS. WE
ARE AT RISK OF IF WE STRICTLY
IMPLEMENT THE RATE MODELS AS
THEY'RE BUILT, GOING TO FULLY
HOURLY SYSTEM AND SOME SERVICES
THAT WORKS IN OTHERS, IT DOESN'T
WORK WELL AT ALL, BECAUSE WE
HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS.
TRANSPORTATION WORKFORCE PEOPLE
WHO LEAVE TO GO TO A DOCTOR'S
APPOINTMENT, BUT YOU CAN'T SEND
THE STAFF AWAY IN THE DAY
PROGRAM BECAUSE BECAUSE THEY'RE
SERVING TO OTHER CLIENTS, SO
SOME OF THOSE CORE COSTS ARE
ALREADY FIXED. SO WE DON'T WANT
TO GO AWAY FROM THE BUILDING
UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN AGREED UPON
IN THE PROGRAM DESIGNS. WE WANT
TO MAINTAIN DAILY AND
POTENTIALLY MONTHLY BILLING
OPTIONS FOR SOME PROGRAMS WHERE
IT MAKES SENSE WHERE WE CAN BE
MORE OUTCOMES BASED AND GET AWAY
FROM BEING SO COMPLIANCE BASED
ON GOING TO AN HOURLY HOURLY
MODEL. UM THE NEXT PIECE I WANT
TO TOUCH ON AGAIN. I WANT TO
THANK THE DEPARTMENT. MR NIGHTS,
COMMENTS AROUND REMOTE SUPPORTS
. WE KNOW WE HAVE A WORKFORCE
CRISIS THAT'S REALLY NOT GOING
ANYWHERE. IF WE'RE HONEST WITH
OURSELVES, WE NEED TO SPEND MORE
MONEY. WE NEED TO GET UP TO A
LIVING WAGE. WE NEED MORE THERE.
BUT IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE
INNOVATION AND THINKING OUTSIDE
THE BOX AND USING REMOTE
SUPPORTS UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY
WHERE IT MAKES SENSE WHERE IT'S
IN THE INTEREST OF THE
INDIVIDUAL TO PROMOTE
INDEPENDENCE. INDIVIDUAL CHOICE
. WE NEED TO BE EXPLORING THAT
OPTION. WE HAVE STILL THE
SILICON VALLEY IN CALIFORNIA,
AND THERE ARE OTHER STATES THAT
ARE FURTHER AHEAD OF US ON BEING
A TECH FIRST KIND OF STATE, SO
WE DON'T WE WILL ALWAYS BE A
SYSTEM WHERE PEOPLE ARE SERVING
PEOPLE. THAT IS THE HEART OF OUR
SYSTEM. IT WILL ALWAYS BE THE
CASE. BUT WE NEED TO LOOK FOR
INNOVATIONS AND EFFICIENCIES
WHERE WE CAN SO WE'RE USING
STATE DOLLARS AS WELL AS
POSSIBLE. WE'RE PROMOTING
INDEPENDENCE AND SUPPORTING
INDIVIDUAL CHOICE IN THE FINAL
PIECE. I KNOW I'M PROBABLY
RUNNING UP AGAINST TIME IS
REALLY REGARDING THE OUTCOMES
DISCUSSION. I THINK THIS MARKS
COMMENTS WERE LARGELY RIGHT ON
THE MARK. QUALITY SHOULD NOT BE
A CHECK BOX. WE HAVE A 90 10
CIRCUMSTANCE AS WE GET TO THE
FINAL STAGE OF IMPLEMENTATION,
YOUR CORE RATE 90% OF IT, YOU
GET AS A BASE RATE. 10% YOU GET
IF YOU MEET QUALITY METRICS, THE
DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH
THIS QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
WE HAVE THE PAGE PROGRAM COMING
DOWN THE LINE, BUT THESE
MEASURES ARE HARD TO DEVELOP. IF
YOU LOOK AT OTHER STATES, NO ONE
HAS NATIONAL METRICS ON QUALITY
FOR THE I D D SPACE BECAUSE
THEY'RE KIND OF HARD TO DEVELOP.
I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT
PEOPLE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE
GOING TO LOOK AT THIS AND REALLY
COME UP WITH SOME GREAT THINGS,
BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE THERE. BY
JULY. 1ST 2024. I CAN I CAN
PROMISE YOU ALL THAT NOW. RIGHT
NOW WE HAVE. I THINK FOUR OF 78
SERVICE CODES WOULD HAVE
DISTINCT QUALITY OUTCOMES
MEASURES SO WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR
THE CONVERSATIONS WITH
STAKEHOLDERS AND THE DEPARTMENT
AROUND LOOKING AT THIS 90 10
PROBLEM, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT
WE WOULD NEED TO ADDRESS IN THIS
BUDGET YEAR SO THAT WE CAN PLAN
APPROPRIATELY. FOR THAT FINAL
STAGE OF IMPLEMENTATION, SO THAT
PROVIDERS AND THE INDIVIDUALS
THAT THEY SERVE ARE NOT LEFT IN
LIMBO ABOUT WHETHER THEY'RE
GOING TO QUALIFY, BECAUSE IF
YOU'RE ONLY GETTING 90% OF YOUR
RATES, YOU COULD BE BACK AS AS
THE AGENDA CORRECTLY NOTES LOWER
THAN YOU WERE BEFORE THIS RATE
MODEL IMPLEMENTATION STARTED. SO
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED
TO SEE ADDRESS THIS YEAR AND
REALLY GO TO A SYSTEM AS MISS
MARK WAS SAYING, REALLY
PROMOTING QUALITY, NOT JUST
HITTING A BASE LEVEL. I THINK
BASE LEVEL IS OBVIOUSLY WHAT YOU
NEED TO DO IS A BASE RATE. BUT
YOU NEED TO REALLY PROMOTE
EXCELLENCE. WE WANT NOT JUST THE
BARE MINIMUMS. WE WANT
EXCELLENCE IN THE SYSTEM. AND SO
WE, UH, WE PROMISED TO PARTNER
WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN THE
DEPARTMENT TO MAKE THAT CASE,
AND WITH THAT, I WILL, UM POST
MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. I WILL ASK TO
CREATE A LITTLE BIT OF SPACE.
NEXT WE WILL HAVE MARC MELANSON,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY LIVING
NETWORK. FOLLOWED BY ERIC
ZIGMUND.
THANKS SO MUCH CHAIR AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERS. I FEEL LIKE
MOST OF MY TESTIMONY'S ALREADY
BEEN ALREADY BEEN TALKED ABOUT,
UM, BUT I'M GOING TO WALK
THROUGH IT ANYWAYS. MY NAME IS
MARK MANSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY
LIVING NETWORK. C C. L N IS A
STATEWIDE TRADE ORGANIZATIONS
WITH OVER 100 AGENCY PROVIDER
MEMBERS, LARGE AND SMALL.
MEMBERS PROVIDE SPECIALIZED
SERVICES THAT HELP CALIFORNIA'S
DIVERSE I, D. D COMMUNITY LIVED
MORE EQUITABLE, INCLUSIVE LIVES.
OUR MEMBERS PROVIDE SUPPORTED
LIVING SERVICES, INDEPENDENT
LIVING SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES, PERSONAL ASSISTANCE
AND RESPITE. THESE ARE THE IN
PERSON SERVICES PROVIDED IN
HOMES, WORKPLACES AND
NEIGHBORHOODS ON EVERY CORNER IN
CALIFORNIA. THEY ARE SUPPORTING
ALL SUPPORT OUR CORE MISSION,
WHICH IS TO PROVIDE PERSON
CENTERED SERVICES WITH DIGNITY
AND RESPECT. WITH INFORMED
CHOICE CONTROL OVER THEIR LIVES
, LIVING INDEPENDENTLY AND
INCLUSIVELY IN COMMUNITIES OF
THEIR CHOOSING. THESE GUIDING
PRINCIPLES WERE NOT ALWAYS THE
CASE, ONE OF THOSE SERVICES
INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES,
WHICH BEGAN IN 1978, WHEN
SEGREGATED, ISOLATED AND
INSTITUTIONALIZED SETTINGS WERE
MORE THAN NORM. BUT SINCE THEN
INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES
KNOWN AS I. L S EXCUSE ME, HAS
CONTINUALLY BEEN ONE OF THE MOST
INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS AND CAN
CALIFORNIA SUPPORTING DIVERSITY
EQUITY AND PERSONAL
INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES RATHER
THAN COOKIE CUTTER,
INSTITUTIONAL LIKE PROGRAMS, AND
THE MAIN REASON WE WANTED TO
SPEAK TO YOU TODAY WAS BECAUSE I
LESS PROGRAM, THE MOST INCLUSIVE
IN CALIFORNIA IS NOW IN JEOPARDY
, WITH PROGRAMS SHUTTING DOWN
ACROSS CALIFORNIA. YEAH, YEAH.
FURTHER REDUCING ACCESS TO LS
FOR PEOPLE'S SERVED AND CREATING
LENGTHY WAIT LISTS FOR SERVICES
. THIS ROOM IS FILLED WITH
PEOPLE WHO COULD LOSE THEIR
SERVICES. IF WE DON'T FIND A
SOLUTION FROM RUBY, WHO SPOKE AT
THE BEGINNING OF THIS PANEL TO
THE PEOPLE HERE TODAY, WHO WILL
BE PARTICIPATING IN PUBLIC
COMMENT. THE POTENTIAL MELTDOWN
OF VIOLENCE PROGRAM AND ALL IT'S
ALL CAUSED BY A MISTAKE IN THE
NEWLY IMPLEMENTED AND
ACCELERATED HILLS RATE MODEL
STRUCTURE, WHICH MAKES
MISCALCULATED, I LS WORKER WAGES
, WHILE THE OVERALL RATE MODEL
HAVE BEEN POSITIVELY RECEIVED,
AND WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR
THE LEGISLATORS COMMITMENT TO
INCREASED RATES. FUNDAMENTAL
FLAW WILL ULTIMATELY REDUCE
AISLES RATES. THIS MISTAKE IS
ACTUALLY HARMFUL AND DESTRUCTIVE
TO THE QUALITY OUTCOMES. WE'RE
ALL TRYING TO ACHIEVE. SIMPLY
PUT ELS PROVIDERS ARE
INSTRUCTORS AND SKILLED LIFE
COACHES. THEY TEACH PEOPLE WITH
I, D D HOW TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY
AND SAFE SUPPORTED AND PERSON
CENTERED ENVIRONMENT. AND AS THE
PERSON WAS, I DID LEARNS
ADDITIONAL SKILLS THAT CAN LEAD
MORE INDEPENDENT LIVES AND
REDUCE THEIR RELIANCE ON OTHER
SUPPORT SERVICES. BUT THE RATE
STUDY MISCLASSIFIED THESE
ISLANDS DIRECT SUPPORT
PROFESSIONALS, ESSENTIALLY
REDUCING THEIR COMPENSATION
RATES TO THAT OF LOWER PAID
WORKERS LIKE PERSONAL CARE AIDES
TO ASSIST WITH THINGS LIKE
ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING TASKS
, SUCH AS GETTING OUT OF BED,
GETTING DRESSED AND GETTING FED
BREAKFAST. TO UNDERSTAND THAT'S
ANOTHER WAY. THIS RATE MISTAKE
WOULD BE COMPENSATING CREDENTIAL
PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AT THE
SAME LEVEL AS A TEACHER'S AIDE.
IT SIMPLY WOULDN'T WORK. THE
HIGHER SKILLED CERTIFIED
CREDENTIAL TEACHERS WITH LEAVE
AND FIND DIFFERENT JOBS WITH
MORE APPROPRIATE SALARIES, WHICH
IS WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW IN OUR
INDUSTRY. WE'RE ASKING THE
LEGISLATURE TO CORRECT THIS
MISTAKE. THIS MISTAKE FOR THE
SIMPLE FIX BY MORE ACCURATELY
ALIGNING THE I L S WAGE
ASSUMPTIONS WITH THE HIGH
SKILLED JOB DUTIES OF THE ISLES
WORKER. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT
CAN'T WAIT. IN FACT, THE LONGER
WE WAIT, THE MORE IT WILL COST
CALIFORNIA TAXPAYERS BECAUSE
PEOPLE PUSHED OUT OF THE ISLES
PROGRAMS ARE ENDING UP IN MORE
COSTLY PROGRAMS, INCLUDING
CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES.
SOLUTION IS IN THE WORKS WITH
THRILLED THAT ASSEMBLY MEMBER DR
WOOD HAS INTRODUCED AB 15 68 TO
CORRECT THE AISLES RATE. WE ARE
GRATEFUL TO THE MEMBER AND HIS
STAFF AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH THIS COMMITTEE AS A
B 8 58. IT IS 15 68 MOVES
THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
A FEW QUICK, ADDITIONAL OTHER
COMMENTS. WE ECHO PREVIOUS
TESTIMONY THAT HIGHLIGHTED
WORKFORCE CHALLENGES WERE
DESPERATELY STRUGGLING TO
ATTRACT AND RETAIN THE STATE
SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE. WE'RE
NOTHING WITHOUT OUR DEDICATED
PASSIONATE AND ADEQUATELY
TRAINED EMPLOYEES. THE PREVIOUS
BUDGET. FUNDING FOR BILINGUAL
PAY TRAINING STATEMENTS FOR DSP.
UH TRAINING STATEMENTS AND DSP
CAREER PATHWAYS ONCE IMPLEMENTED
CANAL, SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS TO
ATTRACT AND RETAIN THE CRITICAL
WORKFORCE. WE ALSO SUPPORT SOME
OF THE PREVIOUS TESTIMONY
REGARDING QUALITY INCENTIVES
FEELING STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE
INITIATIVES TO IDENTIFY QUALITY
INDICATORS, QUALITY MEASURES AND
QUALITY INCENTIVES. PEOPLE
RECEIVING SERVICES AND THEIR
FAMILY DESERVE AND SHOULD EXPECT
THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF SERVICES
. THIS IS THERE'S BEEN
SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS MADE
TOWARDS THIS EFFORT, AND THE
STILL REMAINS MUCH WORK TO BE
DONE. TO MEET THE TIMELINES AND
FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RATE.
STUDY SERVICE PROVIDERS NEED
TIME TO PREPARE TO BUILD THE
INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUCCESSFULLY
IMPLEMENT THE QUALITY INCENTIVES
PROGRAM BY JULY, 2024.
CONCURRENTLY AS JIM MENTIONED.
WE'RE EXCITED THAT G. D S AND T
CLN HAVE LAUNCHED THE IMPORTANT
WORK OF THE PAID SERVICE
OUTCOMES PROJECT, WHICH WILL BE
DEVELOPING DATA DRIVEN
MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, RESEARCH
AND EVALUATION ELEMENTS IN DSP
TRAINING. THE PROJECT WILL FOCUS
ON TWO OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
COMPONENTS OF QUALITY METRICS
THAT MATTER. MOST OF PEOPLE
SERVED IN THEIR FAMILIES. AS
JUDY SAID, INFORMED CHOICE AND
SATISFACTION. UM WE THANK YOU.
WE THANK THE COMMITTEE AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND COMMITTEE
STAFF OF THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CCL
AND TO PROVIDE TESTIMONY AND
TODAY'S PANEL AND I'LL BE HAPPY
TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS FROM
COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THANK YOU, UM
WELL, JUST PROVIDE A GENTLE
REMINDER. WE DON'T TALK ABOUT
ANY SPECIFIC ASSEMBLY BILLS AND
THE BUDGET COMMITTEE NO MATTER
HOW GREAT THEY MAY BE. SO UM, MR
ZIGMUND. THANK YOU. AND UM MY
NAME IS ERIC ZIGMUND. I AM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GOLDEN
GATE REGIONAL CENTER AND THE
CHAIR OF THE ASSOCIATION OF
REGIONAL CENTER AGENCIES
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE, AS WELL
AS A MEMBER OF DDS QUALITY
INCENTIVE PROGRAM WORKGROUP. UM
AND I THANK THE COMMITTEE AND
CHAIRPERSON AROUND THE LOVE FOR
THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU
, UM, ALSO, THANK COMMITTEE
STAFF, THE L A AND ARCHIVE FOR
THEIR ANALYSIS OF THE BUDGET. I
THINK IT REALLY ISN'T AS
DIRECTOR BARTMAN SAID EARLIER.
WE ARE A SYSTEM OF PARTNERS AND
IT TAKES ALL OF US ROWING IN THE
SAME DIRECTION TO REALLY HAVE
TRACTION. SO UM, I STARTED OUT
IN 35 YEARS AGO AND DIRECT
SERVICE TO PEOPLE WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. AND
ALL MY 35 YEARS HAS BEEN IN
SERVICE AND SUPPORTIVE. OF THAT
COMMUNITY. UM. AGAIN ON THE
PARTNERSHIP. WE MOST SIMPLY, I
CONCEIVE OF IT. AS WE WENT
TOGETHER, WE LOSE TOGETHER. THIS
SYSTEM IS GROWN VERY COMPLEX
OVER THE LAST 60 YEARS. BUT WHAT
ONE THING IS REMAINED AS THIS
AND NEED FOR THE DIFFERENT
LAYERS OF THE SYSTEM TO WORK IN
HARMONY AND WORK TOGETHER,
COLLABORATIVELY AND I THINK LIKE
DIRECTOR BARGE, MAN. I'M VERY
ENCOURAGED. WE'RE SEEING THE
GREATEST INVESTMENTS IN PROBABLY
30 YEARS IN OUR SYSTEM, AND IT'S
UP TO US TO GET IT RIGHT TO TAKE
THAT THEORY TO PRACTICE OR THE
POLICY TO PRACTICE THAT YOU
MENTIONED CHAIRPERSON, SO
OUTCOMES DEFINITELY SHOULD BE
MEASURED. OBVIOUSLY WE NEED A
BETTER WAY TO DESCRIBE THE
IMPACT. OF THESE SERVICES TO THE
LEGISLATURE TO DECISION MAKERS
AS WELL AS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
ABOUT WHAT AN EQUAL ACCESS
SYSTEM REALLY DOES. AND THE
BEAUTY OF THIS UNIQUE
ENTITLEMENT SYSTEM IN THE
COUNTRIES. UM THE OUTCOMES NEED
TO BE, UM, I THINK THERE ARE
COMPLICATED AND WE DO NEED TO
CONTINUE TO TAKE A STEP BACK TO
TRY TO LOOK AT SYSTEMIC
OUTCOMES. WE ALL SHARED THE
ENTIRE SYSTEM SHOULD BE
ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUTCOMES. UM THE
LEGISLATURE, THE ADMINISTRATION
, DDS REGIONAL CENTERS, SERVICE
PROVIDERS WE SHOULD ALL SHARE IN
SEEING HOW WE ARE BETTER TODAY
THAN WE WERE YESTERDAY OR WHERE
WE NEED TO IMPROVE. EXAMPLES OF
THOSE SIX SYSTEMIC MEASURES.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE
EMPLOYMENT CHOICE, HEALTH SAFETY
, SOCIAL CAPITAL ENGAGEMENT IN
COMMUNITY LIFE. THOSE ARE THE
OVERARCHING GOALS THAT ALL THE
DETAILED GOALS I BELIEVE SHOULD,
UM SHOULD REALLY, UH, INFORM AND
GIVE US INFORMATION ABOUT SO, UM
, THE QUALITY INCENTIVE WORK
GROUP UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF
DDS HAS DONE REMARKABLE PROGRESS
IN ADDRESSING THE QUALITY
INCENTIVE MEASURES FOR PROVIDERS
. UM BUT THERE ARE STILL BECAUSE
IT IS SO COMPLICATED. SOME SOME
CONCERNS PROVIDERS NUMBER ONE
PROVIDERS MUST BE ABLE TO REACH
THAT 10% AND I DON'T THINK WE'VE
COMPLETELY FIGURED OUT FOR ALL
THE DIFFERENT WHEREAS MR
GIARDINI WAS MENTIONING ALL THE
DIFFERENT SERVICES HOW THEY WILL
BE ABLE TO EARN THEIR FULL 10%
AND THEN WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO
CHECK FOR ATTRIBUTION THAT THAT
THEY'RE BEING MEASURED PROVIDERS
ARE BEING MEASURED ON THINGS
THAT THEY HAVE CONTROL OVER
THAT. WE FOUND THAT IN THE
AGNEW'S CLOSURE AND THE QUALITY
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THAT ERA OF
CLOSING AN INSTITUTION THAT
THERE ARE OUTCOMES FOR
INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH
QUALITY OF LIFE THAT ARE
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, THEIR HOLY
GRAIL OF IMPORTANCE, BUT THEN
THERE IS MEASURING THE SERVICE
QUALITY OF PROVIDERS THAT HAS TO
BE THINGS THAT THEY CAN CONTROL
AND GET BETTER AT. UM. I SAID
THIS IN TESTIMONY BEFORE AND
IT'S COME UP A COUPLE OF TIMES
TODAY. THE ONE THING OVER 35
YEARS THAT I'VE LEARNED IS THAT
THE ACTUAL REALITY OF QUALITY IN
OUR SYSTEM HINGES ON THE
RELATIONSHIP OF THE PERSON
SERVED AND THE PERSON SERVING
THEM. IT'S IN THAT RELATIONSHIP
AND THE EXPERTISE AND THE
EXPERIENCE OF DIRECT SUPPORT
PROFESSIONALS THAT THE QUALITY
OF SUPPORT IS MADE MANIFEST, SO
REALLY ENCOURAGE THE WORK DONE
BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE
LEGISLATURE AND IN LAST YEAR'S
BUDGET TO HAVE THINGS LIKE THE
DIRECT SUPPORT, PROFESSIONAL
UNIVERSITY AND BILINGUAL
STIPENDS AND OTHER WAYS FOR
STAFF TO BE MORE EDUCATED AND BE
MORE COMPENSATED AS
PROFESSIONALS, AND I THINK WE
SHOULD KIND OF LEAN HARD INTO
THAT BECAUSE IT'S WHERE THE
RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD. UM I MEET
WITH MY PROVIDER COMMUNITY AT
GOLDEN GATE REGIONAL CENTER. WE
MET EVERY WEEK FOR THE 2.5 YEARS
OF THE PANDEMIC. NOW WE MEET
TWICE A MONTH MONTH. SO I
BROUGHT THIS SOME OF THE
INTERESTS THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD
, INCLUDING HOW IT'S GOING WITH
THE RATE INCREASES IN HIRING NOW
, GOLDEN GATE IS THIS I WAS NOT
SUPERLATIVELY A CRUSHINGLY HIGH
COST AREAS, SO MY PROVIDERS HAVE
THE DOUBLE BURDEN OF AN
UNDERFUNDED SYSTEM AND A GAP
THAT'S REALLY SIGNIFICANT. THEY
ARE SEEING PROGRESS ON THIS.
THEY'RE LOSING SOME OF THOSE
INCREASES TO INFLATION, UM, AS
WELL AS COMPETITION FROM
EVERYTHING FROM FAST FOOD TO
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS. UM AND
THEY REALLY TALKED ABOUT
TRANSPORTATION TO AS BEING
SOMETHING I KNOW THE DEPARTMENT
IS WORKING ON TO ADDRESS PEOPLE
BEING ABLE TO GET TO THEIR
SERVICES. AS WE MOVE MORE AND
MORE BACK TO IN PERSON SERVICES.
UM THE ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT
THE WORKFORCE THAT WE TALKED A
LOT ABOUT WAS WE'RE MOVING.
WE'RE IN A TRANSITION PART IN
TERMS OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT,
AND WE'RE MOVING FROM LOOKING
FOR DIRECT CARE STAFF WHO ARE
COMPASSIONATE. AS MISS MARK
SAYS, UM IN THE PAST AND GOOD
CARETAKERS TO ONES THAT HAVE A
WHOLE LOT OF OTHER SKILLS
NECESSARY AND OTHER
EXPECTATIONS. BEHAVIORAL
SUPPORT. UM PERSON CENTERED NOUS
SOCIAL JUSTICE, COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT. WE NEED DIRECT
SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS TO BE
CHAMPIONS. AND UM, YOU KNOW,
UPLIFT THE PEOPLE WE SERVE IN A
WAY THAT WE THAT IN THE
SEVENTIES EIGHTIES AND NINETIES
, IT WASN'T AS MUCH ON THE
RADAR, SO THAT'S REALLY, REALLY
IMPORTANT. AND THEN IN ARCAS
BUDGET LETTER, THERE WAS ONE
LINE THAT CONTINUES TO COME BACK
TO ME. THAT'S VERY SIMPLE. THAT
SAYS QUALITY OUTCOMES CANNOT BE
ACHIEVED WITHOUT A FOUNDATION OF
FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY. CITY. AND
THAT REALLY APPLIES TO ALL THREE
LAYERS. THE INVESTMENTS IN, UM
PROVIDERS ARE COMING, AND IF
THEY IN MY AREA, I JUST TELL
THEM THAT THEY CAN HOLD ON TO
2024. I THINK THIS RATE
METHODOLOGY IS GOING TO BE SOUND
AND THE DEPARTMENT HAS INCREASED
STAFF LEVELS IN ORDER FOR THEM
TO DO OVERSIGHT AND TECHNICAL
ASSISTANT ACCOUNTABILITY BUT
REGIONAL CENTERS HAS BEEN
DISCUSSED EARLIER. HAVE NOT, UM
, IN ANY WAY REALLY OTHER THAN
THE NEW POSITIONS BEEN MADE. TO
BE ABLE TO DO THIS WORK AT
GOLDEN GATE. WE HAVE SOME OF THE
HIGHEST CASELOADS IN THE STATE
AND WE ARE STILL FUNDED AT ABOUT
50% OF WHAT IT COSTS TO PAY OUR
STAFF BECAUSE OF THE CORE
STAFFING FORMULA, SO MODERNIZING
THE CORE STAFFING FORMULA, AS MR
GIARDINI MENTIONED IS INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT, AND MY REGIONAL
CENTER THERE'S ABOUT 150 SOCIAL
WORKERS FUNDED AT 50. UM AND THE
NEW SOCIAL WORKERS THAT MAY BE,
UM 95. UH FINALLY, I THINK I
WANT TO END WITH JUST SAYING WE
HAVE TO LISTEN BETTER, AND
THAT'S BEEN A THEME TODAY AS
WELL. LISTEN TO ALL THE 400,000
PEOPLE SERVED. I WORRY THAT OUR
INABILITY TO LISTEN DEEPLY AND
SORT OF GLOBALLY MOVES US TO A
SITUATION WHERE INDIVIDUAL
STORIES WHICH ARE INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT, AND WE DEAL WITH
EVERY DAY AT OUR REGIONAL CENTER
TO TRY TO MAKE AMENDS WHERE
WE'VE DONE POORLY AND INCREASE
AND LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WE
SERVE AND THEIR FAMILIES, BUT WE
REALLY NEED THOSE WAYS OF
LISTENING TO THE WHOLE 400,000
PEOPLE OR SOME LARGE NUMBER OF
THEM. UM AND WHAT'S CHANGED? IN
OUR SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE
EXPECTATIONS OF THE WORKFORCE,
AND I'LL END ON THIS IS THAT FOR
HUNDREDS OF YEARS, PEOPLE WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES HAD
SYSTEM EXPERTS AND FROM YOU KNOW
, PROBABLY 100 YEARS. THEY WERE
DOCTORS, MEDICAL DOCTORS TELLING
THEM, UM, WHAT THEY SHOULD WANT
AND WHAT THEY SHOULD DO, AND SO
I THINK THERE IS AN AGREEMENT IN
OUR SYSTEM, WHICH IS INCREDIBLY
, UM AND EMPOWERING AND
OPTIMISTIC. THAT IT'S WELL PAST
TIME WHERE WE LISTENED DIRECTLY
TO THE INDIVIDUALS AND FOR
ADULTS, YOU KNOW THAT WE SERVE
REALLY GETTING THEIR VOICE AND
EVERY CORNER OF WHAT WE DO WILL
HELP INFORM THE OUTCOMES MAKE
THEM MEANINGFUL TO THE PEOPLE WE
SERVE AND HELP INFORM PUBLIC
POLICY. UM AROUND HOW TO
CONTINUE THIS. MARCH TOWARDS
HAVING A SYSTEM THAT IS FUNDED
ADEQUATELY. CHRISTOPHER O'NEILL
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. THANK
YOU, MR CHAIR. UM I'LL ADDRESS
DR WOOD'S COMMENTS FROM THE LAST
PANEL. SO UM THE ADMINISTRATION
HAS BEEN HAS HAD ACTIVE
CONVERSATIONS WITH, UM
STAKEHOLDERS AND ALSO INCLUDING
CCL, AND ON THE PARTICULAR
CHANGES THAT ARE PROPOSED FOR
AISLES, AND WE'RE REALLY
GRATEFUL TO HAVE HAD THOSE
OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH MR
MELANSON AND OTHERS ON THAT
PROPOSAL. UM IT HAS BEEN
DISCUSSED IN THE AGENDA TODAY,
UM AND PROVIDING TESTIMONY. RATE
IMPLEMENTATION CONTINUES TO BE
VERY MUCH OF AN ITERATIVE
PROCESS. UM, AS WE WORK TOWARD
THAT FULL IMPLEMENTATION FISCAL
YEAR, 24 25. SO UM, WE CONTINUE
TO WORK WITH WITH DDS AND
CONNECT ON ISSUES THAT ARE
ARISING IN THAT PROCESS, BUT WE
CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND ARE GLAD
TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON
ON THESE PROPOSALS. THANKS. NEXT
WE WILL HEAR FROM RYAN ANDERSON
WITH LEO. GOOD AFTERNOON RAIN
ANDERSON WITH THE LEGISLATIVE
ANALYST'S OFFICE. UM, BRIEFLY,
JUST WANNA. HIGHLIGHT ONE PART
OF OUR ANALYSIS, WHICH IS
PRESENT IN THE AGENDA. CHURCHES
REMINDER THAT ON THE QUALITY
INCENTIVE PROGRAM AS WE'VE HEARD
FROM THE PANELISTS TODAY, THE
RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THE STATE
HAS PUT BEFORE THE STAKEHOLDER
GROUP IN THE DEPARTMENT ARE, UM,
RATHER SIGNIFICANT. UM, THE
NUMBER OF SERVICE PROVIDER'S
PROVIDER CATEGORIES, FOR WHICH
OUTCOME. MEASURES HAVE TO BE
DEVELOPED. UM AND FOR WHICH
THERE ISN'T REALLY A BLUEPRINT.
UH IS IT SUBSTANTIAL? UM AND THE
STAKES ARE VERY HIGH, BOTH FOR
THE INDIVIDUALS SERVED FOR WHOM
THESE QUALITY ISSUES, OF COURSE,
ARE PARAMOUNT, PARAMOUNT AND FOR
PROVIDERS FOR WHOM 10% OF THE
RATE IS VERY SUBSTANTIAL. SO WE
JUST STATE THAT UM, THE
LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE, UH, OPEN
TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT A
STATUTORY CHANGES ON EITHER THE
TIMELINE OR THE STRUCTURE OF THE
QUALITY AND CENTER PROGRAM MIGHT
BE NEEDED IF SOME OF THOSE
RESPONSIBILITIES ARE NOT ABLE TO
BE MET WITHIN THE EXISTING
FRAMEWORK. NOW, AT THIS TIME,
I'LL SAY WE HAVEN'T HEARD A
CONSENSUS THAT THE CASE, UM THIS
IS ALL VERY FAST MOVING. I
UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE UM
SOME VERY PROMISING PROPOSALS
THAT ARE BEFORE THE STAKEHOLDER
GROUP ABOUT HOW DO WE BUILD
BRICK BY BRICK TO WHERE WE NEED
TO BE IN JULY? UH 2024, BUT THIS
IS JUST A REMINDER THAT THE
STAKES HERE ARE VERY HIGH. THE
CHALLENGES ARE SIGNIFICANT IN
THE LEGISLATURE MAY YET HAVE A
ROLE TO PLAY. THAT'S ALL. THANK
YOU. I WILL BRING IT UP TO THE
DIOCESE. THAT'S THE CONCLUSION
OF THIS PANEL. UM AND I WILL ASK
THAT OUR QUESTIONS CONCLUDE FOR
THIS PANEL BY 4 30 SO THAT WE
MAY ALLOW OUR SL INTERPRETERS.
TO ALLOW THOSE WHO WANT TO MAKE
PUBLIC COMMENT TO DO SO BETWEEN
4 35 DOCTOR WOULD THANK YOU AND
I APOLOGIZE TO THE CHAIR FOR MY
PASSION ON JUMPING THE GUN ON
THIS AND ACTUALLY WANT TO JUST
COMMEND THE PANEL ON THE ON THE
OVERVIEW OF THE RATES AND THE
AND THE RATES. STRUCTURE AND
THINGS I REALLY I DO APPRECIATE
THAT. PART OF MY CONCERN ABOUT
AN ISSUE LIKE I L S IS THAT I
LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE THAT AS A
PREVENTIVE ISSUE. I THINK WHEN
YOU HEAR THE STORY OF RUBY KEEFE
, WHERE WOULD RUBY KEITH BE
WITHOUT L S SERVICES? SHE WOULD
BE IN A SITUATION WHERE THERE'S
GOING TO BE MORE COST TO THE
SYSTEM, AND SHE'S NOT
NECESSARILY GETTING THE SERVICES
THAT SHE REALLY NEEDS. AND SO
WHEN I WHEN I ASKED OUR
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE TO BE HERE
PART OF MY FRUSTRATION, AND IT
IS AN ONGOING FRUSTRATION FOR
NOW. I'M IN MY NINTH YEAR IN THE
LEGISLATURE. WE DON'T DO
PREVENTION WELL AT ALL IN THE
STATE, WE DON'T PREVENT MUCH OF
ANYTHING. QUITE FRANKLY, IT
FEELS LIKE WE REACT TO THINGS WE
DO TREATMENT FOR THINGS. BUT
WHEN IT COMES TO PREVENTION, IT
REQUIRES AN INVESTMENT. AND YOU
DON'T SEE THE FRUITS OF THE
INVESTMENT UNTIL LATER DOWN THE
LINE. BUT YOU DO SEE UM, THE
DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF WHEN A
PROGRAM IS UNDERFUNDED OR
WHATEVER, PRETTY QUICKLY AND SO
WHEN YOU CANNOT WHEN YOU START
TO LOSE WORKFORCE, YOU START TO
LOSE THE PEOPLE THAT PROVIDE
SERVICES. UM THERE IS A BIGGER
COST TO THE SYSTEM. AND SO
THAT'S WHEN I SEE THAT THIS
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS
SINCE 2019. THIS IS 2023. WE'RE
SEEING A DECLINE IN A CERTAIN
WORKFORCE. IT'S GOING TO BE
REALLY HARD TO GET THOSE PEOPLE
BACK. AND SO MY PLEA AS I DO
THIS IN AND IT ISN'T JUST IN
THIS COMMITTEE. IT'S A VARIETY
OF OTHER THINGS. HOW DO WE GET
TO A POINT AND THERE'S NO ANSWER
FOR THIS BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE
MAYBE HAVE BIGGER DISCUSSIONS.
BUT HOW DO WE GET TO A POINT
WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY MAKE
INVESTMENTS IN PREVENTION TYPE.
UM, PROGRAMS. AND SEE THE FRUITS
OF OUR LABORS RATHER THAN JUST
FOCUSING ON ON ONE ASPECT OF IT.
WE'VE GOT TO DO THE BUDGET SAYS
THIS AND WE'VE GOT TO DO IT THIS
WAY, AND WE CAN'T GO BEYOND
THAT. AND THAT'S THAT'S A REALLY
IMPORTANT IN THE POPULATION OF
PEOPLE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.
I THINK OF DIABETES PREVENTION
IN THIS STATE. WE WERE DO REALLY
GOOD. WE SPEND LIKE THREE PLUS
BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR ON
DIABETES TREATMENT, BUT YOU KNOW
HOW MUCH WE SPEND ON PREVENTION
AND EDUCATION. A COUPLE MILLION
DOLLARS. TALK ABOUT PENNY WISE
AND POUND FOOLISH AND WHAT I
DON'T WANT TO SEE IS THESE KINDS
OF PROGRAMS CONTINUE IN THAT
RESPECT, YOU KNOW? OTHER STATES
INVEST IN PREVENTION THINGS
BETTER THAN WE DO, AND THEY SEE
THE RESULTS. BUT FOR WHATEVER
REASON, WE DON'T DO THAT HERE IN
CALIFORNIA. I DON'T KNOW WHY. I
DON'T KNOW HOW TO TURN THE
GLACIER OR THE ROCK OR THE SHIP
OR WHATEVER THE HECK IT IS. BUT
IT'S REALLY FRUSTRATING YEAR
AFTER YEAR TO SEE THAT AND SO
THANK YOU, DIRECTOR FOR STAYING
AND LISTENING, BUT IT'S THESE
KINDS OF THINGS REALLY. REALLY
HARD. THEY'RE REALLY HARD. HOW
MANY RUBY KEEPS AREN'T GOING TO
GET SERVICES IF WE CONTINUE TO
LOSE THAT, AND WHY IS IT THREE
PLUS YEARS WHEN WE BEFORE? WHEN
THIS WAS POINTED OUT BEFORE WE
CAN GET TO A POINT WHERE WE'RE
NOT EVEN SURE WHEN WE'RE GOING
TO ACT ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
SO ANYWAY, THANK YOU, MR CHAIR,
AND I ONCE AGAIN APOLOGIZE FOR
JUMPING THE GUN AND GOOD. I WILL
BRING IT UP TO THE CHAIR NOW AND
I'M GOING TO BEGIN WITH JIM
NEID, BUT HOPE I CAN ASK RUBY
KEITH TO COME UP AND FIND A SEAT
AS WELL. DEPUTY DIRECTOR NIGHT
WE HEARD WITH THE RATES EARLIER.
THAT THERE'S THE POSSIBILITY
THAT SOME PROVIDERS MADE. I
CAN'T BE SURE WILD. OH,
UNDERSTAND. THANK YOU. ONE MORE
SECOND. DEPUTY DIRECTOR. WE
HEARD THERE'S THE POSSIBILITY
THAT PROVIDERS MAY RECEIVE A
RATE CUT VISA VI WHAT THEY WOULD
HAVE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE
IMPLEMENTATION. OF THE RATE
STUDY IF THEY DON'T QUALIFY FOR
THE 10% QUALITY INCENTIVE.
PAYMENT. COME JULY, 1ST. CAN YOU
COMMENT ON THAT? AND UM IF SO,
WHICH RATES HAVE THE POSSIBILITY
TO HAVE THAT RATE CUT IF THEY
DON'T RECEIVED THE 10% QUALITY
INCENTIVE PAYMENT. YEAH MR CHAIR
AS FAR AS SPECIFIC RATES. IT
REALLY DEPENDS ON THE PROVIDER.
SO AS AS I MENTIONED EARLIER,
THERE'S A REAL INCONSISTENCY IN
THE WAY RACHEL SET NOW WITH
MULTIPLE SERVICES. SO THE
SITUATION THAT YOU DESCRIBED IT
WAS TESTIFIED TO WOULD BE A
PROVIDER WHO, WHEN WE STARTED,
THIS PROCESS WAS ALREADY SAY 90%
OF THE WAY TO THE RAPE MODEL OR
MORE, AND SO I WOULD BE THOSE
PROVIDERS THAT IF THEY WERE NOT
ABLE TO QUALIFY OR DID NOT
QUALIFY FOR THE QUALITY
INCENTIVE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY
EXPERIENCE A REDUCTION COMPARED
TO WHERE THEY WHEN, WHEN WE
STARTED DOES THAT HELP WITH THE
RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT
PROBLEMS? WE HAVE TO BE TALKING
ABOUT REDUCTIONS IN PAY. IS THAT
SOMETHING NORMALLY WE DO WITHIN
DEPARTMENTS. OR UM, WHY IS THERE
NOT A HOLD HARMLESS AT A MINIMUM
FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE TRYING
TO PROVIDE QUALITY INCENTIVES
GOING FORWARD. YEAH AND THESE
ARE SOME OF THE AS FAR AS IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION STAGE. CERTAINLY,
THE INITIAL FOCUS HAS BEEN ON
KIND OF THESE FIRST PHASES OF
ADJUSTMENTS AND WE ARE HAVING
SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT POTENTIAL
SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW WE SHOULD
IMPLEMENT GOING FORWARD. UM
THERE IS A HOLD HARMLESS FOR
PROVIDERS THAT ARE ALREADY ABOVE
THE RATE MODEL. BUT THERE'S BEEN
SOME OTHER SUGGESTIONS ABOUT.
MAYBE WE NEED TO LOOK AT SOME
SOME OTHER CHANGES AS WELL FOR
THIS SITUATION, AND WE JUST
DISCUSSED MISS KEITH, THE NEXT
QUESTION IS FOR YOU. I REALLY
WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU
WOULD VALUE MOST WITHIN THIS
QUALITY INCENTIVE. THE QUESTION
ABOUT HOW SHOULD WE MEASURE YOUR
SERVICE PROVIDED WHAT SHOULD
THEY BE HELD ACCOUNT? I THINK
THAT I THINK THAT STEP SHOULD. I
WOULD LOVE TO STAY WITH STEP UM,
BECAUSE. THEY'RE VERY GOOD. I
ENJOY IT. I DO. UM, SUPPORT
GROUPS. ON TUESDAYS AND
THURSDAYS. I ATTEND AND ZOOM. UM
I GET TRY TO GET PEOPLE
INVOLVED. AND, UH, I WOULDN'T
BE. OH IF I LOST STEP I HAD TO
GO TO ANOTHER PROGRAM. I WENT. I
DON'T THINK I WOULD BE HAPPY
WORK. NOT AS MUCH AS HAPPY AS I
AM WITH STEP. BECAUSE STEP IN ME
IS LIKE A FAMILY TO ME. BECAUSE
I LOST MY PARENTS. I LOVE MY DAD
IN 88. I LOVE MY MOM IN 2 30.
2013 SO. STEP IS THE PEOPLE THAT
I HAVE AS A FAMILY AND BACK UP.
I'M ALSO APPRECIATIVE THAT
YOU'RE PROVIDING PEER SUPPORTS
FOR OTHERS IN YOUR COMMUNITY BY
BEING AN EXAMPLE. OF HOW BEING
AN ADVOCATE AND STANDING UP FOR
YOUR FAMILY. AND HOW THAT THEN
IS EMPOWERING PEOPLE IN OUR
COMMUNITY AND JUST WANT YOU TO
KNOW HOW VITAL THAT IS FOR US TO
HAVE AND I'M GRATEFUL. THAT
YOU'RE IN THIS POSITION ABLE TO
DO JUST THAT. BUT I'M TRYING TO
FIGURE OUT OR IF THERE ARE
REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDERS THAT
WE MAY WANT TO INCLUDE THAT.
THROUGH THE QUALITY INCENTIVE
PAYMENTS WILL LEAD TOWARDS THE
OUTCOMES THAT LED TO WHERE YOU
ARE, AND MAY ASK JUDY MARTIN.
YOU KNOW, UM, THERE WAS THIS WAS
AN INTERESTING INTERACTION WITH
ME BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL, HOW
AMAZING THAT YOU ASKED HER THAT
QUESTION. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU ASK
PEOPLE WHO ARE SERVED IF YOU
ASKED MY SON, YOU KNOW WHAT?
WHAT WHAT IS QUALITY TO YOU? IT
WOULD BE VERY HARD FOR THEM TO
ANSWER IT. BUT YOU HEARD IT.
IT'S ABOUT FEELING LIKE YOU'RE
BELONGING. IT'S LIKE YOU'RE
THEY'RE PART OF YOUR FAMILY.
THOSE ARE HARD TO MEASURE, BUT
IT CAN BE MEASURED. THERE ARE
WAYS TO DO THAT. AND UM, IT'S
THAT FEELING OF INCLUSION. UM IT
CAN BE MEASURED AND VERIFIED,
AND IT HAPPENS IN OTHER STATES.
SO THE KEY THING, THOUGH, IS
THAT WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO RUBY.
WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO MY SON AND
TWO OTHERS IN THE WAY THAT THEY
COMMUNICATE THIS UM, YOUR I'M
SORRY. I'M OBSESSING ON YOUR
GRANDMA. BUT UM, YOU KNOW, SHE
WAS ABLE TO CLEARLY ARTICULATE
YOU BETTER NOT SEND ME BACK TO
THAT PLACE. NOT ALL OF OUR FOLKS
CAN DO THAT, SERGIO MAYBE
COULDN'T HAVE SAID TO DORA. IT
WAS A HORRIBLE PLACE. DON'T SEND
ME BACK AT THE END OF THE
WEEKEND, MY SON I DON'T THINK OF
COMMUNICATE THAT EITHER, SO WE
HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO
LISTEN TO HERE AND THERE ARE
GREAT PEOPLE WHO CAN DO THAT.
PARTICULARLY AT AT YOU KNOW, AS
PART OF THE PAPER PROJECT. I'M
VERY ENCOURAGED BY THAT. CAN YOU
SPEAK TO SOME OF THE WORKFORCE
OR SORRY, DIRECTOR BARGMANN. IT
SEEMS LIKE PLEASE GO AHEAD.
THANK YOU, MR CHAIR. THE I JUST
WANTED TO ADD I THIS IS SUCH A
VALUABLE CONVERSATION AND
LIFTING UP REALLY THE IMPORTANCE
OF SELF ADVOCATES AND ASKING THE
QUESTIONS. I TRIED TO STAY QUIET
. YOU KNOW, THIS IS SUCH A
PASSION OF MINE AS FAR AS THE
QUALITY INCENTIVE PORTION OF
WHAT WE'RE DOING. WE ARE DOING
SOMETHING TRANSFORMATIONAL IN
OUR SYSTEM. AND I LOVE THE FACT
THAT OUR SELF ADVOCATES AND OUR
FAMILY MEMBERS AND OTHER
ADVOCATES ARE PUSHING US TO
THINK DIFFERENTLY AS TO HOW
WE'RE MEASURING, UM, THE MEETING
THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND THE
QUESTION REGARD. I WANT TO JUST
HIGHLIGHT THAT THE 90 THE 90%
THAT 10. WHATEVER THAT FACTOR IS
WE'RE HAVING SUCH IMPORTANT
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE
MEASUREMENT OF HOW, UM
INDIVIDUALS HAVE INFORMED CHOICE
AND THE IMPACT OF THEIR SERVICES
. UM WHILE WE'RE LOOKING AT AND
WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR
STAKEHOLDERS IS, UM THE CURRENT
QUALITY INCENTIVE MEASURES DON'T
TOUCH ALL THE SERVICE PROVIDERS
. WE'VE HEARD THAT LOUD AND
CLEAR. WE ARE WORKING WITH, UM,
A PARTICULAR GROUP OF INVOLVED,
ADVOCATES AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO
SAY OKAY, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT
HOW DO WE LOOK AT THOSE QUALITY
MEASURES OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR
TWO TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE ARE TOUCHING ALL SERVICE
PROVIDERS, SO THERE'S NOT KIND
OF THAT RISK OF SOMEBODY NOT
BEING ABLE TO HAVE THAT SEAT AT
THE TABLE OF ACCESSING THE
INCENTIVE PAY? SO WE ARE DOING
THAT I WILL TELL YOU WHEN WE
INTRODUCE THE CONCEPT OF QUALITY
INCENTIVE. I AM SO HUMBLED BY
OUR COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE TO
WELCOMING THAT. I MEAN THAT IN
ITSELF IS SO TRANSFORMATIONAL. I
WORK WITH ALL MY COLLEAGUES
ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND I'M
SO PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE'RE
TAKING THIS ON. WE'RE TAKING I
MEAN, WE'RE TAKING FIVE STEPS
FORWARD. THREE STEPS BACK WHERE
? IDENTIFYING SOME OF THE
CHALLENGES IN OUR DATA SYSTEMS
THAT'S MAKING THIS VERY
DIFFICULT. BUT I DO THINK THAT
WE CAN SAY OKAY IS A IS THERE A
SATISFACTION SURVEY THAT WE CAN
DO NOW? IT MAY NOT LOOK LIKE
WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE WHEN WE
HAVE PAVED AND ALL OF THOSE
THINGS, BUT I THINK THERE'S
THINGS WE CAN DO IN THE INTERIM.
AND I JUST WANT TO JUST SAY THAT
WE'RE NOT WAITING FOR THOSE
THINGS. BUT WE ARE EXPLORING IT.
WE'RE CHALLENGING OUR DATA
SYSTEMS TO BE ABLE TO GET THERE
. UM BUT I JUST WANT TO JUST
HIGHLIGHT THAT THAT WE REALLY
ARE HAVING THOSE REALLY VALUABLE
CONVERSATIONS OF WHAT CAN WE DO
AND WHEN CAN WE DO IT? DR
JACKSON. YEAH YOU KNOW, ONE
THING IS I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY.
WHETHER YOU'RE IN THE MENTORING
SPACE OR THE SOCIAL WORK SPACE
OR THIS SPACE EVERYTHING STARTS
WITH RELATIONSHIP AND
CONNECTEDNESS. AND THERE ARE A
NUMBER OF ASSESSMENT TOOLS THAT
ARE VALIDATED THAT TALKS ABOUT
HOW WELL DO YOU FEEL? HEARD HOW
WELL DO YOU CONNECT WITH THE
PEOPLE THAT ARE SERVING YOU,
RIGHT? AND THAT IN AND OF ITSELF
IF WE CAN JUST BEGIN TO ASSESS
THAT PART IN A MEANINGFUL WAY TO
DETERMINE OR YOU DOING YOUR JOB
CORRECTLY. BECAUSE IF YOU. IT
DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY PROGRAMS
YOU CONNECT THEM TO IF THEY
DON'T TRUST YOU. WE GOT IT
BACKWARDS. RIGHT? AND SO, UM, I
WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE US TO BEGIN
TO THINK ABOUT THAT IN TERMS OF
ASSESSMENT. WE DON'T HAVE TO
RECREATE THE WILL. THERE'S MANY
ASSESSMENTS THAT TALK ABOUT THE
IDEA OF RELATION. HOW STRONG A
RELATIONSHIP IS HOW WELL SOMEONE
FEELS HEARD. RIGHT THOSE TYPE OF
THINGS THAT I THINK WE CAN BEGIN
TO START WITH. THANK YOU, DR
JACKSON. I MAY ASK NEXT FOR MR
JORDANIAN, ZIGMUND COME FORWARD.
AND REMEMBER, UM RUBY HAS A
QUESTION THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO
ASK IF THAT'S OKAY. RUBY PLEASE
ASK. AH MY DAUGHTER IS 21. I'VE
BEEN TRYING TO GET AH, THE
REGIONAL CENTER TO HELP ME WITH
GETTING HER INTO A PROGRAM AND
HAVING A REALLY HARD TIME
GETTING MY DAUGHTER INTO A
PROGRAM WHEN THEY TELL ME THAT
WHEN SHE TURNS INTO 21 THAT SHE
QUALIFIES TO GET HELP FOR A STAB
ALL MY OWN, OR, UM, ALLIANCE.
PHIL. SHE'S 22. NOW SHE HAD HER
IOP IN JANUARY, SHE TURNED 21
STILL, I AM NOT GETTING ALL HELP
WENT OUT TO CALIFORNIA AND
TRYING TO GET HER THE SERVICE
THAT I NEED THAT. IF YOU THANK
YOU, MR CHAIR RUBY WERE I WOULD
LIKE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH
YOU. UM IF WE DON'T HAVE TIME
TODAY, I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A
CALL TOMORROW. BUT I THINK WHAT
YOU'RE SHARING. I DO WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ONE OF THE
THINGS THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM
MORE THAN ONE PARENT OR ONE SELF
ADVOCATE. IS WHAT IS THAT
TRANSITION BETWEEN LEAVING HIGH
SCHOOL AND GOING TO THAT NEXT
STEP. SO WE DO HAVE SOME
PROGRAMS THAT WERE IMPLEMENTING
. UM BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE
THE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT ARE
THOSE PERSONS CENTERED
DISCUSSIONS? THAT THE SERVICE
COORDINATORS HAVING WITH EACH
INDIVIDUAL TO SEE WHAT IS THAT
PATHWAY, UM, FROM AND IT'S NOT
TO SAY BECAUSE ONE THING THAT I
WILL FLAG JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY
IS AN EDUCATION DOESN'T MEAN
THEY'RE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE
REGIONAL CENTER SERVICES. AND SO
WE JUST HAVE TO REALLY TAKE A
LOOK AT WHAT IS THAT EXPERIENCE
? HOW DO WE IMPROVE ON THAT? SO
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
THAT'S AN AREA THAT WE'RE
LOOKING AT, AND I WOULD REALLY
VALUE YOUR PARTICIPATION AND
IDENTIFYING THAT INTO TAKE A
LOOK AT SOLUTIONS. BECAUSE THEY
KEEP TELLING ME THAT MY DAUGHTER
EVEN THOUGH MY DAUGHTER DIDN'T
GRADUATE, THEN GET THIS THAT
THEY PICK IT, BUT SHE GOT TO
CONTINUE WHAT SHE GRADUATED G D
SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO BE ABLE
TO. WILL YOU BE WILLING TO TALK
TO ME TODAY OR TOMORROW? THANK
YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. I ALSO
WANT TO SAY TO ALL THE OTHER
RUBIES WHO ARE OUT THERE IN
CALIFORNIA WHO BE LISTENING.
THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US
HAS A REPRESENTATIVE IN AN
ASSEMBLY MEMBER OR A SENATOR
THAT YOU CAN REACH OUT TO AND
EACH ONE OF OUR OFFICES WANTS TO
FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO
CONSTITUENCY SERVICE AND I WOULD
ENCOURAGE YOU AS WELL TO REACH
OUT TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND
HAPPY THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO MAKE
THAT CONNECTION HERE TODAY, MR
CHAIR IF I WILL, WE WILL ALSO
MAKE AVAILABLE AGAIN. UM BROADLY
, WE HAVE A NEW OMBUDSMAN PERSON
OFFICE THAT IS REALLY VALUABLE.
IT'S NEW, UM WE HAVE THE SELF
DETERMINATION ON BUZZ PERSON.
NOW WE HAVE THE OMBUDSMAN PERSON
OFFICE AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE
THAT THAT INFORMATION IS
AVAILABLE AS A RESOURCE AS WELL
. LIKE ME IF WE CAN MAKE SPACE
FOR MR DOHERTY. EARLIER YOU
PROVIDED SOME VERY POWERFUL
TESTIMONY THAT 1/5 OF THE DIRECT
SERVICE PROFESSIONALS HAVE LEFT
THE FIELD AND THAT THERE ARE NEW
MARKET PRESSURES. YOU ALSO
COMMENTED THAT YOUR THOUGHT WAS
THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE
TO GET THERE BY JULY OF 24. I'M
TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE
ADDRESS BOTH THOSE NEW MARKET
PRESSURES AND THE NEED FOR US TO
GET THESE RATES UP AND RUNNING
AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN, BUT WANT
TO HEAR FROM YOU IF I CAN HAS
HIRING IMPROVED SINCE THE RATE
INCREASES HAVE STARTED TO GO
INTO EFFECT, WHAT'S OCCURRING IN
REAL TIME, SO MY DATA IS GOING
TO BE ANECDOTAL, MR CHAIR, BUT I
THINK THE REAL ANSWER TO THAT IS
IT'S ALMOST SUIT TOO SOON TO
TELL BECAUSE, OF COURSE IN
JANUARY WE GOT TO THE 50% MARK
IN TERMS OF FILLING THE RATE GAP
. IT ALSO HAS A COMPONENT THAT
REQUIRES WAGES AND BENEFITS OF
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS TO
GET THE MAJORITY OF THOSE RATE
INCREASES. OF COURSE, WE HAVE
MANY PROVIDERS WHO GOT AHEAD OF
THIS RIGHT. THEY SAW JANUARY'S
RATE INCREASES COMING AND WERE
ABLE TO INCREASE RATES MULTIPLE
DOLLARS IN SOME CASES. AND THEY
HAVE SEEN A STABILIZING EFFECT.
UM YOU KNOW, IT'LL BE IT'LL BE
INTERESTING TO SEE SOME OF THAT
DATA ACROSS ACROSS THE BOARD AND
I KNOW OF COURSE, THE DEPARTMENT
STARTED THE STAFF STABILITY
SURVEY THIS YEAR, SO WE'RE GOING
TO START GETTING SOME OF THAT
LONGITUDINAL DATA THAT'S GOING
TO BE HELPFUL. UM BUT
UNFORTUNATELY, I JUST CAN'T SAY
THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION
AT THIS POINT TO SAY ONE WAY OR
THE OTHER. UM I DO THINK THAT,
OF COURSE, THE FINAL
IMPLEMENTATION WILL HOPEFULLY
INCREASE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
RETAIN AND HIRE STAFF. IS THERE
A NORMAL TURNOVER THAT CAN BE
EXPECTED WITHIN DIRECT SERVICE
PROFESSIONALS? WHAT DOES 20%
TURNOVER? 20% TURNOVER WOULD BE
A DREAM, MR. CHAIR I THINK
NATIONALLY WE'RE LOOKING
SOMEWHERE CLOSER TO 45% DON'T
KNOW THE EXACT STATS HERE IN
CALIFORNIA, BUT IT IS. I MEAN,
THIS IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM.
CALIFORNIA HAS TRIED TO ADDRESS
IT, AND WE'RE CERTAINLY HAD SOME
OF OUR COUNTERPARTS THAT I HEAR
FROM ANOTHER STATE. BUT WE ARE
FACING INCREASED PRESSURE IN
DIFFERENT WAYS THAT OTHER STATES
DON'T FACE. SO UM, YOU KNOW,
COST LIVING HIGHER AND THINGS
LIKE THAT. SO WE ARE. WE ARE
STRUGGLING. IF WE COULD GET TO
20% WE WOULD BE IN A MUCH BETTER
PLACE. UM MR ZIGMUND, IF I CAN.
WE'RE GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT IT
MORE AND ISSUE FIVE REGARDING
THE SERVICE COORDINATOR RATIOS,
BUT I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT IT WOULD MEAN FOR YOU TO
COME INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THOSE
CASELOAD RATIOS. AND WHAT TYPE
OF SCENARIO WOULD YOU NEED TO
IMAGINE THAT WOULD HELP YOU TO
ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE WITH THOSE
RATIOS? THANK YOU, CHAIRPERSON
ARAMBULA. UM WELL, YOU PICKED A
GOOD REGIONAL CENTER. GOLDEN
GATE HAS THE HIGHEST OR THE
SECOND HIGHEST, DEPENDING ON THE
CATEGORY CASELOAD RATIOS BECAUSE
OF OUR COST OF LIVING AREA. UM I
MEAN, IT WAS JUST IT WOULD MEAN
OBVIOUSLY. BETTER MORE
RESPONSIVE SERVICES TO FAMILIES
AND INDIVIDUALS THAT WE SERVE.
I'M THINKING, YOU KNOW THAT WE
SIT WITH OUR BILINGUAL
BICULTURAL SOCIAL WORKERS. WE
CALL THEM SOCIAL WORKERS SERVICE
COORDINATORS, AND THEY TALK
ABOUT THE PRE IN 2008 YEARS
BECAUSE THIS SYSTEM SYSTEM HAS
REALLY BEEN STARVED FOR 14
YEARS, AND THE NEW INVESTMENTS
ARE SEEN AS NEW INVESTMENTS, BUT
THEY'RE PARTIALLY MAKING UP FOR
THE BILLION DOLLARS THAT WAS
TAKEN OUT IN 8 4009. BUT THESE
THE BILINGUAL BICULTURAL, UM
SERVICE COORDINATORS TALK ABOUT
THEIR ABILITY TO GO TO I, E. P S
AND B THAT ADVOCATE FOR FAMILIES
WAS STRONG WHEN THEY HAD 60 OR
65 INDIVIDUALS SERVED AT 18,
1995 AND 98. THEY DON'T THEY
CAN'T MAKE THOSE CHOICES AND BE
ABLE TO EQUITABLY SERVE ALL THE
PEOPLE ON THEIR CASELOADS. THEY
HAVE TO BE KIND OF CHASING THE
PINK FLAGS BEFORE THEY TURN INTO
RED FLAGS. IF YOU WILL, THE
URGENT ISSUES, SO I THINK YOU
WOULD SEE THAT STRUCTURALLY.
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS THE CORE
STAFFING FORMULA WHICH IS BASED
IN 1991 PREDOMINANTLY NEEDS TO
BE MODERNIZED, AND I KNOW THE
DEPARTMENT AND THE ASSOCIATION
REGIONAL CENTERS AGENCIES HAVE
BEEN TALKING ABOUT HOW TO DO
THAT. BUT IT'S JUST SO STARK.
AND NOT AND NOT LIMITED SERVICE
COORDINATION, ALL THE OTHER WORK
OF THE REGIONAL CENTER SUPPORTS
OUR SERVICE COORDINATORS IN THAT
CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP THAT MS
WESTLING WAS TALKING ABOUT
BETWEEN THE SERVICE COORDINATOR
AND THE PERSON SERVED THE FISCAL
DEPARTMENTS CRITICAL FOR
PROVIDERS TO GET PAID THE
QUALITY ASSURANCE DEPARTMENT IS
CRITICAL IN A LOT OF THE
TESTIMONY YOU'VE HEARD TODAY IN
THE WAYS WE RESPOND TO
COMPLAINTS, AND WE MONITOR THE
QUALITY OF SERVICES, AND WE WILL
NEED TO MONITOR THE QUALITY EVEN
GREATER AS THESE INCENTIVES COME
, SO IT REALLY IS A FIX WHERE SO
MANY THINGS ARE INTERCONNECTED
THAT WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE
ADDITIONAL SOCIAL WORK AND THE
UM, SERVICE COORDINATION DOLLARS
THAT ARE REASONABLY FUNDED, EVEN
FOR OUR AREA. UM BUT AGAIN, IT
DOESN'T ERASE THE PREDOMINANT
THE OTHER 200. 35 OR 40 STAFF
THAT I HAVE THAT REALLY GET AN
ALLOCATION OF ABOUT 50% OF WHAT
WE NEED, UM, SO JUST TO BE
MARKET DRIVEN, AND WE DO A LOT
OF WORK, TRYING TO PEG OURSELVES
AGAINST THE MARKET, THE OTHER
THING I WOULD JUST MAKE ONE
OTHER COMMENT ON MR JARDINES
QUESTION. ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S WOODS
TALKED ABOUT THE. THE SHIP. NOT
THE SHAME. THE UH, IMPACT OF
LOSING STAFF. AND I THINK YOU
HEARD FROM MS KEITH AND WE HEAR
ALL THE TIME FROM THE PEOPLE. WE
SERVE THAT THE CONSISTENCY OF A
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL, NOT
JUST THE SKILL, WHICH IS REALLY
IMPORTANT, BUT THE FACT THAT
THEY KNOW AN INDIVIDUAL MUCH
LIKE SERVICE COORDINATORS. THEY
KNOW THEY'RE THE INDIVIDUALS ARE
SUPPORTING THE LOSSES IS MORE.
IT'S NOT LIKE YOU CAN JUST
REPLACE THAT DIRECT SERVICE
PROFESSIONAL WITH A NEW ONE.
THEY'VE YOU CAN TRAIN THEM THE
SAME, BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO
KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE WAY
THAT SOMEBODY WHO STAYS FOR FIVE
OR SEVEN YEARS DOES SO. IT
REALLY IS A HUGE LOSS. AND I
THINK WHAT I HEARD FROM MY
PROVIDERS IS THE RATE INCREASES
, EVEN THOUGH ONLY 50% OF THE
GAP BETWEEN WHAT WE PAY THEM AND
WHAT THE MARKET SAYS WE SHOULD
PAY THEM HAS BEEN FILLED WHAT
THEY SAY IS STABILIZATION. WE
ARE LOSING LESS PEOPLE, AND
WE'RE HAVING SOME POCKETS OF
SUCCESS AND IN ATTRACTING FOLKS
, SO I THINK 2024 CAN'T COME
QUICK ENOUGH FOR OUR HIGH COST
AREA. THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO
THANK THIS ENTIRE PANEL. I WOULD
LIKE TO ASK FOR THE SUBCOMMITTEE
TO REMAIN UPDATED ON HOW THE
QUALITY INCENTIVES ARE
MATERIALIZING AS THEY TAKE SHAPE
AND ALL ISSUES IN THIS TOPIC
WILL BE HELD OPEN. WE WILL NOW
MOVE ON TO ISSUE THREE REGARDING
THE TRANSITION PLAN TO PHASE OUT
SUB MINIMUM WAGE. I WILL HIT
PAUSE ON ISSUE THREE. WE WILL
NOW TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT FROM
ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO
PROVIDED THROUGH USE OF OUR SL
INTERPRETERS. I WANT TO MAKE
SURE TO PROVIDE THAT OPPORTUNITY
. NOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO
PROVIDE YOUR PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
LIKE IN THE LINE UP OVER HERE.
PUBLIC COMMENT IF YOU WOULD LIKE
TO USE THE SL INTERPRETERS, THE
REMAINDER OF THE PUBLIC. LITTLE
PERSON. I WAS LIKE, I DON'T. I
THINK YOU'RE.
YOUR MOTHER CALLED ME. ANOTHER.
THROUGH THE USE OF SL FOR NOW.
UM IF THERE ARE NOT. ANYONE WHO
WOULD LIKE TO GIVE PUBLIC
COMMENT AT THIS TIME. WE WILL
CONTINUE WITH ISSUE THREE. WITH
THAT WE WILL. NOW MOVE ON TO
ISSUE THREE REGARDING THE
TRANSITION PLAN TO PHASE OUT SUB
MINIMUM WAGE. THE QUESTION FOR
THE PANELIST ON THIS ISSUE WILL
BE WHAT IS THE STATE'S PLAN TO
PHASE OUT SUB MINIMUM WAGE? AND
WILL WE MEET THE CURRENT
DEADLINE OF JANUARY? 1ST OF
2025. WHAT IS THE EMPLOYMENT
GOAL FOR PERSONS SERVED IN OUR
SYSTEM? AND WHAT ARE THE CHIEF
MILESTONES TOWARDS ACHIEVING
THIS OR THESE GOALS? WE WILL
HAVE SEVEN PRESENTERS ON ISSUE
THREE, BEGINNING WITH ERIN
CARRUTHERS, THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR FOR THE STATE COUNCIL
ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
FOLLOWED BY ERNIE CRUISE, THE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. MARIA MARQUEZ S. C D.
D COUNCIL MEMBER AND FORMER
SHELTERED WORKSHOP EMPLOYEE. CAN
BARNES, FORMER CEO OF OPTIONS
FOR ALL BASED IN SAN DIEGO,
MELISSA, RULER, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR FOR THE FAR NORTHERN
REGIONAL CENTER, KIA CHAR
PRINCIPAL PROGRAM. FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND RYAN
ANDERSON WITH THE L. A EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR. CARRUTHERS. PLEASE
BEGIN WHEN YOU ARE READY. THANK
YOU, MR CHAIR, AND THANK YOU
MEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE AND
MAKING EMPLOYMENT A PRIORITY FOR
THIS HEARING. THANK YOU. TO
MEMBERS FOR YOUR STAMINA IS A
LONG MEETINGS. BRILLIANT PANEL
THREE VOGEL FAST AND WANT TO ADD
TO THE CHORUS THINKING STAFF FOR
THEIR EXCELLENT WORK. I'M ERIN
CAROLERS. I AM THE CHILD OF A
PERSON WITH DEVELOPMENTAL AND
OTHER DISABILITIES, PERSONAL
DISABILITIES, MYSELF AND A
PARENT OF A YOUNG MAN WITH
DISABILITIES AND ALSO THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
CALIFORNIA'S STATE COUNCIL ON
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE
STATE COUNCIL IS A STATE
DEPARTMENT THAT'S AN INDEPENDENT
ONE THAT IS OUTSIDE OF ANY OTHER
DEPARTMENT OR EVEN OUTSIDE OF
AGENCY WERE FUNDED COMPLETELY BY
CONGRESS. THERE'S A STATE
COUNCIL LIKE OURS IN EVERY STATE
AND TERRITORY. SO ARE PART OF A
SISTER NETWORK THAT EXISTS TO
WELL, WE HAVE STATUTES, STATE
AND FEDERAL MANDATE TO CHANGE
SYSTEMS. UM WE DO OUR WORK BY
ASKING THE COMMUNITY. WHAT IS
IT? THEY WANT US TO WORK ON
EVERY FIVE YEARS. WE ASK, AND SO
WE GET INTERESTING TREND LINES.
OVER TIME, WE NOTICED SOMETHING
PROBABLY FOR ABOUT 15 20 YEARS.
THE ANSWER. WAS LARGELY I WANT
MY BENEFITS, AND I WANT TO KEEP
MY BENEFITS. UM THAT MAKES SENSE
. THEN IN 10 YEARS AGO IN 2011
2016 SORRY. FIVE YEARS AGO, WE
SAW EMPLOYMENT. SUDDENLY JUMPED
UP TO THE NUMBER ONE ANSWER.
FOLLOWED BY KEEP MY BENEFITS. UM
THEN, WHEN WE DID THE SURVEY
AGAIN IN 2021, THE TOP THREE
ANSWERS WERE EMPLOYMENT AND
HOUSING AND EDUCATION, AND WE
SUDDENLY SAW THIS GENERATIONAL
SHIFT IN EXPECTATIONS ABOUT WHO
PEOPLE WANT WHAT PEOPLE WANT
FROM THEIR LIVES, WHAT THEY
BELIEVE IS POSSIBLE FOR THEIR
FAMILY MEMBERS. AND WE LARGELY
THINK THIS CAME FROM WHAT WE
CALL THE INTEGRATION GENERATION
. JUST THE EFFECT OF PEOPLE WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL, ANOTHER
DISABILITIES BEING IN CLASSROOMS
WITH EVERYBODY ELSE THAT CHANGED
AND WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THEM
COME. THEY'RE IN THEIR EARLY
TWENTIES, SO THEY'RE GETTING ON
WITH THEIR LIVES AND THEIR
ADULTHOOD. OR THEY'RE HAVING
CHILDREN WHO HAVE DISABILITIES,
SO THERE'S A DIFFERENT
EXPECTATION. SO THIS SORT OF
SEISMIC SHIFT IN EXPECTATIONS IS
LEADING TO HOW WHAT WE'RE
ADVANCING AND WHAT WE'RE
PRIORITIZING WITH EMPLOYMENT.
BEING PART OF THAT. I REALLY
WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE STATE
IN 2013 10 YEARS AGO FOR LEADING
OUT ON ITS POLICY TO DECLARE
CALIFORNIA AND EMPLOYMENT FIRST
STATE AND THAT MEANS WE START
WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT
EVERYBODY WANTS TO AND CAN WORK
. THAT'S THE BEGINNING. THAT'S
SQUARE ONE. THEN WE MOVED FROM
THERE. SO IT'S 10 YEARS LATER,
AND WHERE ARE WE, UM WELL, PART
OF ADVANCING EMPLOYMENT FOR
EVERYONE IS MAKING SURE THAT
WE'RE GETTING RID OF PROGRAMS
THAT WERE IN FAIRNESS. THE MOST
PROGRESSIVE IDEAS OF THEIR TIME.
BUT OVER TIME VIEWS HAVE CHANGED
ATTITUDES OF CHANGE, AND THERE'S
ONE PARTICULAR PROGRAM THAT
BECAME REGRESSIVE. UM AND THAT
IS, UH, SHELTERED WORKSHOPS
PAYING SUB MINIMUM WAGE FOR WORK
MADE GREAT SENSE AFTER WORLD WAR
TWO DOESN'T MAKE GREAT SENSE IN
2023, SO THANK YOU TO THE
LEGISLATURE TO SENATOR DURAZO
FOR THE LEADERSHIP IN AUTHORING
LEGISLATION TO PHASE OUT SOME
MINIMUM WAGE. SHELTERED
WORKSHOPS IN CALIFORNIA. THAT IS
, THAT IS NOW THE LAW OF THE
LAND, UM, SHELTERED WORKSHOPS
AND FAITH. SEVEN WAGE WILL NOT
BE ALLOWABLE FOR PEOPLE
DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER
DISABILITIES. COME JANUARY,
2025. IN THE LEGISLATION. IT
ASKED THE STATE COUNCIL TO
PRODUCE A PLAN AND ADVISING THE
STATE ON HOW TO TRANSITION. OUT
OF SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND WE
PRODUCE THAT PLAN. HOW IT IT WAS
PUBLISHED IN THE LAST MONTH. WE
SEND IT TO THE LEGISLATURE.
YOU'VE SENT IT TO THE
ADMINISTRATION AND THANK YOU FOR
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE A
LITTLE BIT OF THAT PLAN TODAY.
THE PLAN DOES TELL HOW TO GET
PEOPLE OUT OF SHELTER WORKSHOPS,
BUT IT DOES A WHOLE LOT MORE
BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY WANTS MORE
COMMUNITY WANTS REAL WORK FOR
REAL PAY. SO THE PLAN ITSELF
REALLY IS A FRAMEWORK TO HOW TO
ACHIEVE THE IDEALS OF HOW
CALIFORNIA CAN BECOME THAT
EMPLOYMENT, FIRST STATE AND OF
COURSE, IF YOU'RE DOING THAT
YOU'RE ALSO FINDING A WAY FOR
PEOPLE TO MOVE OUT OF SHELTERED
WORKSHOPS AND OUT OF SUB MINIMUM
WAGE. THE PLAN GIVES CONCRETE
ACTIONABLE ITEMS. IT ALSO LEAVES
A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY. WE KNOW
DEPARTMENTS KNOW THEIR PROGRAMS
AND WANT TO RUN THEIR PROGRAMS.
SO IT'S NOT SO PRESCRIPTIVE TO
SAY HERE IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU
SHOULD DO. UM BUT THE ROADMAPS
THERE THE FRAME WORK IS THERE IF
THERE ARE DEPARTMENTS WANT TO
FOLLOW THAT SOME OF THE
RECOMMENDATIONS IN IT ARE TOO
WELL, IT'S REALLY COMMON SENSE
ITEMS. MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR
FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE THE SUPPORT
THEY NEED TO MAKE THE TRANSITION
SUPPORTS COULD BE, UH, JOB
COACHES, JOB DEVELOPERS.
INDIVIDUAL TRANSITION SUPPORTS.
IT'S TO MAKE SURE THAT THE
FUNDING IS LINED UP WITH OUR
VALUES. SO WE'RE MAKING SURE
THERE'S MONEY FOR THINGS THAT WE
BELIEVE IN. AND DISINCENTIVIZE
THINGS THAT WE DON'T BELIEVE IN
OR DON'T WORK. THERE IS MAKING
SURE THAT THE FUNDING STREAMS
ARE WORKING TOGETHER, SO THIS IS
A WE'RE IN DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES WERE THINKING ABOUT
BDS, BUT DEPARTMENT OF REHAB
ALSO HAS A CRITICAL ROLE,
IMPORTANT ROLE IN ALL THE WORK
THAT THEY'RE DOING, MAKING SURE
THAT THERE'S THE PROGRAMS FROM
BOTH DEPARTMENTS ARE ABLE TO BE
INTERTWINED AND STREAM TOGETHER
. THERE'S TELLING THE GOOD
SUCCESS STORIES. THERE'S
ENGAGING BUSINESSES. THERE'S A
WHOLE LOT OF GOOD THAT'S IN
THERE. THAT REALLY WILL GET THE
STATE TO FULFILL ITS EMPLOYMENT
FIRST, UM POLICY. WELL A WHOLE
LOT OF ROOM FOR THE DEPARTMENT
TO COME UP WITH THEIR SPECIFICS
AND HOW THEY WANT TO IMPLEMENT
IT. THE LEGISLATION ALSO SAYS
STATE COUNCIL REPORT AGAIN ON
BENCHMARKS SO JANUARY 2024 WILL
REPORT AGAIN AND SAY OUT OF THE
6000 PEOPLE WHO WERE IN SUB
MINIMUM WAGE ON JANUARY 2023 A
YEAR LATER. HOW MANY ARE STILL
THERE? WE RECOMMEND. IT'S NOT
TOO SCIENTIFIC. WE RECOMMEND IF
YOU'VE GOT TO GET 6000 PEOPLE
OUT IN TWO YEARS, HOW ABOUT HALF
OF AMOUNT 3000 PEOPLE OUT IN THE
FIRST YEAR IF WE STARTED NOW,
AND WE'RE WORKING ON IT ALL
REGIONAL CENTERS WORKING ON IT,
IT WOULD BE THREE PEOPLE PER
WEEK PER REGIONAL CENTER. THAT'S
ABSORBABLE WITHIN CURRENT
RESOURCES. I KNOW THAT THE LATE
THE FALLOUT OF THE WHERE PEOPLE
ARE GROUPED IN SUB MINIMUM WAGE.
DON'T FALL OUT THAT NEATLY. UM I
ALSO KNOW THAT THE WORK ISN'T
THAT ROBOTIC. YOU'RE NOT JUST
MOVING THREE PEOPLE OUT PER WEEK
BECAUSE THE WORK IS INDIVIDUAL
BASED. YOU FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE
WANT. AND MOVED THEM TOWARDS
THAT, BUT I MAKE THE POINT TO
SAY IT'S MANAGEABLE. IT'S DOABLE
. UM AND WITH MEANINGFUL
COMMITMENT TO THE TASK. WE WANT
TO MAKE SURE WE GET TO JANUARY
2025 0 PEOPLE ARE LEFT IN SUBMIT
VOYAGE. WITH THAT. I WANT TO
BRING A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WITH ME
THERE ON THE PANEL, BUT ONE OF
THEM'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT HER
OWN EXPERIENCE. AND WHAT DOES IT
MEAN TO GO THROUGH THAT
TRANSITION? SO YOU CAN HEAR IT'S
POSSIBLE IT HAPPENS. ALSO WANT
TO HEAR FROM EMPLOYMENT
PROVIDERS WE BROUGHT ALONG WHO
CAN SHOW HOW SIMPLE IT IS. SO
THANK YOU, MR CHAIR. NEXT WE
WILL HEAR FROM ERNIE CRUISE.
THANK YOU, DOCTOR ARAMBULA. SO
THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES CONTINUES TO PURSUE
INITIATIVES THAT WILL MOVE THE
NEEDLE UNEMPLOYMENT AND CREATE
MORE COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THE
DEPARTMENT'S PLAN AH INCLUDES
INITIATIVES THAT HAVE BEEN
PLACED FOR A FEW YEARS. AND NEW.
MORE RECENT INITIATIVES,
INCLUDING INCREASED AMOUNTS FOR
COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED
EMPLOYMENT INCENTIVES. UM OVER
THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE INSTEAD
OF AMOUNT HAS INCREASED FOR
PROVIDERS TO FIND COMPETITIVE
INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS
SERVED. THIS INCREASED AMOUNT IS
THROUGH JUNE 2025. THERE'S ALSO
BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT
THE QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM
AND WITHIN THE QUALITY INCENTIVE
PROGRAM. THERE ARE THERE IS AN
EMPLOYMENT FOCUS AREA AND
MEASURES SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO
EMPLOYMENT. AMONG THOSE ARE FOR
PROVIDERS WHO HELP INDIVIDUALS
EXIT PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS
AND ACHIEVE C I E. THERE'S A NEW
INCENTIVE. THERE'S ALSO, UM, AND
INCENTIVES FOR PROVIDERS WHO
HELPED INDIVIDUALS WHO
SPECIFICALLY EXIT SUB MINIMUM
WAGE JOBS. UNEMPLOYMENT AND
ACHIEVE COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED
EMPLOYMENT. AND ANOTHER
IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE QUALITY
AND SENATE PROGRAM ARE THE IS AN
INCENTIVE FOR PROVIDERS TO HAVE
THEIR STAFF. BECOME CERTIFIED IN
EMPLOYMENT COMPETENCIES. UM.
SUCH AS ACRES CERTIFICATION,
WHICH IS REALLY GOING TO
INCREASE THE KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF
THE STAFF SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS
IN EMPLOYMENT. THERE'S ALSO
BEEN, UH, THE EMPLOYMENT GRANTS
. UM THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED
FUNDING TO INCREASE PATHWAYS TO
EMPLOYMENT. THERE ARE THESE
GRAND OPPORTUNITIES AND THESE
CAN DEVELOP AN IN THEM CAN
DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE
AND REPLICABLE STRATEGIES. AND
PRACTICES TO INCREASE PAID WORK
EXPERIENCE. AND EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS
WHO ARE SERVED BY THE RESULTS
CENTER. THESE GRANTS HAVE I WITH
THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF OUR
STAKEHOLDERS, UM THESE GRANTS
AND THE FEEDBACK FROM OUR
STAKEHOLDERS. THESE GRANTS, UM
HAVE PRIORITY AREAS AND FOCUS
AREAS THAT INCLUDE IMPLEMENTING
EVIDENCE, EVIDENCE BASED NEW AND
EMERGING PRACTICES. PROVIDING
PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT FOR
INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGH SUPPORT
NEEDS. DEVELOPING BUSINESS OR
INTEREST INDUSTRY FOCUSED
COLLABORATIONS. INCREASING
FAMILY. ADULT AND YOUTH
KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF COMMUNITY
EMPLOYMENT RELATED RESOURCES AND
SERVICES AND CHANGING SERVICE
DELIVERY MODELS THAT PROMOTE
COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED
EMPLOYMENT. WE ALSO HAVE THE
EMPLOYMENT PILOT, UM AND IN JUNE
, UH, JUNE. 2022 FUNDING WAS
ADDED, UH, REQUIRING THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES TO ESTABLISH A THREE
YEAR PILOT PROGRAM. THAT FOCUS
ON FOCUSES ON COMPETITIVE
INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT. POST
SECONDARY EDUCATION AND CAREER
READINESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WHO
ARE EXITING WORK ACTIVITY
PROGRAMS. AS AARON MENTIONED
BEFORE SECONDARY EDUCATION IN
ORDER TO EXPLORE INCLUSIVE
OPTIONS. UM AND EXPLORE OTHER
OPPORTUNITIES, NOT JUST LIMITED
TO PAID INTERNSHIPS. AND I WOULD
ALSO COMMENT THAT THERE IS
TAILORED DAY SERVICES. UM AND
TAYLOR DAY SERVICES. INCLUDES AN
INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE DESIGN
THAT ALLOWS FOR FLEXIBILITY AND
THE DURATION LOCATION. AND DAYS
AND HOURS OF SERVICES TO PREPARE
FOR COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED
EMPLOYMENT AMONGST OTHER
ACTIVITIES. I WOULD ALSO WITH
REGARDS TO WHAT OUR GOAL IS FOR
PERSONS SERVED. OUR AIM IS TO
SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS,
ACHIEVEMENTS OF COMPETITIVE
INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT,
REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY ARE ON
THEIR CAREER PATH. INDIVIDUALS
MAY BE IN DIFFERENT AREAS IN
THAT CAREER PATH. THERE MAY BE
INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE A JOB BUT
WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A BETTER JOB
OR MOVE UP. UM THERE ARE
INDIVIDUALS THAT WANTED JOB BUT
NEED HELP TO FIND ONE. THERE.
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNSURE ABOUT
THE WORK ABOUT WORK AND THEN
NEED HELP TO LEARN MORE. OR UM,
THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT
THINK THEY WANT TO WORK BUT MAY
NOT KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT IT. SO THE
DEPARTMENT CONTINUES THROUGH OUR
EFFORTS WITH OUR EMPLOYMENT,
WORKGROUP AND MEETING WITH OUR
STAKEHOLDERS TO GET FEEDBACK AND
WORK TOWARDS, UH MORE
COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE
INDIVIDUAL SERVED. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. NEXT, WE WILL HEAR
FROM MARIA MARQUEZ. I GET OUT
WELL, GOOD EVENING, THOMAS. FIVE
UM, MY NAME IS MARIA MARQUEZ AND
WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, BUT I
CAN'T SAY EVERYTHING BECAUSE
WE'D BE HERE ALL NIGHT ABOUT MY
WHOLE LIFE STORY. BUT I DO WANT
TO SAY THAT I AM A CONSUMER FROM
THE REGIONAL CENTER. UM AND WHEN
I STARTED WITH THE REGIONAL
CENTER, I WAS, UM LET ME SEE. I
WISH I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND,
UM NO BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL, WELL,
GOING INTO HIGH SCHOOL AND, UM.
THEY WOULD GO SEE ME AT SCHOOL
BECAUSE I WENT TO A REGULAR
SCHOOL COULD I REALLY THOUGHT MY
WAY TO GO TO REGULAR SCHOOL
BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO SEND ME
TO A ANOTHER SCHOOL THAT WERE
THAT WOULD DEAL WITH PEOPLE WERE
THAT WERE ORTHOPEDIC LEE
HANDICAP, AND I LIKED IT BECAUSE
I COULD DO EXERCISE. THEY TAUGHT
ME HOW TO COOK. I MEAN, BUT THEY
WERE REALLY INTO SCHOOLING. THEY
WERE MORE LIKE BASIC TRAINING
FOR LIFE. MAKE YOUR BED GO UP
AND DOWN STAIRS. WHAT HAVE YOU,
BUT, UM, IT WAS OKAY. YOU KNOW,
AND THEN I GOT OLDER AND I
WANTED TO GO TO SCHOOL IN MY
COMMUNITY BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT
TO GO. MOM I DON'T WANT TO GO TO
ONE OF THOSE SCHOOLS ANYMORE. I
WANT TO GO TO A REGULAR SCHOOL.
MY MOM GOES. WHY DON'T KNOW
BECAUSE MY MOM ONLY SPOKE.
SPANISH AND MY SISTER WAS OLDER
THAN ME, AND SHE WAS ALREADY
GOING TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH
SCHOOL. SO MY SISTER TALKED TO
THE COUNSELOR. SO LO AND BEHOLD
, THE COUNSELOR WAS SO
INTERESTED IN ME THAT SHE WENT
TO THE SCHOOL. AND THEY
LITERALLY GOT MY, UM MY CHART
AND LOOK AT EVERYTHING IN THE
COUNSELOR GOES TO MY TEACHER
GOES. OH MY GOODNESS. YOU KNOWS
ALL HER STATES. SHE KNOWS ALL
HER CAPITALS. THERE'S KIDS IN
EIGHTH GRADE, AND I DON'T KNOW
THAT AND SHE KNOWS THAT SHE
GOES. WE COULD DO SOMETHING
ABOUT THIS AND I SAID, OH, WE
CAN OURSELVES EXCITED. AND UM, I
SIGNED ABOUT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND
THE ONLY THING THAT I REALLY
ASKED FOR WAS REMOTE GOP E,
WHICH WAS, YOU KNOW NOT TO DO
HEAVY STUFF AND, UM 5 TO 10
MINUTES. LEAVE CLASS SO I COULD
WALK TO MY NEXT CLASSROOM. AND
THEY DID THAT, TOO. BUT THEN
THAT WHEN I GOT OLDER, I GOT A
PHONE CALL FROM THE REGIONAL
CENTER AND THEY SAID, UM, WE'RE
GOING TO SEND THE BUS FOR YOU.
AND THEN I GO. WHAT YEAH, WE'RE
GONNA SEND A BUS FOR YOU. WE'RE
GONNA PUT YOU IN THE SHELTER
WORKSHOP. AND THEY DIDN'T SAY
WHAT IT WAS. THEY JUST SAID
SHOUTED WORKSHOP. I REMEMBER MY
, UM, SERVICE COORDINATORS.
WORDS AND I GO. OKAY SO I HANG
UP THE PHONE AND I THOUGHT ABOUT
IT. I GO. I DON'T LIKE HOW THAT
SOUNDS. I REALLY DON'T AND I WAS
TELLING MY MOM AND SHE GOES WELL
, IT'S UP TO YOU, SO I CALLED
THEM BACK AND I SAID, YOU KNOW,
I KNOW YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING
TO SEND THE BUS. BUT PLEASE
DON'T SEND THE BUS. I WILL LOOK
FOR SOMETHING IN MY COMMUNITY TO
DO TO KEEP ME OCCUPIED BECAUSE I
WAS ALREADY OUT OF SCOPE. SO
WHAT I DID IS I TOOK A CAKE
DECORATING CLASS. JUST TO GET
MYSELF MOTIVATED TO BE OUT AND
ABOUT AND THEN UM, WHAT I DID IS
I N ROAD IN A MEDICAL SCHOOL,
WHICH WAS MEDICAL CITY IN FRONT
AND BACK OFFICE BECAUSE I ALWAYS
LOVED THE MEDICAL FIELD. SO I
DID THAT GRADUATED AND ONE OF
THE DOCTORS ACTUALLY TOOK ME IN
AND SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU CAN
COME WORK IN MY OFFICE, SO I
WORKED FOR HIM FOR A WHILE. HE
DIDN'T CARE ABOUT MY DISABILITY
. HE JUST LIKE LIKE ME BECAUSE I
WAS JUST A NICE PERSON, I GUESS,
BUT I COULD BE MEAN TO BUT
ANYWAYS WHAT? I'M TRYING TO SAY
THAT UM ALONG MY LIFETIME, AND
NOW I'M MARRIED TO HAVE CHILDREN
AND IN MY MIND WHEN MY KIDS WERE
LITTLE, AND I WAS A SINGLE
PARENT AT THAT TIME, I LITERALLY
WORKED. AND ONE OF MY BIGGEST
JOBS. THAT WAS THAT REALLY GOT
ME INTO WORKING WAS BEING THE
FIRST. UM UM, SELF ADVOCATE
AFTER EASTERN L. A REGIONAL
CENTER AND I JUST MADE MY DAY
BECAUSE I WOULD DROP OFF MY KIDS
AT WORK. THEN I WOULD GO PICK
THEM UP. BE BECAUSE IN MY MIND,
I SAID, I NEED TO WORK. I NEED
TO SHOW MY GIRLS THAT THERE IS A
NEED TO WORK WHEN THEY'RE OLDER,
AND TODAY THEY ARE WORKING.
BECAUSE THEY FOLLOWED MY
INSTINCTS. I WAS TEAM MOM FOR MY
DAUGHTER'S, UM, BASEBALL TEAM. I
WAS TEAM MOM FOR MY DAUGHTER
THAT WAS IN DANCE AND WE WENT TO
HAWAII AND THEY WON THE STATE
CHAMPIONSHIP. SO I'M SAYING THAT
THERE'S REALLY A LOT TO LIFE,
YOU KNOW, FOR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES, AND THEN I EVEN
STARTED A PROGRAM AT THE
REGIONAL CENTER. IT WAS CALLED
UM, IT WAS CALLED KIDS. FIRST
PARENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND I
WANTED TO START A GROUP BECAUSE
I THOUGHT THAT I WAS THE ONLY
PERSON IN THE WORLD THAT HAD
KIDS THAT WERE DISABLED AND I'D
GO TO THE WICK AND THE MEXICAN
LADIES AND OUR MEXICAN WOULD
SAY, OH, MY GOD, YOU'RE JUST
SABLE IN YOUR PREGNANT I GO. YES
I'M PREGNANT. I GO IN. SO ARE
YOU YOU KNOW, SO IT'S IT WAS
LIKE I WENT THROUGH A LOT OF
HARD TIMES. BUT I WENT THROUGH
GOOD TIMES, TOO. BECAUSE TODAY
UM NOW I'M I WORK FOR DISABILITY
RIGHTS AS WELL. BUT I COULD SAY
THAT BECAUSE OF ME, I GOT ON THE
COUNCIL. I JUST LIKE
VOLUNTEERING AND GETTING
INVOLVED. SO THEN, FOUR YEARS
AGO, ERIN CALLS ME AND I WAS
ALREADY ON THE COUNCIL AND HE
GOES WELL, BECAUSE I JUST GOT A
PHONE CALL FROM A PERSON, YOU
KNOW, AND I RECOMMENDED YOU FOR
A JOB. MAYBE YOU MAY WANT TO GO
FOR IT. AND I WENT FOR IT. SO
TODAY I AM WORKING AT CHILDREN'S
HOSPITAL. UM FOR USC, UM AND, UH
, SELF ADVOCATE FACULTY, SO I
HAVE FOUR YEARS WORKING THERE,
AND I MEAN, THERE IS ALWAYS
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN TIMES WHEN
I'VE BEEN DOWN AND OUT, BUT I'VE
ALWAYS LEARNED TO BRING MYSELF
UP. AND I WANT TO HELP OTHER
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS WELL
BECAUSE TO THIS DAY I RUN INTO
SOME OF THE PARENTS THAT I HAD A
SUPPORT GROUP WITH BECAUSE THE
REGIONALS THAT ARE REALLY
STEPPED IN AND SAID, YOU KNOW,
WE'LL HELP YOU. YOU KNOW, DO
THIS. WE WOULD GET LIKE THE ONES
THAT WOULD BRING THE MOTHERS TO
HELP THE CHILDREN, THE SMALL
CHILDREN, AND THEN I WOULD GIVE
THEM, UM LIKE TRAINING CLASSES
ON PARENTING. ONE MOTHER GOT HER
CHILD TAKEN AWAY, BUT BECAUSE
SHE WAS GOING TO THE KIDS FIRST
CLASS IS SHE GOT HER CHILD BACK,
AND NOW IT'S JUST SO REWARDING
FOR ME. AND SO WHAT I WANT TO
SAY ABOUT THIS SHELTERED
WORKSHOP. THEY NEVER CAME FROM
ME. BUT YOU'RE LATER I DID
PRESENTATIONS FOR THEM ON SOUTH
AFRICA, CÁC. AND THAT'S MY STORY
. WHAT AN INSPIRING STORY AND
THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT NEXT.
WE WILL HEAR FROM KEN BARNES.
THANK YOU, DOCTOR. ARAMBULA UM,
JUST LOVE HEARING FROM MARIA.
THE UH, SO MY NAME IS KEN BARNES
AND I HAVE NOTES BECAUSE I'M A
ACADEMIC NERDS, SO ALWAYS MAKE
SURE OVER THE PREVIOUS THREE
YEARS. IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS
AGO, I WAS CEO OF A LARGE
SERVICE PROVIDER IN SAN DIEGO
PROVIDES SERVICES FOR ABOUT
1500. ADULTS LIVING WITH
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES ACROSS THE STATE,
AND I ALSO CONTINUE TO SERVE ON
THE TASK FORCE, WHICH I HAVE FOR
THE LAST THREE YEARS AT SEVERAL
OF THE WORK GROUPS OF QUALITY
AND INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT ERNIE
TALKED ABOUT, AS WELL AS THE
REGIONAL CENTERS, MEASURES AND
THE ONE THAT'S REALLY SPECIAL IN
MY HEART, THE LINEN E. WALTER
TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, THE
AFRICAN AMERICAN EQUITY GROUP,
WHEREAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING
MEMBERS OF THAT, AND SO THANK
YOU FOR STARTING WITH EQUITY.
THAT'S LITERALLY WHAT I LIVE
FOR. I ACTIVELY SUPPORTED THE
PASSAGE OF THIS BILL IS B 6 39,
BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S POSSIBLE
THAT TRANSITION NOR DIVERSE
PERSONS FROM THE SHELTER
WORKSHOPS AND THE SUB MINIMUM
WAGE RULES INTO FULLY CO, UH,
YOU KNOW, AND, UH INTEGRATED
REGULAR WAGE EMPLOYMENT. UH, THE
. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I SAW.
WHEN I FIRST CAME INTO THIS
INDUSTRY, I'M A I'M A TECH
PRIVATE SECTOR GUY WHO TOOK A
COUPLE OF YEARS TO LEAD A
NONPROFIT AND I WAS SHOCKED BY
IT. AND SO I BANNED IT ABOUT SIX
WEEKS IN BECAUSE WHAT I SAW WAS
A WAY OF TAKING ADVANTAGE OF
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
FRANKLY AS A BUSINESS MODEL, AND
IT WAS OBVIOUS TO ME AND I AND
GROWING UP WITH A TWIN BROTHER,
WHO LIVED WITH THREE WILL PALSY.
IT WAS JUST IT JUST HAD A VERY
NEGATIVE REACTION TO PUT IT
MILDLY, THE AND I DON'T BELIEVE
WE CAN HAVE A LEGITIMATE
DISCUSSION ABOUT EQUITY IF WE
DON'T EVEN GET TO BASELINE,
LEGAL EQUALITY, AND THAT'S WHAT
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE. JUST
EQUALITY OF LIKE THE MINIMUM
BARE WAGE. WE, UM YOU KNOW,
FINDING COMPETITIVE INTEGRATING
EMPLOYMENT. IT'S NOT EASY, BUT
WE'RE ABLE TO LEVERAGE. UH
REALLY GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM DDS
AND THE REGIONAL CENTER NETWORK
, AND I HIRED WITH EACH CBS
GRANT, A JOB DEVELOPER WHOSE
SOLE PURPOSE WAS TO GO MEET
EMPLOYERS ACROSS THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA AND FILL JOBS. ONE
JOB HERE. FIVE JOBS THERE. UH,
ANY JOBS AT A CASINO. 30 JOBS
THAT, UH, THIS AT SEAWORLD AND
ANOTHER GROUP AT THE SAN DIEGO
ZOO. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY'RE OUT
THERE, AND EVERY EMPLOYER THAT
WE SPOKE TO WAS EXCITED ABOUT
THE PROSPECT OF HIRING SOMEONE
FOR A POPULATION AND NOT ONE
PERSON ASKED A SINGLE QUESTION
ABOUT THE WAGE. IN FACT, WE WENT
TO THEM AND SAID THAT OUR
MINIMUM WAGE INTERNALLY AS A
COMPANY IS $17. WE'D LIKE YOU TO
RESPECT THAT. AND EVERYONE SAID
YES, INCLUDING A SMALL LITTLE
WINE SHOP. WHO HIRED ONE PERSON
AND THEY HIRED THEM AT $17 AN
HOUR TO WORK IN THE KITCHEN AS A
SOUS CHEF. AH SO THE YOU DON'T
WANT TO LOOK AT THE HISTORIC
INVESTMENT THAT THE LEGISLATURE
AND ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE INTO
THE SYSTEM. THOSE RESOURCES ARE
THERE, AND I THINK IT'S
IMPORTANT TO SEPARATE OUT
EARLIER WHEN WE WERE TALKING
ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT
FAMILIES HAVEN'T ACCESSING IT.
THOSE ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
CIRCUMSTANCES THAN A LARGE
SERVICE PROVIDER. IF YOU'RE 2030
40 $50 MILLION A YEAR COMPANY.
IT'S I HAVE A HARD TIME
BELIEVING THAT YOU DON'T HAVE
THE CAPACITY TO UNDERSTAND THE
INNER WORKINGS OF HOW TO FILL
OUT A DOCUMENT AND MAKE A
REQUEST. UH THERE'S A
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SUPPORT
THERE ON THAT SIDE. SO THERE'S
REALLY GOOD PARTNERSHIPS. THE I
ALSO WOULD SAY THAT ONE OF THE
THINGS I KNOW THAT WE DID IS WE
CHANGED OUR STANCE. WE NO LONGER
BEG PEOPLE TO HIRE SOMEONE WITH
A DISABILITY. WE TOLD THEM THAT
THIS WOULD BE THE BEST DECISION
THEY WOULD MAKE WITH FOLDED, WE
ACTUALLY WENT OUT AND BECAME
SALESPEOPLE FOR A POPULATION AND
THERE'S ALL THIS SUPPORT THAT
CAME BEHIND IT. INITIALLY WE DID
LOSE THE LARGEST HISTORIC DONOR
AFTER ORGANIZATION. IT WAS A
HEATED CONFLICT. WE REPLACE THAT
PERSON WITH NUMEROUS OTHER
DONORS. IN OTHER WORDS, THERE IS
A BODY OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT
WANT TO BE PART OF MAKING THIS
THIS CHANGE IN SOCIETY, AND I
ALSO THINK IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE
THAT SOME FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE
SOME FEAR OF THIS TRANSITION.
I'VE BEEN SAME WAY ABOUT MY OWN
FAMILY MEMBER. BUT I THINK THAT
THE IMPEDIMENTS TO THIS
TRANSITION ARE COVERED AND IT'S
VERY COMPREHENSIVE TRANSITION
PLAN FROM FROM STATE COUNCIL
PARTICULARLY TRANSPORTATION,
WHICH WE JOHN WAS THE NUMBER ONE
ISSUE. HANDS DOWN. THERE WAS A
NUMBER OF JOBS THAT WERE ABLE TO
IDENTIFY WHAT WE COULDN'T COME
UP WITH A WAY TO GET PERSONS TO
AND FROM WORK AND THAT IS, YOU
KNOW THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A
MINUTE TO SOLVE THAT. A LOT OF
THAT IS JUST CALIFORNIA'S
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IS
POOR, BUT THAT'S FOR ANOTHER
COMMITTEE. AT ANOTHER TIME, THE
BUT I THE THING THAT THEY'RE
REALLY I WANT TO EMPHASIZE IS
THAT WE CAN'T ALLOW UH, A
HANDFUL OF SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO
ARE ADDICTED TO THE STATUS QUO
TO TRY TO DELAY OR BLOCK THIS
IMPLEMENTATION. I WE SAW THIS
THROUGHOUT COVID. EVERY TIME WE
CAME UP WITH A NEW IDEA. WE RUN
IT UP THE CHANGE THE REGIONAL
CENTER DDS. THERE WAS SOME FUNNY
PHONE CALLS OF LIKE, OK, I KNOW
SINCE SOUND CRAZY, BUT I HAVE
THIS IDEA AND THEY WERE OPEN TO
IT. BUT THEN YOU WOULD HAVE ONE
SERVICE PROVIDER AND HIS BIG
GROUP OF 50. THAT'LL NEVER WORK
AND IT AND IT DID WORK. AND SO I
THINK WE'RE AT THAT PHASE WHERE
IT'S THE SAME PEOPLE WHO SAID IF
YOU RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE IN
CALIFORNIA TO $10, THERE WILL BE
NO BUSINESSES LEFT IN THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA. WE'RE AT 15 AND
THE ECONOMY IS WHAT THE FOURTH
LARGEST ON THE PLANET SO YOU
CAN'T CONVINCE ME THAT YOU CAN'T
CHANGE SOMEONE FROM TWO BUCKS AN
HOUR TO JUST THE BASELINE
MINIMUM WAGE, AND I WOULD SAY
THAT YOU KNOW, PUBLIC POLICY IS
MURKY OFTEN, BUT SOME THINGS ARE
CRYSTAL CLEAR AND PAYING
SOMEBODY THREE OR $4 AN HOUR IS
A HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION. I'M
GLAD THAT THE LEGISLATURE AND
THE GOVERNOR AGREED WITH THAT.
AND I JUST, UH I THINK WE MOVE
FORWARD FROM HERE. AND I WELCOME
ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL HAVE
. THANK YOU. NEXT, WE'LL HEAR
FROM MELISSA RULER. THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE FAR
NORTHERN REGIONAL CENTER. THANK
YOU. I APPRECIATE THE
OPPORTUNITY. UM SO GOOD
AFTERNOON, MELISSA GRUBER,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORATE, FAR
NORTHERN REGIONAL CENTER. FAR
NORTHERN REGIONAL CENTERIST
SERVING APPROXIMATELY 9500
INDIVIDUALS AND THAT DOES
INCLUDE OUR INTAKE UNITS. AT
THIS MOMENT IN TIME WE SERVE ALL
THE NORTHERN COUNTIES FROM UP
FROM SACRAMENTO TO THE OREGON
BORDER. UM I ACTUALLY STARTED IN
1995 AS A SERVICE COORDINATOR AT
FAR NORTHERN AND IT'S BEEN AN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OVER THE LAST
FOUR YEARS AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH
YOU THE WORK THAT FAR NORTHERN
HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN THE AREA OF
EMPLOYMENT AND THE REGIONAL
CENTERS PERSPECTIVE. ON THIS
IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYMENT TO
THOSE SUPPORTED FAR NORTHERN
SUPPORTS AN INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHT
TO LIVE AN INDEPENDENT AND
PRODUCTIVE AND VALUED LIFE,
WHICH INCLUDES BEING VALUED
WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES,
WORKFORCE, INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE
RIGHT TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FROM
MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT. WHICH
INCLUDES RECEIVING AT LEAST
MINIMUM WAGE. FOR NORTHERN HAS
BEEN A LONG TERM SUPPORTER OF
COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT. FOR THOSE
IT SERVES, REGARDLESS OF THE
SEVERITY OF DISABILITY, IN PART
BECAUSE EARNING A PAYCHECK GIVES
PEOPLE MORE FREEDOM TO MAKE
ECONOMIC DECISIONS IN THEIR OWN
LIVES, BUT ALSO BECAUSE HAVING A
JOB IS GREAT FOR PEOPLE'S SELF
ESTEEM AND ALLOWS OTHERS TO SEE
THEM AS CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS. OF
THEIR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU,
MARIA. UM THIS IS THE GOAL FOR
FAR NORTHERN AND ALL OF
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CENTERS TO
SUPPORT THOSE WE SERVE TO WORK
IN JOBS THAT WORK FOR THEM. SO
FAR NORTHERN PLAN TO PHASE OUT
SOME MINIMUM WAGE INVOLVED
EDUCATING THE LOCAL SCHOOL
SYSTEM. PARTNERING WITH ABILITY
ATION PROGRAMS TO AMEND THEIR
SERVICES TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS
AND MOVING EXISTING WORK
ACTIVITY PROGRAMS TO COMMUNITY
INTEGRATED TRAINING. FAR
NORTHERN PROVIDED LOCAL SCHOOLS
WITH THE EDUCATION. REGARDING
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS
TRANSITIONING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL
INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED ABOUT
EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS SUCH AS
ABILITY, ATION PROVIDERS
UTILIZING THE EMPLOYMENT
INCENTIVES AND PAID INTERNSHIPS
. BENEFITS BENEFIT COUNSELING
WAS PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS
REGARDING WAGES AND HOW THEIR
SOCIAL SECURITY MAY BE AFFECTED
AS THEY START TO BRING HOME
THOSE FIRST PAYCHECKS. IN
ADDITION TO PROVIDING EDUCATION
, WE CELEBRATED THE SUCCESS OF
INDIVIDUALS BEING VALUED MEMBERS
OF THEIR COMMUNITY WORKING AT
BUSINESSES SUCH AS HOLIDAY
MARKET, TRACTOR AND TRAILER
SUPPLY. PIZZA KINGS VIEW
WELLNESS GOLF COURSE, AND THAT'S
JUST TO NAME A FEW. SO THE
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SERVICE
PROVIDERS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN
INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT SETTINGS
TO HELP TO CREATE THOSE JOBS.
THAT FILL A COMMUNITIES NEED PAY
IT LEAST MINIMUM WAGE AND BUILD
UPON INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS
IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE PERSON
CENTERED PLANNING PROCESS. THIS
STRATEGY HAS ALLOWED THOSE WITH
SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT NEEDS TO
BEGIN THEIR EMPLOYMENT JOURNEYS
THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN VARIOUS
INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING THE
SERVICE INDUSTRY. ART TOURISM,
FLORAL RANGING SCREEN PAINTING
AND MANY MORE. OVER THE YEARS
AVAILABLE TOOLS SUCH AS THE PAID
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, AND THE CIA
INCENTIVES HAS SUPPORTED THIS
WORK. THROUGH PROVIDING CRITICAL
FINANCIAL SUPPORT, TOO, WILLING
EMPLOYERS AND OFFSETTING THE
FINANCIAL LOSSES ARE SERVICE
PROVIDERS FACE WHEN THEY SPEND
TIME DEVELOPING THOSE
RELATIONSHIPS WITH EMPLOYERS TO
BENEFIT THOSE RESERVES. THOSE WE
SERVE THE RELATIONSHIP IS YOU
HAVE INDICATED IN WITH THOSE
EMPLOYERS. IS KEY TO THE SUCCESS
OF THESE, UH, SERVICES. WE'VE
HAD MANY OF THOSE INDIVIDUAL
PLACEMENT EMPLOYERS SEEK OUT
REGIONAL CENTER. CLIENTS. THE
PEOPLE THERE, SIR. WHAT ARE
THOSE EMPLOYERS WANT THEM TO
WORK FOR THEM? HOWEVER THERE IS
CONTINUED CHALLENGES IN THIS
AREA, WHICH IS NOT ENOUGH JOB
DEVELOPERS AND JOB COACHES DUE
IN PART TO THE RATE
REIMBURSEMENT. OUR INCENTIVE
PAYMENTS DON'T SUPPORT THE WORK.
SERVICE PROVIDERS NEED TO DO TO
MATCH INDIVIDUALS WITH THOSE
MOST INTENSE SUPPORT SERVICES
WITH THE BEST AND PLOY ER
OPTIONS. THE BENEFITS COUNSELING
IS A CONTINUED NEED TO SUPPORT
INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES
AND MAKING THOSE INFORMED
DECISIONS ABOUT EMPLOYMENT
OPTIONS AS SOME ARE. THEY STILL
HAVE THAT FEAR THAT ENGAGING IN
ANY WORK WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF
THEIR MEDICAL BENEFITS OR IF
THEIR FINANCIAL SAFETY NET AND
LASTLY, UM, SERVICE COORDINATORS
WITH THEIR HIGH CASELOADS AND
THEIR DEMANDS OF CONTINUED CASE
MANAGEMENT DOESN'T GIVE THEM THE
ADEQUATE TIME TO EFFECTIVELY DO
THAT PERSON CENTERED PLANNING
PROCESS. UM SO THAT YOU CAN
IDENTIFY WHAT THOSE WANTS AND
NEEDS ARE FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS.
SO WE HAVE. WE'RE MOVING IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT WE STILL
HAVE AREAS TO GROW IN. THANK YOU
. WE'RE GOING TO ASK THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, UM TO
FIRST PRESENTED WILL BE CLEAR
CHARGE. WE'RE GONNA WE'VE SET UP
A MIC THERE IN THE CORNER,
FOLLOWED BY RYAN ANDERSON TI¾N.
HR DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. NO
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AT THIS TIME
. THANK YOU. RYAN ANDERSON WITH
THE L E O. EVENING RYAN ANDERSON
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST'S OFFICE. I
THINK I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT,
UM IN TWO PIECES OF CONTEXT.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF HELPFUL
DISCUSSION HERE. BUT UH, AS WE
POINT OUT IN OUR ANALYSIS IS
IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE
BROADER CONTEXT FOR EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS IN
CALIFORNIA WITH INTELLECTUAL AND
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, WE
STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.
THE EMPLOYMENT RATE IS QUITE
LOW. UM NOT ONLY RELATIVE TO THE
POPULATION WITHOUT DISABILITIES
, BUT ALSO PERHAPS RELATIVE TO
UM THESE POPULATIONS IN OTHER
STATES, THE SECOND IS THAT
THERE'S STILL A LOT WE DON'T
KNOW ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC
POPULATION THAT WILL BE DIRECTLY
IMPACTED. BY THE PHASE OUT ITS
SUB MINIMUM WAGES ABOUT 6000
INDIVIDUALS AND AS THE STATE
COUNCIL'S REPORT NOTES, THERE'S
A LOT OF BASIC, UM THE
INFORMATION JUST ABOUT THEIR
THEIR DEMOGRAPHIC MAKEUP, THE
EXTENT OF THEIR DISABILITIES, UH
, THE WAGES THAT THEY WERE
EARNING THAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
. AND THAT WOULD SEEM TO BE AN
IMPORTANT PART OF THE TRANSITION
PIECE. SO I THINK THERE'S STILL
WORK TO BE DONE THERE. THAT'S
ALL WE HAVE FOR RIGHT NOW. THANK
YOU. BRING IT UP TO THE DIOCESE
TO SEE IF ANY MEMBERS HAVE
QUESTIONS. I WILL KEEP IT HERE
AT THE CHAIR. I'M GOING TO BEGIN
IF I CAN, FIRST WITH EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR CARRUTHERS, UH, YOU
COULD STATED THAT YOUR FUNDED BY
CONGRESS AND THERE'S A SIMILAR
SEC D IN OTHER STATES WHEN WE
LOOK NATIONALLY, WE SEE 34%
EMPLOYMENT COMPARED TO 20% FOR
CALIFORNIA. ARE THEIR ACTIONS
THOSE OTHER STATES ARE DOING OR
HOW ARE THEY ABLE TO? ACHIEVE
THOSE EMPLOYMENT RATES WHEN WE
HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GREAT
QUESTION, MR CHAIR AND, UM I
WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE 20%
IS ACTUALLY AN IMPROVEMENT. UM
SO CALIFORNIA RATES HAVE HAD
THIS INTERESTING FLOOR AND
INTERESTING. AND OTHER JOBS
SUPPORTS EVEN DURING THE WORST
OF TIMES IN CALIFORNIA, THAT THE
EMPLOYMENT RATE FOR PEOPLE WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SO
ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL NEVER
REALLY WENT BELOW 13. UM AND
THEN THE BEST OF TIMES, EVEN
AFTER 10 YEARS OF ECONOMIC
RECOVERY FROM 2009 ON NEVER
REALLY WENT ABOVE 17% IN THE
LAST YEAR, SO WE'VE SEEN IT
INCREASED 20% AND I THINK THAT'S
ACTUALLY THE KEY QUESTION IS
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITHIN
CALIFORNIA BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE
WE HAVE THE CONTROL OVER THAT.
WE'RE SEEING THE INCREASES.
WE'VE SEEN SOME PIECES. UM ONE
PIECE WE CAN LOOK AT IS WHAT'S
THE IMPACT OF CALIFORNIA'S
COMPETITIVE INTEGRATIVE
EMPLOYMENT BLUEPRINT. THAT'S A
STATEWIDE INITIATIVE AMONG THREE
KEY ENTITIES WITH LOCAL
CONNECTIONS. UM. THE PHASE OUT
PLAN FOR 639 IS ALMOST LIKE A
BLUEPRINT TWO POINT OH, UM, SO
WHAT DID THEY ACCOMPLISH? AND
WHERE DO WE TAKE IT EVEN
FURTHER, SO I THINK IT'S LOOKING
AND FIGURING OUT WHAT ARE WE
DOING RIGHT TO MOVE IT FROM 17
TO 20. NOT BIG IMPROVEMENTS,
NOMINATING NUMBERS. ANYBODY
WOULD REALLY BE COMFORTABLE WITH
, BUT RECOGNIZE THERE'S MOVEMENT
BEING MADE TO FIND OUT WHAT'S
BEING SUCCESSFUL IN PUSHING IT
EVEN FURTHER. I'M GOING TO
FOLLOW UP AND MR CHAIR. I'M
SORRY. I DIDN'T ANSWER YOUR
QUESTION DIRECTLY BECAUSE EVERY
TIME I ASK MY COLLEAGUES ABOUT
CALIFORNIA, THEY SAY, WELL,
YOU'RE THE FIRST ONE TO TELL US
CALIFORNIA'S DIFFERENT. SO ARE
YOU ASKING US AND OFTEN TIMES? I
MEAN, SOME OF THE OTHER STATES
ARE, YOU KNOW THEY'RE FUNCTIONAL
SERVICE POPULATIONS OF THE SIZE
OF ONE REGIONAL CENTER. ONE SIZE
OF ONE. UM, UM MISS CRUELER, SO
LISTENING TO HER TESTIMONY IS
KIND OF THE ADVICE WE GET BACK,
WHICH IS HARD TO PLAYBACK AND
OVERLAYING TO CALIFORNIA EARLIER
. I FELT LIKE YOU WERE, UM, VERY
STRONG IN SAYING THERE ARE
CONCRETE AND ACTIONABLE ITEMS
FOR US TO BE WORKING ON AND THAT
THE FRAMEWORK IS THERE, BUT I
REALLY WANT TO FOCUS ON WHAT
SOME OF THE HARDEST CHALLENGES
ARE LEFT THAT ARE BEFORE US, AND
WE HEARD THAT IT MAY BE
TRANSPORTATION AND SO ON. HOPING
YOU CAN PROVIDE SOME REMARKS ON
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES
WE STILL HAVE BEFORE US. THE
REPORT DOES RECOMMEND FUNDING A
STUDY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE
TRANSPORTATION WORK. LOVE THAT
YOU RAISED IT, MR BARNES, THANK
YOU SO MUCH BECAUSE IT DOES
HIGHLIGHT ONE OF THE BIGGEST
BARRIERS. THE OTHER BARRIER. I
THINK, MISS CRUELER HIGHLIGHTED,
WHICH IS HOW DO SERVICE
COORDINATORS ADJUST WITH THEIR
CURRENT WORKLOAD AND POPULATION
? IN OUR VIEW, IT'S A MATTER OF
WELL. THIS IS A CHANGE THAT'S
HAPPENING AND SOMETHING THAT'S
PRESSING SO SOMETHING THAT MUST
BE ADDRESSED AND WE LEAVE IT TO
THE GOOD DIRECTION AND WISDOM OF
EACH REGIONAL CENTER. TO REALIZE
THIS CHANGES HAPPENING IN,
PRIORITIZE IT AND MAKE IT
HAPPEN, AND WE BELIEVE IT'S
ABSORBABLE. PART OF MY TESTIMONY
WAS TO FOCUS ON HOW MUCH
RESOURCES CURRENTLY EXIST IN
CALIFORNIA TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
MR BURNS POINTED OUT THE HCP $15
MILLION ANNUALLY IN HCPS
COMPLIANCE GRANTS THAT THAT'S
BASICALLY A GIMME FOR PEOPLE WHO
ARE PROVIDERS WHO ARE TRYING TO
MOVE OUT OF THIS. ANYBODY CAN
STEP FORWARD. AND FOR THAT 15
MILLION SAY, PLEASE FUND ME TO
CHANGE MY BUSINESS MODEL. THAT'S
FANTASTIC. IT EXISTS. IT'S ON
THE TABLE, MARIA TESTIFIED. MISS
MARQUEZ TESTIFIED TO WHAT THE
INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES IN MS
CRUELER SO COLLECTIVELY, WE'VE I
THINK MY TAKE AWAY FROM THE
COLLECTIVE STORY IS, UH, THERE'S
RESOURCES TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
THERE ARE CHALLENGES, BUT THOSE
CHALLENGES SHOULD NEVER NOT A
YEAR FROM NOW, NOT TWO YEARS
FROM NOW EVER BEING EXCUSE. FOR
THIS POLICY TO BE, UH, NOT PUT
INTO ACTION AS IT CURRENTLY AS
WELL. I'M GOING TO USE THIS AS A
CHANCE TO SOAPBOX. JUST A HALF A
SECOND. UM BECAUSE WE WERE
SEEKING BASIC EQUALITY, BUT I
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EQUALITY
IS NOT INCLUSIVENESS. AND IT'S
NOT FOCUSING ON HOW WE MAKE SURE
THAT ALL CALIFORNIANS ARE ABLE
TO BE EMPLOYED. AND I DO WANT TO
LOOK TOWARDS THE FUNDING THAT WE
HAVE TO PROMOTE COMPETITIVE
INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT AND WILL
BE ASKING DEPUTY DIRECTOR CREWS
AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE. IF YOU CAN COMMENT ON
THE GRAPH ON THE TOP OF PAGE 20
. WHY MANY OF THOSE FUNDS ARE
CURRENTLY NOT BEING USED OR
GOING UNUSED? CAN YOU COMMENT ON
WHY THESE FUNDS ARE GOING
UNSPENT? DOCTOR ARRIVED. I DON'T
HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME, BUT I
THINK IT'S THE GRAPH ON THE C I
E AND, UH. YOU KNOW, I THINK, UM
OBVIOUSLY, THE PANDEMIC HAD AN
EFFECT ON THE USE OF THAT. BUT
EVEN BEFORE THAT, THAT WAS AN
AREA WHERE THERE WASN'T BEING
FULLY UTILIZED. AND, UM YOU
KNOW, WITH THROUGH THE
EMPLOYMENT GRANTS, UM AND, UM,
THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE
PROJECTS THAT COME OUT OF THAT
GRANT. UM OUR HOPE IS THAT WE'LL
SEE MORE UTILIZATION OF THAT. I
THINK ALSO WITH THE NEW
INCENTIVE AMOUNTS THAT HAVE BEEN
ADDED, I THINK THOSE ARE FURTHER
INCENTIVE FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS
TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR
COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED
EMPLOYMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS
SERVED. UM SO I THINK THE TOOLS
AND THE TOKEN HAVE INCREASED
OVER THE LAST YEAR AND, UH,
WE'RE HOPING TO SEE INCREASED
UTILIZATION OF THOSE FUNDS.
WOULDN'T IT? SEEM THAT THOSE
FUNDS GOING ON UNDERUTILIZED ARE
CONTRIBUTING TO CALIFORNIA NOT
HAVING THE SAME EMPLOYMENT AS
OTHER STATES ARE DOING. WOULDN'T
THOSE FUNDS HELP US TO CONTINUE
TO ENCOURAGE INTEGRATED
EMPLOYMENT, SO I'M JUST AGAIN
TRYING TO DR THAT WE'RE USING A
QUARTER OF THE FUNDS IN TWO OF
THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND UNDER
50% IN TWO MORE OF THE LAST FIVE
YEARS. AND WHAT MORE CAN WE DO
TO ENCOURAGE THESE FUNDS BEING
SPENT? I THINK, UM, GOING BACK
TO SOME OF THE NEW INCENTIVES,
PARTICULARLY, UM HAVING STAFF
WHO ARE PROVIDED THOSE
EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS, GET BETTER
TRAINED, GET CERTIFIED AND HAVE
A BETTER LAY OF THE LAND ON
EMPLOYMENT. DO THAT BUSINESS
OUTREACH. UM YOU KNOW, I HARKEN
BACK TO THE TO THE GRANTS AND
THE PILOT BECAUSE I THINK, MR
CARRUTHERS SAID EARLIER, THERE'S
THE FEAR OF, YOU KNOW, UH,
SOMETIMES FROM FAMILIES WANTING
THEIR LOVED ONE TO GET A JOB. UM
SO I THINK THOSE THOSE THE
THINGS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE
RIGHT NOW. WELL, HOPEFULLY SHOW
SOME IMPROVEMENT IN THOSE
NUMBERS. I WILL ELEVATE AGAIN IF
I CAN THE MONEY WE APPROPRIATE
WE HOPE GETS SPENT FOR THE
INTENT THAT IT WAS APPROPRIATED
FOR, AND THAT'S AGAIN WILL SAY
WHEN WE'RE SEEING THE LEVELS WE
DO WITHIN THAT GRAPH. THAT'S UM
, SOMETHING. I THINK WE CAN
CONTINUE TO WORK ON
ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S RUBIO. THANK
YOU, UM UM. WE'RE USING A LOT OF
WORDS LIKE HOPE. HOPE IS NOT A
STRATEGY. I USE IT A LOT. THAT
WAS A TEACHER, UM, FOR 16 YEARS
AND, UM, IT'S IT IS FRUSTRATING
TO FIGHT SO HARD FOR SOME OF
THESE DOLLARS AND THEN COME BACK
AND HAVE THEM SITTING THERE AND
HE THE WAY THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WAS
WORKING FOR ME IS YOU KNOW IF
YOU DIDN'T USE THAT YOU LOST IT,
WHICH I DON'T THINK IT'S
APPROPRIATE, HOWEVER. IF WE HAVE
A HARD TIME TRYING TO ALLOCATE
SOME OF THESE FUNDS, AND THEN
THEY GO AND USE THEN WE HAVE EGG
ON OUR FACE BECAUSE IT WAS SO
DIRE WE TALKED ABOUT HOW
IMPORTANT THIS IS. AND YOU KNOW
WE SOLD IT. I HEARD YOUR YOUR
COMMENT ABOUT SELLING IT, SO WE
SOLD IT AS WELL TO GET THESE
ALLOCATIONS. AND YET HERE WE ARE
, AND THEY'RE NOT BEING USED.
AND SO HOW DO WE RECONCILE? NOT
JUST, YOU KNOW, WITH THE
CONSTITUENCY AND THE FOLKS THAT
NEED THE SERVICES BUT FOR US
WHEN WE FIGHT SO HARD FOR THESE
DOLLARS, AND THEN WE'RE SITTING
HERE GOING WELL, THEY HAVEN'T
BEEN USED SO I THINK WHAT DR
RAMBLAS IS GETTING AT IS YOU
KNOW WE CAN'T KEEP FIGHTING AND
FIGHTING AND FIGHTING AND THEN
NOW WE COME BACK, AND THEN THEY
HAVEN'T BEEN USED AGAIN. HOPE IS
NOT A STRATEGY. SO I THINK THE
PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING IS TO
TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT
STRATEGIES ARE GOING TO BE USED.
NOT HOPE. UM BECAUSE AGAIN, IT'S
NOT A STRATEGY. AND SO HOW CAN
WE ASSURE, UM THAT THAT WE'RE
NOT GOING TO BE SITTING HERE.
NEXT YEAR. AND THE YEAR AFTER
THAT, TO YOUR POINT IF WE DON'T
SIMPLE MATH 6000 PEOPLE 3000
SHOULD BE EMPLOYED. UM AND I
WILL GIVE TO YOU IN A SECOND,
BUT ALSO I HAVE A REALLY, REALLY
DEAR FRIEND OF MINE THAT HER
DAUGHTER, UM HAS DOWN SYNDROME.
HER GREATEST JOY EVERY MORNING
IS TO GET UP AND GO TO WORK. AND
THEN SHE CAN'T WAIT FOR HER TWO
WEEK PAYCHECK. SHE GETS HER
NAILS DONE. YOU KNOW, SHE HAS
THIS WHOLE ROUTINE. UM AND I
UNDERSTAND THAT DURING THE
PANDEMIC, YOU KNOW EVERYTHING
WAS, YOU KNOW, TURNED UPSIDE
DOWN. BUT NOW THAT WHERE YOU
DON'T HAVE THAT EXCUSE ANYMORE.
BECAUSE FOR A WHILE, QUITE
FRANKLY, I THINK A LOT OF THE
MONIES THAT WERE GIVEN TO
DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. THE
EXCUSE WAS THE PANDEMIC. WELL
IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS AND SO
LOOKING FORWARD, HOW DO WE NOT
HOPE? HOW DO WE IMPLEMENT
STRATEGIES TO MAKE SURE THAT
THAT WE'RE IMPLEMENTING THAT?
UM, I'LL CONTINUE AFTER NO, GO
AHEAD. THANK YOU SOMETHING RUBIO
AND WITH YOUR HISTORY IN
SCHOOLS, I RAISED MY HAND AND
THAT SO THANK YOU. AND THEN I
WAITED TILL I WAS CALLED IN
AGAIN. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU,
MR CHAIR FOR THE QUESTIONS
ABOUT. I THINK THERE'S AN
OPPORTUNITY AND THE
OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE STATE
AND THE OPPORTUNITIES ABOUT
COORDINATION, EMPLOYMENT FOR
PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENT. ANOTHER
DISABILITIES IS NOT JUST ON DDS.
UM IT'S NOT EVEN JUST UNDO YOU
ARE BUT THERE IS A PRIORITY FROM
THE STATE. SO ONE OF THE
RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTUALLY THE
NUMBER ONE RECOMMENDATION IN THE
REPORT IS TO ESTABLISH AN
EMPLOYMENT FIRST OFFICE WITH AN
AGENCY TAKE IT OUT OF THE
IMPLEMENTING DEPARTMENTS.
THEY'LL KEEP DOING THEIR WORK,
BUT SOMEBODY WHO HAS AN OVER
COURT OVERSIGHT COORDINATING
ROLE TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING'S
MOVING. EVERYTHING IS BEING
SPENT. EVERYTHING'S MOVING THE
RIGHT DIRECTION. THE DIFFERENT
PROGRAMS ARE WORKING TOGETHER,
BUT ALSO HAS THE ABILITY TO
REACH OUTSIDE OF HHS OVER TO
LABOR. THEY'RE DOING GREAT WORK
WITH HER INTERAGENCY COUNCIL AND
APPRENTICESHIPS AND HAVE
SPECIFICALLY DISABILITY FOCUS
REACH OVER TO EDUCATION
REGARDING TRANSITION. SO NUMBER
ONE RECOMMENDATION TO MAKE SURE
CALIFORNIA BECOMES THE
EMPLOYMENT FOR STATE IS JUST DO
A LITTLE BIT OF INVESTMENT. UM
LESS THAN A MILLION DOLLARS, I
THINK IS A RECOMMENDATION TO
ACTUALLY HAVE IT. AN ENTITY
THAT'S OVERSEEING AND
COORDINATING. MAKE SURE
EVERYTHING WORKING TOGETHER.
IT'S GOING TO SOUND A LITTLE BIT
IGNORANT, I GUESS ON MY PART,
BUT WE HAD ALL THESE, UH, FOLKS
EMPLOYED PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.
SO IS THERE ANY DATA OR
INFORMATION ABOUT HOW MANY OF
THOSE FOLKS HAVE WE GOTTEN BACK
INTO EMPLOYMENT? BECAUSE I KNOW
A WHOLE BUNCH OF FOLKS, YOU
KNOW, JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.
UM WERE WERE UNEMPLOYED FOR A
WHILE, AND SO IT DOESN'T FEEL
LIKE, UM AND AGAIN JUST MY OWN
KIND OF OBSERVATION IS HOW ABOUT
START GETTING THOSE PEOPLE BACK
TO WORK AND THAT YOU DON'T NEED
A COORDINATOR? YOU DON'T NEED
YOU JUST GO BACK TO THOSE AGAIN.
SIMPLE, SIMPLISTIC FOR ME,
RIGHT? BUT WE DON'T NEED
COORDINATION AND ALL OF THAT TO
GET THE SAME FOLKS THAT LOST
THEIR JOBS BACK INTO TO THE
WORKPLACE WITH THOSE FUNDS, AND
I APPRECIATE THAT. I AGREE WITH
YOU THAT WE DO NEED SOMEBODY TO
COORDINATE, HOWEVER. HOW ABOUT
WE START WITH THE BASICS AND THE
FOLKS THAT WERE EMPLOYED IN THE
FIRST PLACE? GET THEM BACK TO
WORK, AND I DON'T HAVE DATA. AND
MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME WITH SOME
OF THAT DATA OF HOW MANY PEOPLE
LOST THEIR JOB. AND ARE THEY ALL
BACK AT WORK? IF THEY'RE NOT
THEN LOW HANGING FRUIT IN MY
OPINION THERE RIGHT THERE, SO WE
DON'T NEED A COORDINATOR. WE
DON'T NEED, UH, YOU KNOW, HOPES
AND DREAMS TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS
BECAUSE THE FOLKS THAT WERE
UNEMPLOYED ALREADY THERE AND SO
LET'S START WITH THE LONG
HANGING FRUIT FOR LACK OF A
BETTER TERM AND GET THOSE BACKS
OF FOLKS BACK TO WORK. AND THEN
DO WHAT? WHAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING
TRYING TO GET A COORDINATOR SO
THAT WE CAN UM, YOU KNOW, WE DO
OUTREACH AND ALL OF THE AMAZING
THINGS THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT
IT AGAIN. IT SOUNDS SIMPLISTIC,
IN MY OPINION, BECAUSE I DON'T
HAVE THE JOB THAT YOU DO, BUT IT
JUST DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S
ROCKET SCIENCE, EITHER. IT
DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S OUT OF
THIS REALM TO BE ABLE TO ASK.
GET THOSE THOSE FOLKS BACK TO
WORK. UM, YES, ON THAT
PARTICULAR WANTS TO ACTUALLY A
GREAT QUESTION. UH, ANECDOTALLY
FROM ART, SO IT REPRESENTING
INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO AND SAN
JOSE. SO THAT'S KIND OF OUR
SPREAD. FONTANA AS A MATTER OF
FACT, OKAY, SO FOR THE MOST PART
, WE GOT JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY
BACK. THERE WAS A POPULATION
THAT DIDN'T GO BACK WAS ONE
SOMEWHERE TRANSPORTATION
CHALLENGE BECAUSE OF THE CHANGES
, POST COVID AND THE WAY BUSSING
AND TRANSPORTATION WORK. THERE
WAS A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WHO JUST
THERE WAS A DISCOMFORT FROM A
SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, GOING BACK
AND CANDIDLY. THE PRIMARY
CHALLENGE WASN'T FILLING DIRECT
SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL ROLES TO
SUPPORT THEM, SO THEY'RE THE
MAIN LOSS WAS THE LOSS OF LABOR
IN THE LABOR FORCE TO SUPPORT
THE PERSON AND SO YOU ENDED UP
WITH THIS ODD SITUATION OF
PERSONS QUEUED UP IF YOU WILL
FOR A JOB, EMPLOYERS QUEUED UP
TO OFFER JOBS AND THERE'S NOT
ENOUGH INTERNAL STAFFING TO THEN
SUPPORT THOSE PERSONS
EFFECTIVELY ON THE JOB. AND SO
YOU HAVE A THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
MOVE UP. AND SO IT'S A WEIRD
THAT WAS LEAST WHAT, UH,
EXPERIENCE AND I KNOW, A NUMBER
OF OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS SAID
, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE TO GET
SOME OF THAT DATA AGAIN, YOU
KNOW, JUST FOR US, UH, THAT, YOU
KNOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT IT FROM
THE OUTSIDE, UM, AND ARE
FRUSTRATED QUITE FRANKLY, AND
SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE
FRUSTRATED WITH THE MONEY THAT'S
BEING LEFT ON THE TABLE AT THE
MOMENT. AND SO THAT DATA WOULD
HELP US REALLY UNDERSTAND. UM
WHAT YOU ARE ALL ARE DOING AND
HOW WE CAN HELP. UM, WITH THAT.
TO YOUR POINT. YOU KNOW,
SOMEBODY THAT COORDINATES UM,
KIND OF THE WORK, BUT IT DOESN'T
SEEM THAT IT'S JUST
COORDINATION. I SAID IF FOLKS
HAVEN'T THE TRANSPORTATION FOLKS
HAVEN'T GOTTEN BACK TO WORK,
THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE
SAME ISSUE REGARDLESS OF WHO IS
COORDINATING, RIGHT? AND SO HOW
DO WE HELP? UM AND I KNOW IT'S A
IT'S A AN ISSUE ACROSS THE
COUNTRY, AND I KNOW SPECIFICALLY
IN CALIFORNIA THAT WE DON'T HAVE
ENOUGH WORKERS. UM TO FILL ALL
OF THE NECESSARY ROLES, BUT.
COORDINATOR WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO
HELP WITH THAT. SO THERE'S
DIFFERENT. I GUESS PARTNERSHIPS
THAT NEED TO HAPPEN FOR US TO BE
ABLE TO DO THAT. SO IF THERE IS
SOME DATA THAT WE CAN HAVE,
BECAUSE AGAIN, IT'S FRUSTRATING
FOR US TO HAVE FOUGHT SO HARD
FOR SOME MONEY. AND THEN ALL OF
A SUDDEN WE'RE SITTING HERE
GOING WELL, IT HASN'T BEEN USED
AND YOU KNOW TO I KNOW THAT THE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE UNDERSTANDS
WHILE OR DON'T BUT WHEN IT COMES
TO NOW THAT WE'RE FACING A
BUDGET DEFICIT, HOW DO WE LOOK
AT THEM AND SAY WE STILL NEED
THIS MONEY? UM I KNOW IF IT'S
SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED FOR THIS
, THEY CAN'T TOUCH IT. BUT IF WE
GO BACK TO, YOU KNOW THE WAY
2011 HAPPENED. NOTHING WAS OFF
THE TABLE. AND SO I WOULD HATE
FOR US TO LOSE THAT FUNDING
BECAUSE NOW WE'RE IN A BUDGET.
DEFICIT AND HOPEFULLY WE WON'T
GET INTO BUDGET CRISIS BUT IN
THE EVENT THAT IT DOES HAPPEN,
ALL OF THAT MONEY IS ON THE
TABLE AND TRUST ME AND YOU ALL
KNOW YOU WERE ALL AROUND. DURING
THAT TIME PERIOD, EVERYTHING WAS
WAS, YOU KNOW? WHAT WAS IT, ROB
PETER TO PAY PAUL. THEY WERE
TAKING THE MONEY FROM ANYWHERE
THERE WAS THERE WAS EXTRA MONEY
AND SO WE'RE CAUGHT IN THIS, UM
, POTENTIAL. I FEEL LIKE WE'RE
KIND OF A POTENTIAL, UH, CRISIS
WHERE MONEY IS GOING TO BE TAKEN
AWAY? AND THEN NOW WE'RE GOING
TO BE LEFT WITH NO MONEY. IF WE
DON'T DO WHAT WE SAID WE WERE
GOING TO DO WITH THAT WITH THAT
FUNDING. ASSEMBLY MEMBER. SORRY
I WANT TO BRING IN DIRECTOR
BARGMANN WHO'S BEEN VERY
PATIENT. AND YES, THANK YOU.
SOME COMMENTS. OH THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. NANCY BARGMANN,
DIRECTOR OF DDS THANK YOU FOR A
MOMENT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE, UM
SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. UM
AND CERTAINLY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPETITIVE
AND INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT. UM
AND THANK YOU ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S
RUBIO FOR REALLY LIFTING UP AND
OF THE VALUE OF SAYING, HOW DO
WE GET TO RECOVERY FROM THE
PANDEMIC? UM I SO WISH THAT WAS
EASY. UM MR BARNES HAD HAD NOTED
THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS
CERTAINLY BEEN SHARED WITH US.
IT'S ANECDOTAL. IT'S NOT DATA.
UM, IS REALLY SOME OF THE
CHALLENGES OF FOLKS FEELING
COMFORTABLE GOING BACK TO WORK
THAT SAID, THERE IS A REAL
DESIRE FOR MANY SELF ADVOCATES
TO HAVE A COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED
OPPORTUNITY. AND YOU KNOW,
LOOKING AT WAYS THAT WE CAN
REALLY ADVANCE THIS. ONE OF THE
AREAS WAS CERTAINLY THE TAILOR
DAY SERVICES. HOW CAN WE KIND OF
HELP SOME FLEXIBILITIES TO SEE
IF THERE'S WAYS TO HAVE PATHWAYS
TO INTRODUCE THE PAID INTERNSHIP
PROGRAM? I THINK THE PAID
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE
BEST THINGS THAT WE ACTUALLY HAD
AS FAR AS KIND OF POLICY AND
INVESTMENTS AND CERTAINLY
APPRECIATE WE'RE NOT THAT IT'S
NOT BEING SPENT BASED ON THE
ESTIMATE OF WHAT WE THOUGHT THAT
WE WOULD BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THAT
SAID. WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE
, UM, QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM
, WE'RE REALLY LOOKING TO DOUBLE
COMPETITIVE. THE QUALITY
INCENTIVE. THE IN THE, UM. THE
INCREMENTAL INCENTIVES SO
THROUGH THAT WORD, DOUBLING THAT
SO WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO FIND
WHATEVER PATHWAY WE CAN TO KIND
OF GET TO THAT RECOVERY FOR BOTH
A PAID INTERNSHIP AND THEN ALSO
FOR THE COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED
EMPLOYMENT SO REGARDING THE DATA
FOR COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED
EMPLOYMENT, IT'S CHALLENGING. WE
DO KNOW WE HAVE. WE'RE WORKING
VERY HARD TO IDENTIFY. WHAT IS
THE UM THE DATA THAT WE CAN
VALIDATE AND WE'RE WORKING TO
IDENTIFY THOSE PATHWAYS TO DO
IT. SO WE USE E D D DATA. WE
DON'T ALWAYS KNOW WHAT IS
INCLUDED IN THE DATE E D D DATA
AS FAR AS LIKE THE NUMBER OF
HOURS WORKED, SO WE HAVE MORE
WORK TO DO THE EMPLOYMENT WORK
GROUP THAT WE HAVE. WE'RE
BRINGING ALL THE GREAT MINDS
TOGETHER. TO ANSWER AND REALLY
WRESTLE THROUGH THOSE QUESTIONS
. THOSE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS THAT
ARE BEING PRESENTED, SO I JUST
WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT WE
ARE REALLY LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW
THE LOW HANGING FRUIT WE'RE
LOOKING AT. WHAT ARE THE OTHER
INITIATIVES THAT CAN REALLY
ADVANCE THIS? YOU KNOW, AND
WHILE I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
THE STAKEHOLDERS INPUT BECAUSE
WITH THE UM, QUALITY INCENTIVE
PROGRAM WHEN WE TOOK A LOOK AT
WHAT ARE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO
BE ABLE TO GET PEOPLE AND PAY
PROVIDERS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER
OF INDIVIDUALS IN COMPETITIVE
INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT? OUR
COMMUNITY VOICED VERY CLEARLY
THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE CAUTIOUS ABOUT REALLY
GOING TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS.
THAT'S THE EASIEST PATHWAY FOR
EMPLOYMENT THAT WE HAVE TO
SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS HAVE COMPLEX
NEEDS FOR THE SUCCESS OF
EMPLOYMENT AS WELL. WELL. SO WE
ARE DEFINITELY TAKING A LOOK AT
HOW DO WE RECOVER? WE WANT TO
MAKE SURE WE'RE LOOKING AT THOSE
INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY NEED EXTRA
SUPPORTS. UM, PART OF THE
INCENTIVE PROGRAM IS MAKING SURE
THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT BUILDING
THE STAFF AND INVESTING IN
BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE
STAFF THAT ARE WORKING. UM, SO
AGAIN JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A
COUPLE OF EXTRA THINGS AND
REALLY SUCH A RICH CONVERSATION
ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC OF
SOME BASIC KIND OF DESIRES AND
NEEDS AND WANTING TO BE ABLE TO
LIFT UP THE IMPORTANCE OF
EMPLOYMENT FOR THE INDIVIDUALS
THAT WE SERVE. SO THANK YOU, MR
CHAIR FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO
THANK YOU AND I, YOU KNOW, I
APPRECIATE AGAIN THE
CONVERSATION AND I LOOK FORWARD
TO US HAVING IT. I KNOW THIS IS
GOING TO BE ONGOING, BUT, UH, IN
ANY WAY THAT WE CAN ASSIST, I
KNOW ARE KIND OF OUR EXPERTISE
IS LIMITED. BUT AGAIN, I WOULD
HATE FOR US TO LEAVE THAT MONEY
ON THE TABLE AND NOT BE ABLE TO
PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES FOR THAT
COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU. BRING IT UP FOR ONE
FINAL QUESTION. IF I CAN. I'M
GONNA RE CENTRIST AGAIN ON UM,
SUB MINIMUM WAGE AND THIS IS FOR
DEPUTY DIRECTOR CREWS. UM ARE WE
WORKING IN TANDEM WITH THE STATE
COUNCIL? IN THIS TRANSITION? IT
SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE SOME
DISJOINTED EFFORTS AND I'M
WONDERING HOW WE CAN HELP TO
COORDINATE. AN APPROACH THAT CAN
BE FACILITATED. AND SO I'M
HOPING YOU CAN COMMENT ON HOW
THAT TRANSITION IS WORKING TODAY
. UH DR ARAMBULA, I WOULD SAY WE
ARE WORKING TOGETHER. WE STATE
COUNCILS ON OUR WORKGROUP, WHERE
ON THEIR WORKGROUP AND, UM I
KNOW THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK
AHEAD AND YOU KNOW WE'RE OPEN TO
THOSE DISCUSSIONS AND WORKING
THAT OUT SO YOU KNOW, I KNOW
THERE'S MORE WORK TO DO THERE. I
WILL REMIND US WE HAVE A
TIMELINE PURSUANT TO STATE LAW.
AND THUS, UM, I WOULD LIKE THE
ADMINISTRATION TO CONSIDER
PROVIDING A COMMON AND UNIFIED
STATEMENT OF THE GOALS, THE
TIMELINES AND APPROACHES FOR US
TO ELIMINATE AND GO THROUGH THIS
TRANSITION FOR SOME MINIMUM WAGE
WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR THE REPORT
TO COME BACK TO THIS
SUBCOMMITTEE BY THE APRIL 26TH
HEARING ON HOW THOSE TRANSITIONS
AND CONVERSATIONS ARE GOING SO
THAT WE CAN HAVE THAT UNIFIED.
APPROACH BETWEEN THE GROUPS THAT
ARE HAVING THE WORK GROUP TODAY.
WITH THAT ALL ISSUES UNDER THIS
TOPIC WILL BE HELD OPEN AND I
WILL THANK VERY MUCH PANEL
THREE. THANK YOU. WE ARE NOW
MOVING ON TO ISSUE FOR REGARDING
HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED
SERVICES, TH CBS RULE
COMPLIANCE. QUESTIONS FOR THE
PANELISTS FOR THIS ISSUE ARE
WHERE IS THE STATE IN REGARDS TO
COMPLIANCE. AND WILL WE MEET THE
DEADLINE FOR FULL COMPLIANCE BY
MARCH 17TH 2023. AND WHAT
HAPPENS IF WE ARE NOT IN
COMPLIANCE BY THE DEADLINE AND
WHAT ARE THE SUBSEQUENT STEPS
FOR US AS A STATE? WE WILL HAVE
THREE PRESENTERS ON PANEL FOR
BEGINNING WITH JIM NIGHT, THE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR CDSS CD
DVDS. FOLLOWED BY CHRISTOPHER
O'NEILL, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
AND RYAN AND ANDERSON WITH THE L
A. OH, LET US BEGIN WITH DEPUTY
DIRECTOR NIGHT WHEN YOU ARE
READY. THANK YOU, DOCTOR.
ARAMBULA, UM YOU KNOW, AS WE GET
STARTED ON THIS WHEN WE TALK
ABOUT THESE RULES FOR HOME AND
COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES, I
THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE ONE
OF THE MAIN DRIVERS FOR THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. UM
ESTABLISHING THESE RULES, AND IT
REALLY WAS TO AH, MAKE SURE THAT
FOLKS WHO RECEIVE SERVICES ARE
SUPPORTED TO HAVE THE SAME
CHOICES AND ACCESS AS EVERYONE
ELSE, MEANING THAT THOSE WHO
JUST BECAUSE THEY HAPPEN TO HAVE
A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY THAT
SHOULD NOT THEN PREVENT THEM AND
IN FACT, THEY SHOULD STILL BE
SUPPORTED. PEOPLE SHOULD BE
SUPPORTED AND MAKING CHOICES,
HAVING THE SAME RIGHTS THAT
EVERYONE DOES, AND IT REALLY IS
REFOCUSING. ON THAT INDIVIDUAL,
SO I THINK I'VE TESTIFIED
BEFORE, AND WE CERTAINLY HERE
AND THEN IN OTHER WORK GROUPS,
SO IT ALL GETS DOWN TO IF WE DO
THE PERSON CENTERED NOUS OF THIS
RIGHT WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE MAKE
SURE THAT WE'RE QUOTE IN
COMPLIANCE, WHICH IS A SCARY
TERM, BUT WE REALLY KIND OF NEED
TO BOIL DOWN INTO REALLY, WHAT
IS THE NUTS OF WHAT THIS IS
ASKING ABOUT? AND SO WE'RE GOING
TO TALK A LOT ABOUT SOME
PROVIDER NUMBERS, BUT I DON'T
WANT US TO FORGET, REALLY. THE
FOCUSES ON THE INDIVIDUAL'S
EXPERIENCES SO TYING INTO WHAT
WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER WITH
QUALITY INCENTIVES AND THE LIKE.
THAT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A BIG
MAJOR. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT
MEETING THESE REQUIREMENTS. AND
SO YOU MENTIONED THE MARCH 17TH
2023 DATE. AND SO THAT IS THE
REQUIREMENT THAT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, SPECIFICALLY THE
CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND
MEDICAID SERVICES REQUIRES THE
STATE TO SAY THAT HEY, YOU HAVE
A PLAN TO BE TO MEET ALL OF
THESE RULES. AND SO THAT IS THE
PLAN. THERE'S A REFERENCE IN THE
UH, THE AGENDA TO A QUOTE
STATEWIDE TRANSITION PLAN, WHICH
REALLY IS THE ROAD MAP OF HOW
WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE, BUT
THINGS DON'T STOP THEN. THEN WE
TURN INTO MONITORING ONGOING.
HOW ARE WE DOING? BECAUSE IT IT
CAN'T BE A ONE TIME EVENT.
BECAUSE THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO
THE TO THE PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE
SERVICES THAT WE NEED TO MAKE
SURE THAT NOT NOT ONLY DO PEOPLE
HAVE POLICIES IN PLACE WHEN I
TALK ABOUT PEOPLE PROVIDERS BUT
ALSO THE IMPLEMENTING THOSE ALSO
IMPORTANT TO NOTE AS WELL THAT
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE MARCH
2023 ALSO IN RECOGNITION OF THE
WORKFORCE ISSUES THAT WE'VE
TALKED ABOUT A NUMBER OF TIMES
HERE. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID
ALLOW FOR STATES TO REQUEST
WHAT'S CALLED A CORRECTIVE
ACTION PLAN, NOTING THAT THERE
MAY BE SOME STRUGGLES WITH
IMPLEMENTING SOME OF THE
REQUIREMENTS, IN PARTICULAR
ABOUT SUPPORTING PEOPLE TO, UM
IN A HAVE ACTIVITIES KIND OF
AWAY FROM WHERE THEY'RE
RECEIVING SERVICES BECAUSE
THERE'S SOME WORKFORCE SHORTAGES
SO IT DOES GIVE SOME TIME FOR
THE STATES TO FULLY IMPLEMENT
BEYOND MARCH OF 2023 SOME OF THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE RULES SO AS
PART OF OUR CORRECTIVE ACTION
PLAN, WE WERE ABLE TO NOTE A
NUMBER OF THE INITIATIVES AND
INVESTMENTS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT
HERE TODAY. THE RATE STUDY THE
WORKFORCE INVESTMENTS WITH
TRAINING AND ALIKE THAT WE ARE
LOOKING AT 2 TO 2 SUPPORT.
HOPEFULLY THAT INCREASED
WORKFORCE AND SO THAT WE CAN
CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND
MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THESE
RULES. AND EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE
FEDERAL RULES AGAIN, THEY REALLY
DO ALIGN WITH THE INTENT OF THE
LANTERN, AN ACT SO GETTING TO
TWO NUMBERS AND I KNOW IN THE
AGENDA HAS A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT
SET OF NUMBERS. JUST I CAN TELL
YOU THAT AS OF TODAY THIS
MORNING, UM WE HAVE 86% OF ALL
THE PROVIDERS RECEIVING SERVICES
. WE'VE ACTUALLY VERIFIED THAT
THEY HAVE ALL POLICIES IN PLACE.
THERE ARE A NUMBER ALMOST 14.
ALMOST ALL OF THE REMAINING WE
WERE STILL IN PROCESS OF
REVIEWING ALL THAT DOCUMENTATION
. THERE'S STILL A VERY SMALL
NUMBER ABOUT 30 PROVIDERS THAT
REGIONAL CENTERS ARE STILL
WORKING WITH AND GOING OUT AND
MEETING INDIVIDUALLY TO GET
THEIR INFORMATION. THEY CAN HELP
THEM REVIEW. SO DOING A LOT OF
INDIVIDUALIZED WORKS. THERE'S
BEEN A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT
OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.
UM AND SO, SO WE ARE GETTING
VERY MUCH CLOSER TO WHERE WE
NEED TO BE. UM SO WE DID SAY
WITH THOSE 30 PROVIDERS, UM WE
DID ISSUE A REGIONAL CENTERS DID
ISSUE WHAT WE CALL A MORATORIUM,
SO HOLD ON NEW REFERRALS FOR
SERVICE UNTIL WE CAN WORK WITH
THEM TO GET THEIR THEIR
DOCUMENTATION IN PLACE. AND
WE'RE HOPEFUL THEN THAT WE WILL
NOT HAVE TO GO TO THE NEXT STEP,
WHICH WE DID SUGGEST COULD BE
INCLUDE, UM, A PARTIAL,
TEMPORARY WITHHOLD OF PAYMENT
UNTIL, UM THOSE PROCEDURES AND
POLICIES ARE IN PLACE. LIKE I
SAID, WE'RE HOPEFUL WITH THE
MOVEMENT THAT WE'VE SEEN SO FAR
, AND I HOPE IT'S NOT A
STRATEGY. BUT LIKE WE'VE SEEN
SOME SOME ACTUAL DATA TO SHOW
THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY MOVING.
VERY RAPIDLY TOWARDS WHERE WE
NEED TO BE. UM SO. WHEN WE TALK
ABOUT THE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
, WHICH DOES ALLOW A TEMPORARY
EXTENSION OR A LITTLE MORE TIME
TO DO THAT IT DOES NOT ALLOW
FOR, UM ALL ELEMENTS OF THE ROLE
TO BE DELAYED OR IMPLEMENTATION
. SO THE SO THE PARTS OF THE
RULE THAT REALLY ARE ABOUT, UM
PEOPLE JUST BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS
RIGHT TO PRIVACY. RIGHT TO BE
FREE FROM BA TREATED, UM, WITH
DIGNITY. UM AND THOSE TYPES OF
THINGS THOSE HAVE TO BE IN PLACE
AND THEY SHOULD BE IN PLACE NOW,
QUITE FRANKLY, BUT THOSE HAVE TO
BE IN PLACE IMPLEMENTATION WISE
AND GOING FORWARD. THE OTHER BIG
PART OF AND I KNOW, MISS MARK
MENTIONED IT ON HER EARLIER
PANEL IS THE INVOLVEMENT OF
PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE SERVICES AND
THEIR FAMILIES. AND WHILE UH, A
FAIR NUMBER OF OR A FAIR AMOUNT
OF THE $15 MILLION ANNUALLY
THAT'S BEEN REFERENCED HAS BEEN
USED TOWARDS, UM, PROVIDING
INFORMATION TO PEOPLE WHO
RECEIVE SERVICES AND THEIR
FAMILIES. WE NEED TO DO MORE IN
A COORDINATED WAY. UM AND SO
THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG PART OF
WHAT WE NEED TO DO, MOVING
FORWARD, BECAUSE CERTAINLY THE
STATE AND REGIONAL CENTERS ARE
GOING TO HAVE SOME MONITORING
AND OVERSIGHT OF THIS, BUT WE
ALSO NEED TO GET INPUT FROM
PEOPLE RECEIVING SERVICES AND
WHETHER WE CALL IT THE RULES OR
ARE WE SETTING THE EXPECTATION
FOR FOLKS ABOUT WHAT THEY SHOULD
EXPECT FROM THEIR SERVICES? HOW
THEY SHOULD BE TREATED? WHAT
CHOICES THEY HAVE. THAT'S GOING
TO BE A BIG KEY PIECE OF THIS
GOING FORWARD. AND SO WE REALLY
DO AGAIN TALKING ABOUT KIND OF
REFOCUSING THINGS ON WHAT THE
TENANTS OF THE LETTERMAN ACTOR
AND THAT'S FOR ALL OF US AND,
MOST IMPORTANTLY, STARTING WITH
THOSE THAT RECEIVE SERVICES. SO
STOP THEIR NEXT WE WILL HEAR
FROM CHRISTOPHER O'DONNELL WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. THANK
YOU, MR CHAIR, CHRISTOPHER
O'NEILL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.
NOTHING FOR THEIR DAD. NEXT WE
WILL HEAR FROM MARK NEWTON WITH
THE LEGISLATIVE ANALYST'S
OFFICE. GOOD EVENING, MR CHAIR
AND THE MEMBERS AND MARK NEWTON
COVERING FOR MY COLLEAGUE, RYAN
ANDERSON. JUST A QUICK COMMENT
FURTHER TO MR NIGHTS. COMMENT ON
MAYBE VARIOUS SORT OF DATA SHOWN
IN THE COMMITTEE AGENDA. OUR
ANALYSIS WAS BASED ON DATA AT
THE END OF DECEMBER. UM AND
WHAT'S VERY ENCOURAGING IS
BETWEEN THE END OF DECEMBER AND
TODAY. SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT
IN THE LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE WITH
H C. B S POLICIES THAT IT WAS
ABOUT 50% LEVEL AT THE END OF
DECEMBER AND 86% TODAY, SO
THAT'S STILL A LITTLE WAYS TO
GO, BUT THAT THAT PROGRESSES IS
REFLECTION REALLY, OF VERY GOOD
OUTREACH EFFORTS BY BY THE
DEPARTMENT TO TRY TO ENCOURAGE
COMPLIANCE. UM. THAT'S THAT'S
THE CONCLUSION OF TESTIMONY ON
THIS PANEL. I WILL BRING IT UP
TO THE DIET. SO I'M GONNA ASK
ONE QUESTION FOR THE DEPARTMENT
OF FINANCE IF I CAN. DO YOU HAVE
ANY CONCERNS ABOUT OUR ABILITY
TO MEET THIS DEADLINE AND IF YOU
DO HAVE CONCERNS. CAN YOU TELL
US ABOUT THAT AS WE ARE GOING
FORWARD? I THINK, AS INDICATED
BY MR NEWTON WITH THE L A. OH,
UM WE'VE SEEN SIGNIFICANT
PROGRESS AND PROVIDERS COMING
INTO COMPLIANCE, ESPECIALLY
WITHIN RECENT MONTHS. SO I WOULD
SAY THE ADMINISTRATION IS
CONFIDENT IN THAT DEADLINE. WITH
THAT WE WILL THANKS VERY MUCH
THIS PANEL AND MOVE ON TO ISSUE
FIVE. ISSUE FIVE WILL BE ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW AND
OVERSIGHT FOR THREE AREAS. FIRST
ON THE SERVICE COORDINATOR
CASELOAD RATIOS, SECOND ON THE
SELF DETERMINATION PROGRAM
IMPLEMENTATION AND FINALLY, THE
SOCIAL RECREATION AND CAMP
SERVICES RESTORATION. THE
QUESTION FOR THE PANELISTS FOR
THIS ISSUE ARE WHAT CAN BE DONE
TO MAKE PROGRESS ON MEETING
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR
SERVICE COORDINATOR RATIOS. AND
HOW DO RATIOS AND THE PROPER
PROVISION OF SERVICES TIED TO
THE OTHER ISSUES WITHIN OUR
AGENDA? ALSO HOW IS THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM
IMPLEMENTING AND WHAT ARE THE
KEY CONCERNS AND CHALLENGES
MOVING FORWARD? OUR SOCIAL
RECREATION AND CAMP SERVICES
BEING UTILIZED AS ENVISIONED IN
THE EFFORTS TO RESTORE THESE
SERVICES, AND WHAT IS THE DATA
TELLING US ABOUT HOW THIS LOOKS
PER REGIONAL CENTER. WE WILL
HAVE FOUR PRESENTERS ON THE
PANEL FOR ISSUE FIVE, BEGINNING
WITH JIM NIGHT, DEPUTY DIRECTOR
FOR CD DS, FOLLOWED BY ERNIE
CRUZ, DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR C D.
D. S CHRISTOPHER ODD NEIL, WITH
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND MARK
NEWTON WITH THE L E O. LET US
BEGIN WITH DEPUTY DIRECTOR NIGHT
WHEN YOU ARE READY YEAH. THANK
YOU. UM SO I'LL START WITH A
QUESTION ABOUT THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM. AND SO AS
OF JANUARY 31ST SO JUST A COUPLE
OF WEEKS AGO, THERE ARE, UM
ALMOST 2400 INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE
PARTICIPATED IN SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM. AND AS
THE AGENDA NOTES THAT, YOU KNOW
, BEGINNING IN 2018, THERE WAS A
LIMIT FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS
OF 2500. SO WE'RE STILL NOT EVEN
THERE YET, BUT I DO THINK IT'S
IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OF THAT
ALMOST 2400. ABOUT A THIRD OF
THOSE HAVE BEEN ADDED JUST OVER
THE LAST SIX MONTHS, SO THE PACE
OF GROWTH HAS BEEN HAS BEEN
PICKING UP. UM RECENTLY AND I
THINK THAT IT AT LEAST IN IN
SOME PART, UM, PROBABLY HAS SOME
RELATION TO SOME OF THE
INVESTMENTS THAT ARE REFERENCED
IN THE AGENDA TO HELP SUPPORT
SELF DETERMINATION. SO SOME OF
THOSE THINGS SUCH AS, UH, A
SERVICE THAT SPECIFICALLY TO
HELP DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE
BEFORE THEY MOVE INTO SELF
DETERMINATION. THERE'S A LOT OF
DETAILS WORKING THROUGH ABOUT
HOW TO WORK WITH EMPLOYEES. HOW
TO SET WAGES. WHAT KIND OF
EXPECTATIONS YOU SHOULD HAVE?
AND ALL THOSE KIND OF DETAILS,
TAXES AND THE LIKE THAT REALLY
NEED TO BE WORKED OUT BEFORE
SOMEONE STARTS. AND SO THAT'S
JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE
SUPPORTS THAT THAT CAN BE
PROVIDED TO TWO INDIVIDUALS
BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY MAKE THAT
DECISION TO MOVE INTO SELF
DETERMINATION. ANOTHER BIG
SUPPORT WAS REMOVING THE COST OF
WHAT'S CALLED FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT SERVICES FROM
SOMEONE'S INDIVIDUAL BUDGET THAT
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICE IS
A IT'S PROVIDED TO REALLY HANDLE
THE MONEY TO PAY PAYROLL TO PAY
TAXES TO MANAGE THE BUDGET AND
THE LIKE, AND IT IS A REQUIRED
SERVICE UP UNTIL RECENTLY THAT
NEEDED TO BE PAID FOR OUT OF
THAT INDIVIDUAL'S OVERALL
BUDGET. NOW IT COMES OUT OF THAT
, SO IT REALLY DOES ALLOW FOR
MORE ACCESS AND MORE FREEDOM TO
UTILIZE THE BUDGET ON OTHER
SERVICES. ADDITIONALLY WE
STARTED WITH THE WORKING WITH
THE STATE COUNCIL FOR STATEWIDE
ORIENTATION. SO EXPANDING THAT
THE NUMBER OF ORIENTATIONS AND
FROM HOME SO THAT WE CAN
HOPEFULLY GET MORE MORE PEOPLE
TO HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE
ORIENTATIONS, WHICH ARE
NECESSARY BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT
TO LEARN AND BE AWARE OF FOR
FOLKS AS THEY MOVE INTO SELF
DETERMINATION AND ALSO
ADDITIONAL STAFFING AT THE
REGIONAL CENTERS TO SUPPORT
PEOPLE WITH, UM, WHO ARE NOT
ONLY, UH, NOT ONLY PARTICIPANTS,
BUT ALSO REGIONAL CENTER STAFF.
IN IN WHAT IS SELF DETERMINATION
HOW TO ASSIST FOLKS AS WELL AS
PEOPLE WHO MAY WANT TO, MAYBE
NOT ACCESS THE WHOLE SELF
DETERMINATION BUT MAY WANT TO
DIRECT SOME OF THEIR SERVICES
SUCH AS RESPITE AND THE LIKE
THAT WITHOUT WHAT WE CALL
PARTICIPANT DIRECTED SERVICES.
AND THEN FURTHER WE HAVE
ESTABLISHED WAS ALSO REFERENCED
EARLIER, AND OMBUDSMAN PERSONS
OFFICE SPECIFICALLY FOR SELF
DETERMINATION. UM THAT WAS
ESTABLISHED IN OCTOBER OF 2021.
SOME OF THE EVENTS INVESTMENTS
THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WERE
BROUGHT UP NOT ONLY WITH WITH
REGULAR MEETINGS FROM
STAKEHOLDERS, BUT SOME OF THE
SOME OF THOSE SUGGESTIONS HAVE
COME THROUGH. THE OMBUDSMAN
PERSONS OFFICE AS WELL. WHEN WE
TALK ABOUT SOME SOME WORK THAT
STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE, PROBABLY
ONE OF THE MAJOR AREAS HAS TO DO
WITH ACCESS TO THOSE FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS I
TALKED ABOUT IT IS A REQUIRED
SERVICE. UM WE ARE, UH, WE ARE
HAVING SOME SOME SOME OF THOSE
PROVIDERS HAVING HESITANCY WITH
BRINGING ON SOME NEW FOLKS
SUPPORTING NEW INDIVIDUALS IN
THE PROGRAM IN PARTICULAR, THOSE
THAT THAT HAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF
MONEY IN THEIR BUDGET. THERE'S A
COUPLE OF MAIN REASONS THAT
THEY'RE FOR THAT HESITANCY. ONE
IS THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT THAT'S
NEEDED, SO THE TIME THAT'S
NEEDED, SO THAT HAS TO DO WITH
THE RATE FOR THAT SERVICE
ITSELF, AND THEN ALSO CASH FLOW
. THERE'S OBVIOUSLY MORE CASH
GOING THROUGH AND GETTING
REIMBURSEMENTS. UM, PROMPTLY. SO
WE'VE DONE A COUPLE OF THINGS TO
ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE ONE. WE
ISSUED A DIRECTIVE FOR REGIONAL
CENTERS TO INSTEAD OF MOSTLY FOR
TYPICAL SERVICES, REIMBURSEMENT
AND CHECKS ARE ISSUED ONCE,
MAYBE TWICE A MONTH. WE WE'VE
INSTRUCTED THE REGIONAL CENTERS
TO DO THAT EVERY WEEK FOR THOSE
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROVIDERS
TO KEEP THAT CASH FLOW. GOING
AND THEN ALSO, WE'RE WORKING
WITH, UM, ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF A
GROUP OF ACTUALLY ALMOST ALL THE
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROVIDERS
THAT WE HAVE NOW TO REALLY GET A
BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK
THAT'S INVOLVED IN PROVIDING
THAT SERVICE SO THAT WE CAN HAVE
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, MUCH LIKE
WE TALKED ABOUT WITH THE RATE
STUDY ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE NEEDED
TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS GOING
FORWARD. WE ESTABLISHED THOSE
RATES IN THE BEGINNING. BASED ON
WITH WITH INPUT FROM SOME OF
THOSE SAME PROVIDERS BASED ON
WHAT RATES ARE PAID IN OTHER
STATES, BUT WE'RE LEARNING THAT
MUCH LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE.
THINGS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IN
CALIFORNIA, IN PARTICULAR THE
SCOPE OF SELF DETERMINATION.
IT'S VERY BROAD HERE, SO THERE
IS MORE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE
IN, UH, THAT IS INVOLVED AND SO
THAT THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. SO
STILL WORKING THROUGH THROUGH
WHAT THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL
BE WITH THOSE PROVIDERS AND LOOK
FORWARD TO HAVING SOME
CONTINUING THAT DISCUSSION. IT'S
ALSO IN THE AGENDA TALKED,
POINTED OUT SOME DIFFERENCES IN
, UH, ACCESS AMONGST PEOPLE OF
DIFFERENT ETHNICITIES AND THAT
IT DOES NOT LINE UP AND IT SHOWS
THEM INEQUITIES AS COMPARED TO,
UH, THE OVERALL REGIONAL CENTER
POPULATION. AND I WILL SAY THAT
THAT WAS CERTAINLY AS PART OF
THAT INITIAL 2500. IT WAS
REQUIRED THAT THOSE FIRST
INDIVIDUALS WE SELECTED THEM, UM
TO THOSE WHO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY
TO START IN SELF DETERMINATION,
AND WE DID THAT WHEN I SAY WE
WAS WITH THE DEPARTMENT BUT
WITH, UM INPUT FROM STAKEHOLDERS
TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE 1ST 2500
THAT WERE SELECTED WERE
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOGRAPHICALLY
OF THE STATE AS A WHOLE.
OBVIOUSLY, ULTIMATELY ALL THOSE
THAT WERE SELECTED DID NOT
ULTIMATELY GET INTO SELF
DETERMINATION. WE HAVE SOME
INFORMATION AS TO WHY, BUT WE
STILL NEED TO DIG DEEPER INTO
THAT ONE. WHERE PEOPLE WHAT? WHY
ARE THEY MAY BE ASKING, SHOWING
AN INITIAL INTEREST AND THEN NOT
FOLLOWING THROUGH, IS IT BECAUSE
THEY JUST DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT?
IS IT BECAUSE IT IS TOO HARD? IS
IT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GETTING
ENOUGH SUPPORT AND KIND OF WHAT
ARE THE DIFFERENCES IN THOSE
DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICS TO THAT?
SO THERE'S STILL MORE WORK TO
DO, JUST LIKE WITH WE TALKED
ABOUT ON THE FIRST PANEL, UM, TO
REALLY DETERMINE WHAT WHAT NEXT
STEPS ARE TO HELP ADDRESS WHAT
WE'RE SEEING IN THAT DATA. AND
THEN I'LL MOVE ON TO SOCIAL
RECREATION AND CAMP. UM MUCH
LIKE SOME OF THE OTHERS. WE
TOUCHED ON SOME OF THIS EARLIER,
AND I THINK IT WAS MISS WESLEYAN
THAT TALKED ABOUT AND ON ALL
PARAPHRASE AND HOPEFULLY
ACCURATELY THAT WHEN THIS
SERVICE, UM THE STATUTE WAS
FIRST PASSED IN 2009 TO SUSPEND
THIS SERVICE AND THEN YOU SLASH
FORWARD TO NOW WHAT PEOPLE WANT
IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN NOW THAN
WHAT THEY WERE GETTING BEFORE.
BEFORE MOSTLY THAT WAS SERVICES
THAT WERE, UM, KIND OF WHAT WE
REFER TO AS SOMEWHAT SEGREGATED
OR MOSTLY WITH OTHER PEOPLE
RECEIVE REGIONAL CENTER SERVICES
, AND NOW WE ARE GETTING
REQUESTS FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT
SERVICES FROM PARKS AND RACKS
FROM DIFFERENT THINGS. SO JUST
LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT WITH THE
WITH THE FEDERAL RULES SAME
ACCESS AS EVERYONE ELSE WANTS.
SO THAT'S GREAT, BUT IT HAS
CREATED SOME CHALLENGES FOR SOME
REGIONAL CENTERS TRYING TO ENTER
INTO THOSE AGREEMENTS OR VENDOR
IS ATIONS WITH ENTITIES THAT
THEY TYPICALLY DON'T DO. UM, AND
IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF ITS BECAUSE
THOSE OTHER THE CITY AND COUNTY
PARKS OR THE Y M C A OR WHAT
HAVE YOU THE IT'S A LITTLE
COMPLICATED, JUST QUITE FRANKLY
, FOR THEM TO GO THROUGH THAT
AND KIND OF REALLY, REALLY KIND
OF DO THINGS VERY DIFFERENT FOR
A COUPLE OF PEOPLE THAN THEY DO
FOR EVERYONE ELSE. SO WE ARE
WORKING WITH REGIONAL CENTERS TO
ONE NOT GO THROUGH WHAT WAS
TALKED ABOUT WITH HAVE PARENTS
PAY AND THEN REIMBURSED. THAT IS
NOT THE IDEA. WE REALLY WANT TO
WORK THROUGH THAT. CREATING THAT
STREAMLINED, UM, PACKAGE THAT
MISS WEST LANE TALK AND LOOKING
AT SOME OTHER OPTIONS AS WELL,
BECAUSE THESE ARE DIFFERENT
TYPES OF ENTITIES WHERE WE WANT
TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT
FOLKS HAVE ACCESS TO THE OTHER
THING THAT'S BEEN, UM YOU KNOW,
THERE WAS A COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL
RECREATION, COMMUNITY
INTEGRATION GRANTS, AND WE HAD I
THINK IT WAS OVER 120 OR RIGHT
AROUND THAT APPLICANTS FOR THOSE
GRANTS, AND THE MOST OF THOSE
APPLICANTS WERE FOR PEOPLE THAT
WE DON'T WANT TO SAY. WE THE TDS
AND IN THE REGIONAL CENTERS DO
BUSINESS WITH NOW. SO THEY WERE
THE MORE PUBLIC, UM AND OR
PRIVATE ENTITIES THAT DON'T
PRIMARILY SERVE INDIVIDUALS WHO
RECEIVED REGIONAL CENTER
SERVICES. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF
WEBINARS THAT WE PUT ON TO
DESCRIBE WHAT THIS WOULD BE IN
THE EXPECTATIONS WILL LOOK TO
AWARD THOSE GRANTS HERE SOON.
PART OF THE GRANTS WILL ALSO
HELP AND SUPPORT SOME OF THOSE
SAME ENTITIES TO BECOME VENDORS
OR CONTRACTING WITH THE REGIONAL
CENTERS TO HELP EXPAND THAT
ACCESS. SO WE HAVE SEEN SOME
INCREASES. I WILL TELL YOU THAT
THERE IS A BIT OF A CHALLENGE IN
THE DATA BECAUSE WHAT WAS
PURCHASED BEFORE IS NOT THE SAME
THING NOW AND THERE REALLY
WASN'T A QUOTE CODE OR A SERVICE
THAT STOPPED IN 2009 AND THEN
JUST RESTARTED, SO WE DO NEED TO
DIG THROUGH SOME OF THAT DATA TO
HELP ANSWER SOME OF YOUR
QUESTIONS THERE. THANK YOU.
NEXT, WE WILL HEAR FROM DEPUTY
DIRECTOR CRUZ. THANK YOU, DOCTOR
. THANK YOU, DOCTOR ARAMBULA.
I'LL SPEAK TO COMPLIANCE WITH
SERVICE COORDINATOR CASELOADS
CELEBRATIONS. UM SO WITH REGARDS
TO THE QUESTION, RECENT
INVESTMENTS IN REDUCING
CASELOADS WILL PLAY A
SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN GETTING
THOSE RATIOS REDUCED, UM, IN THE
AGENDA. THE AGENDA HAS DATA ON
CAS HOLD RATIOS AND CONCERNS.
THIS DATA IS EARLY ON IN THOSE
INVESTMENTS. UM WE EXPECT TO SEE
IMPROVEMENT WHEN WE SURVEYED THE
REGIONAL CENTERS AGAIN IN THE
SPRING COMING UP IN MARCH. UM
THE REDUCED, UH, 0 TO 5 AGE 1 TO
40 CASELOAD. THE FUNDING, AS WAS
PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED WAS FOR
NINE MONTHS IN THE FISCAL YEAR
22 23. THERE'S AN EXPECTED PHASE
IN OCTOBER. THE OCTOBER CASE
HOLD RACIAL WAS OBVIOUSLY STILL
EARLY IN THE PROCESS OF
RECRUITING FOR THOSE POSITIONS.
UM PORTION OF THE INCENTIVE
MONEY WAS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
ADDITIONAL STAFFING, AND THAT
CAN HELP WITH REDUCING THE
CASELOAD RATIOS AS WELL. UM AT
THE DEPARTMENT, WE CONTINUE TO
MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH THESE
REQUIREMENTS. REGIONAL CENTERS
ARE REPORTING DIFFERENT EFFORTS
AT RECRUITMENT. UM AND CERTAIN
GEOGRAPHIC AREAS FACE MORE
HIRING CHALLENGES AND OTHERS. I
THINK WITH REGARDS TO CASE HOLD
RATIO THERE ALSO NEEDS TO BE, UM
, CONSIDERATION THAT EFFORTS AND
WORKFORCE STABILIZATION WILL
ALSO PLAY A ROLE IN RECRUITMENT
AND RETENTION. UM THERE'S
STATUTE NOW, WHICH REQUIRES THE
DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH THE AND
REGIONAL CENTERS TO ADMINISTER
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM.
FOR REGIONAL CENTER EMPLOYEES
WHO SEEK DEGREE OR CERTIFICATION
, HEALTH OR HUMAN SERVICES
RELATED FIELDS, SO WE FEEL THAT
WE'LL ALSO PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION. MOVE
ON TO CHRISTOPHER O'NEILL WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. THANK
YOU, MR CHAIR CHRISTOPHER
O'NEILL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
NOTHING FURTHER TO ADD AT THIS
TIME HERE FROM MARK NEWTON WITH
THE THANK YOU, MR CHAIR. YES
JUST IN TERMS OF THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM ROLLOUT AS
MENTIONED BY MR KNIGHT. OUR
REVIEW OF THE RECENT DATA DID
SHOW SOME RACIAL AND ETHNIC
DISPARITIES IN THE ROLLOUT. UM
AS MR KNIGHT NOTED, IT WOULD BE
GOOD TO SORT OF GO BEHIND THE
DATA JUST TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS
DRIVING THOSE DISPARITIES. AND
THAT WILL HELP THE STATE JUST IN
COMING UP WITH A GOOD PLAN IN
ORDER TO ENSURE THAT, UM, THERE
THERE IS GREATER TAKE UP OF THE
PROGRAM ACROSS ALL CONSUMERS. UM
IN TERMS OF THE SERVICE
COORDINATOR CASELOAD RATIO SORT
OF ISSUE. UH UM AS OUR ANALYSIS
NOTED, UM, THERE HAVE BEEN
SEVERAL FUNDING AUGMENTATIONS
OUR LAST NUMBER OF YEARS AND IN
IN SPITE OF SEVERAL OF THOSE
AVERAGE CASELOADS ACTUALLY
CONTINUE TO INCREASE. UM AND
NUMBER OF REASONS FOR THAT. I
MEAN, GROWING AND GROWING
POPULATION OF THE DDS CASELOAD,
ALONG WITH SORT OF RISING COSTS
OF THE COORDINATORS. UH BUT
THERE HAVE BEEN SOME RECENT
INVESTMENTS WHICH THE DATA DO
NOT. UM UH REFLECT, AND SO
HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE SOME
SOME IMPROVEMENTS. AH IN THAT
REGARD, BUT ANALYSIS DID POINT
TO SOMETHING THAT THE
LEGISLATURE MAY WISH TO
CONSIDER. AND THAT IS THE CORE
STAFFING. UM, FUNDING FORMULA,
WHICH IS HOW REGIONAL CENTER
SORT OF STAFFING IS FUNDED,
PERHAPS AN OUTDATED FUNDING
FORMULA THAT MAY NEED TO BE
UPDATED TO SORT OF JUST REFLECT
SORT OF THESE CASELOAD ISSUES.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I WILL NOW
BRING IT UP TO THE DYERS TO SEE
IF THERE ARE ANY MEMBER
QUESTIONS. I WILL KEEP IT HERE
AT THE CHAIR. MY FIRST QUESTIONS
FOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR CRUISE. I'M
REALLY WANTING TO LOOK AT THE
CASELOAD RATIOS AND ASK A FEW
QUESTIONS AND I'M GOING TO
FOLLOW UP WHAT'S FINANCE, BUT I
WANT TO START WITH YOU. DEPUTY
DIRECTOR CRUISE HOW DO WE
JUSTIFY WHERE WE ARE? IT SEEMS
THAT WE ARE SO FAR OUT OF
COMPLIANCE AND THAT THE
SITUATION IS GETTING WORSE WHEN
YOU LOOK AT THE GRAPH AT THE TOP
OF PAGE 29 SO HOW DO WE JUSTIFY
WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW? YEAH IF
I CAN JUMP IN, UM SO I DON'T
KNOW THAT WE WANT TO JUSTIFY IT
. THERE'S CERTAINLY AS THE
BUDGET INVESTMENTS THAT MR
O'NEILL HAD TALKED ABOUT, UM, DO
RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEED TO DO
MORE. AND SO THE DATA THAT
YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS FROM
OCTOBER OF 2022 WHEN A NUMBER OF
THOSE INVESTMENTS HAD JUST
STARTED SO WE ARE LOOKING
FORWARD TO SOME MORE UPDATED
DATA AND WILL DO AN ASSESSMENT
THEN TO SEE WHERE WE'RE AT, UM,
COMING NEXT MONTH. CAN YOU SPEAK
HOW THIS ISSUE LOOKS THROUGH THE
LENS OF EQUITY FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION? WELL I YOU KNOW
AS YOU WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN A
NUMBER OF PANELS, THE SERVICE
COORDINATION AND ACCESS TO
SERVICE COORDINATION TO PROVIDE
INFORMATION TO HELP LINK PEOPLE
TO SERVICES EDUCATE FOLKS ON
WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE.
THAT'S CERTAINLY CRITICAL ROLE
FOR SERVICE COORDINATORS. AND
THAT'S WHY, AS I MENTIONED
BEFORE WE HAVE PUT IN SOME
INVESTMENTS OVER THE YEARS,
INCLUDING SOME RECENTLY IN
RECOGNITION OF THE NEED AND THE
IMPORTANT ROLE THAT SERVICE
COORDINATION PLAYS. IT WOULD
SEEM THAT IF WE WERE ABLE TO
DECREASE THE RATIOS, WE WOULD
EMPOWER THOSE UM. CASE WORKERS
TO BE ABLE TO LISTEN. HERE AND
ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THOSE
BEING SERVED BY THE PROGRAM. AND
SINCE WE'VE HEARD SUCH
DISPARITIES, WHICH IS WHY I'M
ASKING THE QUESTION THROUGH THE
LENS OF EQUITY, I THINK WE HAVE
TO LOOK AT WHAT SOME OF THOSE
DRIVERS ARE. I'M GOING TO
TRANSITION SLIGHTLY IF I CAN, AS
AS I BELIEVE THERE'S, UH THE
POTENTIAL FOR FEDERAL ADVERSE
ACTION. THROUGH LOSS OF FEDERAL
FUNDING THAT WE'VE HAD BEFORE AS
A STATE WHEN WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN
COMPLIANCE WITH THESE CASELOAD
RATIOS, AND I'M HOPING THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE CAN
COMMENT ON THAT. I MAY LEAN ON
MR KNIGHT HERE, MR. MR CHAIR. I
DO, UM, YOU KNOW, HAS BEEN
DISCUSSED HERE. THERE HAVE BEEN
AND ALSO TOGETHER. THERE HAVE
BEEN A NUMBER A NUMBER OF
INVESTMENTS THAT HAVE MADE
PARTICULARLY RECENTLY THIS
CURRENT YEAR THAT HAVE COME
ONLINE AND, UM, WE'RE
ANTICIPATING THAT YOU KNOW,
WE'RE GOING TO SEE, UM MORE
SERVICE COORDINATORS HIRED AT
REGIONAL CENTERS IN THIS CASE OF
RACIST RATIOS COME DOWN. UM YOU
KNOW, AS TO INTERACTIONS WITH
WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, I
THINK I WOULD NEED TO LEAN ON MR
NIGHT FOR SURE. AND SO, YOU
KNOW, THE REFERENCE TO THE PRIOR
. UM I BELIEVE IT WAS IN THE
LATE NINETIES, WHEN THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT HAD SANCTIONS AND SO
AT THAT TIME, JUST IN GENERAL,
THERE WERE SYSTEMIC CONCERNS
THAT, UM, WHERE IDENTIFIED WITH
NOT JUST SERVICE COORDINATION,
BUT BUT A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER
THINGS THAT LED THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO TAKE THE ACTIONS
THAT THEY DID, WHICH WAS ONE PUT
A MORATORIUM ON NEW INDIVIDUALS
GAINING ACCESS TO, UM, THE
WAIVER AND THEN SOME, UH AND
SOME OTHER THINGS, AND SO A
NUMBER OF THINGS THAT HAVE
HAPPENED SINCE THEN, AND IT
WASN'T JUST BECAUSE OF
CALIFORNIA, BUT, UM, BUT OTHER
STATES WAS THAT FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, THEY WERE AWARE THAT
THEY REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD
KIND OF PICTURE OF WHAT WAS
HAPPENING OUT IN THE STATES AND
BY THE WAY THEY DIDN'T HAVE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STATES TO
HAVE A PICTURE OF WHAT WAS
HAPPENING EITHER. SO SINCE THEN
, THERE HAS BEEN CONTINUED IN,
UH, MOVEMENT TOWARDS ONE, THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYING, OKAY,
STATE TELL US WHAT MECHANISMS
YOU HAVE IN PLACE TO OVERSEE THE
GENERAL OPERATION OF THE WAIVER
AND THEN REPORT THAT TO US, SO
IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A RATIO.
BUT REALLY, WHAT IS THE OUTCOME
OF THAT? SO OUR SERVICE PLANS
BEING DEVELOPED LIKE THEY SHOULD
. ARE THEY ADDRESSING ALL NEEDS
ARE OUR FINANCIAL ISSUES
IDENTIFIED SO BROAD ASSURANCES
THAT WE CAN DO SO THAT THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T COME
OUT AND THEN SEE ALL AT ONCE AS
A REAL SYSTEMIC ISSUES, AND SO
WHAT THAT DOES THEN IS THAT
GIVES AN EARLY LOOK FOR THE
STATE AND FOR THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT. TO SEE WHEN THERE
MAY BE SYSTEMIC ISSUES TO TRY
AND CUT THOSE OFF MUCH EARLIER.
SO NOT TO SAY THAT THERE'S STILL
NOT MORE WORK TO DO. BUT I WOULD
SAY THAT JUST IN GENERAL AND
EVEN GOING BACK TO THE NEW
FEDERAL SETTINGS RULES IS THAT
WITH THESE INCREASED OVERSIGHT
AND DATA SOURCES THAN BOTH THE
STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
CAN SEE WHEN SOME OF THOSE
ISSUES MAY BE EMERGING AND TRY
AND HAD THOSE OFF. WOULDN'T YOU
SAY THERE'S A SYSTEMS ISSUE OF
EVERY REGIONAL CENTER HAS BEEN
OUT OF COMPLIANCE AND THAT THE
CASE LETTER RATIOS ARE GETTING
WORSE WHEN THAT BE A TIME WHEN
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD
WANT TO. UM INSERT ITSELF AND
BEGIN TO ADVOCATE. IT'S
CERTAINLY IT COULD, AND THAT'S
WHY YOU KNOW THE RISK OF
REPEATING MYSELF WHY WE HAVE
MADE SOME OF THOSE INVESTMENTS
OVER THE YEARS AND RECOGNIZING
THAT I MEAN, WE HAVE THOSE IN
STATUTE FOR A REASON, AND WE'RE
LOOKING TO MAKE INVESTMENTS TO
GET TO TRY AND BRING THOSE
RATIOS BACK TO WHERE THEY SHOULD
BE. I THINK YOU'LL HEAR FROM MY
OFFICE MORE ABOUT THE NEED FOR
US TO MANAGE THE RISK THAT'S
BEFORE US WELL, WE CANNOT
MITIGATE IT ALL. UM LOOKING AT
HOW WE CAN ADDRESS THE CORE
STAFFING FORMULA AND FUND. THOSE
CHANGES MAY ALLOW US TO MORE
ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THESE
CASELOAD RATIOS AND GET INTO
COMPLIANCE RATHER THAN HAVING
THE POTENTIAL THAT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT MAY WITHHOLD FUNDING
FROM US AND SO I LOOK FORWARD TO
HOW WE CAN HAVE THOSE HONEST
CONVERSATIONS BECAUSE, UM, LAST
THING ANY OF US WOULD WANT IS
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO NOT BE
PUTTING MONEY INTO OR CREATING A
MORATORIUM. FOR US GOING
FORWARD, AND SO I'M ASKING FOR
SOME HELP. AS WE HAVEN'T UPDATED
THESE CORE STAFFING FORMULA
SINCE THE EARLY NINETIES. AND IT
WOULD SEEM THAT IT'S TIME FOR US
TO ADDRESS SOME OF THAT. WITH
THAT I WILL. THANKS VERY MUCH.
THIS PANEL AND I WILL MAKE A
REQUEST FROM THE CHAIR IF I CAN.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE THREE REQUESTS
RELATED TO THE ITEMS WE HAVE.
FIRST IS AN UPDATED ESTIMATE ON
HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO
MODERNIZE THE CORE STAFFING
FORMULA FOR REGIONAL CENTER
OPERATIONS. BY A DATE CERTAIN
WHICH MAY SUPPORT THE PROGRESS
TOWARDS SERVICE COORDINATOR
RATIO COMPLIANCE. I KNOW WE'VE
MADE CHANGES INTO THE YOUNGER
AGE GROUP 0 TO 5, BUT CAN WE GET
AN UPDATED FOR THAT CORE
STAFFING? SECOND I WOULD LIKE A
REGIONAL CENTER SPECIFIC
REPORTING ON THE ENROLLMENT OF
INDIVIDUALS WITHIN OUR SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM. AND THIRD
IF WE CAN HAVE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SOCIAL
WRECK AND CAMP SERVICES. UH FOR
REGIONAL CENTER SPECIFIC
REPORTING AS WELL. FOR THE FIRST
REQUEST ON THE CORE STAFFING
FORMULA A MORE CLEAR AND
DETAILED REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE WILL BE NECESSARY FOR
OUR STAKEHOLDERS, AND I'M JUST
HOPING TO HAVE THOSE
COMMUNICATIONS AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE LIKE TO ASK FOR ALL OF
THE INFORMATION FROM THE
ADMINISTRATION TO COME BACK TO
THE STAFF, INCLUDING THE L A.
OH, BY THE END OF MARCH. IS THE
ADMINISTRATION AMENABLE TO THIS
I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AS YOU
MENTIONED SOME OF THE SPECIFICS
ABOUT WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE
FOR THE CORE STAFFING RATIO TO
SEE WHAT WILL BE POSSIBLE, BUT
CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING
THOSE DISCUSSIONS ON THOSE
SPECIFICS. ALL ISSUES WILL BE
HELD OPEN THAT ARE BEFORE US AND
AGAIN JUST WANT TO THANK THIS
PANEL FOR THIS CONVERSATION. YOU
WILL NOW MOVE ON TO ISSUE SIX.
REGARDING THE DDS SAFETY NET
PLAN AND THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET
PROPOSALS FOR THIS AREA.
QUESTIONS FOR THE PANELISTS FOR
THIS ISSUE ARE WHAT ARE THE
HIGHEST PRIORITY ISSUES IN THE
RECENTLY RELEASED SAFETY THAT
PLAN? WHAT DO THE TRENDS TELL US
ABOUT THE FUTURE NEEDS OF THE
CASELOAD MIGHT LOOK LIKE
COMPARED TO NOW. AND HOW IS THE
STATE ASSURING THAT INDIVIDUALS
AND INSTITUTIONALIZED SETTINGS
LIKE KENYAN SPRINGS ARE BEING
ADEQUATELY AND TIMELY ASSESSED
FOR TRANSITION TO THE COMMUNITY?
WE WILL HAVE THREE PRESENTERS
FOR ISSUE SIX, BEGINNING WITH
CARLA CASTANEDA, CHIEF DEPUTY
DIRECTOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES,
CHRISTOPHER O'NEILL, WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND MARK
NEWTON WITH THE YELLOW LET'S
BEGIN WITH CHIEF DEPUTY
CASTANEDA WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY
PLEASE. THANK YOU, MR CHAIR
CARLOS CASTANEDA DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. AND I
BROUGHT WITH ME DIRECTOR OF
ARGUMENT FOR ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS. UM THE STAKEHOLDER
PROCESS BEGAN FOR DEVELOPING THE
SAFETY NET PLAN WITH LOOKING AT
THE FOCUS FOR THE WORK FOR THE
PLAN. SO SOME OF THAT WAS A
SHIFT FROM PRIOR PLANS THAT
LOOKED AT DEVELOPMENT OF CRISIS
SERVICES. TO FOCUS OF PREVENTION
AND DE ESCALATION, SO PRIORITIES
THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET
INCLUDE, AND THERE'S A NICE
DESCRIPTION IN YOUR AGENDA, BUT
THOSE INCLUDE ADDITIONAL STAFF
AT THE REGIONAL CENTERS TO WORK
WITH COUNTIES FOR TRAUMA,
INFORMED CARE FOR THE CHILDREN
IN FOSTER YOUTH. IN FOSTER CARE
, UM, FUNDING TO DEVELOP
ADDITIONAL RESIDENTIAL MODELS IN
THE COMMUNITY. THIS WOULD
ADDRESS INDIVIDUALS THE NEEDS
FOR WITH MORE COMPLEX NEEDS. BUT
ALSO TO RE EVALUATE THE EXISTING
STABILIZATION HOMES THAT WE HAVE
TO CONVERT THEM TO INTERMEDIATE
CARE MODELS, WHICH WOULD ALLOW
FOR ADDITIONAL TOOLS IN
TREATMENT. UM PART OF THIS
PROPOSAL ALSO LOOKED AT THE
STAFFING OF THOSE PROGRAMS AND
THE COMPONENT FOR THE CRISIS
STABILIZATION TEAMS, SO SOME
ADJUSTMENT THERE WAS ALL NETTED
IN THE PROPOSAL. AND THEN
FINALLY, THE LAST REQUESTED YOUR
NEXT ISSUE FOR A NEW AUTISM
SERVICES BRANCH. LET'S STAY ON
ISSUES. SIX. FOR NOW, OF COURSE,
WILL DO. MHM UM, SO THESE
PROPOSALS ALL CAME ABOUT LOOKING
AT YOUR NEXT QUESTION. WHAT ARE
THE TRENDS THAT WE'RE SEEING?
AND SO OVER? OVER THE YEARS,
WE'VE DEFINITELY SEEN AN
INCREASE IN THE PROPORTION OF
INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE DIAGNOSED
WITH AUTISM. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IN
THE AGENDA, YOU KNOW THE
PROPORTION THAT ARE UNDER THE
AGE OF 22. AS WELL AS THE
GROWING PROPORTION OVER OVER
TIME. SO UM, WE'RE ALSO SEEING
AN INCREASE IN THE AGING
POPULATION. SO ARE INDIVIDUALS
ARE FORTUNATELY LIVING LONGER,
BUT WE ALSO HAVE CHANGING NEEDS
TO ADDRESS THOSE UM. AND I THINK
TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE QUESTIONS
ON THE KENYAN SPRINGS. THOSE
TRANSITION PLANNING MEETINGS
HAPPEN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. SO UM
, FOR THE MAJORITY OF
INDIVIDUALS NEARLY 90% AS OF
DECEMBER IN THE CURRENT YEAR HAD
RECEIVED AT LEAST BEGUN THEIR
TRANSITION MEETING PLANNING
PROCESS. AFTER THAT INITIAL
MEETING THERE'S CONTINUED MEET
AND GREETS WITH POTENTIAL
PROVIDERS AND THAT TRANSITION
PLANNING CONTINUES. SO THAT THE
MAJORITY OF FOLKS ARE NOT LEFT
TO WAIT UNTIL NEAR THE END OF
THEIR TRAINING. CHRISTOPHER ODD,
NEIL. THANK YOU, MR CHAIR.
NOTHING FOR THEIR OUT OF THIS
TIME. MARK NEWTON. ELIO YES, MR
CHAIR. WE REVIEWED THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL FOR AN
AUGMENTATION RELATED TO THE
SAFETY NET PLAN AND FOUND THE
PROPOSAL TO BE REASONABLE. IT'S
A FAIRLY MODEST INVESTMENT.
BRING IT UP TO THE DIOCESE FOR
ANY MEMBER QUESTIONS. I'LL KEEP
IT HERE AT THE CHAIR. I NOTICED
ON PAGE 33 UNDER THE COMPLEX
NEEDS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM. THERE
ARE 35 PERSON RESIDENTIAL HOMES
THAT ARE BEING CREATED. I JUST
ALWAYS LIKE TO ASK WHERE, AS I
WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE
ADDRESSING SOME OF THE
GEOGRAPHICAL DISPARITIES THAT WE
SEE AS WELL. OF COURSE, INITIAL
THINKING ON THAT IS POTENTIALLY
LOOKING AT THE CURRENT PROPERTY
THAT THE STATE IS OCCUPYING IT
FOR EVERY DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER.
UM SO PART OF THE SAFETY NET
PLAN WAS LOOKING AT THE
ALTERNATIVES THAT KENYAN SPRINGS
AND THAT MIGHT BE A FEASIBLE
OPTION. THANK YOU. I WILL, UM.
WE'D LIKE TO REQUEST FROM THE
ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE A NEW
DATE FOR THE TBL PROPOSAL THAT
WILL EXTEND THAT 10 CRISIS BEDS
AT CANYON SPRINGS COMMUNITY
FACILITY FOR CONSIDERATION BY
THE LEGISLATURE. UM. OUTSIDE OF
THAT ALL ISSUES WILL BE HELD
OPEN AND WELL, THANKS VERY MUCH.
THIS PANEL THANK YOU. WE WILL
NOW MOVE ON TO ISSUE SEVEN
REGARDING THE BCP FROM THE
ADMINISTRATION FOR THE CREATION
OF AN AUTISM SERVICE BRANCH THE
QUESTIONS FOR THE PANELISTS FOR
THIS ISSUE ARE HOW WILL THIS
INVESTMENT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
IN CREATING IMPROVED AND
FACILITATED ACCESS TO SERVICES
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM
SPECTRUM DISORDER AND HOW WILL
OUTCOMES BE MEASURED? AND ON
WHAT TIME BASIS WE WILL HAVE
THREE PRESENTERS ON THE ISSUE?
WE WILL BEGIN WITH DR LAUREN
LOBERO, AUTISM SPECIALISTS FOR
THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. CHRISTOPHER OG, NEIL
WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
AND MARKETING WITH ELIO. DOCTOR
WHEN YOU ARE READY? SURE THANK
YOU, EVERYONE FOR STICKING WITH
US. UM SO I'D LIKE TO TOUCH ON A
COUPLE OF OUR PLANNED GOALS. UM
FOR THE PROPOSED BRANCH, UM,
WHICH WE'LL GET TO, UM I THINK
HOW WE'RE GOING TO CREATE
IMPROVED AND FACILITATED ACCESS
TO SERVICES. ONE OF OUR MAJOR
GOALS IS MORE TIMELY. UM, OR
EARLIER ACCESS TO SERVICES IN
OUR SYSTEM. SO AROUND HALF OF
CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, WHO ARE
SERVED BY THE REGIONAL CENTERS
ARE ENTERING THE SYSTEM. AFTER
THEIR THIRD BIRTHDAY, WHICH
MEANS THEY'RE MISSING OUT ON
CRITICAL EARLY INTERVENTION
SERVICES THAT COULD BE
SUPPORTING THEM AND THEIR
FAMILIES. UM SO THIS BRANCH
PLANS TO DEVELOP OUTREACH AND
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, UM, AND
DELIVER TRAININGS TO THE
COMMUNITY, THE REGIONAL CENTERS
AND OTHER SYSTEM PARTNERS TO
HELP. UM INCREASE AWARENESS AND
INFORMATION ABOUT AUTISM. UM WE
ALSO ARE PLANNING TO DEVELOP AN
ONLINE RESOURCE HUB THAT WOULD
PROVIDE INFORMATION NOT ONLY
ONLINE, BUT THAT COULD BE
PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED AMONGST
THE REGIONAL CENTERS. DIFFERENT
SYSTEM PARTNERS, LIKE FIRST FIVE
OR COMMUNITY GROUPS. UM, OUR
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS. AH UM
AND, UM JUST TO PUT INTO CONTEXT
WHY? I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.
UM, WE HAVE CONSISTENT EVIDENCE
IN THE SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
THAT THERE IS DELAYED SCREENING
AND DIAGNOSIS FOR CHILDREN OF
COLOR AS WELL AS GIRLS ON THE
AUTISM SPECTRUM AND RESEARCH
STUDIES THAT HAVE LOOKED AT WHAT
ARE THE BARRIERS TO GETTING A
DIAGNOSIS AMONG, UM PARENTS OF
CHILDREN OF COLOR AND NON
ENGLISH SPEAKING FAMILIES. UH
ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENT
BARRIERS THAT COMES UP IS A LACK
OF PARENT KNOWLEDGE ABOUT
AUTISM. AH, UM AND SURPRISINGLY
, THERE ARE VERY FEW RESOURCES
ON THE INTERNET THAT ARE ABOUT
AUTISM THAT ARE GEARED TOWARDS
FAMILIES, UM PARTICULARLY
FAMILIES FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES
, UM, THAT ARE NOT IN ENGLISH.
UM SO I THINK THERE'S A
SIGNIFICANT GAP THAT CALIFORNIA
COULD BE FILLING AND WE COULD BE
LEADING YOU KNOW THE COUNTRY AND
ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT
AUTISM FOR FAMILIES EVERYWHERE.
UM, ANOTHER MAJOR GOAL OF THIS,
UM, PROPOSAL IS TO INCREASE OUR
RESPONSIVE ITTY TO FAMILIES, SO
WE GET LOTS OF CONTEXT TO THE
DEPARTMENT FROM FAMILIES WHO
HAVE CHILDREN WITH AUTISM WHO
ARE ASKING GENERIC QUESTIONS
ABOUT WHAT AUTISM IS, BUT ALSO
YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE RECEIVE
ELIGIBILITY? WHAT TYPES OF
SERVICES MIGHT I HAVE ACCESS TO?
UM WE ALSO RECEIVED QUESTIONS
FROM SCHOOL AGE, UM CHILDREN AND
THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL AS
ADULTS. UM, PRETTY REGULARLY. WE
ALSO RECEIVE REQUESTS FOR
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE
REGIONAL CENTERS AS WELL AS SOME
OF OUR SYSTEM PARTNERS. WE HERE
PRETTY CONSISTENTLY FROM THE
HOSPITALS IN CALIFORNIA. UM
OCCASIONALLY WE'LL WE'LL HAVE AN
INDIVIDUAL WITH AUTISM WHO IS
DROPPED OFF AT THE EMERGENCY
DEPARTMENT AND EITHER THE FAMILY
OR THE CARE HOME WON'T PICK THEM
UP. UM SO WE RECEIVE REQUESTS
FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THEM, UM, ON
A MONTHLY BASIS, UM, AND THE
STAFFING PROPOSED IN, UM THIS
BRANCH WILL HELP US TO, UM, BE
RESPONSIVE IN A TIMELY MANNER
AND ALSO START TRACKING. UM
THOSE COMMUNICATIONS, UM SO WE
CAN IDENTIFY SOME OF THE TRENDS
AND I THINK THAT COULD ALSO LEAD
BACK TO DEVELOPING MORE
INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS THAT
MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO THE
COMMUNITY. UM AND THEN ONE OF
THEM OVERARCHING GOALS IS TO
REALLY DEVELOP A STRATEGY FOR
THE FUTURE OF OUR SYSTEM. UM
WE'RE FACING A FUTURE WHERE
AUTISM IS GOING TO BE THE
MAJORITY OF THOSE SERVED BY
REGIONAL CENTERS. AND THIS IS
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE
HISTORY OF THE REGIONAL CENTER
SYSTEM. UM THAT INTELLECTUAL
DISABILITY WILL NOT BE OUR
MAJORITY. IT'S GOING TO BE
AUTISM. UM AND I THINK WE'RE
FACING THE QUESTION OF WHETHER
THE SYSTEM IS PREPARED WITH THE
APPROPRIATE SERVICES TO SERVE
THAT POPULATION. UM AND WE HAVE
SOME, UH, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT
AUTISM, I THINK THAT THERE ARE
ONE. THE HALLMARK FEATURES OF
AUTISM LIKE SOCIAL COMMUNICATION
CHALLENGES THAT SEPARATE THEM
FROM OTHER DISABILITIES THAT WE
SERVE. UM THAT MAY TRANSLATE TO
UM, MAYBE A LACK OF FIT BETWEEN
THE TYPES OF SERVICES WE
TRADITIONALLY OFFER AND THE
NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE
AUTISM. UM AND JUST THINKING
ABOUT AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
THAT CLINICAL LABEL. THE
SPECTRUM PART CALLS OUT JUST A
WEALTH OF DIVERSITY AMONGST THE
POPULATION. SO UM, EVEN THOUGH
WE HAVE THOSE HALLMARK FEATURES
WHERE YOU KNOW EVERYONE ON THE
SPECTRUM EXPERIENCES, SOCIAL
COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES, WE SEE
JUST A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF
VARIABILITY IN THE WAY THAT
AUTISM IMPACTS THEM, UM, THE
TYPES OF OTHER COMORBIDITIES
THEY MIGHT HAVE AND UM, EVEN
JUST A LOT OF DIFFERENCES
AMONGST THE TYPES OF SKILLS AND
TALENTS. THEY HAVE THAT WE COULD
BE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF AS WE
SUPPORT THEM. UM SO WHAT DO WE
NEED TO DO? UM TO GET TO A
SYSTEM THAT'S THAT'S REALLY SET
UP TO SERVE THEM AND THEIR
UNIQUE NEEDS. AND I THINK THE
FIRST STEP IS TO BETTER
UNDERSTAND THE POPULATION. AND A
SMALL PART OF THAT WOULD BE, UM,
LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE
POPULATION THROUGH OUR DATA. SO
TRACKING OUR CASELOAD AND THE
INTERSECTION BETWEEN THE AUTISM
POPULATION AND SOME OF D D S S
FOCUS AREAS LIKE SERVICE ACCESS
AND EQUITY. UM, EMPLOYMENT
SAFETY NET THINGS LIKE THAT. UM
BUT I THINK AN EVEN BIGGER PART
IS, UM, LISTENING TO THE
COMMUNITY. UM SO I THINK IT'S
CRITICAL THAT WE'RE HEARING FROM
PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE TO
REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW TO IMPROVE
THE SYSTEM. HOW DO WE DEVELOP
SERVICES THAT ARE GOING TO
ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS OR THEIR
THEIR GOALS TO LIVE? INTEGRATED
IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE EMPLOYMENT
, MAYBE ACCESS POST SECONDARY
EDUCATION. AH UM YOU KNOW, HOW
DO WE GET THEM THERE? UH AND I
THINK THEIR VOICES SHOULD BE
DRIVING WHAT WE DO. AND UM, AND
HOW WE HOW WE DEVELOP INNOVATIVE
AND EFFECTIVE SERVICES. UM SO
WITH THE SUPPORT TO STAFF THIS
BRANCH WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO
ONGOING. UM, COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT, UM WITH SELF
ADVOCATES WHO HAVE LIVED
EXPERIENCE SO INDIVIDUALS WHO
ARE ACTUALLY ON THE SPECTRUM
BEING SERVED BY REGIONAL
CENTERS. UM AS WELL AS WITH
THEIR FAMILIES, AND I THINK
ULTIMATELY THAT'S GOING TO BE
THE WAY THAT WE REALLY ACHIEVE
AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY GOING
FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE. UM TO
ADDRESS THE SECOND QUESTION. HOW
WILL THESE OUTCOMES BE MEASURED?
UM, I THINK UH, REALISTICALLY,
WE'RE GONNA MEASURE THIS BY
THEIR COMPLETION. UM WITHIN THE
FIRST YEAR, WE WOULD OBVIOUSLY
BE HIRING THE POSITIONS THAT WE
PROPOSED, UM, WILL BE SETTING UP
INTERNAL DATA AND COMMUNICATIONS
TRACKING SYSTEMS. UM, WILL BE,
UM DEVELOPING SOME OF THE
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS THAT I
MENTIONED BEFORE. IN ADDITION TO
COMPLETING AN UPDATE TO THE
CLINICAL GUIDELINES FOR
SCREENING AND DIAGNOSING AUTISM
, UM, WHICH HAVEN'T BEEN UPDATED
SINCE 2002 AND INCLUDE NO
MENTION, UM ABOUT, UM SOME OF
THOSE RACIAL ETHNIC, UM, SEX
BASED DISPARITIES AND CLINICAL
PRACTICES, UM SO WE'LL BE
UPDATING AND ADDING SECTIONS. UM
TO ADDRESS THOSE, UM, WILL ALSO
BE CONVENING ARE AUTISM.
STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS WERE
PLANNING TO START WITH OUR SELF
ADVOCATES, BUT WE WOULD ALSO
LIKE TO DO SUBSTANTIAL WORK TO
RECRUIT FAMILIES, OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS AND PROVIDERS TO
ALSO PROVIDE INPUT AND THEN I
THINK BY OUR SECOND YEAR, THAT'S
WHEN WE COULD BE LAUNCHING OUR
RESOURCE HUB. UM DELIVERING MORE
OF THE OUTREACH MATERIALS AND
TRAININGS, UM AND DOING SOME OF
THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH
OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT WE
MENTIONED IN THE BCP, ADDRESSING
SOME OF THOSE CROSS CUTTING
ISSUES BETWEEN DDS AND SOME OF
OUR SISTER DEPARTMENTS, UM AND,
UH, TO KIND OF WRAP IT UP. UM
YOU KNOW, WITH THE STAFFING, WE
WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW,
INCREASE THE REPORTING WE HAVE.
SO IF THERE'S INFORMATION. THE
LEGISLATURE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR
MORE ABOUT OUR CASELOAD OR
SOMETHING ELSE. UM, WE WOULD
HAVE THE SUPPORT TO DO THAT.
THANK YOU. DEPARTMENT OPPONENTS.
THANK YOU, MR CHAIR CHRISTOPHER
O'NEILL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
NOTHING FOR THEIR DAD. AT THIS
TIME IN L A. OH, THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIR. MARK NEWTON. ELIO WE
REVIEWED THE PROPOSAL. WE THINK
IT IS A REASONABLE ONE. IT WOULD
HELP THE DEPARTMENT OVER THE
LONG TERM BETS. START START TO
BETTER SERVE WHAT IS THE MOST
RAPIDLY GROWING SUB POPULATION
OF ITS CONSUMER BASE? I WILL
BRING IT NOW UP TO THE DIOCESE
TO SEEK ANY MEMBERS. QUESTIONS I
WILL KEEP IT HERE WITH THE
CHAIR, DR LOBERO. I WILL JUST
SAY HOW MUCH INTEREST MY OFFICE
HAS IN THIS AREA AND UM, I
APPRECIATE IT. THAT I HAVE AN
EPIDEMIOLOGIST ON MY STAFF WHO
HAS A FOCUS ON NEUROSCIENCE, AND
IT'S DONE AUTISM RESEARCH UNDER
SOME VERY GOOD LEADERSHIP. UM
WILL FIRST ASK HOW THIS
INITIATIVE CAN BE SENSITIVE TO
THE FACT THAT AUTISM SPECTRUM
DISORDER IS A BEHAVIOURALLY.
DEFINED BUT A MEDICALLY COMPLEX
DISORDER. HOW HOW IS THE
INITIATIVE SENSITIVE THAT WE
HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE WHOLE
PERSON? THAT ARE GOING AND IN
THIS SPECTRUM. YEAH I MEAN,
AUTISM IS INCREDIBLY COMPLEX. UM
IT IS CLINICALLY DEFINED
BEHAVIOURALLY. WE OFTEN ADDRESS
IT MEDICALLY, UM, YOU KNOW, FOR
EXAMPLE, IN THIS STATE, WE HAVE
AN INSURANCE MANDATE FOR
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR
AUTISM, WHICH IS CONSIDERED
MEDICAL. UM AND AMONG
INDIVIDUALS ON THE AUTISM
SPECTRUM. WE ALSO SEE
DISPROPORTIONATE RATES OF HOME
MORBID CONDITIONS. SOME OF THOSE
MEDICAL IN NATURE LIKE
GASTROINTESTINAL ISSUES. UM
OTHERS? UM AND SO I THINK ALL OF
THAT HAS TO BE TAKEN INTO
CONSIDERATION AS WE'RE
DEVELOPING SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
, UM I THINK HOW HOW WE ACHIEVE
THAT REALLY IS GOING TO BE
THROUGH LISTENING TO OUR
STAKEHOLDERS WHO ARE
EXPERIENCING THOSE THINGS. UM
THEY'RE THEY'RE GOING TO BE THE
BEST AND MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE
ABOUT YOU KNOW WHAT UM, WHAT
THEY NEED. I WANT TO FOLLOW UP
AS I AM HOPING THAT THIS WILL
CONTRIBUTE TO A BETTER
UNDERSTANDING OF MANY OF THOSE
COMORBIDITIES AS WE ARE ENGAGING
IN WITH COMMUNITY AND, UM,
AGAIN, JUST. I WOULD LIKE TO
APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR'S
PROPOSAL. I WILL MAKE A REQUEST
FROM THE CHAIR IF I CAN. I'D
LIKE TO ASK THE LAO Tð. ASSIST
US IN DRAFTING PROPOSED BUDGET
BILL LANGUAGE THERE WILL
ARTICULATE THE GOALS, MILESTONES
AND OUTCOMES ENVISIONED IN THIS
INVESTMENT WITH FOR FUTURE
REPORTING TO BE DONE THROUGH DDS
TO THE LEGISLATURE ON WHAT IS
ACCOMPLISHED AS A RESULT OF THIS
REQUESTED RESOURCES. AND FOCUSED
EFFORTS ON INDIVIDUALS WITH ASD
WHO ARE SERVED IN THE
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES SYSTEM
FOR THE L A. OH, WE WOULD LIKE
YOU TO WORK WITH MY STAFF AND
THE ADMINISTRATION TOWARDS
PREPARING THIS DRAFT BUDGET BILL
LANGUAGE THAT WE CAN CONSIDER
ADOPTING. IF THIS IS APPROVED
FOR THE 2023 BUDGET, AND WE'RE
JUST LIKE YOUR ASSISTANCE WHEN
THE TIME WAS VERY HAPPY TO WORK
WITH YOUR YOUR STAFF, MR CHAIR
WITH THAT THIS ISSUE WILL BE
HELD OPEN AND I WILL. THANKS
VERY MUCH. THIS ENTIRE PANEL
THIS ENDS THE DISCUSSION PORTION
OF OUR AGENDA FOR THIS
AFTERNOON. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY
ISSUES FROM THE NON DISCUSSION
AGENDA THAT MEMBERS WANT TO MOVE
TO THE DISCUSSION SECTION. SO
WITH THAT WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO
PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE
HEARING. I'D LIKE TO FIRST THANK
VERY MUCH ALL OF OUR PANELISTS
HERE TODAY. IF THERE ARE NO
ADDITIONAL MEMBERS, COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS, WE WILL NOW BEGIN
PUBLIC COMMENT. AS A REMINDER.
WE WELCOME PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY
ISSUE IN THE AGENDA. WE DO HAVE
A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE
WHO WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE PUBLIC
COMMENT, AND THEREFORE I WANT TO
URGE YOU TO KEEP YOUR COMMENTS
BRIEF SO THAT WE CAN HEAR FROM
EVERYONE. WE WILL START WITH ANY
IN PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT IN THE
HEARING ROOM. PLEASE COME
FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE IF YOU
WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT.
PLEASE HI. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS
CAROL HOTEL. OH, AND I COME TO
YOU FROM MY AGENCY PROGRESSIVE
EMPLOYMENT CONCEPTS, BUT ALSO AS
THE ANT TO FIVE INDIVIDUALS WHO
HAVE USED REGIONAL CENTER
SERVICES SINCE THEIR BIRTH. UM
SO OVER 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
WALKING THROUGH EARLY
INTERVENTION ALL THE WAY THROUGH
ADULTHOOD. UM I WANTED TO. I
WILL. I HAVE COMMENTS ON ALL OF
THE AREAS, BUT I WILL. I WILL
PUT THOSE IN WRITING AND SEND
THEM IN. UM I DID WANT TO
ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF THE
INCENTIVES AND BECAUSE THERE WAS
QUITE A QUITE A LOT OF
DISCUSSION ON THAT. AS A
PROVIDER OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
. I WILL TELL YOU IT SADDENS ME.
THAT THAT MONEY IS GOING UNUSED
AND NOT JUST BECAUSE THE MONEY
IS GOING AND USED, BUT BECAUSE
EVERY EVERY DOLLAR THAT ISN'T
SPENT ON THAT MEANS A PERSON
WITH A DISABILITY WHO WANTED A
JOB DIDN'T GET A JOB. AND EVERY
EMPLOYER IN CALIFORNIA WHO NEEDS
WORKER DIDN'T GET A WORKER.
RIGHT AND THAT IS THAT TO ME IS
THE GREATEST PROBLEM WITH THE
WITH THAT MONEY, NOT BEING USED
THE REASON I THINK IT'S NOT
BEING USED IS BECAUSE IT'S AN
INCENTIVE BEING USED TO PAY FOR
WHAT IS A CORE RATE ISSUE. UM MY
STAFF ARE NOT PAID ENOUGH TO DO
THE WORK THAT THEY DO. THEY DO
NOT HAVE THE TRAINING, EVEN
THOUGH I TRY AS BEST AS I CAN TO
PROVIDE ALL OF THE TRAINING THAT
THEY NEED, SO I HAVE TO
ADVERTISE. I HAVE TO HIRE. I
HAVE TO TRAIN AND THEN THE
PERSON GOES OUT TO WORK WITH
SOMEBODY. THEN THEY FIND THE
PERSON A JOB AND THEN WE THE
PERSONS IN THE JOB, 30 DAYS AND
THEN WE GET AN INCENTIVE PAYMENT
, BUT ALL OF THAT COST
BEFOREHAND. I HAD TO PAY. I HAD
TO PAY OUT AS AN EMPLOYER, WHICH
I DON'T HAVE, BECAUSE MY RATE
STRUCTURE DOES NOT SUPPORT. UM
THOSE COSTS SO I THINK THAT ONE
OF THE REASONS INCENTIVES AREN'T
WORKING IS BECAUSE WE'RE NOT
LOOKING AT THE CORE WAGE ISSUES
AND THE RATE REIMBURSEMENT
ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE
ADDRESSED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
YOU GUYS ARE PATIENT. HI I'M
JACKIE FOSS. I'M THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR AND THE FOUNDER OF
STRATEGIES TO EMPOWER PEOPLE.
THE STEP PROGRAM. I STARTED THIS
PROGRAM IN 1992. IT'S 31 YEARS
OLD, AND I STARTED IT TO SERVE
FOLKS THAT WERE DEAF WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, SO I
DIDN'T WAIT TILL 2022 TO DO
DEATH SERVICES. I DID IT IN 1992
. I UNFORTUNATELY AM GIVING
NOTICE ON MY EYELIDS PROGRAM IF
I CANNOT FIX THE RIGHT ISSUE,
AND I WANT TO GIVE YOU SOME
EXAMPLES, AND I REALLY
APPRECIATE DR. WHAT ABOUT THE
PREVENTATIVE? BECAUSE YOU SEE
RUBY'S LIFE WITH THE
PREVENTATIVE THIS PROGRAM,
AVERAGE HOURS AND MILES IS 20
HOURS A MONTH. IF THE RATES
STUDY STAYS TRUE WHEN THE RATE
IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED, I'LL TAKE
A $4 AN HOUR RATE CUT. $4 AN
HOUR FOR A PROGRAM I'VE BEEN
DOING FOR 31 YEARS. I'M ANGRY.
I'M FRUSTRATED, AND I'M USUALLY
SOMEONE THAT'S A REALLY PRETTY
STRONG ADVOCATE. I'M GOING TO
GIVE YOU SOME ALTA CALIFORNIA
REGIONAL CENTER NUMBERS AIM
AUBURN, VERY RURAL COMMUNITY.
SHE SERVED 160 PEOPLE, SHE SAID.
HER PROGRAM DOWN TURNING POINT.
DOES MENTAL HEALTH LS SHUT THE
PROGRAM DOWN. THEY NO LONGER
PROVIDE. I'LL SERVICES TRAINING
TOWARDS SELF RELIANCE WAS THE
PILOT PROGRAM IN 1978 IN THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, WHO DID
I'LL SERVICES THERE? GONE. THERE
ARE NO LONGER HERE CHOICES.
TRANSITIONAL SERVICES I LS
SERVICES. THESE ARE JUST ALTA,
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CENTER LONG
TERM PROGRAMS, AND I KNOW I CAN
GO THROUGH THE HEALTH AND SAFETY
WAIVER PROCESS. THAT'S WHAT I'M
SUPPOSED TO GO THROUGH. THIS IS
THIS IS JUST HEARTBREAKING. THEY
WANT ME TO BECOME A PERSONAL
ATTENDANT PROVIDER. I'M SUPPOSED
TO DO CARETAKING FOR RUBY.
BECAUSE THE RATE I'M GETTING
PAID. THAT'S WHAT I WAS TOLD BY
MY REGIONAL CENTER. I HAVE P A
RATE I DON'T DO THAT. I PAY MY
STAFF $20 AN HOUR OR MORE,
BECAUSE WHAT THEY DO IS VERY
DIFFERENT. I ALSO PROVIDE
SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES I HAVE
SUPPORTED LIVING. I SERVE 100
AND 80 FOLKS IN SUPPORTED LIVING
SERVICES. I KNOW THE DIFFERENT
AND I JUST GO. WHAT WHAT DO WE
HAVE TO SAY? I SAID IT IN 2019.
I SAID IT IN 2020 21 22. THEN
IT'S LIKE, OH, YOU'RE ONLY
TRYING TO SHUT YOUR PROGRAM DOWN
TO GO AND THREATEN. I'M NOT. I'M
TELLING YOU, I'VE LOST SIX YEARS
. I'VE LOST MONEY ON THIS
PROGRAM. THEY SAVED LIVES DURING
COVID LS DID IN PERSON SUPPORT.
MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE LIKE RUBY
HAD NO FAMILY. HOW WOULD SHE
NAVIGATE COVID WITHOUT OUR
INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS? HOW
WOULD SHE DO THAT? AND I JUST GO
. WHAT AND I APPRECIATE YOU GO.
WHY WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? LS IS
SUCH AN EXTRAORDINARY PROGRAM
WITH THE LOWEST UTILIZATION.
WHAT THE PROBLEM. JUST FIX THE
RATE. YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION
AND I DON'T LIKE TO BEG AND I
DON'T LIKE TO BE ANGRY, AND I'M
GONNA ADD ONE. THAT'S LS AND I'M
VERY PASSIONATE. I'M GONNA ADD
ABOUT THE SAFETY NET PROGRAM
THAT'S NEVER TAKEN INTO
CONSIDERATION. I ALSO DO ENHANCE
SUPPORTED LIVING FOR PEOPLE OUT
OF CANYON SPRINGS, PEOPLE OUT OF
C. C. H S E. B S. C H S EVERY
LETTER OF THE ALPHABET. THEY
COME TO MY PROGRAM. AND GUESS
WHAT HAPPENED GEOGRAPHICALLY AND
SUPPORTED LIVING. IT'S A HOME OF
THEIR OWN. THE SUPPORTS ARE
SURROUNDING THE PERSON BUT WE
NEVER GET CONSIDERED IN THE
SAFETY NET. I HAVE PEOPLE THAT
ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMPLEX AND
ACTUALLY GOT ASKED TO LEAVE A
CCH. WE NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN
THE SAFETY NET BECAUSE THAT'S
ANOTHER PREVENTATIVE WHEN THEY
HAVE A CRISIS, THEY STAY HOME.
THEY DON'T GET KICKED OUT OF
THEIR HOME. THEY DON'T HAVE TO
MOVE. WE JUST TRANSITION AND WE
ARE FLEXIBLE AND TAILORED. SO I
JUST WANT TO ADD THAT LITTLE
BIT. THANK YOU FOR REALLY TAKING
ON I L S. IT'S SUCH AN
CRITICALLY IMPORTANT SERVICE,
AND I HOPE WE DON'T LOSE IT
BECAUSE YOU'LL BE REBUILDING IT.
I TOLD ALL TO LIKE YOU DID
SOCIAL WRECK AND YOU WON'T BE
ABLE TO REBUILD IT. THANK YOU.
MR CHAIR DOCTOR WOULD RICK
ROLLINS, REPRESENTING ARC
ASSOCIATION, REGIONAL CENTER
AGENCIES WANTED TO JUST COMMENT
ABOUT ITEM NUMBER FIVE. FIRST OF
ALL, I WANT TO THANK THE
COMMITTEE FOR THEIR LONGSTANDING
COMMITMENT TO THE SYSTEM AND
ALSO TO SUPPORT THE REVISION OF
THE CORE STAFFING FORMULA. IT'S
MUCH NEEDED AND IT WILL HELP OUR
SYSTEM GREATLY TO BRING IT UP TO
SPEED. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
EXT COMMENT, PLEASE GOOD EVENING
, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS MIKE
PEREIRA. I AM THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF A SERVICE PROVIDER
IN BERKELEY. UM AND I'M ALSO THE
CO CHAIR OF THE EAST BAY
LEGISLATIVE COALITION. I'M
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THEM NOW,
SO UM, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS
THAT WE COULD TALK ABOUT. I KNOW
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF
CONVERSATION ABOUT A LOT OF REAL
ISSUES THAT ARE HERE AND AS I
SURE THE, UM THE MEMBERS CAN
APPRECIATE THERE'S A SYMBIOTIC
RELATIONSHIP, AND A LOT OF IT IS
REALLY COMMINGLED. UM I THINK
YOU KNOW, I THINK THE MOST
IMPORTANT THING TO KEEP FOCUS ON
IS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING
SERVED, RIGHT? SO WHEN MR
ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S WOULD WHEN YOU
TALK ABOUT LIKE MY COLLEAGUE,
JACKIE WAS ABOUT LS RATES THAT
HAS ALL SORT OF PACKED ON OTHER
SERVICE PROVISION AS WELL. IT
COMES DOWN TO RATES. ULTIMATELY
IT COMES DOWN TO THESE NEW
PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES THAT ARE
BOND GOING. I'M A MEMBER OF THAT
WORK GROUP, AND WE'RE WORKING
HARD TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. BUT
THERE'S A LONG ROAD TO GET TO
THERE, AND IT NEEDS TO BE PERSON
CENTERED RIGHT AND NEEDS TO BE
AT THE HEART OF THE SERVICE.
ADDITIONALLY, AS RICK HAD SAID
MODERNIZING THE CORE STAFFING
FORMULA IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE
THOSE ARE THE ENTRY WAYS FOR
PEOPLE TO GET ACCESS TO SERVICE
. WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO TALK
ABOUT EQUITY ISSUES, THINGS LIKE
THAT. THAT IS A COMPONENT OF
THIS AND ALL OF THIS IS
INTERCONNECTED. AND SO I JUST
WANTED TO LEAVE THE CLOSE TO
THINK THE LEGISLATURE IN
PARTICULAR FOR THE LAST COUPLE
OF YEARS OF INVESTMENT IN OUR
SYSTEM. AND KNOW THAT THERE'S
STILL WORK TO BE DONE. THANK
YOU. THANK YOU. WHEN I STARTED
THIS. WE KNOW, BUT IT'S GRISELDA
ESTRADA MAMA, JUAN PEREZ. IS
THAT NOTHING? TULLOCH'S
ELEMENTAL TITO JUAN PEREZ. IS
THE HOCKEY BUT. THE ZERO STICK,
AND IT'S MOSTLY WHILE DAD
TRANSPARENCY, RESPONSIBILITY
THAT THE PARTY THE LAWCENTER
ORIGINALIST. DANIEL SMITH TACO
IS THE AIRPORT SERVICIOS. BUT
ALGORITHM IN IRAN SO BUDGET OKAY
. TANYA SERVICES MEDIA QUATRANO
PATRAS, YAMA I C C INTEGRATED
AURAS. SOME POOR AS MY MASK ON
HORSES IS TAKE YOUR MEDICAL
MENTORING NARROW. E FOR MY
PARTY. VOLUNTARY CORNEAS. I
WANNA KNOW CATTANEO OPPORTUNITY
COMMUNIQU RC IS THEM ESTAMOS
TRATANDO DE AYUDAR
RECONNAISSANCE AND NECESSARY
TITO, OUR STANDARD PROGRAM
TERMINATION. YEAH I THINK. OH,
MESSAGE LAFITA CARILLO. SEPARATE
Ó. SEPARATE THE ECONOMIC
PALABRAS LAURA'S ESPRESSO. I
ESTE SALON. COM PORT A MENTOS
DEL CÁC BANDIDO PARTICULARLY
WANT TO ASIAN MOMENTO. YES,
PEREDO PACIENTE MEANT. CAN YOU
SAY YOUR NAME TO THE PEOPLE,
PLEASE? MY NAME IS. MY NAME IS
JUAN AND YOUR LAST NAME, PLEASE.
MY. I ASKED.
NAME. MY LAST NAME IS PEREZ. SO
IS COM MESSAGE. PROGRAM AND
INTERVENTION. TEMPORAL ORIGINAL
NO COMMITTEE AT ALL
OPPORTUNITIES TO THEY KILLED
ESTO. SEE ELSEWHERE DIAGNOSTIC
MANUAL SCONCES MESSAGE. CRLA.
INTERVENTION ILLNESSES, TONITA.
I GOT RATHER, ACCORDING ADORA.
HISTORIA SYRIA. MIHO OPPORTUNITY
TO THEY ARE APPROXIMATE WISE SO
. NO BANK HARMONY, CONTRARIAN
POLKA UPON IT AND MALA ME CENTER
REGIONAL HOSPITAL SEASON, SAYS
HEATON CAMBIOS, CAMBODIA,
TRANSPARENCIA CAN BUILD THE
EQUAL THAT THE SERVICIOS E CAN
BE USED A RESPONSIBILITY THAT
JOE, NO SOY AND ALPHABET TO YOU
AND ME, GADO CRIMINAL. SEE ME.
CORDEN ADORA. OTHER POSITIVE
CONFIDENCE AND ME CORINNE ADORA
SERVICES IN THE MANAGER YET
MOVIE. WILL BE RATHER SARAJEVO.
LINGUA I THINK HORSES. GRACIAS
WAS THEN. MY NAME IS JILL. EMAIL
UP HERE AND PASTING BUT FIND
SOMETHING THAT I HAVE TO SAY.
INTERESTING I WANT TO GET BACK
TO ME. I'VE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR
PEOPLE DISABILITIES MY ENTIRE
LIFE. MY FATHER HAD DISABILITIES
. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HE HAD A
DISABILITY, AND THOSE DAYS HE
JUST WALKED DIFFERENT. SO ALL I
KNEW. BUT TODAY I WANT TO TALK
TO TRY TO MAKE IT VERY BRIEF.
FIRST OF ALL, AND I THINK ALL OF
YOU FOR BEING HERE WAY LONGER
THAN YOU THOUGHT, AND I JUST
APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH YOU WANT
AND OTHER THINGS TO DO IN
FAMILIES, AND I APPRECIATE IT SO
MUCH. I DID WANT TO. STATE
RESTATE TWO THINGS. TWO
INCREDIBLE STATEMENTS HERE. ONE
OF THEM WAS WENT, JUDY SAID.
WHEN SHE SAID. WE ALL HAVE
DIFFERENT CHALLENGES WITH PEOPLE
. BUT THERE ARE ENORMOUS PEOPLE
THAT ARE WORKING IN THIS FIELD
THAT ARE TREMENDOUS THAT HAVE
GIVEN THEIR LIVES THAT HAVE
GIVEN THEIR HOPES THAT HAVE GONE
TO SCHOOL FOR MANY YEARS THAT
HAVE LEARNED ANOTHER LANGUAGE
THAT ARE HERE TO REALLY SUPPORT
OUR PEOPLE. AND NO MATTER WHAT
SAID HERE AT ANY OTHER TIME, I
REALLY WANT TO THANK THOSE
PEOPLE. THE SECOND THING I
BELIEVE IT WAS THE ADMINISTRATOR
OF GOLDEN GATE REGIONAL CENTER
THAT SAID, WE NEED TO LISTEN. I
THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST
THINGS WE CAN HAVE OUR HEART AND
GOAL AND WANT THE RIGHT THING
AND EVERYTHING FOR OUR CLIENT OR
OUR FAMILY MEMBER. BUT IF WE'RE
NOT LISTENING, COMPLETELY
LISTENING AND UNDERSTANDING,
CULTURE AND AGE AND DIFFERENCE
WE'RE ON THE BEST TRAIN IN THE
WORLD, BUT WE'RE GOING THE WRONG
DIRECTION. SO I THINK THOSE
THINGS ARE JUST REALLY
IMPORTANT. I'M GOING TO GET TO
MY POINT. WE'VE TALKED A LOT
ABOUT MONEY AND NOT HAVING
ENOUGH OF IT. WE'VE ALSO TALKED
ABOUT CASELOADS BEING
UNBEARABLE. THERE'S A LITTLE
IDEA. SOMETIMES LITTLE IDEAS ARE
THE ANSWERS OR CAN BE PART OF
THE ANSWER. I KNOW SOME PEOPLE.
I WAS A COUNSELOR FOR A LOT OF
YEARS. PROFESSIONAL COUNSEL IN
THE DISABILITY FIELD, SO PEOPLE
TALK TO ME A LOT ABOUT STUFF
THAT THEY DON'T TELL OTHER
PEOPLE ABOUT. THERE ARE PEOPLE
THAT HAVE CASES OPEN FOR THEIR
FAMILY MEMBERS. THEY DON'T WANT
CASES OPEN. THEY DON'T NEED THE
SERVICES. THE FAMILIES ARE
PROVIDING THEM. THEY'RE AFRAID
TO SAY ANYTHING. SOME OF THEM
HAVE HAD ACCUSATIONS MADE OF
ABUSE. THAT SEEMS TO HAPPEN
QUITE FREQUENTLY, AND THEY TELL
ME ABOUT IT, THEN THEY'RE AFRAID
TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WELL IN
THIS FIELD. THIS IS A POPULATION
THAT IS ABUSED A LOT, SO WE DO
HAVE TO WATCH OVER THEM.
HOWEVER. SOME OF THESE PEOPLE,
THE SHERIFFS HAVE SAID NO
PROBLEMS. THE POLICE HAVE SAID
NO PROBLEMS THE DOCTORS HAVE
SAID GOT NO CONCERNS ADULT
PROTECTIVE SERVICES IN CHILD
PROTECTIVE SERVICES SAID. WE
DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEMS. WE NEED
TO ALLOW LAWN FORCE MINT TO DO
LAW ENFORCEMENT. THEY'RE
SUPPORTED BY MANDATED REPORTERS
WHO HAVE VERY, VERY SERIOUS
COMMITMENTS. THEY'RE GOING TO
JAIL. THEY'LL HAVE A HEFTY FINE
IF THEY DON'T REPORT YOU MIGHT
WANT TO CHECK INTO THAT LAW. SO
LET'S LET LAWN FORCE MINT DO LAW
ENFORCEMENT SO THAT REGIONAL
CENTERS CAN DO REGIONAL CENTER
WORK. AND LET'S LET FOLKS THAT.
THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE FAMILY
DUE TO THEIR CULTURE OR WHATEVER
PREFER TO DO IT, THEIRSELVES.
LET'S ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN. AND
SAVE LOTS OF MONEY AND LOTS OF
CASELOADS. THE SECOND THING,
ULTRA AGAIN. TRY TO MAKE THIS
BRIEF. THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED IS
THE CHALLENGE WITH VENDORS. AND
THE ONE I'M THINKING OF AT THE
MOMENT IS CARE HOMES. THEY CAN
BE. THEY CAN RUIN OUR KIDS AND
OUR CLIENTS LIVES. THEY CAN ALSO
KILL THEM. I'M SPEAKING OF ONE
PARTICULAR CASE IN NOVEMBER.
THIS WAS THE DAY BEFORE THIS KID
WENT INTO A CARE HOME, AND HE
RAN A FIVE K RACE WITH HIS
SPECIAL OLYMPICS. FRIENDS A LOT
OF US IN THIS ROOM. I BET CAN'T
RUN A FIVE K RACE, BUT HE DID
IT. ONE YEAR LATER, ANOTHER
NOVEMBER HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.
HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL ON LIFE
SUPPORT IN THE ICU. NOW THE
FAMILY WAS NOT ALLOWED TO KNOW
WHERE THE CARE HOME WAS HAD
NEVER BEEN TO SEE THE CARE HOME
OR VISIT THE CARE HOME. YOU CAN
IMAGINE HOW UPSET THEY WERE WHEN
THEY HEARD THAT HE HAD BEEN ON
LIFE SUPPORT FIVE DAYS. BEFORE
THEY WERE EVEN TOLD THIS IS CARE
HOME. ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS I
TALKED TO, SHE SAID. JILL, STOP
CALLING HIM CARE HOMES, GROUP
HOMES, THEY DON'T PROVIDE CARE.
THIS INDIVIDUAL FROM ONE
NOVEMBER TWO. THE NEXT HE WAS
SEXUALLY ABUSED IN THE HOME, AND
ONCE THAT WAS REPORTED BY THE
FAMILY MEMBERS. THEY WERE NEVER
ALLOWED TO TALK TO HIM OR SEE
HIM AGAIN. IT'S A CARE HOME THIS
CARE HOME. THIS YOUNG MAN. WAS
ON LIFE SUPPORT. I BELIEVE IT
WAS FOR THREE MONTHS HE HAD TO
BE INTUBATED. BECAUSE OF
CONSTIPATION. IN A CARE HOME.
CONSTIPATION. THIS PERSON WAS SO
BACKED UP WITH HIS OWN STOOL,
AND NO ONE WAS DOING ANYTHING TO
HELP HIM. HE COULDN'T BREATHE.
THAT'S HOW BACKED UP HE WAS.
THIS IS A CARE HOME, FOLKS. THE
ONLY REASON I SHARE THIS TO WITH
YOU AND MAYBE A LITTLE DETAILS.
I'M NOT TRYING TO WASTE YOUR
TIME. I'M TRYING TO REALLY LET
YOU KNOW THE SERIOUSNESS OF
THIS. THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING
HERE, ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU.
NEXT COMMENT, PLEASE. WHEN I
STARTED TOTALS. IS IN MY MIND IF
CAMILLA, OKAY, SOLAR.
TRANSPARENCY IN LAW. CENTRAL
ANALYSIS FOR OR CA.GOV.
EXPERIENCIA KINSEY'S SANYO'S.
LOOK AT INCONTRERA JUDAH.
GRACIAS THE I C C. COMMODITY
NEWSPAPER. COMPORT AUMENTO COSAS
ASSAD IF TOKENS AND KNOWS WHAT
CAN BE CENTRAL ME. CORTINA D.
HERE. TO MALAYSIA, SENORA SOLAR
. BUT IF YOU LET ME SEE YOUR
PORK, NO SOLO BIÂU CSW IN PAROS
REALITY FOR ME TO KNOW.
IMPORTANT SERVICE COULD BE IT.
ORBITAL. OH, NO, THE ASESORÍA
USE BUT ALSO LAMENTED FREEDOM.
ALEJO'S HUMAN. AND THE START
IMPORTANCE THAT WE HAVE TO CUT.
YOUR MOTHER USED KARO, WHEREAS
TO GET OUT AND VICTORIAN NADOR.
I STARTED. IS PREPARED. WORKING
YET IS TO SUPPORT YOU NEED
ARTISTS, TRANSPARENCY, CENTRAL
RECOGNIZED. AGUIAR'S
STABLIZATION MAMA PASSING
CONTRABANDO CAMINO. IS HIS
DAUGHTER. GRACIAS. WE WANT TO
START IS THE JOSE FLORES PENGUIN
COMPANY. GET INSIDE THE NOSE. HE
MUST APPEAR TRANSPARENCY,
RESPONSIBILITY THAT A LAW
CENTRAL REGIONALIST. BUT
INVESTORS FAMILIARS COMMUNITY A
SPANNER RANDOM, MUCH OF THIS
PARTY THAT IS MM. BUT ALONE. UM
I'M KIDDING. SUPREME PARLIAMENT
ABOUT THE NECESSARY ISSUES.
MALAYSIA'S ANNUAL PERIOD DOLLARS
CENTRAL RATIONALE IS JUST AHEAD.
E. I WOULD TELL YOU DOMINANT
CUENTA SPAN UP. RIVAS STORE. CAN
MUCH OF THIS PARTY THAT THIS
WHAT? I'M NOT STRONG COMMUNITY.
HE WAS IN FOCUS. WALKING IN THE
SOLDIERS. YES. PROCESSES THAT,
SENOR. WHEN I STARTED, THIS IS
MARIA GUTIERREZ. SCHOOL, YOU
KNOW? IT IS ME WHO. YEP.
PENNISTON. BUT IT'S LICENSEE.
YOU KNOW, NÓ. ESKISEHIR ESCAPE
CAN GET YOU. ONE IT SPANS THE
TOTALS. YOU CAN. REGIONALS TÂM
DIFFICILE RESTAURANT. AH I USE
SERVICE. MUST AS THE OFFICIAL
IT'S A GENERAL PROBLEM. ALEJO'S
CUANDO HIÂU RUSSIAN WITH BUSY.
OKAY. WE DON'T CAMBY Ó. SAME
BROKEN MACHINES. THEY USE. THANK
YOU. THANK YOU. WE WILL TAKE
THAT AS THE COMPLETION OF IN
PERSON COMMENT. WE WILL NOW GO
TO THE PHONE LINE FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT AS A REMINDER THE PHONE
NUMBER TO CONNECT IS ON THE
COMMITTEE WEBSITE AND SHOULD BE
ON THE SCREEN IF YOU ARE
WATCHING OVER THE INTERNET. THE
NUMBER AGAIN IS PUBLIC TOLL FREE
187769. AND THE PUBLIC ACCESS
CODE IS 13154. IF YOU ENCOUNTER
ANY PROBLEMS, YOU CAN ALWAYS
CALL THE ASSEMBLY BUDGET
COMMITTEE AT 916319 2099, A
STAFF MEMBER WILL ASSIST YOU.
OPERATOR. WE ARE READY TO BEGIN
PUBLIC COMMENTS. OUR FIRST
PUBLIC COMMENT WILL COME FROM
LINE 2 44, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
HELLO. CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES
PLEASE CONTINUE, OKAY? HELLO HI.
MY NAME IS RUBY SELENA, UM, FROM
DYSENTERY. ADORA I'M A MOTHER OF
A CHILD WITH JUST SOME. THEY'RE
PROBABLY SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL
CENTER. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT
CONTRERAS AND REMARK WE REALLY
NEED JUSTICE. WE REALLY NEED
TRANSPARENCY. WE REALLY NEED, UM
RESPONSIBILITY FROM REGIONAL
CENTERS. PLEASE TAKING ACCOUNT
OUR COMMUNITY AND STOP TO ALL
THE INJUSTICE. I'M HERE JUST FOR
DORA COMPARED US INJURY. MARK.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OPERATOR.
NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. PART NEXT
COMMENT WILL COME FROM 2 30 TO
30, PLEASE GO AHEAD. KITCHEN.
YES. AH I MEAN, HOMBRES MARIA
GRAMBO MOTHER, THEY OWN THE SAME
MOTHER, FRANK LIST AND. BUT I'M
GOING TO REGIONALS. CURRICULA
CARRIED ON. YES VERA. UM
TAMBIÉN. I THINK COMPETITORS.
GRACIAS. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. 1
62, PLEASE GO AHEAD. 1 62. LINE
43. PLEASE GO AHEAD. 43. LINE 2
15, PLEASE GO AHEAD TO 15. CAN
YOU HEAR ME? SEE ONE PERSON. TÌM
THEY Ó DÍAS. AH THE NUMBERS.
BALLERINA BACA IS, UH, BROTHERS
IS ALSO EQUALS, UH, INTO THE
CENTRAL CANAL. YEAH MARLA'S
SENORA DORA CONTRADA LAST YEAR
AND DURING MARK DELYLAH LIKE TO
THE AND THEY ARE. TRANSPARENCY,
RESPONSIBILITY. PART OF THE
JOURNALISTS. YAKKING CUANDO
PRESIDENT THOMAS ONE OF THE.
CENTRAL ALSO PRIVATE STORIES.
IT'S APPROPRIATE AND THE GERMAN
BUT I WANT. TO SPEED AND A AH!
CONSIDERING THE BURRITO. THIS
WAS ALMOST ANOTHER SISTEMA.
THAT'S IMPORTANT. JOINING US.
TODAVÍA STANDARD. SERVICIOS
CLOSED. EQUALS SYSTEM WELCOME. I
DIDN'T OH, THE CLIENT. TOES.
NINOS. OR ANOTHER SERVICE. AH
POSITION ALL OF THE ANIMALS. IN
TERMS OF IF IMPOSSIBLE. THE
NURSE SERVICES PRESENT. IN THE
SERVICE. THIS AND OF THE MIDDLE.
SERVICES AND THE OTHER THING
OUTSIDE. PROVISION OF SERVICES.
ZAMBIANS AND STANDING ANDO. GET
. BUT SEE. LOS SERVICIOS SON.
CENTRAL CANAL. I DON'T KNOW. UH,
IS THAT IT? UH DURING MARK ON.
DOZENS OF COMMENTED. YES, BUT
I'M NOT SCARED. TO THE BILL. HE
WAS ALMOST CARINTHIA, THE
CENTRAL CANAL. THANK YOU.
RUSSIA, SENOR. OPERATOR. NEXT
CALLER, PLEASE. BUYING 1 58.
PLEASE GO AHEAD. 158. SEE, WE'RE
NOT. SO. QUICKER. SEE, SENOR.
THE NUMBER ONE IDEA. COURSE VERY
GOOD COURT. YOU'RE SO YOUNG THAT
OUT OF THE SENSOR SERVICIO.
CAÑADA. YOURS. TRANSPARENCIA.
YES FOR YOU, ADORA CONTRADA
GRACIA. GRACIAS. NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. BLIND TO 65 TO 65,
PLEASE GO AHEAD. LINE TO 68 TO
68, PLEASE GO AHEAD. WHEN I KNOW
CHAIR WELL, I WANT TO NOTICE.
IT'S NOT JUST WHETHER IN PASO.
OKAY MI NOMBRE. THANK YOU. SO
YES, THEY WOULD ORIGINAL
ETCETERA. BUT I ME KNOW THAT
INFORMATION COMPLETA TODAY LIKE
BEING.
CADBURY WARNER, THE MARKET IN
THE MY ORDERS. POINT GROUP
PROCESS C PEOPLE THAT SERVICIOS
CANNOT BEGINNING, THE POLICE
SAID. ENTHUSIAST'S. IT LAWCENTER
CONSIDERABLE GET IMPORTANT, LDDS
. BUT AGAIN, BUT AGAIN, WALLMAN
ERA YOU KNOW. KALLA CENTRAL
CANAL POLITICA. I DON'T KNOW
THEY EXIST. OR EUROPEAN POLICY.
UNA MANERA EVERY WORLD FUEL,
CENTRAL ORIGINALITY. THESE
THINGS PEOPLE, BOYER AND REMARKS
. RUSSIA, SENORA NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. LINE TO 56. PLEASE GO
AHEAD TO 56. MHM WIENER. MEAN
HOMBRES LEVEL MEDAL. GOOD THING
WRONG WITH, YOU KNOW. FOR YOUR
FEET AT THE END OF HORSEPOWER
UNDER THIS TO SEE THAT LIST.
LOVE TO SEE. WELL, DADDY. THE
TRANSPARENT OR KILLED, ISLAM
ESTABLISHED. HMM CORDEN ADORA NÓ
LAVA. MM HMM TRAIL GROUP FOR THE
E STORIA AT SOME OF THE OTHER.
OKAY. AND PROFESSOR. MARK, SO
WHEN I'VE BEEN NOT FOR THEM WAS
FOR SANTA'S MOREIRA'S. POSITION
CUENTA. E. SO LOOK AT THE SENORA
DIRECT DURING MONTHS, NOT REPLY
HANDS. BONUS PERSONAS. GRACIAS
WENT UNNOTICED, SENORA. NEXT
CALLER, PLEASE. KATE LINE TO 86
. PLEASE GO AHEAD TO WAIT. SIX.
HOLA BUENAS NOCHES. OKAY. ONLY
KNEW THAT. THE EUROPEAN.
POVERTY. FAMILIAR GÒM JOINTS AND
OCULUS. ISSUES I MEAN, MY THEORY
A LITTLE BP AND NOT RECEIVE.
OKAY, NOT. NH█P. PEOPLE FOR
MONEY. KARA. HE WAS COMING FROM
NEAR, UM INFORMACIÓN AREA OR
ANOTHER, SO THEY LOVE THIS
COUNTRY. SOME OTHER CENTRAL YOUR
LARGA. CLARIDA SYSTEM. GET ON
THERE. YES YOUR AMBIEN, BUT
TESTIMONY. MARK. RESPONSIBLE.
GRACIAS. GETTING GRACIAS,
SENORA. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE.
LINE 2 87. 287, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
LINE 1 53 153, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
HOLA MAXIMA QUESTION, SENORA.
WHEN THERE'S NO JUST ME NUMBER?
YES. UM. LET'S LET'S PLAY AND
DILIGENT TESTIMONIAL PERSONAS
ABU TOÀN CAPACITY THAT IT CAN
ONLY RECEIVE CENTRAL CANAL. MHM
PETER SERVICE CENTER,
REGIONALIST OF WEAPONS OCULUS
CORRECT LAWCENTER OR ALL OF THE
DANCE, SERVICIO, SAYS JUSTIN GET
OPEN, CUANDO DON'T S¼, UH. YES.
YOU'RE NOT. UM.
CHECK COMMENTARY. SENIORA'S. AND
FUTURO. OBAMA. UM QUARANTA,
QUANDO QUANDO. CUANDO. SO IT'S
NOT. STORY UM, SEE. UH AMERICO,
UM, THE STATE. DON'T JUST, UH
COMMENTED EUROPE MUTUAL. HOLA,
SENORA. THIS NUMBER. UM
PERSONAL, THEY LICENSEE. ASIA.
THE STATE TERRIO STUDY. INTAGLIO
. FOR ME. WELL, THAT IS YOU
THERE, ARE YOU THEN? MASAJURO
DEPUTY COMPTROLLER. NOT UM
THERE'S A STORY. GRACIAS,
SENORA. NEXT COLOR HARDEN. OKAY
OUR NEXT COMMENT COMES FROM LINE
1 43 143, PLEASE GO AHEAD. WHEN
I WAS THAT'S NOT TRUE NUMBERS
SODIUM MORALES, UM, LANGUAGE.
AND BECAUSE THE NOTE AND SUCH A
COUNTRY DIRECTOR OFFICIALS
PEOPLE. WILL YOU. TARGETING
SHOWN HE SUPPORT TWO MARCELLO.
HE IS OF YOU, THOUGH. I CANNOT.
PIANOS FONDLING HIS DOG IN THE.
DETERMINATION OF YOU IMAGINE
MAGNET ALMOST 40. CASTLE.
COMMENTARY ON THE MARK WAS ABOUT
YOU. DRESSES, SENORA. NEXT
CALLER, PLEASE. OUR NEXT COMMENT
COMES FROM LINE. 66 0, PLEASE GO
AHEAD. ALONE AND NOCHES HOMBRES
CANCELED. YOU'RE SINGLE DOSE
PEOPLE. IT'S SOMETHING IN FIRST
THE REGION OF THE GALAXY. YES.
LATER THAT CONTRIBUTE. BUT FROM
BEING AH AH! AH, GET UPS.
CORRECT BLOCK PARTIES AFTER MEAN
. BUT BECAUSE. INSTRUMENTAL
PANELS GET UP. ON THE LIST. LOOK
IN THE PALACE. AH! DONALD
PROGRAM. KHÔNG FOR ME. IT WAS
JUST SONG HOPING TO GET ON THE
CLASSIC TARVISIO. AH IT'S A LOT.
YOU DON'T UM SPEEDO WIENER.
RADIO. ORDER. MM E, UM GRACIA'S
TO SEE THE NO. NO SIDE TRYING.
DONALD HIÆN. CANNOT COME
CONTENIDO. I THOUGHT YOU SAID
SERVICE EQUALS THE NAME WHICH
ARE DIFFICULT THAT Ó. E. AH! IS
IT A LOT OUTSIDE FROM GETTING IN
TRADITIONAL PROGRAMA TÌM. THAT
WAS LIKE SAID SO. BUT ACTUALLY,
THAT IS TAMBIÉN SERVICE THEY
INTERPRET PARANA. THEY AH
BENEFIT CAMINO. CAÑADA. YOU'RE
NOT MILLIONS AND. SANTA BARRERA
ASSISTANCE AND TO BE HONEST
SEQUENCE, VIDA. MUST SUPPORT WE
CAN'T GRASP PROCESS, SENORA.
NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. LINE TO 58
TO 58, PLEASE GO AHEAD. GOOD
EVENING. MY NAME IS JULIE PAYNE.
NEW WORD JUDY MARK SPOKE ABOUT
MY SISTER NATALIE IN HER
TESTIMONIAL EARLIER THIS
AFTERNOON. JUST WANTED TO SHARE
IN 2012. I LEARNED THAT MY
SISTER NATALIE, WHO IS VERY HIGH
SUPPORT NEEDS IS BEING RAPED AT
OUR DAY PROGRAM. UM ONLY DUE TO
A DIAGNOSIS OF GONORRHEA, AND
SHE WAS IN PAIN FOR MONTHS. WE
DIDN'T KNOW IT. TO REMOVE HER
FROM THE PROGRAMS ENTERED BY THE
REGIONAL CENTER OF THE EAST BAY.
A MANDATE REPORT WAS NEVER FILED
UNTIL EIGHT YEARS LATER BY THE
HOSPITAL, WHICH OR BY THE
REGIONAL CENTER, AND THEY DIDN'T
FOLLOW THEIR SPECIAL INCIDENT
REPORT PROCESS. THE CRIMINAL
CASE IS STILL OPEN, AND THE
FACILITY IS STILL OPERATING
WITHOUT PENALTY AND THE ABUSERS
MOST LIKELY STILL IN THE SYSTEM
FACILITIES FORCED US SECRET
SETTLEMENT. MY MOM SILENCE IN
EXCHANGE FOR A MONETARY AMOUNT
AND LET ME TELL YOU IT'S
TAXPAYER DOLLARS. TAXPAYERS ARE
PAYING TO COVER UP THE EPIDEMIC
OF SEXUAL ABUSE THAT PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES WE NEED
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
. NOW NPR REPORTED ON MY
SISTER'S RAPE IN THEIR SERIES,
ABUSED AND BETRAYED AND IN 2021
. I HAD A RESOLUTION PRIORITIZED
BY THE CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC
PARTY REGARDING ACCOUNTABILITY
AND TRANSPARENCY SYSTEM
REGARDING THE COVER UP OF SEXUAL
ABUSE. I'M CURRENTLY PRODUCING A
DOCUMENTARY ABOUT MY SISTERS
RAPED AND HOW TO HIGHLY AFFECTED
OUR FAMILY, WHICH IS TO BE
RELEASED WITHIN THE NEXT 60
MONTHS AGAIN. WE NEED
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR
LOVED ONES ARE SAFE, ESPECIALLY
US ADULT SIBLINGS WHO ARE THE
FUTURE CAREGIVERS AND MANAGERS
OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WITH
DISABILITIES. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT. NEXT
CALLER, PLEASE. LINE 1 33 133,
PLEASE GO AHEAD. OH THERE,
DOCTOR ARAMBULA AND DOCTOR WOULD
. IT'S NICE TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF
YOUR COMMITTEE AGAIN. MY NAME IS
RICK HODGKINS. I AM WITH THIS
STEP AGENCY WITH ALTA CALIFORNIA
REGIONAL CENTER AND I WANT TO
THANK MY CO CLIENT OR CO
EMPLOYEE, FELLOW EMPLOYEE OR
FELLOW EMPLOYER, RUBY FOR
SPEAKING EARLIER. UM THEN I'M
WANTED TO SAY ONE THING. THANKS
FOR, UM. THE TOPIC ON THE L S
FIXED RATE. ALL I CAN SAY IS THE
WAY TO PAY FOR THAT AND THE WAY
TO PAY FOR ANYTHING ON THE
AGENDA TODAY WE NEED TO NOT
TEMPORARILY BUT PERMANENTLY LEVY
A TAX ON ALL MANAGED CARE PLANS
AND DOCTOR WOULD. THE YEAR THAT
YOU LEAVE THE LEGISLATURE IS THE
YEAR THAT THIS MANAGED CARE
ORGANIZATION TAX. IS UP FOR
RENEWAL AGAIN, AND THAT WILL BE
IN 2026. THAT IS THE YEAR THAT
WE NEED TO LEVY THIS TAX ON
MANAGED CARE PLANS PERMANENTLY.
THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY IS
WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT UM,
UNIVERSITY CENTERS FOR
EXCELLENCE ON DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES HERE IN THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA WE NEED TO
IMPLEMENT TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR
AISLES, WORKERS, DSPS AND JOB
COACHES WITHIN THOSE, YOU SAID.
UM UM, WITH I L S INSTRUCTORS AT
STEP THERE ALSO TDS WORKERS, SO
THEY'RE BEING CROSS TRAINED INTO
BEING JOB COACHES AND AS THE
STATE COUNCIL'S REPORT SUGGESTS,
THAT FOR DSPS THAT PROVIDES
SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES THAT
THEY ALSO SHOULD BE CROSS
TRAINED INTO BEING JOB COACHES
FOR PEOPLE WITH HIGH SUPPORT
NEEDS FOR EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE
COMING OUT OF SHELTERED
WORKSHOPS AND THAT THE FINAL
THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS
THAT UNLIKE RUBY, I HAVE FAMILY
UM EVEN THOUGH IF I COULD NOT
RECEIVE SERVICES FROM STEP AYE.
PROBABLY WOULD NOT WANT MY
FAMILY TO TAKE OVER BECAUSE
WHILE I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST MY
FAMILY, AND WHILE I DO NOT WANT
TO WASH MY HANDS OF THEM, I DO
NOT WANT THEM. I DO NOT WANT
THEM TO RUN THINGS BECAUSE THEY
JUST HAVE WAY TOO MUCH ON THEIR
PLATE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I
WOULD RATHER HAVE STEP AND AS
FAR AS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES GOES
DEPTH ONLY DOES AS GOOD OF A JOB
AS LET'S SAY PROGRESSIVE
EMPLOYMENT. CAROL WILL TELL WHAT
ILO WHO SPOKE EARLIER AND, OF
COURSE, DDS UNEMPLOYMENT PLUS,
WHO ALSO DOES AS GOOD OF A JOB
STEP. THAT IS MY COMMENT. I'M
SORRY IF I FOUND SOUND NERVOUS
BECAUSE THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE
AFTER ME THAT YOU WANT TO SPEAK.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH AGAIN.
ALL THIS NEEDS TO BE FUNDED WITH
A PERMANENT, NOT TEMPORARY, BUT
PERMANENT LEVEE ON THE MANAGED
CARE ORGANIZATION. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, SIR. NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT,
PLEASE DEPRESS THE ONE FOLLOWED
BY THE ZERO. OUR NEXT COMIC
COMES FROM LINE 2 TO 1 TO 21,
PLEASE GO AHEAD. LINE 2 97,
PLEASE GO AHEAD TO 97. AFTER
THAT, THERE IS A HERNANDEZ. HAS
CLAIMED THAT THE CENTRAL HUMAN.
NOT JUST THE MARK. IMPORTANT
DÍAS.
FAMILIAR HISPANIC CANTONESE
PROBLEM. HOLD ON. KENYA. IN
CONTROL OVER. GRACIAS SENORA.
NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. BY 307307.
PLEASE GO AHEAD. LINE 309. YOUR
LINE IS OPEN. OKAY HELLO. CAN
YOU HEAR ME? YES. PLEASE
CONTINUE. YES HI. MY NAME IS
MARIA HAMADA IN YEMEN MÀ
SPECIALIST OFFENDER. I AM HERE
REPRESENTING THE COMPANY THAT
HISPANA THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY
WITH THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY,
ADDING A GREAT NEED OF SERVICES
. NO PROGRAM. OUR CHILDREN
STARTING A GREAT NEED OF
SERVICES CAN BE SPECIFIC TO OUR
BUSINESS. NHIÀU. SALLY TO REPORT
SPECIFIC SERVICES CAN HELP OUR
CHILDREN NEEDS AT NOT BEING
PROVIDED. WE KEEP HEARING A
PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS. THEY
SADLY ARE NOT PROVIDING PROPER
SERVICES FOR ALL PROJECTS THAT
CANNOT BE PROVIDED. UM UM IT'S
QUALITY SERVICES ARE USELESS.
LATINO RECEIVED THE LIST OF
SERVICES IN THOSE WHO RECEIVED
VIEW SERVICES HAVE TO GO TO A
BATTLE WITH THE REGIONAL CENTER
. WE NEED REGULAR CENTERS TO BE
ACCOUNTABLE. WE NEED
TRANSPARENCY FOR THE REGIONAL
CENTERS. WE NEED TO STOP THE
CULTURE OF NO AND MOVEMENT
NEEDLE TO STOP WHAT MOST PEOPLE
CALL DISPARITIES CALL IT
DISCRIMINATION. THE TIME IS NOW
TO STOP DISCRIMINATION WITH THE
REGIONAL CENTERS. THE TIME IS
NOW FOR A CHANGE WE TALK ABOUT,
UM. DETERMINATION AND PEOPLE
WERE ASKING WHY PEOPLE ARE NOT
ANSWERING TO SOMETHING
TERMINATION AS A LATINO. I CAN
TELL YOU THAT BEING A PART OF
THE INTEGRATED COMMUNITY
COLLABORATIVE, WE WORK WITH
FAMILIES AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST
REASONS WHY PEOPLE ARE NOT
ENTERING DETERMINATION IS
BECAUSE THE POS OUR COMMUNITY,
THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY. HAS A
SMALLEST PROJECT. THAT CANNOT
ALLOW THEM TO ENTER INTO SERVICE
TERMINATION. SO I'M HERE TO
PLACE FOR A CHANGE. AND I'M HERE
TO SUPPORT MRS JUDY MARK
CONTRADA. PLEASE HELP US TO DO
THE CHANGE NOW. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. LINE 1
31, PLEASE GO AHEAD. 131. YOUR
LINE IS OPEN. HELLO. MEDIA AND
SINGING IN UGANDA, UENO. THOMAS
WAS SO MUCH MORE YESTERDAY
PROBLEM. THE PARTY THAT SPANISH.
DYING IS PROBABLY MOTHER COMPANY
CENTRAL UNIT IN THE AREA, IS
TRANSPARENT. IN CENTRAL. THANK
YOU, 40. TESTIMONY JODI MARK THE
ENGLISH. THE MUCH GRACIAS. NEXT
CALLER, PLEASE. LINE TOOLS 72 TO
7 TO PLEASE GO AHEAD. WHEN I WAS
NOT JUST. TO DEMARK COMMENTARY.
GRACIAS. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE.
LINE 3 21 321, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
LINE 3303 30, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
WHEN IT LAUNCHES. THE NOMBRES
MARIA HELLO? FLORES THE CENTER
ANGELES' MARK IMPORTANT CENTRAL
HUMANITY. BUT LET ME SEE WHAT
THAT IS. THE LEFT. NO
EXPERIENCE, IN THE SERVICE.
QUESTION. THEY LOST CONSUMIDOR
RESPONSIBILITY THAT TRANSPARENCY
IN THAT RESPECT Ó SERVICE. ES
GRACIAS. GRACIAS. NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. LINE 240 TO 40. LINE. 3
35, PLEASE GO AHEAD. ONE IS
STRUGGLING. WITH THAT EITHER THE
REST OF THEM INTO THE AGE, YOU
KNOW, I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE JUST
NOT TO GET ACCESS. TO INFORMAL.
SO I MEAN, IT'S JUST. PROGRAM
DIDN'T HAVE THOSE THINGS. IS
CARILLO, ALRIGHT, YODA FIT INTO
ADVOCATED PUT IN THE SCHOOL. AND
IT WILL NOT BE THERE. BIG NOT A
LIBERATED LOVE. OKAY JUST WENT
AND BECAUSE THE MEDIA PRONTO AH
, COME FROM MEDIA ISSUES
CAMPAIGN TOTAL. WHOLE STORE YOUR
ARGUING MARK TERESA. THE
CANADIAN ANONYMOUS BUT I WILL
NOT TO THOSE MUSLIMS IN, UM
BEING IN THE NOVELS EATING AND
THE RITUAL MUCH SENORA. NEXT
CALLER, PLEASE. LINE 336. PLEASE
GO AHEAD. 3 36. HELLO. SNATCHES.
AIRPORT FORWARD. NEXT QUESTION.
NEXT COMET WILL COME FROM LINE 2
59 TO 59. PLEASE GO AHEAD. MM
HMM. SI, SENORA. SEE SENORA, UM
ONE OTHER CHANCE TO YOU KNOW, MY
MAMA. YOU KNOW WHO WAS HUMAN,
BUT. TRANSPARENCIA LIKE WELL
DONE. I KNOW SOME PROGRAMMERS.
LOOK IN THE SERVICE SPECIFIC
COASTAL CHÁVEZ.
HÌ. TEMPORARY PICADO. ENOUGH FOR
AUSTRALIA. STILL NO GO TO SLEEP.
GUEST SERVICES. AND. UM. SCHOOL
FAMILIAR LOVE BARRERA. THEY
CANNOT LARA. VERONA SUPPORT. E.
PARA BETTER BE FEELS. ONE DOES
SUPPORT. SERVICE CENTER OVER
HERE. MM HMM. ULTRA COSA. ELITA
UM. HISPANIC GAMBLE D¯ÚI. IT'S A
DONE DEAL PROCESS FOR ME. EIGHT
PROPOSALS IT OH, YES, IT IS,
ISN'T IT THAT 20 YEARS GETTING
OUT OF THE TERMINAL? PLANNING
PROCESS. MHM E S O IS NOISE.
TRANSPARENCY TRANSPARENCY.
TRAVIS. AND NONE OF THE SERVICE.
AND NECESSARY SERVICE. NO MUST
PROVE IT. ONE OF NOT JUST YES.
PROCESS, SENORA. NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. LINE 257 TO 57. PLEASE
GO AHEAD. 257, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
LINE 3 51 351. YOUR LINE IS
OPEN. 351 YOUR LINE IS OPEN.
LINE 3 56, PLEASE GO AHEAD. 356.
LINE 3 27 327, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
WHEN I'M NOT MEAN HOMBRES MONICA
RODRIGUEZ. IMPORTANT TECH TVS
PROVISIONAL, ANOTHER
TRANSPARENCIA. MOUTH. IT'S
ALMOST SYRIAN TRANSPARENT ABOUT
IT. MYSELF FROM PROGRAM WISE
LITTLE MEMORY CANNOT COORDINATE
FOR MULTI METHOD. HARRY TO ME,
FINALLY. NOT. AND TRANSPARENCY.
IN HERE. GRACIAS. GRACIAS,
SENORA, WHICH IS GONNA SENORA
NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. LINES 3 58
358, PLEASE GO AHEAD. WE'RE NOT
. HELLO MR FORWARD. OH WHEN IT'S
NOT JUST ME NUMBER SOTTO. STORY
MOTHER. THEY WILL. WILL IT BE IN
CENTRAL CANAL? FOR MEDIA? THAT
YOU? DOMINANT. IF WE DON'T SCALE
VÚI AMELIA, MEANING? OKAY.
SYNDROME AND IT DOWN. YEAH YEAH
, YEAH SAID TO BE STILL GUESTS
CAN CENTRAL. LOOK AT. YEAH,
YEAH. ANY QUESTIONS? NO. JUST
JUST. KEEP IT UP, BUT THAT. YES.
GRACIAS. SENORA. NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. LINE 3 63 363. YOUR LINE
IS OPEN. HELLO MY NAME IS APRIL
, STEWART AND I WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE
CALIFORNIA I D BE SYSTEM. I
REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR
LEADERSHIP AND THE LAST
LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO
ACCELERATE THE RATE MODEL
IMPLEMENTATION. THE CALIFORNIA
DISABILITY SERVICES. I HAVE BEEN
WORKING ON A PROPOSAL TO RESOLVE
FUNDAMENTAL RATE STUDY ISSUES.
WE'RE ASKING THAT WE REQUIRE TO
CREATE RATE MODELS FOR SERVICES
THAT CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE ONE
AND ARE BEING LEFT BEHIND AND TO
ALLOW PROVIDERS TO RECEIVE FULL
RATES WHILE PURSUING MEANINGFUL
QUALITY INCENTIVES IN WAYS THAT
WILL HAVE DATA INTEGRITY. WE'RE
ALSO ASKING TO REGULARLY REVIEW
AND UPDATE OUR RATE MODELS FOR
INPUT AND FOR SUSTAINABILITY.
WHILE WE APPRECIATE THE
ADDITIONAL FUNDING, MANY OF THE
RIGHT MODELS ARE ALREADY OUT OF
DATE. SOME OF OUR SERVICES THAT
WE PROVIDE THROUGHOUT THE STATE
HAVE DIRECT SUPPORT PROVIDER
RATES THAT ARE RECOMMENDED IN
THE RIGHT STUDY AT BELOW THE 15
FIFTIES MINIMUM WAGE. I HOPE
THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK
WITH YOU AND THE REST OF THE
LEGISLATURE TO BUILD THE LEGACY
OF THIS HISTORIC INVESTMENTS.
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL TO
MEET THE NEEDS OF CALIFORNIANS
WITH DISABILITIES NOW AND IN THE
FUTURE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. BLIND 3 65
365, PLEASE GO AHEAD. YES UM,
TOGETHER. N N. LAST YEAR. ONE OF
THAT, AND LÀ. MAYOREDLEE EQUITY
AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. UH BUT.
REMARK PARTY THAT WAS
ESSENTIALLY HARLAN SERVICIOS.
YES SO YOU HAVE TO SELL THIS.
PHOTOS COMMUNICATION UNIT.
CENTER FROM I KNOW IMPORT THOSE
THINGS. WHAT THEN? MUST HAVE
BEEN VERY ND THAT WORK AT ME.
VICIOUS I MEAN, ONE ON THE WAY
UP, YOU KNOW, WHERE IS ALREADY
UNDER PODIUM. THEY CAN BE,
SENOR. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. LINE
3 46 346, PLEASE GO AHEAD. GOOD
EVENING, MR CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF
THE COMMITTEE. THIS IS ROBERT
HARRIS. CI YOU CALIFORNIA. AND.
I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
EVERYTHING THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE
DONE AND ALL THE TIME YOU'RE
SPENDING DELVING INTO THESE
INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLY COMPLEX,
BUT MM, INCREDIBLY MEANING
CALLED DECISIONS FOR ALL OF
FAMILIES IN THE. I WOULD JUST
SAY THAT REDUCING CASELOADS
ALONG WITH INSURANCE. THE
PROVISION OF SIMILAR STANDARDS
OF SERVICES ACROSS REGIONAL
SANITY. BUT YOU CAN CALL
TRANSPARENCY AND PALATABILITY.
OUR KEYS INSURANCE EQUITY IN THE
PROVISION OF SERVICES THROUGHOUT
THE LONGER WIGGLING ER BEFORE WE
MEET LEGAL CASE CELEBRATIONS.
MEANS THE LONGER WE WON'T AND
HARDER WILL BE TO FIX THIS
SYSTEM. BECAUSE THE MORE YOU
FOCUS ON PATCHWORK FIXES, THE
MORE YOU MAKE AT EQUITY INTO THE
SYSTEM. IF YOU REDUCED CASELOADS
FOR ONE GROUP. RECIPIENT IT
IMPACTS IMPACT THE CASE LOAD
ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION, ALL
CENTERS STATE. BUT WE COMMEND
YOU TO YOUR HARD WORK. AND WE
HOPE WE CAN. TEXAS. OF COURSE
STAFFING FORMULA ISSUE THIS
YEAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK
YOU. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE.
ALRIGHT NEXT QUICK COMMENT COMES
FROM 3 69 3 69, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
HI MY NAME IS KAVITA AND I.
PARENTS OFFER NEURO DIVERSE
YOUNG LADY SOMEBODY WOULD
DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFERENCES. UM
WITH AUTISM AND ALSO THE COURT
EPILEPSY. AN EMOTION ALLY OF THE
NEURO DIVERSE COMMUNITY, THE CO
FOUNDER OF AN ORGANIZATION
CALLED DRAGNEA THAT WORKS THE
WORDS BUILDING ALLIES IN THE
COMMUNITY TO BE SUPPORTIVE AND
APPRECIATIVE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO
ARE BEING SERVED BY THE REGIONAL
CENTER AND ALSO THE JOKES WHO
ARE DEVELOPMENT LI DIFFERENT. UM
THE REASON I'M HERE TODAY I'VE
BEEN ON THIS CALL FOR SEVERAL
HOURS AT A STRETCH AND I REALLY
WANT TO EXPRESS MY HEARTFELT
GRATITUDE FIRST AS AN IMMIGRANT
INTO THIS COUNTRY TO THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA AND TO THE TO ALL
OF YOU WHO ARE DOING THIS
INCREDIBLE WORK TO SERVE.
CHILDREN LIKE MY DAUGHTER AND
ITS VISUALS, UM, THAT HAVE
DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFERENCES. THAT
BEING SAID, I ALSO WANT TO
MENTION THAT AS AN IMMIGRANT
HERE, MANY OF US WHO COME ARE
YOU KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT
FAMILIAR WITH THE SUPPORT THAT
ARE AVAILABLE IN THE SERVICES
THAT ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE
SYSTEM, AND THIS IS PARTICULARLY
STILL NOT ONLY IN COMMUNITIES
THAT ARE NOT ENGLISH SPEAKING,
BUT ALSO COMMUNITIES WHERE, UM,
YOU KNOW, FOR LACK OF A TECH
WORKER COMMUNITIES SOUTH ASIA,
SOUTHEAST ASIANS WHERE THERE IS
THERE'S A HUGE CULTURAL BIAS OR
BUBBLE THAT LIVE IN WHERE WE
FEEL THAT, UM, YOU KNOW THEY'RE
NOT EVEN THERE. THERE ARE
SYSTEMIC RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO
SUPPORT OUR MOST VULNERABLE
CHILDREN. AND, UM, THANKS TO THE
REGIONAL CENTER THAT IS SERVING
DAUGHTER, UM AND NO TIME TO THE
SPECIAL EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, WHICH
REALLY REQUIRES A LOT OF WORK. I
WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE
IT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC IF IT
WERE NOT FOR THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM AND THE
SUPPORT THAT WERE MADE AVAILABLE
TO MY CHILD. DURING THIS TIME
THROUGH THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.
AS A C B AS A COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION, THE BDS SERVICE
ACCESS PRETTY GRANT. GIVE US AN
OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY ADDRESS
THE MISINFORMATION OURSELVES AND
SOUTHEAST ASIAN ABOUT ACCESSING
SUPPORT AND SERVICES ANY OF US
ARE GIVEN WRONG INFORMATION THAT
WE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES
BECAUSE YOU KNOW, UM OUR INCOMES
ARE HIGHER OR FOR THAT MATTER
THAT WE ARE IMMIGRANT STATUS
WOULD GET AFFECTED AND THEN THE
WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER ISSUES.
THERE'S A LOT OF MISINFORMATION
OUT IN THE SOUTH ASIA AND
SOUTHEAST ASIAN. AND IS THE
SERVICE IN EQUITY GRANT THAT
ACTUALLY GOT IT TO EVEN IDENTIFY
ANOTHER HEALING, USUALLY
UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY, WHICH IS
THE COMMUNITY OF THE KIDS WHO DO
NOT HAVE ANY MORE FAMILIAL
SUPPORT OR NATURAL SUPPORT.
THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE RELIANT
ENTIRELY ON PAID STAFF AND PAID
CAREGIVERS AND OUR NEXT PROJECT
THAT YOU'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW
IS TO SUPPORT THOSE SELF
ADVOCATES IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT
THE SYSTEM. BECAUSE IF THERE
COULD BE ALL THE SUPPORT AND
SERVICES IN PLACE, BUT IF THE
CAREGIVERS OR THE PAID SERVICES
COORDINATORS DO NOT GET THAT
INFORMATION OUT IN AN EASY TO
UNDERSTAND FORM TO SELL KIDS
TABLES NEVER BE ABLE TO ACCESS
THE SUPPOSE THEY NEED TO LEAD A
LIFE OF DIGNITY AND RESPECT,
MANY OF THEM THE QUALITY OF LIFE
IS RESTRICTED, AND TODAY HAVE
BEEN SITTING IN THE PARK WITH
ONE OF MY SALES SIDE, THE KIDS
FRIENDS WHO IS BEING ABUSED BY
HIS CAREGIVER ABUSE, EMOTIONAL
ABUSE AND IS AFRAID TO
TRANSITION TO THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM BECAUSE
HIS CAREGIVER GOT CAUGHT IN
DOUBLE BILLING AND IS REFUSING
TO SUPPORT HIM IF HE MOVES INTO
THE SELF DETERMINATION PROGRAM.
IT IS REALLY SAD THAT THE STATE
OF AFFAIRS IS SUCH THAT WE ARE
HAVING TO SIT HERE AND TRY TO
FIGURE OUT AND THIS IS HE'S BEEN
IN THE SYSTEM FOR OVER 35 YEARS.
AND TO THINK THAT THIS IS THE
LEVEL OF YOU KNOW, MAYBE NOT
ABLE TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO ARE
FIERCELY SELF ADVOCATES TO ME
TO, UM SPEAK UP FOR THEMSELVES
WITHOUT FEAR OF RETALIATION IS
REALLY SAD. AND THE ONLY WAY
THAT I MEAN NOBODY USED TO
BLAME. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT
THERE NEEDS TO BE A CONSISTENT
AND CONCERTED EFFORT. THE DDS
THE WONDERFUL PROGRAMS THAT YOU
HAVE UM, CAN BE MADE CONSISTENT
. AND YOU KNOW, CONCERTED ACROSS
ALL REGIONAL CENTERS BY A SIMPLE
TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTION. I KNOW
IT MIGHT SOUND VERY SIMPLE, BUT
IF THERE IS A TECHNOLOGICAL
PORTAL THAT DEVELOPED FOR, UM
ALL THE REGIONAL CENTER THAT HE
WRITES FROM INTAKE AND EVERY
STAKEHOLDERS, GIVEN ACCESS TO
THE BACK TO THIS PARTICULAR TEXT
PORTAL, YOU CAN ACTUALLY TRACK
FROM INTAKE TO WHICH STEP IN THE
PROCESS. THEY ARE IN THE SERVICE
DELIVERY TO EVEN ABUSE REPORTING
OR, FOR THAT MATTER. EVEN IN
TERMS OF BUILDING WHATEVER
PROGRAM THEY'RE ON. IT MIGHT
REQUIRE. INITIAL FUNDING OR
BUDGET, BUT WE ARE THE TECH HUB
OF THE NATION. SILICON VALLEY,
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO, UH, YOU
KNOW, DEVELOPED SOMETHING WHICH
WILL OFFER TRANSPARENCY TO
EVERYBODY WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE
PROCESS AND COME UP WITH, UH,
HOLISTIC. I MEAN, FOR LACK OF A
BETTER TERM, A HOLISTIC SOLUTION
TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE
DISPARITIES IN THE SYSTEM. SO
LIKE JUDY MARK SAID, IF SOMEBODY
IS NOT GETTING SERVICES AT
HARBOR REGIONAL CENTER, AND
SOMEBODY ACROSS THE ROAD IS
GETTING THE SYSTEM ANOTHER
REASON THAT THAT SHOULD NEVER BE
THE CASE BECAUSE ACROSS THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA PERSON
SHOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE
SAME LEVEL OF SERVICES AND
SUPPORT OR, YOU KNOW, OR A MORE
BUSTIN CENTRIC LEVEL OF SERVICES
SUPPORT TO BE ABLE TO LEAD A
LIFE OF GIDEON'S, SO I DO WANT
TO END JUST SAYING THAT. IT IS
ONLY POSSIBLE FOR US TO MAKE
CHANGES. UM IN NOT JUST IN
SYSTEM PROCESSES, BUT IT'S ONLY
AS EFFECTIVE AS WE CAN, UM, MAKE
IT, UH, IMPACT LIFE OF BEING THE
WHO WAS OUT THERE EVENTUALLY,
WHETHER IT IS IN TERMS OF
COMPETITIVE INTEGRATION,
EMPLOYMENT OR SELF DETERMINATION
OR SOCIAL RECOGNITION. PROGRAMS.
IT HAS TO BE A CONSERVATIVE
COURT NEEDS TO BE AN EFFORT TO
MAINSTREAM COMMUNITY, UM, ON HOW
THEY CAN ACTUALLY SUPPORT AND
ENGAGE WITH OUR COMMUNITY OF TO
BE TO DEVIL CAREER OPPORTUNITY.
INDICATE SPACE AND IN SERVING
THIS PARTICULAR TWO MINUTES, SO
, UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, BUT AND I
TRULY WANT TO EXPRESS MY
HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA AND TO THE UNITED
STATES, BECAUSE, UM, YOU KNOW,
FROM THERE I COME, I WOULD NOT
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MY CHILD WOULD
NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS UM,
SUPPORT AND SERVICES FOR HER TO
LEAD EQUALITY OF LIFE. UM THAT
SHE IS LEADING RIGHT HERE. BUT I
DEFINITELY COULD THINK THAT
WE'VE GOT MILES TO GO BEFORE WE
SLEEP, AND THERE'S A LOT LOT
MORE THAN NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND
IT CAN BE DONE AS A COMMUNITY IF
YOU COME TOGETHER. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE.
LINE 3 47, PLEASE GO AHEAD. 3
47. ARAMBULA FOR YOUR COMMITMENT
TO CALIFORNIANS WITH
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES. MY NAME IS SARAH
VERITY, AND I'M HERE TONIGHT TO
REPRESENTING ABILITY PATH WHERE
? BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. WE SERVED
OVER 1000 INDIVIDUALS AND
SANITARY OH, AND SANITARY
COUNTIES EACH DAY. AS A MEMBER
OF THE CALIFORNIA DISABILITY
SERVICES ASSOCIATION ABILITY
PATH SUPPORTS THE PROPOSAL FROM
CBS A AND THE LANTERN IN
COALITION TO RESOLVE FUNDAMENTAL
ISSUES WITH THE RATE STUDY,
WHICH IT IS WORTH MENTIONING WAS
CONDUCTED BEFORE COVID BEFORE
THE RECENT SPIKE IN INFLATION
AND IDENTIFIED IN ANNUAL FUNDING
GAP. ANOTHER SPECIFIC ISSUES
THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED
INCLUDE CORRECTING FLAWED
ASSUMPTIONS AND SOME OF THE RATE
MODELS REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT
TO CREATE RATE MODELS FOR
SERVICES THAT DON'T CURRENTLY
HAVE ONE AND REGULARLY REVIEWING
AND UPDATING RATE MODELS FOR
SERVICE SUSTAINABILITY. LET'S
NOT GET BACK TO WHERE WE ARE
TODAY. THESE ISSUES THREATEN THE
VIABILITY OF SERVICES THAT
CALIFORNIANS WITH IBD DEPEND ON
PROVIDERS. LIKABILITY PATH WANT
TO DELIVER QUALITY PERSON
CENTERED SERVICES WITH WELL
TRAINED STAFF BEING PAID A
LIVING WAGE. THE WORKFORCE
CRISIS REMAINS. WE HAVE BEEN
CONTACTED BY EMPLOYERS. SILICON
VALLEY INTERESTED IN HIRING
ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AS PART
OF THEIR OWN RETURN TO WORK PLAN
AND WERE UNABLE TO HIRE JOB
COACHES TO FILL THOSE REQUESTS.
OUR INCLUSIVE PRESCHOOL
CLASSROOMS THAT ARE CLOSED
BECAUSE WE CAN'T HIRE INCLUSION
TEACHERS. WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH
STAFF TO SAFELY WELCOME ARE
PURCHASED, IN FACT, IN PERSON
SERVICES. PLEASE SUPPORT THE CBS
A AND MANAGEMENT COALITION
PROPOSAL PROPOSAL TO MEET THE
NEEDS OF CALIFORNIANS WITH I D D
D NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. THANK
YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. LINE 1 42, PLEASE GO
AHEAD. 142. SINGAPORE FORWARD.
OKAY ALL I WANNA NATURALLY
NUMBER. MEXICO THE WORLD. OF THE
GARAGE SERVICE. THE MESSAGE THAT
. E MESSAGE. COMMON AREA. VIDEO
THEM. SELECTED IMPORTANT DECADE
TVS. SOME BERNARDINO, BUT I
GUESS IS THE IT DOES THAT
RESPECT, BUT I CAN AFFORD. BEING
ALMOST ARGUE THAT SYRIA FEELING
SENORA DORA WHAT HAPPENED TO
YOUR REMARKS OR OKAY? ZERO YES,
THAT YES. PROCESS, SENORA. NEXT
CALLER, PLEASE. LINES 3 83 80,
PLEASE GO AHEAD. HELLO WHEN ARE
NOT JUST NUMBERS? ROSA DÍAS.
SENORA. SEE WHEN A NOCHES DE MI
JOSE YAMA JOHNNY VALENZUELA IS
INTO THE HARBOR REGIONAL THE
TORRENTS. MM HMM. VISIT THOSE
STATEMENTS IS SIMILAR. UH TO MY
MOM. UM SANDOZ, WHO? COMPUTADORA
SOMETHING IN FOR THE AGNOSTIC.
METHOD. UM. THE, UM. CAÑADA.
NEGATIVE OWES. UM TODAVÍA, UDA.
HMM. E. YES SIR. NO GUYS, WHICH
I MUST. LOOK AT THE HARVARD
REGIONAL SOLA SOLA. YES OKAY,
GEORGE. TIEMPO. THEY DON'T KNOW
THAT. CORETTA. TYPICAL TEASE OF
KOREA. TO BUT, UM SAMINA BARDA.
IT UH I GO INCREDIBLY MOVING. UM
TODD O E FAMILIA? NO, SABIA.
HARBOR REGIONAL SUBMARINE. I
DON'T KNOW. I BE A YELL AT, YOU
KNOW. YOUR PP. EVEN CIELO TABA
CHALLENGE JAVA. YOU AT LEAST
RITO HARVARD REGIONAL DETERRENT.
EGON ALGO, UM. ME HOOK RATIO.
THE ZERO SERVICIOS SERVICIOS,
THE A B A. AH AT LEAST BE CHEAT
ON BEING HARVARD REGION AND IN
THE WEST. UM. THE HEARING
OFFICER TO GO NO DECISIONS. HÌ
APPROPRIATE. GENEROUS HARVARD
REGIONAL. E QUANDO CHICO STONE
MEMENTOS IS MOST POPULAR
CONTROLLER. YEAH. WHAT I COULD.
DANIEL SHOW THEY WERE COMPARED
ME, SO FOR MUTUAL MEDICINA.
CONTROLLER UM ESTABLISHED
ARTISTS. Tð. THE FUNCTION ARE
CANADA. UM. VÚI IMPLEMENT. SPIRO
CLARA MEANT YOU EXPRESS A TOTAL
OF CPP. IMPORTANT TO GIVE ALL.
SECOND YOU GO TO LIBERAL
LIBERAL. AND IT'S A SIMPLE
COVID. CALDERON AH! TOÀN. E IS
THE MOST COMPLEX, EXPENSIVE
COVID NO. NO. WHERE I'LL GO. THE
HARBOR REGIONAL CANNOT. EBCLC.
CAN YOU GO? PADILLA UDA MAN,
HARVARD REGIONAL, BUT. THREE E.
DON'T NOT RESPONDING. ARAMBULA
POLICY OF WHISKEY CAST AND NO
JOB SENSING GRAND. MORE CENTRAL
CANAL. THE HARPER PENDRY ALGO
THEY DON'T KNOW. BUT BUT BUT I
AM A UDA, HARVARD REGIONAL.
RÁPIDAMENTE SALIDA. IS THE
MARRIAGE. CARILLO. YEAH. YEAH.
EMAILS SODIUM. HARVARD REGIONAL
CNN. IN NORTH TRANSPARENT AND NO
ONE FUNDERS, PADRE, MODERATE
JUDAH DODD. DON'T THEY? DON'T
THEY? PROBLEM THE COMPORT ONTO
YOUR YUMMY YOUR ONDO TV END OR
USE A SPECIFIC MARIMEKKO AMERICA
NÓI. YES THE DOORS. DAVID IS
STARTING TO FINANCIAL SUPER
RESORT. THE REST OF THE G D S
AND INVENTIVE INTO, YOU KNOW, UM
. TO EMAIL INMEDIATAMENTE,
SENADOR. YEAH, THEY. ON A UDA.
THEY HEARD THIS. THEY THE I. C
C. MM HMM. DURING MARKS THE
ELIZABETH COMBER BETTER GLADYS
LEE SARAH TH¤U DODD Ó. PADILLA
UDA SPECIFIC MARIMEKKO.
MURATSUCHI. TIENE AMIGOS CAR IS
ON THE. POLISH AND THEY DON'T
KNOW. NO ME PROVIDIAN SERVICIOS
, OR YOU THE OPEN TO ROCKY. AH
THERAPY A SPEECH. ARE YOU THAT
CONSUME TOO? ON. NOISE VERY
WELL. SERBIAN PROGRAM AND WHAT
THE NEEDLES MEMENTO POCO. THE
PROGRAM OF SYRIA. ECONOMIC
COMMUNITY. A I A. DIDN'T SENOR
WHITE PADDLE PROGRAM LIKE THAT,
BUT I CAN ALSO JUST SO YOU'RE
NOT PERSONA PERSONA. TO GRAND
GRAND, BUT IF YOU'RE LOOKING
OKAY? YOU THINK UNCLE MOON
CAÑADA PERSONA KONA? SO IN A
PERSONALITY. WHERE AND BINGEN
SAN JOSE, THEY HARBOR REGIONAL
PARTISAN. THOSE THOSE. RECEIVING
A MINIMUM CAMEROONIAN ORIENTAL
SERVICIOS. SPECIFICALLY, BUT I
MEAN HOST YOU'RE NOT CLASSES
CLASSES. OBAMA MATSUURA. AND
IT'S A TEMPLE. VÚI. GROUP C.
LARA UM, MAY I DO THAT, OR THE
MOMENT BUT IT'S THE DDS. HØI
KAMBIA. AND THOSE PEOPLE, THE
LOCAL ENGLISH CHECKS AND
BALANCES. DON'T STAND
TRANSPARENCIA 70 CENTRAL
REGIONALIST SERVICE YOU. GET
STAND PARA CASA. NOT THE SAVAGE.
SEVEN, WHICH IS GREAT. GRACIAS.
HOUSE. TELL SENORA NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. LINE 3 81 381. YOUR LINE
IS OPEN. LINE 373373 GO AHEAD.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? WE CAN PLEASE
PROCEED. OKAY HI. MY NAME IS
SUSAN. GOOD PASTOR. I'M THE
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF ACORN TO OAK TREES. I'M A
MEMBER OF THE SUSANVILLE INDIAN
RANCHERIA HAVE BEEN NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA AND MY HUSBAND AND MY
CHILDREN ARE MEMBERS OF THE
TALIBAN EMISSION INDIANS HERE IN
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. UM
CHARACTERS IS A TRIBAL
ORGANIZATION WERE LOCATED HERE
ON THE INDIAN RESERVATION. OUR
DAUGHTER HARLEY, AND ARE TWINS
ARE CONSUMERS OF THE INLAND
REGIONAL CENTER, AND I'M ALSO A
VENDOR WITH THE SAN DIEGO
REGIONAL CENTER. UM I WANTED TO
AGREE WITH LAUREN LIBERALS,
STATEMENTS ABOUT THE DISPARITIES
THAT EXIST FOR A LOT OF MINORITY
POPULATIONS. UM, AND THE PROBLEM
WITH LATE DETECTION. THAT'S
DEFINITELY A PROBLEM THAT WE'RE
SEEING A LOT WITHIN OUR TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES. PRIOR TO HAVING OUR
DAUGHTER HARLEY, WHO IS NOW
FIVE. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT A
REGIONAL CENTER WAS. IT WASN'T
UNTIL HARLEY WAS ALMOST A YEAR
OLD AND WASN'T WALKING THAT I
FIRST LEARNED. ABOUT REGIONAL
CENTERS, AND IT WAS FROM HER
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS AND NOT EVEN
HER PEDIATRICIAN. HARLEY HAD
NUMEROUS RED FLAGS THAT BECAUSE
WE HAD NO FAMILY HISTORY, OUR
PEDIATRICIAN WAS NOT CONCERNED
AND JUST ATTRIBUTED HER DELAYS
TO HER PERSONALITY AND
TEMPERAMENT. I'VE GOT MY MASTERS
IN PSYCHOLOGY. I WORKED AS THE
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR
ONE OF THE MOST HIGH PROFILE
TRIBES IN THE STATE. BUT I HAD
NO IDEA WHAT AN ORIGINAL CENTER
WAS. UM, I WAS UNKNOWINGLY PART
OF THE CHILD FIND SYSTEM ONE OF
THE VERY PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR
MAKING THOSE REFERRALS AND I HAD
NO IDEA WHO THEY WERE. AND I
FIGURED IF I DON'T KNOW WHO THE
REGIONAL CENTERS WHERE A LOT OF
OTHER TERRIBLE FAMILIES PROBABLY
HAD NO IDEA WHO THEY WERE. SO
THIS IS A COUPLE YEARS AGO, AND
I REACHED OUT TO DDS. AND I TOLD
HIM ABOUT CHARLIE AND WHAT I
SAW. BASICALLY WITH THE LACK OF
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN REGIONAL
CENTERS AND TRIBES. AND I ASKED
HIM TO DO BETTER OUTREACH TO
TRIBAL COMMUNITIES BECAUSE I SAW
AND JUST, YOU KNOW, THE LACK OF
AWARENESS AMONGST OUR OUR OUR
NATIVE AMERICAN FAMILIES.
ENVIRONMENTS LATER, I GOT A CALL
FROM THE NANNY WALTERS AND SHE
TOLD ME ABOUT THE NEW TRIBAL
EARLY START REACH OUTREACH
INITIATIVE THAT THEY HAVE THEY
HAD IMPLEMENTED BECAUSE OF, UM
HARLEY, STORING OUR ADVOCACY. UM
I FOUNDED THIS ORGANIZATION TO
ADDRESS THE SERVICE ACCESS AND
EQUITY BARRIERS THAT EXIST FOR
TROUBLE COMMUNITIES THAT WAS
ABLE TO DO IT BECAUSE OF ONE OF
THE DSS SERVICE ACCESS AND
EQUITY GRANTS. I GOT OUR FIRST
GRANT LAST YEAR. AND WE CREATED
HARLEY'S HELP PROJECT AND WE DO
STORYTELLING. WE CREATED A VIDEO
TO SHARE IN SEVERAL COMMUNITIES
THAT ARE OUTREACH EVENTS, AND IT
HAS TRULY BEEN TRANSFORMATIVE. I
CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU WHAT HAS
HAPPENED IN OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITY
SINCE WE STARTED THIS PROJECT,
AND IT'S BEEN REALLY NEAT TO SEE
. UM IT'S BEEN ONE OF THE
EASIEST GRANT THAT I'VE EVER UM
IMPLEMENTED, WHICH IS SAYING A
LOT BECAUSE I'VE HAD DIFFERENT
TRIBAL GRANTS, AND THIS ONE IS
ONE OF THE EASIEST ONES. UM DO
BECAUSE WE'RE ABLE TO REALLY USE
IT TO FIT THE NEEDS OF OUR
COMMUNITY AND CULTURALLY
RELEVANT WAYS, AND THAT'S NOT
ALWAYS AT THE FOREFRONT OF A LOT
OF THAT GRANTS. SIDE. UM EXIST.
THERE'S USUALLY A LOT OF RED
TAPE, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE
THAT ABOUT THIS. GRANT. UM AND I
ALSO, UM, AS I MENTIONED WERE
RENDERED WITH THIS AND IGOR
REGIONAL CENTER. AND I JUST WANT
TO COMMEND THE WORK OF THIS
REGIONAL CENTER EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR MARC CLOUDS AND HIS
TEAM PAMELA, STAR MAC AND
ROSALIE GOLDEN. JUST NAME A FEW
AND THIS REGIONAL CENTER HAS
TREMENDOUSLY HELPED ME WITH A
BIT. THE VENDOR IZATION PROCESS
AND MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO
NOT ONLY TALK TO MY TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES ABOUT REGIONAL
CENTER SERVICES, BUT WE'RE NOW
ACTUALLY THE FIRST TRIBAL
ORGANIZATION TO BE ABLE TO
PROVIDE THEIR SERVICES AS AN RC
VENDOR. UM SO BETWEEN DDS AND
SDRC. I'VE BEEN GAINING, THEN
GIVEN US THE PLATFORM AND TOOLS
NECESSARY TO REACH AND PROVIDE
SERVICES TO MY TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES. UM IS THIS SUCH A
UNIQUE SYSTEMS THAT CALIFORNIA
HAS CALIFORNIANS WITH
DISABILITIES ARE EXTREMELY
BLESSED TO LIVE IN A STATE WITH
SO MUCH PROTECTION AND
DEDICATION. I'M YOU KNOW, THE
PEOPLE HERE IN THIS OFFICE IS
THEY'RE ACTIVELY WORKING TO
BRIDGE BRIDGE, THOSE SERVICE
ACCESS AND EQUITY GAPS AND YOU
KNOW MYSELF AND MY ORGANIZATION
ARE DEFINITELY PROOF OF THIS.
AND ONE OF THE BEST WAYS THAT
THE STATE CAN CONTINUE TO BRIDGE
THOSE GAPS. EVERYBODY LISTENING
TO CONSUMERS. AS I HEARD ANOTHER
SPEAKER MENTIONED EARLIER, THAT
REALLY IS TRUE. AND ALSO BY
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS
UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS TO
BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION, AND
THAT IS ACHIEVED BY GIVING THEM
A PLATFORM TO VOICE THEIR
CONCERNS LIKE BDS HAS DONE FOR
ME AND ALSO BY EMPOWERMENT TO BE
PART OF THEIR POPULATION.
SOLUTION LIKE SDRC HUSBAND FOR
MY ORGANIZATION, AND I JUST WANT
TO THANK YOU FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE MY
EXPERIENCE AND COMMENT ON ON
THIS BUDGET. AND UM, THANK YOU
AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR COMMITMENT
TO THIS WORK. THANK YOU. NEXT
CALLER, PLEASE. OUR NEXT
QUESTION COMES FROM THE LINE OF
1. 56 156, PLEASE GO AHEAD. 3 85
, PLEASE GO AHEAD. 385. JUST
LOSES GÓMEZ. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
YES, WE CAN. OKAY SO I WANTED TO
LET YOU KNOW. INDEPENDENT
FACILITATOR HAVE BEEN GRANTED
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT
ACTUALLY HAPPENED. BUT FAMILY IN
DIFFERENT REGIONAL CENTERS. I'M
REALLY SHOCKED THAT FAMILY. I
HAVE A CLIENT WHO LAST YEAR LOST
HER MOTHER IN LAW WHO LOST THE
SISTER. AND YOU KNOW HOW MANY
HOURS OF REST MOTHER GOD FOR HER
SON. NOT ONLY AN ADULT. GETTING
INTO SELF DETERMINATION. THEY
GIVE 20 HOURS OF RESPITE FOR HER
TO REST AND FIRE AND FIGURE OUT
THE GRIEF NODULES ONE LOVED ONE,
BUT. TWO I'M SHOCKED AT HOW VERY
LITTLE SUPPORT FAMILIES GET WE
NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AND IT
SHOULDN'T BE JUST DBS CHECKS AND
BALANCES. IT NEEDS TO BE COMMON
SENSE. HE NEEDS TO BE THAT
FAMILIES ARE GIVEN THE SECRET
MENU. WHY IS IT THAT SOME
FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO GET TAYLOR
? THEY SERVICES AND AMAZING
ADAPTED, FEELS AND SOCIAL SKILLS
AND I HAVE SPLIT THOROUGH
PURPOSES THAT NO PEOPLE. NO THEN
WE JUST CAN WE PLEASE. YES, PUT
TOGETHER. A LIST OF ALL THE
SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
WHAT HAVE REGIONAL CENTER PAID
FOR SO WE CAN SEE WHAT IS THE
SECRET MENU? WE CANNOT PEOPLE ON
GOING AND A SITUATION WHERE,
LIKE NOBODY REALLY KNOWS BECAUSE
THEY TELL ME WHERE THE PEGGY OF
LAST RESORT EVERY CASE IS
DIFFERENT. WE NEED FLOOR EVERY
OPTION, PLEASE. WE NEED TO KNOW
WHAT SORRY REGIONAL CENTER
SERVICES ARE AND TO BE ABLE TO
BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK
FOR THOSE SERVICES. AND I'M
SORRY, JUST BECAUSE MY LAST
MINUTES GÓMEZ. THAT DOESN'T MEAN
THAT MY CHILD CANNOT GET THE
SAME SERVICES. IF THERE'S
ACTIVISM. DIAGNOSIS OR ANY OF
THE DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS. BETTER
FOR REGIONAL CENTER TO BE GIVING
YOU SERVICES. IT CAN COLOR YOUR
ADMITTING AND SHOULD NOT BE THE
DETERMINING FACTOR OF HOW MUCH
SERVICES YOU GET. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE
YOU STAYED SO LONG. THANK YOU.
NEXT TIME, PLEASE. HMM. OUR NEXT
QUESTION. CLIMATE COMES FROM
LINE 370370 GO AHEAD. HELLO.
PLEASE CONTINUE. ALRIGHT I WILL
CONTINUE TO SPANISH. UH WHEN I
STARTED SO YOUNG WHEN IT'S
NOTCHES. THEIR OWN SCREEN IN THE
CENTER OF THE REBEL COAST. IT'S
TERRIBLE, UNDERWORKED IMPORTANT
TO ME. A NEW OPINION, LARA.
CULTURE THAT THAT SORT OF SORT
OF ISSUES ASSOCIATED SESSION,
OKAY, YOU'RE CONSIDERING GUESTS
CAN. OVER NON NON WAS DONE.
OKAY? ESTÁN LAMENT THE CREASES
SWIMMING HINTS VIA HMM. NOT
SUPPORT THERE. GUESTS CAN DANCES
. NOT DISCUSSED. NOT SLOVAN
PERSONAS SEAT DONE. NO NOT
REALLY CONSIDERED LATINOS NOTICE
EVEN AS A SERVICE. YEAH, DANCES.
OUT LOUD TO A TERMINATION.
INNOCENT PUBLIC. SERVICIOS. THIS
IS. LISTEN STANDING MYSELF
BAJOS. LIKE THAT. THEY CAN JUST
FAMILIAR SEACOAST GERMANOS
PADRES. MOST ARE NOT KNOWN AS.
DON'T ASK COURT THEN BATTLE 10%
TOTAL MENTAL CAN KNOW SOTO'S
EXPERIMENT. LINK DIMENSION.
EXTENSION. NEVADA. THAT'S
IMPORTANT. HISPANA ARE YES. NOT
SOMEONE DECENT FAIL. IN EFFECT.
DOMINANT CUENTA. THAT GETS ON
YOUR MOTHER, BUT A LOT OF REST
Ó. HMM. TESTIMONIAL OR, UH,
POST GRAND AND THIS IS THE LAST
SINGLE CONTRERAS. IN A SINGULAR
REMARK. MUCHAS GRACIAS. JUST
SORT OF THEM ARE NOT CHANGED. IN
THE WINTER, NOTCHING SENOR. NEXT
CALLER, PLEASE. NEXT WE HAVE
LINE 43. PLEASE GO AHEAD WITH
YOUR COMMENTS. LINE 43. THE LINE
IS OPEN. UH SEE WHEN I STARTED
THIS MS COCHIN. SEE, SENORA. THE
NUMBER IS IN BOCCA. THIS
INFIRMARY BEGAN TO THE NUMBER OF
MEMBERS SO YOU KNOW MADRE, THEIR
ZONING JOURNAL. THE REBELS,
BOATS AND WILLIAM WILLIAMS.
LAWCENTER JOURNALISTS. PARTY
PARTY PARTY. HMM. JUST SOMEONE.
MATSUURA THE EASIEST ABILITY
THAT PART OF THE CENTRAL
JOURNALISTS. IN MY PARTY THAT
DDS. THOMAS PROGRAMMER DOES
EXPERIENCE SERVICE USE. NORMALLY
THAT IS THE SYSTEM OF
TRANSPARENCY, A WALL DONE IN
LAWCENTER VIDEO. SENORA LARA
CONTRADA DURING MARCH. PHILIP TO
THE LEE VICKY TO RESPONSIBILITY
THAT BUT I LOVE IT. GRACIAS POR
SU TIEMPO, IMPORTANT FOR THE YOU
HAVE TO WIN A GNOCCHI. SENORA.
NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. NEXT WEEK
HAVE LINE 378. PLEASE GO AHEAD
LINE 378. HELLO MY NAME IS
JEANETTE. PICASSO ARGH! WELL I'M
A MOTHER OF FOUR CHILDREN. HèA
REGIONAL CENTER CONSUMERS. I
THANK YOU TO THE COMMITTEE FOR
LISTENING THIS LATE IN THE
EVENING. I THANK MY FELLOW
PARENTS REMAINING ON THE LINE,
AND I APOLOGIZE IF I GET
EMOTIONAL AND MYSELF ONE, ISN'T
IT 1% AND IT'S GOING TO TURN
OFF. SPEAK APPALLING TO ME TO
HEAR MY BILINGUAL COMMUNITY. YOU
KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN
INJECTED INEQUITY WITHIN OUR
COMMUNITY FOR OUR DISABLED YOUNG
CHILDREN. MY MOTHER ABOARD BEEN
THROUGH THIS JOURNEY FOR 22
YEARS AS A QUARTER POINT OF
SPECIAL ADVOCATE FOSTER CARE,
YOUTH AND LATER AS AN ADVOCATE
FOR MY OWN CHILDREN AND MY
COMMUNITY, IT IS APPALLING TO ME
TO HAVE CHILDREN WHO ARE NOW
TEENAGERS AND ADULTS. COULD HAVE
YET AND WHO ARE CONSUMERS OF
INLAND REGIONAL CENTER, WHO HAVE
YET TO BE REFERRED TO DEPARTMENT
OF REHABILITATION OR TO HAVE A
LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCIES,
WHETHER IT'S RIVERSIDE COUNTY
OFFICE OF EDUCATION. AND THEN
REGIONAL CENTER TO FACILITATE
VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENTS AND
TRANSITIONAL PLANNING FOR SELF
SUFFICIENCY AND INDEPENDENT
LIVING SKILLS. BUT THERE IS
ACUTE INFLUX. IN OUR COMMUNITY
AND OUR CHILDREN ARE GETTING
OLDER. I FEEL THAT I WILL SAY.
AND NOBODY WILL BE ON PEOPLE. MY
CHILDREN. AND I HEARD THIS
COMMITTEE TO PUT ON THE RECORD
CHECK AND BALANCES BECAUSE AS A
MOTHER AS AN ADVOCATE FOR MY
CHILDREN, WHO HAVE NO VOICE
BECAUSE THEIR LANGUAGES, PARENTS
AND DEATH PART OF HEARING NO
AMERICAN DISABILITIES ARE
COMING. DACIAN DO INSURE THAT
THEIR COMPLETE OR BEING HURT.
THEY ARE U. S CITIZENS BEGINNING
SPEAK, CANNOT FIGHT. AND THEN WE
CAN CENTER. WHO HAVE GPS AND I
AND OTHER AGENCIES NOT SUPPORT.
IT IS A FALLING UP URGENT
COMMITTEE THING HERE. MY PLACE.
THANK YOU, MA'AM. NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. NEXT WE HAVE WINE NUMBER
210, PLEASE GO AHEAD LINE 210.
HELLO BEING IS HEAR ME, SENORA.
UM GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. UM, I
AM HERE. TO REQUEST EQUAL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR HISPANIC
COMMUNITY. RECEIVE SERVICES FOR
SHIPS. MOST OF US WE HAVE NOT
RECEIVED ANY SERVICES FOR YEARS.
I'M ONE OF THOSE PARENTS. I WAS
PART OF THAT THEY AREA REGIONAL
CENTER. UM I'M SORRY. MY NAME IS
MARKET AND MY SON WAS DIAGNOSED
WITH OPTIMISM AND HIS NAME IS
MANUEL. SO LIKE I SAID I WAS
PART OF THE DAY AREA REGIONAL
CENTER. MY SON WAS DIAGNOSED
WITH AUTISM SENSE. UM 2013. HE
DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY SERVICES.
UNTIL I MOVED FROM THE AREA
WALKING COUNTY. THANKS THAT I
MET. ONE MOM AND SHE REFERRED ME
TO I. C C. ONE THING I REFERRED
ME TO I C C. I START GETTING, UM
, INFORMATION ABOUT ALL THESE
SERVICES THAT REGIONAL CENTER
CAN PROVIDE. UM. I HAD MY IBP ON
LAST NOVEMBER 2020 15. AND SINCE
THEN, MY THOUGHT START STARTED
RECEIVING SOME SERVICES. I'M
HERE. TO SEE IF THEY CAN.
PROVIDE LIKE VERY NO CENTER.
THEY SHOULD PROVIDE US AND TELL
US WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE
FOR OUR KIDS. AND TO INFORM THE
SO IMPORTANT FOR OUR KIDS. NOT
FOR ME THOSE YEARS, NOT 10
YEARS. HE THAT'S THE COORDINATOR
AND THE CASE MANAGER. THEY JUST
WENT HOME. OR THEY JUST CALL ME
. HOW IS YOUR SON? BUT THEY
NEVER EXPLAIN OR TELL ME WHAT IS
HE SO TO ME, I HEAR HEAR. SO
MANY MOMS THAT. THEIR KIDS ARE
ALREADY LIKE. 23 YEARS OLD OR
THEY'RE ADULTS. THEY HAVEN'T
RECEIVED ANY SERVICES, WHICH I
THINK IT'S NOT FAIR. SO WE EAT
TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE
OTHER COMMUNITIES. FOR KIDS CAN
HAVE A BETTER LIFE. AND I'M HERE
TO SUPPORT THE COUNTRY TO THANK
YOU, EVERYONE. THANK YOU. NEXT
CALLER, PLEASE. WE HAVE LINE
NUMBER 414 MORE. HELLO. HELLO.
YES. PLEASE GO AHEAD. ALRIGHT.
MY NAME IS YELLA. CLINTON THE
CENTRAL NORTH LOS ANGELES. HMM.
TESTIMONY THAT TRADERS JUDY MARK
MR SICKOS EMERITUS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES. THAT AREN'T
SPREADING E ONE, THOUGH. ALEJO'S
PROCESSORS, LAWCENTER
JOURNALISTS. DÍAS GRACIAS,
SENOR. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE.
THANK YOU. WE HAVE LINE FOR 22.
PLEASE GO AHEAD LINE FOR 22.
OKAY. THANK YOU. YOU WON'T WHEN
NO. SEE A PORTFOLIO. LET'S
QUESTION SENORA. OKAY, THAT'S
NOTICED. MEAN HOMBRES LYDIA
BARON, INSPIRATIONAL THE NORTH.
FIRMANDO SENORA DORA CONTRA. FOR
YOUR PARTICULAR WHAT? DOUG IS
TAMBIÉN. KILLER EVERYBODY CAÑADA
. MUSLIM FONDO VÚI. CALIFORNIA
DINNER IN JUNE CENTRAL. LET'S
CALL IT THE VERY UNDER START THE
ENDO HE'S Ó. EMBARGO NO. OKAY,
OKAY. KIDDING. TAMBIÉN RESEARCH
KINETIC Ó SCUSA. BUT I WILL
CENTRAL ANALOGY BUT ANOTHER
SERVICE YOU THIS CRIMINAL
YOUNGER LATINO. AND THEY'RE
SIMILAR MENTOR. AMELIA. NO
SYSTEM SERVICE, BUT I'M MISSING
HOME. FIX. LAST COORDINATES
SUPERBA SHONA SALAS. TAMBIEN.
INTERESTED IN PASO YOU LOOK TO
THE SERVICE YOU NÓ MEMENTO SO
FREE IN THE YELLOW PROBLEM.
REGIONALIST. CAN BE AMAZING. TO
SO HUMAN PEOPLE SAMPLE OTHER
PROBLEM. GRAND CENTRAL VICUNA
PUBLIC POLICY. FOLLOW, BUT
BARRERA. IN A CENTRAL VISION
COMMITTEE HOSTED AND CLEAN. YOU
KNOW, FATTY ACTUALLY STARTED.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? PEOPLE.
THE NOT ANY. BUT OTHER BOOKS AND
THEY DON'T SAID WE JUST CANNOT
COME TO KIND OF MUSIC Ó
COMMITTEE HIT THEM WHERE I CAN
KNOW THAT MOST SANTOS ISSUE
EITHER A LOT OF QUESTION.
SERVICE YOU. YOU KNOW, NOT
ANYMORE. THAT'S MUCH. COMMUNITY
. TO SEIKO. THE MEDICINE LOVE
EITHER. YES, THAT THAT WOULD NOT
BE THE INDEPENDENT. IS NECESSARY
CORRADO FEW HOURS HÌ. IT'S A
GREAT WHICH HANDLES HE WAS NOT
NOTICED. SENORA. NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. WE HAVE LINE NUMBER 4 TO
4. PLEASE GO AHEAD LINE 4 TO 4.
C ONE IS NOT TO NACHES. GRACIAS
YOU KNOW, THE A GET THE. MONTANA
DISMAL PERSISTS, THE TRANS
TRANSPARENCY AND ANALYSIS.
COMMON? MM. HMM. BUT I JUST.
SENORA VERA. PEOPLE. IT'S A
TOTAL GONNA NOTICE. GRACIAS,
SENORA. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. WE
HAVE LINE NUMBER 412. PLEASE GO
AHEAD LINE FOR 12. ONE PICTURE,
SENORA. HE WENT MESSAGES WHEN
I'M NOT JUST THE NUMBER BACK IN
ENGLAND. DE MARCH. SO MY MOTHER
ONLY DISMAL IN THE UNIT. PEOPLE
MAJORITY. WANT THAT
TRANSPARENCY. FAMILIAR. AMERICAN
. VISA. NOT GRACIAS, SENORA.
NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. WE HAVE
LINE 440, PLEASE GO AHEAD LINE
FOR 40. YES I'M AFRAID TO DO
THIS AGAIN BECAUSE WHEN I CALLED
EARLIER I FELT RUSHED. AND AS I
CALLED BACK, I HEARD ANOTHER
COMMENTARY GOING FOR FIVE
MINUTES OR LONGER. BUT HERE IT
GOES. IT'S RICK. WELL IT'S RICK
HODGKINS AGAIN. UM I HAD A
COUPLE MORE COMMENTS TO SAY,
FIRST OFF. I WANTED TO I THINK,
UM, I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT STEP
BECAUSE STEP IS LIKE FAMILY TO
ME. THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO
COMMENT ON HIS SOMEONE MENTIONED
THAT NAVIGATOR FOR EACH REGIONAL
CENTER. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS
FOR DDS, OR FOR EACH AND EVERY
REGIONAL CENTER FOR A DEATH
NAVIGATOR, WHICH I THINK THAT
WHICH I THINK IS GREAT BECAUSE
MY GIRLFRIEND WHO IS ALSO A STEP
CLIENT. EXCEPT I'M ON THE S O.
I'M ON THE L S SIDE. SHE IS ON
THE SLS SIDE. UM YOU KNOW, I
THINK IT'S GREAT HAVING A DEATH
NAVIGATOR. I'M BLIND, SO I THINK
IT'S GREAT. I THINK IN THE
FUTURE THAT WE OUGHT TO TAKE A
LOOK AT HAVING A NAVIGATOR FOR
THOSE OF US WHO ARE BLIND LIKE
MYSELF. AND, UM THE THIRD THING
I WANT TO TOUCH ON AS I SENT AN
EMAIL TO ALL OF YOU ON FRIDAY,
SO I HOPE THAT YOU GOT IT. UM
SORRY FOR HAVING TO CALL AGAIN.
THANKS BUT I WAS RUSHED EARLIER,
BUT THANK YOU, SIR. NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. THANK YOU. WE HAVE LINE
NUMBER 239, PLEASE GO AHEAD LINE
239. CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, WE
CAN. OKAY GREAT. MY NAME IS
LESLIE BRONSON. I HAVE AN 18
YEAR OLD WITH DOWN SYNDROME. WE
LIVE IN SANTA BARBARA,
CALIFORNIA HE'S BEEN A CLIENT
WITH REGIONAL CENTERS SINCE HE
WAS TWO MONTHS OLD. I APPRECIATE
ALL THE SUPPORT THAT MY SON'S
RECEIVED FROM REGIONAL CENTER
HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN
NUMEROUS SERVICES THAT MY
SERVICE COORDINATOR DID NOT TELL
US ABOUT. WE WERE ALSO LIED TO
ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF HOURS THAT
WERE AVAILABLE TO US. HOURS THAT
MY SON NEEDED. MY SERVICE
COORDINATOR AND EVEN THE
DIRECTOR OF OUR REGIONAL CENTER
TOLD US THAT THERE WAS A CAP ON
THE RESPITE HOURS AND THE
PERSONAL ASSISTANT HOURS. AND IT
WASN'T UNTIL MY THREE ANGEL
ADVOCATE I BOUGHT FOR MY SON AND
CALLED OUT THE LIVE ABOUT THE
CAP ON THESE SERVICES A CAP ON
THE HOURS OF THESE SERVICES. SO
NOW WE ARE GETTING MORE HOURS.
BUT IF IT WASN'T FOR THEM, I
DEFINITELY WOULDN'T HAVE THEM.
UM AND THIS ISN'T JUST ME. BUT
THIS IS I HAVE SO MANY FRIENDS,
SO MANY PARENTS WITH SPECIAL
NEEDS CHILDREN. THEY DON'T EVEN
KNOW WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE
TO THEM. UM IN ADDITION, FORKS
BALL, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT
ASSASSINS. SO MY SON WAS 14 AND
I JUST HELPED THREE OF MY
FRIENDS WHOSE KIDS ARE IN THEIR
LATE TEENS. THAT DIDN'T EVEN
KNOW THAT I H S HAS EXISTED
EITHER. UM. I ALSO, UM, HEARD
EARLIER IN THIS MEETING THAT
FROM AN EMPLOYEE WITH REGIONAL
CENTER, SAYING THAT THERE IS A
LOT OF MONEY THAT ISN'T BEING
USED. AND I JUST WONDER WHY THAT
IS. AND WHY DOES REGIONAL CENTER
SEEMED TO BE HOLDING SERVICES
AND SERVICE HOURS BACK FROM
PEOPLE? UM I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE
THAT MY FIRST LANGUAGE IS
ENGLISH. I HEAR SO MANY
DISTRAUGHT PARENTS WHO. THEIR
FIRST LANGUAGE IS NOT ENGLISH,
AND IT'S EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR
THEM AND I JUST REALLY HOPE THAT
WITH ALL OF THIS CONVERSATION
THAT THEY'LL THERE WILL BE MORE
PEOPLE THAT CAN COMMUNICATE MORE
ABOUT YOU KNOW WHAT'S AVAILABLE
TO THEIR CHILDREN? UM I ALSO
UNDERSTAND AND I'M ALMOST DONE.
I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT AT THIS
TIME REGIONAL CENTERS AREN'T
INVOLVED WITH THE SCHOOL
DISTRICTS AND THE JUST DISABLED
CHILDREN THAT GO THERE, AND I
REALLY HOPE THAT AT SOME POINT
IN THE FUTURE THAT THIS CHANGE
BECAUSE IN MY AREA, THE ADVOCATE
HERE. YOU HAVE TO PAY A LOT OF
MONEY TO REPRESENT YOUR CHILDREN
, AND THEY ALSO COLLUDE WITH THE
SPECIAL ED TEACHERS AND THE
PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE DISTRICTS
HERE, SO IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE
TO REALLY GET THE INDIVIDUAL
SUPPORT THAT YOU REALLY NEED FOR
YOUR CHILDREN JUST DOES NOT
HAPPEN. UM SO I REALLY HOPE THAT
THERE WILL BE SOME HONEST CHANGE
AND UM I REALLY APPRECIATE THE
TIME THAT YOU'VE GIVEN ME TO
SHARE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. WE HAVE
LINE 446, PLEASE GO AHEAD LINE
446. WHETHER OR NOT WE KNOW
EVERYTHING KADRI HERE. MÀ THE
ORANGE. THIS COMMENTARY IN JUDY
MARK CONTRADA. INDEPENDIENTE
PROGRAM. LAWCENTER RATIONALISTS.
CENTRAL REGIONALIST. FARIDA.
EXISTED IN CENTRAL ORIGINALITY,
TENGO DOCUMENT. FOR THE SIMPLE
SERVICIOS ANALYSIS. IN WEST
NATIONAL CENTER. TO MILL
DOLLARS. ALANYA. TOURS CENTRAL
ANKARA SITUATIONAL CENTER. A
LITTLE BIT IN CAMILLE DOLLARS,
ALANI. ENGLAND CORRECTIONAL
CENTER, WHERE THE LITTLE MILL
DOLLARS SOLANO. CHINA'S COUNTY
NOT UNDERSTAND UNDER WHICH IS
K¾T IS ALWAYS ASK YOURSELF THIS
CRIMINAL. POLITICS SONG, PART OF
IT ALL OF THE MATTER VIDEOS.
POLICY AFTER DBS SANDO
YESTERDAY. YES DADDY POLITICS.
MAMA SAFE AND CUANDO MARIMEKKO
CONTRA CENTRAL RATIONALE. THINK
OF. SOLONA. GRACIA. ANGELES
EMAIL. TO STUDYING. IT'S MOVING
HOST. OH FAMILIA STRESS. I
CHOOSE CENTRAL RATIONALE BEING
TOO MANUAL DIFFERENT SERVICE YOU
BEING HUMAN ERROR IS DIFFERENT
PREDICTIVE. THE EMBARGO IS UNA
SOLA. IT REALLY DOES. LITTLE
PLACE TRANSPARENCY DIRECTORS.
RATIONALITY OR PROCESS, SENORA.
NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. LINE 33.
LINE 33. YOUR LINE IS OPEN. YOU
MAY GO AHEAD. HI. MY NAME IS
KRISTEN AND I AM WITH REGIONAL
CENTER. UM. YES ANGELES L'ARC
AND I HAVE TWO CHILDREN. THAT
OUR CLIENTS AT THAT CENTER AND I
SUPPORT JUDY MARK ANDORRA,
CONTRARY TO. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. WE
HAVE LINED 4 32 LINE. 432,
PLEASE GO AHEAD. HIGHLINE 4 32
YEAR LINE IS OPEN. YOU MAY GO
AHEAD. YES MY NAME IS MARLON. I
AM A LATINO MOTHER OF THEIR
FINGERS ALL DOWN WHEN SHE TALKS
. WE ARE TOLD THEY SEND ME TO
THE STREET. I DON'T HAVE ANY
FAMILY IN THIS COUNTRY, AND THEN
HE WAS SO HARD FOR ME. I HAVE TO
GIVE UP MY CAREER. EIGHT YEARS.
FAST UNTIL I MET THE EITC AND
DVU ORGANIZATION. THEY EDUCATED
ME, I LEARNED AND AT LAST, I WAS
LISTENING BY MY REGIONAL CENTER.
SO I WONDER HOW MANY MOTHERS OUT
THERE WILL HAVE TO WAIT A YEAR
OR MORE. OR MAYBE THEY HAVE TO
STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OR
SOMETHING TO BE HURT. SO, UM, UH
. HOW LONG WE HAVE TO WAIT TO
DISCOVER THAT THERE ARE SERVICES
FOR OUR CHILDREN THAT WERE NEVER
OFFER. I AM HERE TO SUPPORT THE
MARK ANDORRA CONTRERAS FOR
TRANSPARENCY IN THEIR REGIONAL
CENTER PROCESSES. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE.
WE HAVE LINE 4 56 LINE FOR 56.
YOU MAY GO AHEAD. LINE 456. YOUR
LINE IS OPEN. DO YOU WANT TO
START THIS? UM, HE SAID THAT
CENTRAL MONTANA. NO, SUCH AS
POSSIBILITY THAT BUT I'M LOOKING
THROUGH THE IMPORTANT OH, YOU'RE
USING MARK IN THE OF THE
AMERICANS. MEDIA E, BUT IT'S A
TRADITIONAL FORM RC QUATTRO
THEY, THE ASIA. MR. COMING
HAPPENED WAS ONE THAT IT DOES IS
OKAY. NOBODY AFTER THEIR MASKS.
HE IS A DEMOCRAT TO JOSEPH
TODAVÍA. MONEY THAT IS FUN. THEY
MAY HAVE. GRACIAS GRACIAS,
SENORA. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. WE
HAVE LINE NUMBER 458. PLEASE GO
AHEAD LINE FOR 58. HELLO.
SOCORRO MARTINEZ JUST SAW MY
MOTHER ONLY MADAN. ALSO ANNUAL
YES. ENTERING CENTRAL ASIAN AL
THE ISLANDS. MM COMMENTARY IN
THE DORA CONTRERAS DURING MARCH.
GRACIAS, SENORA. NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. WE HAVE LINE 460, PLEASE
GO AHEAD LINE 460. PLEASE GO
AHEAD LINE 460. LINE 460 IF YOU
HAVE YOUR PHONE MUTED, PLEASE
MUTE. THANK YOU. WE CAN HEAR
YOU. PLEASE GO AHEAD. WHEN NOT
SINGAPORE FORWARD. WHEN IS
NOTICED NOMBRES. GUADALUPE MY
MOTHER. YES OR NOT FEMALE
SPANISH PORTUONDO. SEE, SENORA.
OKAY. FOR KIDS. I DO NOT NOT
NORTHERN TRANSPARENT. DAMIEN.
THE L A LOT FOR DINNER. CANNOT
PARADOXICAL IS THAT BONO? BUT I
KNOW I DO THAT. HELLO. AND
LICENSING. CANCER'S THAT CAN
YOURS, SAM. DO THAT FOCUSED ON A
. OKAY? AREA. TRÊN.
CDVA. AMERICAN SPORTS. FAT AND.
41. YES, THIS IS MY. INFORMATIVE
THEY KILLED AROUND THE MOST.
CUANDO DOLLARS. MY FOR ME. HMM
LET'S SEE. THE FINAL YES. PHOTO.
ALMOST. MEXICANO STAND ANOTHER
IMPORTANT. TERMINATION LAST
DOLLARS. THE CENTRAL ONE. NO MAN
NO DIFFERENT NÓ STAYED
APPLICANTS. TO ONE VOTE. NO, I
DO NOT KNOW. TAMBIÉN PROBLEM.
FOR CAN. ARE YOU A MEMBER STORY?
SERVICES. NOT FOR THE COMPANY.
OKAY DON'T KNOW. MESIC'S. CUENTA
. PRACTICE.
BECAUSE AMERICAN. LOOK AT IT AND
FORMATTING CUENTA ZAMBIAN
UNDERSTAND. YOUR YOUR DEPARTMENT
. REMARKS. THING THAT MAJORITY
CONTROL CENTRAL ANOMALOUS. YEAH
I AM TRANSPARENCIA. YES, MA'AM.
SERVICES. FAMILIA FAMILIAR.
TRANSPARENCIA. INSTEAD OF
FAMILIA GETTING AND THEN GLORY
AND FIRMAS MASSIVE. YES, 37.
BEING SAID. THAT YES. SENORA.
SOME POINT, MY, MAYBE, THANKS
VERY PRETTY SIMPLE TO OR LET ME
GO FORWARD TOGETHER EVERYWHERE.
SURPRISE. SAID. ER, NO.
GUADALUPE MY MOTHER. CENTRAL.
GRACIA. PROCESS, SENORA. NEXT
CALLER, PLEASE. NEXT WE HAVE
LINE NUMBER 468. PLEASE GO AHEAD
LINE 468. CHECK. BUT IT'S NOT
JUST. IMPORTANT, JUDY MARK.
PERKINESS. 11-3. ACCORDING. TO
VÚI HISTORIA.
SERVICE SPOILING THAT.
CONDITIONAL I'M INNOCENT.
SERVICES ORGAN. AND YOU CAN
ANNUAL GENERAL UNDOCUMENTED.
NÚMERO THE SECOND. OKAY JUST
KNOW THIS MEDIA SYSTEM
APPOINTMENTS, SERVICIO. MORE
FAMILY AUDIENCE. PERABO
LANDERMAN. TO NH█P SURE. MY
DAUGHTER, UM. VÚI AND WAS JUST
HAVING A NINO. STRESSED. EVEN.
SQUARE OR PERSONAS. HUESO. AND
THERE IS A SERVICE. GRACIAS
ONTARIO. E EVEN PROCESS, SENORA.
NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. WE HAVE
LINES 318, PLEASE GO AHEAD LINE
318. LINE 3 18. YOUR LINE IS
OPEN. YOU MAY SPEAK. PLEASE GO
AHEAD. LINE 318 WE HAVE YOUR
LINE OPEN IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR MUTE BUTTON.
IF YOU HAVE YOUR MUTE FEATURE ON
LINE, 318. OKAY WE'RE NOT
GETTING A RESPONSE ON THAT LINE
WILL GO TO OUR NEXT LINE. WE
HAVE WINE 474, PLEASE GO AHEAD
LINE 4 74. SEE WHERE IT'S BETTER
THAN NUMBER THAT ALFREDO CODING
MÐI. CENTRAL MONTANA. MOYAMOYA.
TESTIMONY OF THE COUNTRY USING
MARK. WELCOME EXPERIENCIA.
SENOR. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. WE
HAVE LINE NUMBER 462, PLEASE GO
AHEAD LINE 4 62. GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS KATHERINE, FLORIDA
ZUBIATE. AND I HAVE TWO YOUNG
ADULTS IN THE SOUTH
DETERMINATION PROGRAM AT CENTRAL
VALLEY REGIONAL CENTER, CBRC. MY
YOUNG ADULTS STARTED IN THEIR
CHAINS BEING IN REGIONAL CENTER.
UM. I JUST WANT TO. I'M JUST
GOING TO POINT OUT A COUPLE OF
SCENARIOS. WHEN MY SON WAS 18.
WE WERE AT NORTH BAY REGIONAL
CENTER, AND MY SON WAS ONLY
ALLOWED TO HAVE CHILD CARE,
WHICH MEANT THE FAMILY HAD TO
PAY THE DIFFERENCE. FOR SOMEONE
TO COME AND WATCH OUR SON OR BE
WITH THEM AFTER SCHOOL. BECAUSE
NORTH BAY REGIONAL CENTER WERE
NOT ALLOWED. WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW
ABOUT PERSONAL ASSISTANT BACK
THEN. BUT YOU KNOW ABOUT
RESPECT, AND THEY WOULD ONLY
GIVE US A CERTAIN AMOUNT FOR
CHILD CARE. THEN WE DID GET A
LITTLE BIT OF RESPITE. MY SON
WAS A VICTIM. ONE OF MY CHILDREN
WAS A VICTIM OF A CRIME CALLED
THE WORKER, AND I SAID THIS
HAPPENED BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE
ENOUGH SUPPORT FROM YOU GUYS.
THEY SAID WE'RE SORRY. WE CAN'T
GIVE YOU ANY MORE. MIND YOU THAT
HE WAS 18. HE WAS GETTING
CHILDCARE OR 25 AN HOUR TO PAY
SOMEONE. WE PAID THEM THE
DIFFERENCE FOR $15 AN HOUR BACK
THEN. MY OTHER SON WAS DENIED
SERVICES, THOUGH HE DIDN'T
QUALIFY UNDER THE AUTISM WITH
REGIONAL CENTER, BUT HE WAS
DENIED AS PARENTS. AND WE'RE A
DUAL LANGUAGE CULTURE AND WE
HAVE TWO PARENTS IN THE
HOUSEHOLD. IT WAS VERY
CHALLENGING FOR US TO MANAGE.
ALL THE SERVICES ARE TRYING TO
GET AT LEAST SOMETHING SO WE
COULD ONLY HANDLE ONE CHILD AT A
TIME WHEN WE MOVED TO CENTRAL
VALLEY. MY OLDEST SON TRANSFER
WITH SELF DETERMINATION PROGRAM.
MY OTHER SON WAS ADMITTED
CENTRAL VALLEY REGIONAL CENTER.
BOTH OF MY KIDS. YOUNG ADULTS
HAVE STARTED THE DETERMINATION
PROGRAM. WE HAVE HAD VERY
LIMITED SUPPORT AS FAR AS
PAYMENTS. WE WERE FIRST WE WERE
WITH ESSENTIAL PAIN. I'M SORRY.
WHAT WERE WITH ESSENTIAL PAIN
NOW WE'VE RECEIVED ONLY ONE OR
TWO PAYMENTS FOR THE VENDORS OR
THE OR THE EMPLOYEES AND NO
SERVICES HAVE BEEN PAID FOR.
SENSE. NOVEMBER 2021 THAT'S OVER
A YEAR AGO. THERE'S TWO. THERE'S
A COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT WERE
TAKEN OUT BECAUSE OF MY SON.
THEY WERE SAYING HE WAS
INCOMPETENT AND REGIONAL CENTER
HERE AT CBRC WAS TELLING HIM
THAT HE WASN'T MAKING A DECISION
WHEN HE ALREADY TOLD THEM THAT
DECISION, BUT THEY WERE TRYING
TO CONVINCE THEM TO CHANGE IT.
THE OTHER ISSUES THAT WE'RE
HAVING IS ALREADY TOLD YOU THAT
ISSUE THAT HE DOES GET SERVICES,
BUT NOBODY HAS BEEN PAID FOR.
THERE'S ONLY BEEN ABOUT TWO OR
THREE SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN
PAID FOR AND THIS WHOLE TIME AND
WE'RE STILL GOING TO APPEAL IT.
THERE IS NO SUPPORT FOR CLIENTS
TO APPEAL IT. THERE'S NO SUPPORT
FOR CLIENTS. TO APPLY FOR
SECURITY OR APPLIES, UM AND
SUPPORTING THE I E. P S OR ANY
OTHER SERVICES. RIGHT NOW I HAVE
MY THIRD CHILD OR SHE IS A
TEENAGER. SHE JUST GOT DIAGNOSED
WITH AUTISM. WE SUBMITTED IN
AUGUST 2022. SEPTEMBER. WE'VE
MENTIONED THE THINGS THAT WE
WERE REQUESTING. NOBODY EVER GOT
BACK TO US FOR MONTHS. FINALLY
SOMEONE CALLED US I BELIEVE WAS
DECEMBER JANUARY, AND THEY SAID
, WELL, WE'RE BEHIND RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE NOT. WE CAN'T TAKE. WE
CAN'T DO AN INTERVIEW FOR YOUR
DAUGHTER. THIS IS T V. R. C
BECAUSE WE'RE BARELY IN
SEPTEMBER. IT WAS JANUARY NOW
RECALL, SO HERE WE ARE, WITH ALL
THESE OBSTACLES IN FRONT OF US.
AND THERE'S SO MANY OTHER
STORIES BECAUSE I AM ALSO AN I F
AND I SUPPORT FAMILIES AND IT'S
VERY CHALLENGING TO HEAR THERE'S
NOT BEEN ONE MONTH ONE WEEK HERE
IN CENTRAL VALLEY THAT I DON'T
CONNECT WITH A FAMILY OR BUMPING
TO THEM. THAT DOESN'T EVEN KNOW
ABOUT THE PROGRAM. WHEN YOU'RE
DOING PROGRAMS OF SELF
DETERMINATION. YOU ALSO NEED TO
OPEN UP MY KIDS ARE NINE OUT.
THERE IS NO SUPPORT FOR THEM.
THERE IS NO CASE MANAGERS CASE
PROVIDERS. THERE'S NO FMS THAT
WAS OPEN ONLY WHEN, UM EMINEM
WAS AVAILABLE. THEY WERE OPEN IN
THE NIGHT. THEY WERE AVAILABLE
TO TALK TO MY KIDS. AND THAT WAS
ONE OF THE REASONS WHY MY KIDS
CHOSE THEM BACK THEN. DURING THE
POS IS A NIGHTMARE LIKE YOU
ALMOST NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO
ALL THE FINANCING AND FIGURE OUT
HOW TO DO IT TO BE ABLE TO GET
PAID. SO I JUST WANT TO SPEAK
HERE FROM BEHALF OF MY YOUNG
ADULTS. THAT IF YOU EXPECT THE
CLIENT TO MANEUVER AND TO BE
ABLE TO DO THIS, ALL THIS
ADVOCATING FOR THEMSELVES.
THERE'S. IT CAN ONLY DO IT THE
SUPPORT THAT THEY HAVE AND THE
SUPPORT THAT THEY HAVE. WE CAN'T
GET PAID OR BE SUPPORTED, THEN
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE NOTHING.
AND THEY'RE NOT GONNA HAVE
ANYTHING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE
FORWARD. I DO SUPPORT, MR AND
MISS, MISS, UM OH, MY GOD. JUDY.
I APOLOGIZE. JUDY MARKS BECAUSE
THEY HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL. I
HEAR THEIR NAMES ALL THE TIME IN
THE COMMUNITY AND BE ABLE TO
SUPPORT THEM AND THE THINGS THAT
THEY'RE TRYING TO BRING INTO THE
COMMUNITY. WE ARE STRUGGLING.
AND AS FAMILIES WERE STRUGGLING
, WHERE THE HIGHEST RATED
FAMILIES IN DIVORCE. THE R
CALIF. IS DECLINING. AND WHO IS
GOING TO TAKE CARE OF OUR KIDS?
OUR BIGGEST FEARS ARE COMING UP
IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF OUR
KIDS IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME.
I WAS GOING TO COME AND DO THE
WORK WITHOUT GETTING PAID. WHO'S
GOING TO COME AND DO IT AND NOT
GET A CENT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS?
IT'S THE PRINCIPLE OF THE
MATTER. IT'S NOT EVEN ABOUT THE
MONEY. IT'S THE PRINCIPLE OF THE
MATTER THAT MY YOUNG ADULTS
DESERVE. TO LIVE A RESPECTFUL
LIFE AND NOT HAVE TO BEG AND
ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAS FUNDS FOR
THEM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
LISTENING TO ME. I HOPE THAT
THERE'S CHANGE THAT'S GOING TO
HAPPEN IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.
THANK YOU, MA'AM. NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. WE HAVE WINE NUMBER 475
, PLEASE GO AHEAD LINE 475.
THANK YOU. NOW WHAT IS NOT CHASE
SINGAPORE FORWARD. HE WAS NOT
JUST THE NUMBER IS ONE IN FIVE
YEARS. AH THEN GOD DOES FROM THE
CENTRAL REGIONAL CENTRAL HMM.
AND BUT CERTAINLY EXPERIENCE
HERE. I SAID, OH, UM, THE MAYOR
ECONOMIES. ALEJO'S. I WANT THEM
TO. AND THEN THERE'S A CUENTA
NEGATIVO. IT LOOKED FORWARD
CENTRAL REGIONAL UM KAY.
STARVING. THAT'LL MAMA, PAPA.
THEY LICCARDO LOOK AT CENTRAL
CANAL DAVID ESPERANZA WAS COMING
. TO THE. UM. LIKE A PARTY SAYS
THE VALUE THAT. TO HMM. JUST
MISS MOST. SOLUTION. ODDO'S. ONE
OF 1. ONE. THE ONE ONE, THE
VOICE. AKIRA ENDO. AT THIS POINT
. NO YEAH. BLACK SUPPORTED.
CIVILIAN START IN CENTRAL.
POLITICAL PROGRAM. THAT ALL THE
NEMO'S PERSONAS. AND IN THE
CENTER THEY CANNOT LIST. UM
MARTA. THAT CNN NOISE. PARABLES
CAROL MÐI CANNOT THINK. GRACIAS,
SENOR. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. LINE
NUMBER 387 IS NEXT. PLEASE GO
AHEAD LINE 387. LINE 387. YOUR
LINE IS OPEN. PLEASE GO AHEAD.
LINE 387 PLEASE CHECK TO SEE IF
YOU HAVE YOUR PHONE MUTED,
PLEASE MUTE. ONCE AGAIN LYING
387 WE DO HAVE THE LINE OPEN FOR
YOU IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK. OKAY
WE HAVE NO RESPONSE. WE WILL
MOVE ON NEXT TO LINE 473. PLEASE
GO AHEAD LINE 473. GRACIAS. ALL
I WANT IS NOT TERMINAL FLORES.
YOU SAW HIM MIGRATED EKOKO
NOTICE. YES. SO YAKKING. TO THE
MOST. TERRIBLE. SOLUTION.
SISTEMA GONNA BE BAD. TO
CANADIANS. CORRECT. TO START
PLAYING KILO SO WHETHER IT'S
IMPOSSIBLE. IT'S A UM, EMPATHY.
ALEJO'S. MOTHER. CUENTA. COMPLEX
DURING MARCH. DATA.
PHOTO. TAMBIÉN LEYLAND SERMON.
TO GIVE KNOWLEDGE. YOU'RE GONNA
START COMMENTARY, GIVING HIM THE
. WHICH IS GRACIAS, HARBOR.
THAT'S WHAT I'M NOT. GRACIAS,
SENORA. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE.
BLIND NUMBER 484. PLEASE GO
AHEAD. YOUR LINE IS OPEN LINE
484. OH, OH, MM. HI LINE. 4 84.
IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK, PLEASE GO
AHEAD. WE HAVE THE LINE OPEN FOR
YOU. MY QUESTION. YES. PLEASE GO
AHEAD LINE FOR 84. SUPPORT FOR
BOLD. MILLION. SEE, SENORA. OH
GRACIAS. ALL THAT MY MOTHER OR
NOTHING. TO WHEN I WAS IS THE.
THAT IS THE CONCENTRATION. A
CENTRAL ENGLAND. A AND. WHERE.
MINIMUM MINIMAL CONDITION. I
DON'T KNOW HOW TO BE SURE TO
VOTE. BUT AMERICA THE OR. IT'S A
LOT OF MEN. SNOW BUT CHEMICAL
CONSERVANCY TO LIVING STILL
BECAUSE THEY AND. I THINK THAT
THE CITY NO VÚI NOISE IN
TELEVISION JOURNALISTS, NOT ONLY
COUNT. THE CANNOT NO, NOT YET.
SYRIZA AND THE UM MARA ACADEMY.
FOR CHRISSY. THAT IS THE CENTRAL
CANAL FAMILIA. YES THERE YOUR
YOUR YOUR SO YES, THE VICTIM
ARMY HAS VICTIM. WELL, THAT'S
THE SYSTEM. THE DRUG LATINO. YES
YEP. FOR YOUR TESTIMONY, MARK
LARA. YES, THERE. THIS POLITICAL
COORDINATION. OR ORANGE TOWNSHIP
, WOULD SAY TAMBIÉN ORANGE
COUNTY. ITS UNIQUE YO THE LADY
HIPAA TO THE. SYRIAN. AND IF YOU
GET UP AND LOOK AT THEM. E
HUSING TESTIMONIAL. BIÂU
FINALITY, SENORA. NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. BLIND FOR 92. YOUR LINE
IS OPEN. PLEASE GO AHEAD LINE
492. YES I GOOD EVENING,
ARAMBULA. CAN YOU HEAR ME? OK,
WE CAN PLEASE PROCEED. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. MY NAME IS FERNANDO.
I'M A CURRENT OF A 16 YEAR OLD
YOUNG MAN WITH DOWN SYNDROME WHO
SERVED BY THE REGIONAL CENTER
SYSTEM, AND I'M ALSO AS AN
ADVOCATE AND FOUNDER OF THE
INTEGRATED COMMUNITY
COLLABORATIVE OR WERE KNOWN AS
THE I. C. C. FIRSTLY I WANT TO
SAY THANK YOU VERY GENUINE. AND
CRAIG. THANK YOU FOR NOT ONLY
HEARING SO MUCH FROM THE
COMMUNITY TONIGHT, BUT LISTENING
AND THE EFFORT THAT IT'S TAKEN
MANY FOR FAMILIES TO GET TO THIS
POINT TO SHARE THEIR STORIES,
SHARE THEIR HEARTS AND SHARE THE
FEELINGS. HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS
CHALLENGE NOT ONLY THROUGH
TECHNOLOGY BUT FEAR MANY OF US
WHO ARE AFRAID OF PACKING IT IN
PUBLIC. BUT THEY ARE HERE TODAY
. WHAT YOU'RE HEARING IS THE
COMMUNITY THAT HAS TO WELCOME
COMMUNITY THAT IT'S EXPRESSING
THEMSELVES, SAYING WE WANT TO BE
PART OF THE PROCESS. WE WANT TO
HELP THE SYSTEM HELP US. IN
ORDER TO DO SO. WE ARE DEMANDING
RESPECT. WE ARE DEMANDING.
EQUALITY WE ARE DEMANDING.
TRUST. AND WE'RE ALSO DEMANDING
EMPATHY JUST KEEP FUNDAMENTAL
ELEMENTS. THAT REGARDLESS OF THE
PROGRAMS THAT ARE IN PLACE AND
THE EFFORTS THAT ARE BEING PUT
IN MOTION, WHICH WE KNOW WILL
BENEFIT OUR CHILDREN, BUT IN
ORDER FOR THEM TO HAVE THE
OUTCOME THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR,
AND THAT WE EXPECTING, AND THAT
WE KNOW THAT OUR CHILDREN NEED
TO HAVE THOSE ELEMENTS IN PLACE
SO THAT IT IS A TRUE
COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE
SYSTEM. INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE
SERVED BY THE SYSTEM AND THEIR
FAMILIES SUPPORT. WE'RE MAKING
PROGRESS, AND I'M ENCOURAGED TO
HEAR FROM PARENT AFTER PARENT
AFTER PARENT TONIGHT, AND WE
TRULY APPRECIATE THE PLATFORM
THAT YOUTH COMMITTEE HAS CREATED
IN HEARING HAS BEEN HELPING US
MOVE FORWARD TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU
AND GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU
TO THE COMMUNITY WHO'S TAKING
THE TIME TO BE HERE TONIGHT TO
VOICE THEIR APPEARANCE. YOU HAVE
A GOOD NIGHT. THANK YOU, SIR.
NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. WE HAVE
LINE NUMBER 498, PLEASE GO AHEAD
LINE 498. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE
. MY NAME IS JOSE DUENAS. AH MY
NEPHEW IS AS MET GUZMAN. HE IS A
CLIENT OF THE NORTH ANGELES
REGIONAL CENTER, AND I'M HERE TO
SUPPORT THAT TESTIMONY. UM
AMAZING DAUGHTER, MISS JUDY
MARK. OR CHILDREN AND NEED AND
DESERVE. RESPONSIBILITY,
TRANSPARENCY. AND EQUALITY IN
THE PROCESSES OF THE REGIONAL
CENTERS. UH NEEDS TO BE MORE
SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR LATINO
CLIENTS AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING TO ME AND, UM
APPRECIATE IT TONIGHT. THANK
YOU, SIR. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE.
WE HAVE WINE NUMBER 488, PLEASE
GO AHEAD LINE FOR 88. SENORA.
BUENAS, NOT BOYS. YEAH WE DIRECT
CAPITAL OIL ELEMENT. TO LITTLE
GHETTO AROUND LIKE IMPORTANT
TESTIMONY, MANDO. AND BRING
IMPORTANT COMMENTARY Ó.
TESTIMONIALS CONTRADA REMARK
FROM BEING TRANSPARENT LAWCENTER
BANALITY FAMILIAR. I'LL BRING
THAT. TO ME. OKAY VVS SAMARA
ESTÁN. BILLION. GETTING. TO
WORKING POINT THAT DON'T FOCAL,
THAT PART OF THE LIGHT EASY. LÀ
FAMILIAR. DIRECTIONAL CURRENT.
NÓ TODAY. WANT TO FAMILIAR?
DILEMMA? NORTH CENTRAL. VIOLENCE
CLINIC. TO GET A AUDIENCE SOON.
BUT IS SET UP FOR YOU ALONE.
THAT WAS A KINETIC Ó LDDS. LOVE
LATINO. BUT SAID. FAMILIAR WHAT
? THAT THE S DANIEL. INACTIVE Ó
GET ANY. NÓ. AND REALLY, THAT'S
MORE IMPORTANT DÍAS. CONSULT.
CENTRAL REGIONAL, BUT IT WAS BAD
WITH YOU GET A LIKE AND ONE GOT
ENOUGH EVIL. LAMENTABLY LDDS
TORNADO. BDS DS CENTRAL ANALYSTS
. OTHER POLYTA LANTERN MAN.
YOU'VE GOT A CORVINA CADA
PROGRAM MAN AGAIN AFTER THE LAST
POLICY MATERIAL. CORBYN ADORE.
CORBYN EDOUARD.
BREMBO RICO. I MEAN, YOU KNOW?
RECOMMENDED THAT WITH YOU EITHER
. MESSAGE. GET YELLOW POS. LANGO
EMAILS. IN A CONTEST THAT
GRAPHICAL FAMILIAR E. NOW THAT I
THINK PEOPLE SENATE-TV. LATINAS
FAMILIAR? THE DIFFERENCES. YEAH,
WELL, YEAH. IS THERE ANY
COMMENTS? GRACIA GRACIAS,
SENORA. NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. WE
HAVE LINE NUMBER 505, PLEASE GO
AHEAD LINE 505. LINE 505. YES,
PLEASE GO AHEAD. WHEN IT'S NOT
JUST THE NUMBER OF GONZALES.
DANGLING DOWN. CENTRAL LOS
ANGELES. FOR US MARKET. THIS
MESSAGE. VILLA BERGA
TESTIMONIALS. HE LOOKED AT ME
AND ON ME, BUT I MEAN I MEAN
SOME TARGETING TOÀN SOLOMON. EDU
MODEL ACTUAL APPLICATION. YOU
KNOW? YESTERDAY AND NHIÀU. OR
GIVE UP A. HUSING MARKET. HE'S
OVER THE PEOPLE. I DON'T KNOW
WHAT? YEAH. WHICH IS GREAT FOR
YOU, SENORA. NEXT CALLER,
PLEASE. WE HAVE LINE NUMBER 156
, PLEASE GO AHEAD LINE 156. LINE
1 56. YOUR LINE IS OPEN. PLEASE
GO AHEAD. LINE 1 56, PLEASE
CHECK YOUR MUTE BUTTON. WE DO
HAVE THE LINE OPEN FOR YOU. LINE
1 56. IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK,
PLEASE GO AHEAD. WE WILL MOVE ON
TO OUR NEXT PERSON IN THE QUEUE.
THAT'S LINE NUMBER 512, PLEASE
GO AHEAD LINE 512. SEE ONE OF
THE TESTS. PUTIN, SENORA. OKAY
THE NUMBER CONTINUE TO ORDER
PROVISIONAL DEL NORTE.
JUST ALLISON TRADITIONALISTS
TRADITIONAL PROBLEM. PROBLEM.
CENTRAL REGIONAL TOÀN C¢M
FAMILIES ARE CONTINUING,
PROFESSOR LET ME GET SYSTEM A
TRADITIONAL FULLER. IMPORTANT
YES, DIRECTION. GRACIAS, SENORA.
NEXT CALLER, PLEASE. WE HAVE
LINE NUMBER 483, PLEASE GO AHEAD
LINE 483. HERE. LINE 4 83 YEAR
LINE IS OPEN. LINE 4 83, PLEASE
CHECK YOUR MUTE BUTTON. WE DO
HAVE YOUR LINE OPEN IF YOU WISH
TO SPEAK. HELLO? HELLO. HELLO.
HELLO YES, PLEASE GO AHEAD LINE
4 83. MM HMM. FOR FORWARD. I
DON'T KNOW. LINE 4 83. WE CAN
HEAR YOU. IF YOU DO WISH TO
SPEAK, PLEASE GO AHEAD. OKAY WE
WILL MOVE ON TO LINE NUMBER 156
, PLEASE GO AHEAD LINE 156. LINE
156. WE DO HAVE THE LINE OPEN IF
YOU WISH TO SPEAK. LINE 156.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR MUTE FEATURE.
IF YOU HAVE YOUR PHONE MUTED, WE
DO HAVE THE LINE OPEN FOR YOU IF
YOU WISH TO SPEAK. OKAY WE'RE
NOT GETTING A RESPONSE ON THAT
LINE. I HAVE NO ONE ELSE IN THE
QUEUE AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU.
OPERATOR I WILL TAKE THAT AS THE
CONCLUSION OF PUBLIC COMMENT AND
BRING IT UP TO THE CHAIR.
NOTICING THE LATENESS OF THE
HOUR. I WANT TO APPRECIATE AS A
PUBLIC SERVANT. ALL THE OTHER
PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO HAVE STAYED
LATE INTO THE NIGHT AND HAVE
CONTINUED TO LISTEN TO THE
TESTIMONY. I PARTICULARLY WANT
TO UPLIFT DIRECTOR BARGMANN FOR
HEARING FIRSTHAND THE WORDS OF
THE PUBLIC. THIS BEING THE
PEOPLE'S HOUSE. IT'S IMPORTANT
FOR US TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE
AND HOW THEY ARE INTERFACING
WITH OUR PROGRAMS. I'M GRATEFUL
TO ALL OF THE TECH STAFF FOR
HELPING TO DISTRIBUTE THIS FOR
THE SERGEANT'S FOR KEEPING US
SAFE FOR THE L. A. AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. AND AGAIN
TO THE STAFF. FOR THE COMMITTEE.
MADE A TREMENDOUS AGENDA AND
HAVE BROUGHT THIS DISCUSSION
FORWARD. WITH THAT WE WILL
CONCLUDE TODAY'S HEARING AND
ADJOURNED FOR THE NIGHT. HAVE A
GOOD NIGHT.