WE WILL CALL THIS
HEARING TO ORDER ON THE ASSEMBLY
BUDGET SUBCOMITTEE TWO ON HUMAN
SERVICES. UM, FIRST, UH, LET'S
UH MATTER OF SECRETARY. PLEASE
TAKE THE ROLE. DOCTOR JACKSON.
MR. LEE, MS WALDRON. WE HAVE
QUORUM. TODAY WE WILL BE
DISCUSSING ISSUES AND PROGRAMS
RELATED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
REHABILITATION AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. BEFORE WE, UM START
WITH OUR PANEL. UM I WILL JUST
MAKE A FEW INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
AND OPEN IT UP TO MY COLLEAGUES
THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO, UH, DO
THE SAME. UH, FIRST, I WOULD
LIKE TO, UH, WELCOME. UM, ALL OF
OUR MEMBERS. ASSEMBLY MEMBER LEE
AND ASSEMBLY MEMBER OF WALDRON.
UM AS WE HAVE FORMED THIS NEW
BUDGET SUBCOMITTEE TWO ON HUMAN
SERVICES. SECONDLY I WANT TO
FRAME THE WORK AND MISSION OF
THIS COMMITTEE THAT SERVES THE
COMMUNITY MOST IN NEED OF
INVESTMENTS AND SUPPORT. AND
MOST OFTEN FORGOTTEN AND
FRANKLY, NEGLECTED. AS WE FIND
OURSELVES IN THE MIDDLE OF AN
INCREASINGLY CHALLENGING BUDGET
PROBLEM. THE OVERALL VISION OF
THIS SUB-COMMITTEE IS TO TURN
OUR SURVIVAL PROGRAMS. INTO A
THRIVING PROGRAMS. AND ENSURE
THAT OUR SYSTEMS ARE MEETING THE
CURRENT NEEDS. OF OUR
POPULATION. SURVIVING IS NOT
ENOUGH. HOWEVER, THE MOST
IMPORTANT PRIORITY OF THE
COMMITTEE IS TO ENSURE THAT THE
BUDGET PROMOTES THE STABILITY OF
OUR POPULATION. THE COMMITTEE
WILL ALSO WORK TO ENSURE THAT
CURRENT POLICIES WITHIN ITS
PURVIEW AREN'T CREATING
INSTABILITY AMONGST OUR MOST
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. WE MUST
LEARN FROM THE GREAT RECESSION
AND THE PANDEMIC. IN ORDER TO
AVOID THOSE MISTAKES OF THE
PAST. THIS COMMITTEE WILL NOT BE
ABLE TO SUPPORT PROPOSALS THAT
LACK SUFFICIENT INFORMATION. WE
WILL NOT BE MAKING CUTS BLINDLY.
SUFFICIENT INFORMATION ABOUT
WHAT THESE PROPOSALS DO. AND A
THOROUGH EXPLANATION OF HOW
THOSE PROPOSALS WILL AFFECT THE
PEOPLE THAT THEY SERVE. WE HAVE
TO BE CLEAR. IT TAKES MORE MONEY
TO BRING OUR POPULATION OUT OF
CRISIS THAN IT IS TO KEEP THEM
STABLE. AND WE AS A STATE CANNOT
AFFORD TO HAVE THESE COMMUNITIES
FALL INTO A STATE OF CRISIS. THE
CHALLENGES FACING CALIFORNIA'S
AND OUR SAFETY NET PROGRAMS A
DAY ARE REAL AND VERY TOUGH. AND
WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE THE STATE
LEADERSHIP TO PRIORITIZE THE
MOST CRITICAL ISSUES AND CHART A
PATH TOWARD PROGRESS WHEREVER WE
CAN. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT A
SEASON FOR EXPANSION. BUT IT IS
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REFORM. AND
TO MAKE SURE OUR SYSTEMS AND
PROGRAMS ARE MORE EFFICIENT.
THIS COMMITTEE WILL NOT DAMPEN
ITS AMBITIONS IN TERMS OF THESE
GOALS. NOT ALL OF THESE GOALS
REQUIRE MORE MONEY. IT MAY
REQUIRE SHIFTS OF MONEY OR
SHIFTS OF SYSTEMS. IN ORDER FOR
THE MONEY THAT WE DO HAVE TO BE
MORE EFFICIENTLY USED. AND SO I
LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THE
CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE AGENDAS
FOR TODAY REGARDING THE
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION AND
THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. AND WITH THAT, I WOULD
LIKE TO OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY.
UH, FOR MY COLLEAGUE, UH, TO SAY
A FEW WORDS IF YOU WOULD LIKE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. DOCTOR
JACKSON. UH, IT IS MY PLEASURE
TO SERVE ON BUDGET SUB TWO IN
OUR, UH, INAUGURAL BUDGET
HEARING OUR FIRST BUDGET HEARING
AND AS THE POLICY CHAIR FOR
HUMAN SERVICES, I THINK WE SHARE
A STRONG POWER TO MAKE SURE THAT
THE SUPPORTS THAT WE GIVE TO OUR
MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES STAY
INTACT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
OWING TO OUR BUDGET UNCERTAINTY.
THERE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT OF
TOUGH CHOICES OUT THERE. BUT
THIS IS A BUDGET AREA THAT WE
MUST PROTECT AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE. AND TO ECHO THE
SENTIMENTS OF THE CHAIR. YOU
KNOW, WE HAVE TO BE MORE
EFFICIENT WITH ACHIEVING
OUTCOMES AND REALLY LOOKING HARD
AT HOW WE ACTUALLY DELIVERING
FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND MAKING
SURE THEY'RE GETTING THE
SERVICES THEY NEED. UM SO IT'S
GONNA BE VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE
LOOK AT HOW OUR PROGRAMS ARE
WORKING AND ALSO THE THINK
CRITICALLY, WHEN PROPOSALS OF
CUTS COME THAT ACTUALLY DON'T
HAVE A LOT OF MERIT TO WHY
THEY'RE BEING CUT TO. SO I
FORWARD TO MANY OVERSIGHT
HEARINGS TO COME AND CHALLENGING
SOME PERSPECTIVES. AND WITH
THAT, LET'S HEAR FROM FROM
FOLKS. THANK YOU. ASSEMBLY
MEMBER LEE. UH, SO NOW WE WILL
START LISTENING TO THE PANEL
SPEAKERS FOR THE ISSUES AND THE
AGENDA AND THEN WE WILL TAKE
PUBLIC COMMENT AFTER ALL OF THE
PANELS HAVE CONCLUDED. EACH
PERSON PROVIDING PUBLIC COMMENT
WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES EACH TO
MAKE YOUR REMARKS. THERE WILL BE
NÓ VOTES TAKEN IN TODAY'S
HEARING. I'M GOING TO ASK FOR
THE FIRST PANEL TO COME FORWARD.
IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE ALREADY
IN PLACE AND TAKE YOUR SEATS.
HOPE YOU LIKE YOUR SEATS.
THEY'RE COMFORTABLE. MAYBE NOT.
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF BEFORE
YOU SPEAK AND LET'S TRY TO GO IN
THE ORDER LISTED, UH, IN THE
AGENDA. AND SO FIRST OFF. UH, WE
ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
OF REHABILITATION DEPARTMENT
OVERVIEW. AND WE WILL FIRST HAND
IT OFF TO MR XAVIER. GOOD
AFTERNOON CHAIR MEMBERS. GOOD TO
BE HERE. GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
UM, ALWAYS WELCOME THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND TO
PRESENT, UH, THE WORK THAT WE DO
TO YOU. AND OF COURSE, ANSWER
ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE, UH,
JOE XAVIER, UH, FORMER CONSUMER
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
REHABILITATION, A FORMER
BUSINESS OWNER AND, OF COURSE,
NOW THE DIRECTOR OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION FOR
A NUMBER OF YEARS, SO VERY, VERY
, UH, PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE
DO AT THE DEPARTMENT. SO THE
AGENDA DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB OF
OUTLINING YOUR OVERVIEW AND
TALKING ABOUT OUR BUDGET ITEM?
UM SO I JUST WANNA LIFT UP A
COUPLE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS, UM,
OF THE WORK THAT WE DO WITHIN
THE DEPARTMENT OF
REHABILITATION. SO UM, AS YOU
MAY KNOW, UH, OUR MISSION IS TO
PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND
SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS SO THEY
CAN LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, UM, IN
THEIR COMMUNITY AND COLLECTIVELY
ACROSS, UM ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS
WE'RE SERVING ABOUT 100 AND
30,000 INDIVIDUALS EACH YEAR
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES, UM, WE SERVE
INDIVIDUALS WITH ALL
DISABILITIES. INDIVIDUALS WITH
SENSORY COGNITIVE. PHYSICAL UM,
AND MENTAL HEALTH, BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH DISABILITY, SO THE FULL
SPECTRUM FULL RANGE OF
DISABILITIES. AND WHAT'S
IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND IS
WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT
TODAY'S INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE
DISABILITIES. WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL
ACQUIRE DISABILITIES, UM CHILD
WHO WAS BORN TODAY WITH A
SIGNIFICANT DISABILITY. THE
INDIVIDUAL GOING HOME TONIGHT
WHO REGRETFULLY IS IN A SEVERE
VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND TOMORROW
MORNING IS A QUADRIPLEGIC OR A
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY SURVIVOR,
UM SOMEONE INJURED IN SERVICE TO
COMMUNITY TO STATE TO COUNTRY
THAT REQUIRES THEIR DISABILITY.
AND THE INDIVIDUAL BECAUSE OF
ILLNESS MIGHT LOSE THEIR
EYESIGHT LOSE A LIMB ACQUIRE ANY
OTHER DEBILITATING CONDITION.
AND FRANKLY, ALSO WANNA LIFT UP
THE INDIVIDUALS WITH THE
INDIVISIBLE DISABILITIES. AND
THERE ARE RAFTING LIVING IN THE
SHADOWS OF ISOLATION. AND WHILE
EACH OF THESE INDIVIDUALS MAY
HAVE A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE IN A
DIFFERENT PATH, THEY ALL SEEK
THE SAME THING, WHICH IS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO BE EMPLOYED TO
PROVIDE FOR SELF TO FEEL LIKE
THEY BELONG AND PROVIDE FOR
THEIR FAMILIES. AND I OFTEN SAY
THIS. UM THIS MEANS THAT THE
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION
THAT WE WORK VERY HARD TO ENSURE
THAT NÓ ONE IS LEFT BEHIND THAT
THERE IS NÓ E JACKS OR RE
JACKSON THE WORK THAT WE ARE
DOING EMPLOYMENT SERVICES. IS
PREVENTION. IT'S INTERVENTION
AND ITS RECOVERY. UM IT CREATES
THAT SENSE OF BELONGING. IT
GIVES ME AS A PERSON WITH A
DISABILITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO
PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY FEEL LIKE
I BELONG AND I AM A MEMBER OF
SOCIETY, THE SOCIAL
CONNECTIVITY. OF COURSE, THAT
COMES WITH ALL OF THAT. UM WE
KNOW THAT EMPLOYMENT IS AN
ESSENTIAL PILLAR IN THE
DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH. WHAT ARE
THOSE PHASES OF OBTAINING AND
RETAINING EMPLOYMENT? IT'S FROM
BIRTH. UM INDIVIDUALS EXPOSED TO
THE EXPECTATION THAT THEY WILL
GO TO WORK. THE ONLY QUESTION
BEING WHERE AND WHEN. IT'S THE
OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO DEVELOP
THE SKILL SET. UM THAT IS
REFINED WHEN THEY GET TO THOSE
TRANSITION AGE YEARS, SO THEY
ARE BETTER PREPARED FOR THAT
WORKPLACE, BUT IT ALSO MEANS THE
DOWNSTREAM AFTER THESE TWO
SEGMENTS, THERE IS A HIRING
MANAGER THAT PROVIDES THE
OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL
TO BE EMPLOYED AND EARN THAT
FAMILY SUSTAINING WAGE. WE KNOW
THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE EXPERIENCED
DIFFERENTLY BY EACH INDIVIDUAL,
EVEN IF THEY HAVE THE SAME
DISABILITY. SO MYSELF WAS BLIND
AND SOMEBODY ELSE WHO WAS BLIND.
UM WE MOST EXPERIENCE BLINDNESS,
BUT WE WILL EXPERIENCE IT IN
DIFFERENT WAYS AND HAVE
DIFFERENT NEEDS. AND SO WE
INDIVIDUALIZE TO THAT DEGREE TO
MEET THE INDIVIDUALS, UM, UNIQUE
NEEDS. WHAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT
THIS IS TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THE
PATH TO EMPLOYMENT AND THE
DURATION OF THAT PATH DOES VARY
AND RANGES BECAUSE WE ARE
WORKING WITH EVERY INDIVIDUAL.
UM, AS I DESCRIBED, AND JUST AS
AN EXAMPLE, THINK OF THE
INDIVIDUAL. WHO WAS WORKING AT
INTEL. AND LOSES THEIR JOB. NOW
THEY'RE PURSUING, UM, ANOTHER
JOB VERSUS THE INDIVIDUAL THAT I
DESCRIBED EARLIER WHO TOMORROW
MORNING, UM, ACQUIRED A
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND WHAT
IT MAY TAKE FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL
TO NAVIGATE BACK INTO THE PLACE
AND SPACE WHERE THERE AGAIN
EMPLOYED. SO TODAY, THE
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES REMAINS STUBBORNLY
AT SOME 70% THIS MEANS WE STILL
HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO CONTINUE
TO DO ON ALL OF THESE FRONTS,
AND ALL OF THESE SERVICES ARE
AIMED AT GETTING THE JOB.
KEEPING THAT JOB AND ADVANCING,
UM, IN THAT JOB, SO WITHIN
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES WE SERVE
ABOUT 100,000 INDIVIDUALS A YEAR
. PRE PANIC. UM WE HAD ABOUT
10,000. INDIVIDUALS THAT
OBTAINED EMPLOYMENT WERE
DELIVERING SERVICES THROUGH 14
REGIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA AND SOME 80 OFFICES.
WE ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES TO
YOUTH STARTING AT THE AGE OF 16.
AND IT IS REALLY ABOUT BETTER
PREPARING THEM TO BE, UM, READY
FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
THAT INCLUDES JOB EXPLORATION,
COUNSELING, WORK BASED LEARNING
EXPERIENCES, POST SECONDARY
COUNSELING, UM, WORKPLACE
READINESS TRAINING AND SELF
ADVOCACY TRAINING. COMPETITIVE
INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT IS THE END
GOAL FOR EVERY CONSUMER FOR
EVERY INDIVIDUAL WITH A
DISABILITY THAT WE SERVE. SO A
LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR INDEPENDENT
LIVING PROGRAMS. THEY ADVANCE
THE OLMSTED DECISION THAT
PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR
INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE IN THEIR
COMMUNITY OF CHOICE. UM WITH
PURPOSE AND DIGNITY. WE DELIVER
THOSE THROUGH A RANGE OF
PROGRAMS. UM AND THESE INCLUDE,
UM THE SERVICES INCLUDE ENSURING
THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE KEPT OUT OF
INSTITUTIONS AND THAT
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INSTITUTIONS
, UM, ARE TRANSITIONED OUT TO BE
LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY. SO
THERE ARE 28 INDEPENDENT LIVING
CENTERS IN CALIFORNIA, UM, WITH
SOME 49 DIFFERENT OFFICES THAT
ARE PROVIDING A RANGE OF
SERVICES TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS.
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY PROGRAM.
UH, WITH THE HÌ èC B S¼
FUNDING. WE HAVE 12 PROGRAMS
THAT ARE DELIVERING SERVICES
ACROSS. UM UH, PARTS OF
CALIFORNIA. WE HAVE OTHER
INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE BLIND
PROGRAMS 17 PROVIDERS THAT ARE
PROVIDING SERVICES ACROSS THE 58
COUNTIES IN. WE HAVE OUR
COMMUNITY LIVING FUND. UM, $10
MILLION THAT WE RECEIVED, UM,
THAT PROVIDES FOR SERVICES TO
HELP INDIVIDUALS TRANSITION OUT
OF OUR INSTITUTIONS AND TO STAY
OUT OF INSTITUTIONS. WE'VE
SERVED OVER 250 INDIVIDUALS
THROUGH, UM, THAT PROGRAM. WE'RE
PARTNERING THROUGH 30 COMMUNITY
BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO DELIVER
THOSE SERVICES. SO GLAD TO STOP
THERE AND TAKE QUESTIONS OR JUMP
INTO, UM, OUR AGENDA ITEM. NÓ
YOU? YOU MAY CAN CONTINUE TO
FINISH YOUR REST YOUR TESTIMONY.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. SO UH, THE
NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS OUR BUDGET
CHANGE PROPOSAL FOR THE VOICE
OPTIONS PROGRAM. UM NÓ. THEY'RE
ACTUALLY YOU'RE THAT'S I DIDN'T
KNOW YOU WERE READING THAT ONE.
YEAH, WE'RE GONNA HOLD ON THAT
ONE. AND THEN WE'RE GONNA FIRST
WE'RE GONNA GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.
AND THEN THE L A Ó TO, UH, MAKE
THEIR PRESENTATIONS. DEPARTMENT
OF FINANCE OMAR SANCHEZ FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE NOTHING
FOR THE DEAD. L A Ó. GOOD
AFTERNOON, CORINA HENDRON L A Ó
. WE HAVE, UH TWO TAKEAWAYS TO
SHARE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
REHABILITATION. THE FIRST
TAKEAWAY IS THAT THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET DOES INCLUDE ONE BUDGET
SOLUTION, AND THAT IS RELATED TO
SERVICE PROVIDER RATE REFORM IN
Dð Dð S¼. THIS SOLUTION PROVIDES
ABOUT $1.5 MILLION IN SAVINGS IN
2024 25 FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
IN THE SAVINGS OCCURS BECAUSE
THE DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION
CONTRACTS WITH JOBS, UH, RATHER
JOB COACHING SERVICE PROVIDERS
WHOSE HOURLY RATES MATCH THOSE
SET BY DDS AND WE WILL DISCUSS
SERVICE PROVIDER RATE REFORM IN
MUCH MORE DETAIL DURING THE DDS
PORTION OF THE AGENDA. UM OUR
SECOND TAKEAWAY IS THAT THE
ADMINISTRATION SUBMITTED ONE B
èC P THAT IT PROPOSES TO FUND
FROM A SPECIAL FUND. UH, WE HAVE
REVIEWED THE B èC P AND HAVE NÓ
CONCERNS WITH IT. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH, UH, QUESTIONS FOR MEMBERS.
UH, SING NAN. UM CAN YOU TELL ME
UH, MR XAVIER? UM HAVE YOU SEEN
ANY DEMAND FOR YOUR SERVICES
INCREASING OVER TIME? WE HAVE,
IN FACT, UM, I THINK IN THIS
THIS YEAR, UM MOST RECENT YEAR
OF DATA IS AVAILABLE TO US. I
MENTIONED WE SERVE 100,000
INDIVIDUALS. WE ARE SEEING
INCREASES IN OUR APPLICATIONS.
WE'RE SEEING INCREASES IN ALL OF
OUR INDICATORS. SO WE'RE UP TO
ABOUT 100 AND 17,000 IN
INDIVIDUALS IN THE EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES MUCH MORE WITH THE
PREEMPLOYMENT TRANSITION
SERVICES THAT I DESCRIBED AS
STUDENT SERVICES. I THINK THEY
ARE. COLLECTIVELY WERE UPWARDS
OF 130,000 INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE
RECEIVING. OF COURSE, YOU KNOW
THE PANDEMIC DAMPENED A LOT OF,
UM, THE INDIVIDUALS. ABILITY TO
GO TO WORK, BUT IT ALSO REDUCED
THE FLOW OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE
SERVING SO WE'RE SEEING THAT ALL
MOVING IN A VERY POSITIVE
DIRECTION. AND THEN YOUR BIGGEST
PROGRAM. YOU THE VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION. ARE THERE ANY
ACCESS OR EQUITY ISSUES? THAT
THE DEPARTMENT MAY BE WORKING TO
ADDRESS. WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING AT
OUR ACCESS ISSUES, AND WE'RE
ALWAYS LOOKING AT OUR EQUITY
ISSUES, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
WE'RE FOCUSED ON RIGHT NOW IS,
UM, THE COMMUNITY OF OR THE
INDIVIDUALS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
DISABILITIES. UM WE STARTED
LOOKING AT NOT ONLY THE
INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE COMING US
TO US FOR SERVICES, BUT HOW
THEY'RE EXITING IN THOSE
SERVICES, AND SO AS AN EXAMPLE,
WHEN WE STARTED TAKING A HARD
LOOK AT THIS DATA, WE SAW THAT
IF YOU WERE BLACK BROWN. YOU
WERE EXITING WITH EARNINGS THAT
WERE LESS THAN IF YOU WERE
CAUCASIAN, SO WE HAVE
INTENTIONALLY SET UP AN
INITIATIVE THAT TARGETS
INCREASING WAGES FOR ALL
CONSUMERS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
DISABILITY. BUT SPECIFICALLY
PROVIDES INTERVENTIONS TO OUR
BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY SO
THAT THEY'RE ALL EXITING, UM,
WITH THE SAME EARNING CAPACITY,
UM, REGARDLESS OF THEIR
CIRCUMSTANCES, SO THAT'S AN
EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CONTINUE TO
LOOK, UM AT THE EQUITY AND
INEQUITIES IN THE PROGRAMMING
THAT WE DO. AND AS WE ARE TRYING
TO INCREASE UM, THE AMOUNT OF
OPPORTUNITIES THAT MEMBERS OF
THE I Dð Dð COMMUNITY. UM.
PARTICIPATING IN EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES. WHEN WE LOOK AT
THAT, UM THE STATE, UH, HAS ITS
OWN GOALS IN TERMS OF THE
PERCENTAGE. AND WE SEEM TO NOT
BE ABLE TO EVEN LEAD BY EXAMPLE
AND AS THE STATE WHEN IT COMES
TO FULFILLING THOSE UM, GOALS.
UH, HOW CAN WE DO A BETTER JOB
IN RE REACHING THE GOALS THAT
WE'VE SET OUT EVEN OURSELVES? SO
I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT
QUESTION. UM, THIS TAKES ME BACK
TO THE CONVERSATION WE HAD AT
THE SELECT COMMITTEE. IN
DECEMBER. UM AND AS I SHARED
THEN AND WE'LL SHOW AGAIN HERE,
UH, WE OURSELVES AT THE
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION OUR
, UM PARITY RATE FOR INDIVIDUALS
WITH DISABILITY IS AROUND. 30%
LEADERSHIP IS AROUND 40% SO WE
ARE MODELING WHAT? WE'RE UH,
BELIEVE EVERY OTHER DEPARTMENT
WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE TO
SUPPORT THAT WE ARE PROVIDING
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. WE PROVIDE
TRAININGS. WE HELP BRING THE
TALENT. TO THE HIRING MANAGER
ACROSS ALL OF, UM THE WORKFORCE
SYSTEM SPECIFICALLY IN THIS CASE
, THE STATE AS A CIVIL SERVICES.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES
THAT SUPPORT THAT WE PARTNER
WITH OUR COLLEAGUES, UM AT
DEVELOPMENTAL, UM, DISABILITY
SERVICES FOR A STATE INTERNSHIP
PROGRAM THAT SPECIFICALLY
TARGETS INDIVIDUALS WITH I Dð Dð
Dð SO THAT THEY CAN ACQUIRE THE
LIST ELIGIBILITY TO THEN BE ABLE
TO APPLY FOR THE PERMANENT
POSITIONS. WE PROVIDE FOR PAID,
UM INTERN. UH, YOUR PROGRAM SO
INDIVIDUALS CAN DO TWO THINGS
ONE THEY CAN GO INTO THE
WORKPLACE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP
THEIR COMPETENCE. THEIR SKILL
SET. UM CERTAINLY WE ALL DO THAT
EVERY SINGLE DAY, SO NOTHING
UNIQUE THERE, BUT IT ALSO
EXPOSES, UM, THE HIRING MANAGER
AND THE REST OF THE WORKFORCE
TO, UM, THE POTENTIAL TO THE
TALENT THAT INDIVIDUAL BRINGS,
UH AND WE'RE SEEING WHERE THAT
INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING HIRED INTO
THOSE PERMANENT. POSSESSIONS SO
OF COURSE, YOU KNOW THAT PUTS
THEM ON THAT PATH THAT I'VE BEEN
DESCRIBING ABOUT THE EMPLOYMENT
OF FAMILY SUSTAINING WAGE THAT
EVERYBODY IS SEEKING. SO THAT'S
JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF HOW WE
ENGAGE AND ENSURING THAT WE AS
THE STATE CONTINUE TO LIFT UP
AND ADVANCE EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. UM I SEE NÓ ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. UH, THIS
IS AN INFORMATION ITEM. AND SO
NÓ ACTION IS NECESSARY. AND SO I
WANT TO, UH, THANK UH, THIS, UH,
THIS PANEL AND WE WILL MOVE ON
TO THE NEXT, UH, ISSUE. THE NEXT
ISSUE IS THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET
CHANGE PROPOSAL ON VOICE OPTIONS
PROGRAM. UM AND, UH WITH THAT,
MR XAVIER, UH, YOU MAY BEGIN.
WELL, THANK YOU. SO THIS BUDGET
CHANGE PROPOSAL. UM REALLY, FOR
THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING THIS
SPEECH GENERATING DEVICES THAT
ENABLES ACCESS TO COMMUNICATION
TO COMMUNICATION NETWORKS FOR
INDIVIDUALS WHO OTHERWISE ARE
NOT ABLE TO USE THEIR VOICE. UM
STARTING IN FEBRUARY. 2023 THE
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION MADE
THIS VOICE OPTIONS PROGRAM
PERMANENT. WE ADMINISTER THIS
PROGRAM THROUGH AN AGREEMENT
THAT WE HAVE WITH THE PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSION. UM IT IS,
UM, THREE $0.6 MILLION THAT IS
TRANSFERRED FROM PU èC TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION TO
ADMINISTER THIS PROGRAM. UM AND
IT'S THREE 0.75 POSITIONS. UM,
THAT WE USED TO ADMINISTER THIS
ACROSS THE STATE. UM 1260
INDIVIDUALS. UM, WE ANTICIPATE
TO BE SERVED BY THIS PROGRAM. UM
THE NUMBER THAT IS SET HERE WAS
DETERMINED BY YOUR THREE OF THE
PILOT THAT WE WERE IN THAT
ALLOWED THIS PROGRAM TO BECOME
MADE PERMANENT. UM SO LET ME
TELL YOU A LITTLE MORE
SPECIFICALLY HOW THIS
MATERIALIZES FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.
I WANT TO SHARE A COUPLE OF REAL
LIFE USE CASES. LET ME START
WITH RILEY, WHO IS A LITTLE GIRL
THAT UM HAD WAS AUTISTIC IS
AUTISTIC BUT HAD NEVER SPOKEN,
WAS NOT ABLE TO COMMUNICATE HER
WISHES HER NEEDS. UM, YOU KNOW,
JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE WOULD BE
ABLE TO SHE WAS PROVIDED WITH AN
IPAD THAT HAD THESE, UM APPS
THAT ENABLE HER TO GENERATE THE
SPEECH TO COMMUNICATE. UM WHAT
SHE WAS WANTING TO CONVEY. AS
SOON AS SHE RECOGNIZED THE
CAPABILITIES OF THIS IPAD YOU
CAN IMAGINE THIS MILE THAT SHE
HAD ON HER FACE AND I CAN'T HELP
BUT WONDER. IF GOING THROUGH HER
MIND WAS FINALLY I'M ABLE TO
COMMUNICATE WHAT I'M FEELING
WHAT I WANT PEOPLE TO
UNDERSTAND. THAT'S THE POWER OF
THAT DEVICE FOR THIS LITTLE
GIRL. NOW SHE IS ABLE NOW TO
COMMUNICATE WITH OUR FAMILY TO
BE ABLE TO SHARE WHAT IT IS, UM,
THAT SHE WANTS THEM TO
UNDERSTAND, AND SO THAT
COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN UNLOCKED
IN HER CASE. LET ME TALK ABOUT
MINA. MEAN A HAD BEEN ABLE TO
COMMUNICATE, BUT BECAUSE OF THE,
UH YOU KNOW, I'M GONNA BUTCHER
THIS ONE. MY APOLOGIES CAUSE
IT'S A MEDICAL TERM THE TRACHEA
OY THAT SHE RECEIVED, UM CAUSE
HER NOT TO BE ABLE TO
COMMUNICATE. SO WHILE SHE WAS IN
TREATMENT SHE ALSO WAS EXPOSED
TO THESE, UH, IPAD WITH THE
SPEECH GENERATING DEVICE ON IT
AND WHAT THE POTENTIAL
APPLICATIONS WERE THAT WERE
AVAILABLE TO HER. SHE THEN BEGAN
TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE. UM,
BOTH IN TYPING AND THROUGH THE
OTHER APPS, UM, FUNCTIONALITY
THAT ARE ON THERE WITH HER
MEDICAL PROVIDERS, UM, AND BE
ABLE TO, UH UH, UNLOCK HER, UH,
COMMUNICATION AGAIN, BUT IT ALSO
ENABLED HER TO BE ABLE TO
COMMUNICATE WITH HER FAMILY WHO
SPOKE SWEDISH. SO THIS HAD THE
ABILITY TO, UH NOT ONLY
VERBALIZE WHAT SHE WANTED TO BE
VERBALIZED BUT ALSO DO SO IN
ANOTHER LANGUAGE RIGHT NOW, WHEN
I TALK ABOUT THE SPEECH DEVICES
I THINK THE SIMPLISTIC WAY BUT
VERY POWERFUL, POWERFUL WAY TO
LOOK AT THIS IS FOR WILEY. IT
ENABLE COMMUNICATION FOR THE
FIRST TIME. AND UNLOCKED
COMMUNICATION. FOR MINA. IT
RESTORED. HER ABILITY TO
COMMUNICATE. AND WE CERTAINLY
CAN ANTICIPATE THAT IT'S
TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES, THE ABILITY
TO COMMUNICATE WITH THESE
DEVICES AND OTHER DEVICES THAT
WILL COME ALONG WILL CONTINUE TO
ADVANCE. NOT ONLY THESE
OPPORTUNITIES UM, BUT OTHER USE
CASES THAT I'M SURE YOU KNOW,
ARE OUT THERE. SO THESE ARE JUST
A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF THAT. SO
I, I WILL PAUSE. UH, MY COMMENTS
ON WHAT THIS B èC P IS HERE AND
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. OMAR SANS
WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
NOTHING FURTHER TO ADD. L A Ó.
KARINA HENDRON AO REVIEWED AND
NÓ CONCERNS. UH, THANK YOU, UH,
MEMBERS ANY UH, IS THERE? UM,
ANY OF THE GENERAL FUND INVOLVED
? UH, WITH UH, THIS, UH, BUDGET
CHANGE PROPOSAL. DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE. UH, NÓ. THIS IS COMING
FROM THE. UH, IT'S COMING FROM
THE DEAF AND DISABLED
TELECOMMUNICATION PROGRAM FUND.
SO NÓ GENERAL FUND. OK AND WHAT
THE DEPARTMENT OF REBI
REHABILITATION EXPECT THAT THE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE REQUESTING LONG
TERM SPEAKS GENERATION
GENERATING DEVICE LOANS WITH
INCREASE OVER TIME. WELL, WE
CERTAINLY OF COURSE, WILL
CERTAINLY WANT TO MEET ALL OF
THE DEMAND AND NEED AND YOU
KNOW, OBVIOUSLY INHERENT IN YOUR
QUESTION IS WHAT WOULD WE DO
ABOUT THAT? WELL OBVIOUSLY WOULD
WORK. UM, WITH OUR PARTNERS, èC
PU AND THEN THROUGH THE
ADMINISTRATION, AND OBVIOUSLY
SHOULD THAT NEED ARISE TO YOU
TO, YOU KNOW, MEET THAT NEED. OK
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SAYING NÓ
OTHER, UH, COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS
. UH, WE WILL HOLD THIS ISSUE
OPEN AND WE WILL MOVE TO THE
NEXT ISSUE, WHICH IS THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW.
THE NEXT PANEL, FOLKS WILL COME
ON UP. I KNOW SOME OF YOU
ALREADY HAVE YOUR PERMANENT TAG
NAME TAG AT YOUR TABLE SEAT.
AND AGAIN, WE WILL GO UNDER
ORDER LISTED ON THE AGENDA AND
YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY.
THANK YOU, DOCTOR JACKSON, AND I
APPRECIATE THE TIME OF THIS
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS. I'M NANCY BARGEMAN. I'M
THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES, AND
I'M VERY PLEASED TO PROVIDE YOU
AN OVERVIEW. UM, AS REQUESTED IN
THE AGENDA TODAY ON THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES, A LITTLE BIT OF
BACKGROUND ABOUT MYSELF. I'VE UM
BEEN WORKING IN THE FIELD OF
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. AH,
SINCE 1985. UM IT'S BEEN AN
ABSOLUTE HONOR AND PLEASURE TO
BE PART OF AN INCREDIBLE
COMMUNITY. UM I'VE LEARNED A
LESSON EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE
OPPORTUNITY THAT I'VE HAD
WORKING, UM, WITH OUR SYSTEM
PARTNERS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY,
THOSE THAT WE SUPPORT UM AND
THEIR FAMILIES. SO AS THE AGENDA
CORRECTLY NOTES, UM AND THANK
YOU TO STAFF FOR PROVIDING THE
DETAIL THAT'S IN THE AGENDA ON
PAGE 14. IT PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW
OF DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. UM WE ARE RESPONSIBLE
FOR ADMINISTERING THE LETTERMAN
ACT. UM EARLY IN THE 19
SEVENTIES OR THE LATE 19 SIXTIES
IS REALLY WHEN THE LETTERMAN ACT
ESTABLISHED A STATUTORY
REQUIREMENT FOR THE ENTITLEMENT
OF SERVICES, UM, AND IT'S BEEN
AN INCREDIBLE LANDMARK. UM, AND
LEGISLATION THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE
TO SUPPORT OVER THE LAST. YOU
KNOW, OVER 50 YEARS, THIS HAS
BEEN AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY
TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS WITH
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES, LIFELONG SUPPORT
THROUGH THE REGIONAL CENTER
SYSTEM. THERE ARE 21 REGIONAL
CENTERS IN THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA THAT PROVIDE THE
SERVICES. THEY'RE NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS THAT THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS ARE, UM MOSTLY
INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE REPRESENTED
WITH LIFT EXPERIENCES. FAMILY
MEMBERS BUT ALSO COMMUNITY
MEMBERS. THE SYSTEM HAS
ABSOLUTELY UNDERGONE SIGNIFICANT
CHANGES OVER THE YEARS. I'M JUST
GONNA HIGHLIGHT A FEW OF THEM
BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT CONSIDERING
THE AGENDA THAT WE HAVE TODAY,
BUT ALSO JUST REALLY MAKING SURE
THAT WE UNDERSTAND KIND OF THE
IMPACT GROWTH HAS BEEN NOTED IN
THE AGENDA HAS BEEN, UM,
CERTAINLY INCREASING OVER THE
YEARS WE'RE PROJECTED, UM, AS
IT'S NOTED IN THE AGENDA AGAIN
THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT PROVIDING
SERVICES AND, UM, OUR NEXT
BUDGET YEAR TO 458,228
INDIVIDUALS. THAT IS A GROWTH
OVER OUR CURRENT YEAR OF
APPROXIMATELY 430,000
INDIVIDUALS AND I'LL TALK IN A
LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'RE
SEEING AS DRIVING SOME OF THAT
GROWTH. UM BUT WITH SOME OF THE
CHANGES, YOU KNOW, GOING BACK,
AND THERE'S UM, LATER IN THE
AGENDA YOU'RE GONNA HEAR FROM MY
COLLEAGUES TALKING ABOUT THE
IMPACT OF THE GREAT RECESSION
AND THE THINGS AND THE CUTS THAT
HAD HAPPENED DURING THAT TIME.
THAT WAS DEFINITELY A CHANGE IN
IN THE IMPACT TO SERVICES AND
HOW WE'RE DELIVERING SERVICES.
UM DURING, UM AS WE KIND OF
ADVANCED OUT OF THE GREAT
RECESSION, UM REALLY IMPORTANT
TIMES IN OUR HISTORY IS THE
HISTORICAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE
CLOSURE OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL
CENTERS IN 2015. DURING THAT
TIME, CALIFORNIA REALLY DID
SOMETHING THAT WAS, UM
UNPRECEDENTED AND NOT SOMETHING
I'VE SEEN THAT'S BEEN DONE IN
OTHER STATES. WE ACTUALLY CLOSED
THREE DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS AT
THAT TIME AND SO HAVING ALL
SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE
COMMUNITY THIS IS REALLY
IMPORTANT BECAUSE AS WE TAKE A
LOOK AT OFFERING SERVICES AND
REALLY PRESERVING THE
PHILOSOPHICAL IMPORTANCE OF
SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WHERE
THEY ARE AND MAKING SURE THAT
WE'RE DOING IT IN A WAY THAT IS
VERY PERSON CENTERED AND FAMILY
CENTERED IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT
. WE'VE ALSO STARTED MOVING AWAY
FROM A COMPLIANCE BASED SYSTEM
TO AN OUTCOME BASED SYSTEM. UM
IN 2015, WE HAD, UM, ALSO SOME,
UM, ARE ACTUALLY GOING BACK TO
2013. WE STARTED THE PILOT AND
STATUTORILY WAS REQUIRED TO
MOVE. BOARD WAS SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM BEING ABLE
TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELF
DIRECT THEIR LIVES IS REALLY
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. WE ALSO DO
THAT THROUGH PARTICIPANT CHOICE
OR PARTICIPANT, UM DIRECTED
SERVICES, AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO
EXPAND THAT OVER THE YEARS.
THAT'S REALLY BEEN SOMETHING
THAT LIFTED UP AS PART OF, UM
THE PANDEMIC DURING THE TIME
THAT WE HAD FACED IN OUR SYSTEM.
UM IT'S BEEN IN INCREDIBLE
IMPACT THOSE THREE YEARS. UM,
DURING THE PANDEMIC, AS WE HAD
TO REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT
CREATIVE WAYS TO PROVIDE
SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES. THE COMMUNITY
ABSOLUTELY CAME TOGETHER TO TAKE
A LOOK AT WHAT WERE THE
FLEXIBILITIES THAT NEEDED TO
HAPPEN, AND ONE OF THOSE WAS
INCREASING. PARTICIPANT DIRECTED
SERVICES WHERE INDIVIDUALS COULD
ACTUALLY MAKE THE SELECTION OF
WHO'S GOING TO PROVIDE THOSE
SUPPORTS. BUT WE ALSO STARTED
SEEING SOME FLEXIBILITIES WHERE
WE WERE ABLE TO CONTINUE, AND WE
WERE, UM, ALLOWING FOR SERVICES
FOR INFANTS SERVICE DELIVERY
WERE ABLE TO EXTEND REMOTE
SERVICES FOR SOME DAY SERVICES
BECAUSE PEOPLE GOT TO EXPERIENCE
LIFE IN A DIFFERENT WAY, BUT WE
ALSO STARTED SEEING WHERE WE HAD
TO KIND OF COME BACK AND TRY TO
TAKE A LOOK AT THE THINGS THAT
YOU KNOW WERE SOME OF THE
NEGATIVE IMPACTS. YOU KNOW WHAT
ARE THE THINGS THAT WE HAD TO
DO? WORKFORCE WAS CERTAINLY AN
IMPACT PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC. WE
STILL HAVE SEEN SOME IMPACT
WITHIN, UM, A SHORTAGE OF
WORKFORCE. UM, INCREDIBLE
INVESTMENTS OVER THE LAST
SEVERAL YEARS HAVE BEEN, UM,
REALLY IMPORTANT. WE'RE
CURRENTLY WORKING ON ABOUT 60
DIFFERENT INITIATIVES THAT ARE
REALLY CENTERED ABOUT HOW DO WE
ENHANCE AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF
THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE SUPPORT
WORKFORCE INITIATIVES INCLUDE
STIPENDS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO,
UM, IMPLEMENT AND HAVE BEEN
DOING OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A
HALF. WE ALSO HAVE A CAREER
PATHWAY THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO
EXPAND FOR WORKFORCE. I THINK
THERE'S A REALLY IMPORTANT
INITIATIVES THAT WE'RE GOING TO
BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT, BUT
CERTAINLY NOT ADDRESSING ALL OF
THE ISSUES. UM I WILL JUST SHARE
WITH YOU THAT ONE OF THE
TRAINING STIPENDS THAT WE WERE
ABLE TO DO AND WE CERTAINLY
APPRECIATE THE INVESTMENT THAT
WE'RE ABLE TO DO WITH SOME OF
THE FUNDING. UM, THAT CAME
FORWARD DURING THE DIFFICULT
TIME OF THE PANDEMIC THAT WE'VE
WE'VE ACHIEVED ABOUT 40,000 DRUG
SERVICE PROFESSIONALS THAT WERE
ABLE TO GO THROUGH THE TRAINING.
AND RECEIVE AN INCENTIVE PAYMENT
. WE'RE EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT
THE WAY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO
TOUCH THIS IMPORTANT WORKFORCE.
UM LASTLY, I'LL JUST SHARE THAT.
UM WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
CONTINUING TO HIGHLIGHT AND MAKE
SURE THAT THE FOCUS IS, UM ON
ADDRESSING THE INEQUITIES IN OUR
SYSTEM. MANY OF THE INITIATIVES
THAT WE'VE HAD WE'VE BEEN ABLE
TO CHANGE ELIGIBILITY IN EARLY
START, WE ADDED A DIFFERENT
ELIGIBILITY FOR PROVISIONAL
ELIGIBILITY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE
NOT LEAVING INDIVIDUALS BEHIND.
WE ALSO AND IT, UM UM, IMPLICIT
BIAS TRAINING FOR EVERY SINGLE
REGIONAL CENTER SERVICE
COORDINATOR AND STAFF. UM, BUT
WE'VE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED SOME
THINGS THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE
WE ARE DOING AND CERTAINLY THE
ONE OF THE, UM, AGENDA ITEMS IS
TALKING ABOUT THE RIGHT STUDY OR
RATE IMPLEMENTATION OF THOSE
RATE CHANGES. THAT WAS AN
IMPORTANT FACTOR THAT WE HAD
IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE RATE
STUDY. UM IN 2019 WHEN THAT WAS
RELEASED, AND THAT WAS TO
ADDRESS SOME OF THE AREAS WITHIN
OUR SYSTEM THAT HAD NOT BEEN
ADDRESSED FOR MANY YEARS TO
INCLUDE SOME GEOGRAPHIC
DIFFERENCES. SO WITH THAT, UM
I'LL GO AHEAD AND TOUCH ON THE
QUESTION THAT WAS IN THE AGENDA
REGARDING WHAT'S DRIVING THAT
CASELOAD GROWTH. YOU KNOW, WE
KNOW AND WE'VE SEEN THAT
CONTINUED GROWTH AND CERTAINLY
EVERYBODY IS AWARE OF IT,
BECAUSE EACH YEAR THAT I'VE COME
BACK TO THIS COMMITTEE AND TO
OTHER COMMITTEES TO SAY, YOU
KNOW, WE'RE PROJECTING AN
AVERAGE GROWTH I'VE USED TO BE
ABLE TO SAY WE'RE SHOWING AN
AVERAGE GROWTH OF ABOUT 18,000
INDIVIDUALS. THIS YEAR. I'M
TALKING ABOUT A GROWTH OF
APPROXIMATELY 22,000. ONE OF THE
AREAS TO CONSIDER, THOUGH, IS
THAT WHILE THAT NUMBER IS GOING
UP, WE'RE STILL ARE MAINTAINING
AVERAGE YEAR OVER YEAR
PERCENTAGE GROWTH OF RIGHT
AROUND 5% IN 2223. WE ARE SEEING
AN INCREASED, UM, AVERAGE GOING
UP, BUT THE PANDEMIC HAD AN
IMPACT ON AS I SAID, ON MANY
THINGS, ONE OF THE AREAS THAT WE
HAD AN IMPACT DURING THE
PANDEMIC IS THAT WE HAD A SLOW,
UM IT KIND OF. PERIOD FOR
INDIVIDUALS. THEY WERE NOT
CONTACTING THE REGIONAL CENTER.
WE HAD TALKED ABOUT MANY OF THE
ACTIONS WE WANTED TO TAKE FOR
EARLY START BECAUSE WE SAW A
SIGNIFICANT LIKE DECLINE OF
THOSE CHILDREN GOING TO REGIONAL
CENTERS. WE RECOGNIZE A LOT OF
PEOPLE WEREN'T GOING TO THEIR
DOCTORS, PEDIATRICIANS
RECOGNIZING THAT THERE WERE
DELAYS WE ESTIMATED ABOUT 40,000
CHILDREN WERE NOT ENTERING INTO
A REGIONAL CENTER SYSTEM DURING
THAT TIME. SO THE PROJECT
AVERAGE GROWTH THAT WE'RE SEEING
YEAR OVER YEAR THAT FOR 2223 IS
ELEVATED. WHAT I WILL SAY IS
THAT WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY YET
IF THIS IS A NEW TREND, OR IS
THIS RECOVERY I SUSPECT THAT WE
HAVE QUITE A BIT OF RECOVERY
THAT IS DRIVING SOME OF THE
CURRENT INCREASE. WE NEED A
MONITOR IT IN SOMETHING THAT I
WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE DO. AND
WITH WITH YOUR INDULGENCE, I'LL
JUST HIGHLIGHT SOME OTHER
DRIVERS THAT WE KNOW THAT WE
HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR BUT
ALSO KNOW THAT IT IMPACTS OUR
CASE LOAD IN THE LAST 10 YEARS,
UM INDIVIDUALS. WITH AUTISM HAS
ACT HAS DEFINITELY GROWN. THOSE
UNDER 21. WE KNOW HAS WE'VE
GROWN, UM WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH
AUTISM BY 74% AND WE RECOGNIZE
THAT THIS CONTINUES TO GROW
WE'RE SEEING ABOUT 70 TO 80% OF
THE INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM ARE
UNDER THE AGE OF 22. WE KNOW
THAT THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO
GROW AND OTHER AREA THAT WE KNOW
AS A DRIVER IS OUR AGING
POPULATION. WE LOOK AT THE
INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE 55 YEARS
AND OLDER. WE HAVE SEEN A 27%
INCREASE OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.
SO AS WE'RE CERTAINLY SEEING THE
DYNAMICS CHANGE WITHIN OUR
POPULATION, YOU'RE GONNA SEE THE
DYNAMICS CHANGE THEN. BASED ON
THE CASE, LOAD GROWTH, I'M HAPPY
TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. CHRIS
O'NEILL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
NOTHING FURTHER TO ADD TO THE
PRESENTATION. L A Ó. CORINNA
HENDRON L Ó. WE'VE BEEN ASKED
BY THE SUB COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE
AN OVERVIEW OF OUR ANALYSIS,
INCLUDING OUR FINDINGS AND
ISSUES FOR LEGISLATIVE
CONSIDERATION. SO TODAY WE HAVE
FOUR KEY FINDINGS TO SHARE AND
WE DO WANT TO NOTE THAT OUR
ANALYSIS WAS RELEASED ON
FEBRUARY 14TH. IT'S AVAILABLE ON
OUR WEBSITE. AND SO ANYONE WHO
WOULD LIKE TO READ THE FULL
ANALYSIS IS WELCOME TO DO SO
ONLINE. OUR FIRST KEY FINDING IS
THAT THE PROPOSED DELAY IN
SERVICE PROVIDER RATE REFORM
WOULD HELP THE STATE BUDGET
PROBLEM, BUT THE LEGISLATURE MAY
WISH TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE
APPROACHES. SO JUST TO PROVIDE A
BRIEF BACKGROUND ON RATE REFORM
FOR SOME CONTEXT IN 2016, THE
LEGISLATURE INITIATED THE RATE
STUDY PARTIALLY BECAUSE THE
HISTORIC RATE STRUCTURE DIDN'T
SUPPORT INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF
PROVIDERS, AND THIS RESULTED IN
SERVICE DELAYS FOR INDIVIDUALS
SERVED. IN 2022, THE LEGISLATURE
ACCELERATED THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF RATE REFORM DUE TO
STAKEHOLDER CONCERNS ABOUT A
SHORTAGE OF DIRECT CARE STAFF.
THE TRADE OFF ASSOCIATED WITH
THIS PROPOSAL IS THAT IT WOULD,
UM RESULT IN CONTINUED DELAYS IN
SERVICE PROVISION TO INDIVIDUALS
SERVED. THE LEGISLATURE COULD
THEREFORE CONSIDER A SCALED BACK
APPROACH THAT PROVIDES TARGETED
FUNDING FOR THE FINAL PHASE OF
RATE REFORM IN 2024 25. BUT IT
IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT EVEN
THIS TYPE OF SKILL BACK OR
TARGETED APPROACH WOULD STILL
REQUIRE BUDGET SOLUTIONS IN
OTHER AREAS OF THE BUDGET. OUR
SECOND KEY FINDING IS THAT THE
ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED MASTER
PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
LEGISLATIVE INVOLVEMENT. THE
CONCEPT OF THE PROPOSAL APPEARS
CONSISTENT WITH THE
ADMINISTRATION'S STATED
PRIORITIES. BUT NONETHELESS, WE
RECOMMEND THE LEGISLATURE ASK
THE ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE
MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE PLANS
GOALS INTENDED SCOPE,
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PROCESS,
POTENTIAL FISCAL IMPACTS AND
ONGOING OVERSIGHT. AND OUR THIRD
KEY FINDING IS THAT LEGISLATIVE
OVERSIGHT IS WARRANTED ON THREE
ISSUES. THE FIRST ISSUE IS AN
EVALUATION OF THE CO ORDINATED
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PILOT
PROGRAM. WE FIND THAT OVERSIGHT
IS WARRANTED HERE DUE TO
POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON EQUITABLE
SERVICE PROVISION. THE SECOND
ISSUE FOR OVERSIGHT RELATES TO
SERVICE PROVIDER COMPLIANCE WITH
COMPENSATION INCREASES FOR
DIRECT CARE STAFF UNDER RATE
REFORM. WE FIND OVERSIGHT IS
WARRANTED TO ENSURE THAT THE
FUNDS SPENT TO DATE ALIGN WITH
LEGISLATIVE INTENT. AND THE
THIRD ISSUE FOR OVERSIGHT IS THE
DEPARTMENT'S ONGOING EFFORTS TO
DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT QUALITY
INCENTIVE PAYMENTS AS PART OF
THE RATE REFORM IMPLEMENTATION.
WE FIND THAT OVERSIGHT IS
WARRANTED TO ENSURE THAT THE
ROLL OUT OF THE FINAL PHASE OF
RATE REFORM ALIGNS WITH
LEGISLATIVE INTENT. UH, THANK
YOU VERY MUCH, UH, ANY QUESTIONS
FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS? OH, OK.
WE'LL WAIT TILL THE NEXT PANEL
FOR THAT THEN. UM WHEN WE TALK
ABOUT, UM. TRYING TO ALWAYS
TRYING TO LOOK FOR PLACES WHERE
WE HAVEN'T TOTALLY SPENT OUT
DOLLARS ON THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS OF
UNDERSPENDING AND PURCHASING OF
SERVICES THAT UM, WHILE ALSO
RAISE SOME CONCERNS, UH, FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION. THANK YOU FOR
THE QUESTION. UM, DOCTOR JACKSON
, WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR, UM
, PROJECTIONS OF WHERE WE ARE IN
OUR ESTIMATE FOR PURCHASE OF
SERVICE, UM, LET ME SEE IF I CAN
ANSWER THE QUESTION BY JUST
GIVING SOME BACKGROUND ON HOW
WE'RE KIND OF DEVELOPING OUR
ESTIMATE. WHEN WE'RE DEVELOPING
THE ESTIMATE. WE'RE REALLY
LOOKING AT TRENDS. WE'RE LOOKING
AT TRENDS OF WITHIN EACH OF THE
SERVICE CATEGORIES. WHAT THE
EXPENDITURES ARE, YOU KNOW
WHAT'S DRIVING SOME OF THOSE,
UM, COST IS A POLICY. WAS THERE
A CHANGE IN POLICY? IS IT DRIVEN
BASED ON GROWTH IN CASE LOAD? IS
IT CHANGING BASED ON THE GROWTH
IN THAT POPULATION? WE HAVE MANY
, MANY DIFFERENT SERVICE
CATEGORIES, AND SO WHEN WE'RE
LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT SERVICE
CATEGORIES BECAUSE THERE IS A
QUESTION IN THE AGENDA TODAY
ABOUT KIND OF THE KIND OF UN THE
NON EXPENDED FUNDS, UM THAT OVER
THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS NOT ONLY
HAS THE PANDEMIC WHEN WE'VE
TAKEN A LOOK AT OUR CASELOAD
TRENDS HAS REALLY KIND OF CAUSED
A DISRUPTION IN OUR ABILITY TO
DO SOME PROJECTIONS WITH SOME OF
THE COST AS WELL. SO WHILE
YOU'LL SEE THAT IN SOME OF THE
DIFFERENT CATEGORIES WHERE WE'VE
NOT HAD THE PROJECTED.
EXPENDITURES RELATED TO WHAT WE
HAD PROJECTED IN OUR ESTIMATE.
PART OF THAT ALSO HAS TO DO WITH
THAT. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE
THAT AS WE WERE UNWINDING FROM
THE PANDEMIC, THAT WE WERE NOT
UNWINDING FASTER THAN WHAT OUR
COMMUNITY WAS REALLY READY TO
DO, I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. UM
RESPITE WHEN WE LOOK AT THE
EXPENDITURES FOR RESPITE DURING
THE PANDEMIC, IT INCREASED BY A
HIGH HIGH, HIGH LEVEL OF
PERCENTAGE MADE SENSE.
INDIVIDUALS WERE AT HOME
INDIVIDUALS NEEDED SUPPORT. SO
YOU REALLY SAW THIS THIS
INCREASE. WE ALSO HAD LIFTED THE
CAP ON RESPITE. BUT OUTSIDE OF
THAT THIS WAS REALLY ABOUT
PROVIDING SUPPORTS DURING AN
INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TIME. WELL,
AT THE END OF THE STATE OF
EMERGENCY. YOU DON'T HAVE ALL OF
A SUDDEN, LET'S JUST STOP THOSE
SERVICES. YOU KNOW, THERE HAS TO
STILL BE A VERY THOUGHTFUL, YOU
KNOW, LOOKING AT WHAT ARE THE
NEEDS? AND SO WE ARE SEEING A
DECREASE, YOU KNOW, KIND OF
GOING TO A IT'S NOT. IT'S GONNA
BE A NEW NORMAL BECAUSE WE'RE
NOT ACTUALLY GOING. WE'RE NOT
BACK TO THE TRENDS PRIOR TO THE
PANDEMIC. THAT'S OK, CAUSE I
THINK THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN
PEOPLE'S LIVES. BUT WE ARE
SEEING THAT WE'RE NOT SPENDING
AS MUCH AS WE HAD ESTIMATED,
BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THAT
TREND WAS. SO I JUST WANNA BE
CAREFUL IN SAYING THAT WHILE WE
MAY NOT BE SPENDING EXACTLY WHAT
IS PROJECTED IN THE ESTIMATE IN
ONE PARTICULAR AREA, WE ARE
STILL SEEING SIGNIFICANT GROWTH.
WE'RE STILL SEEING YEAR OVER
YEAR GROWTH IN EXPENDITURES AND,
UM PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN
RESPITE. WE INCREASED IN SUPPORT
SERVICES, SOME OF THE, UM AREAS
THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO MONITOR
IS LIKE TRANSPORTATION. YOU
KNOW, WE'RE NOT SEEING THE SAME
GROWTH SAY IN TRANSPORTATION
THAT WE HAD SEEN PRIOR TO, SO
WE'RE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND. WHAT
ARE THOSE IMPACTS? SO I JUST
WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT
THIS IS ONGOING EVALUATION, AND
IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR US
TO SEE WHAT THE NEW TRENDS ARE
CONTINUING TO REPORT. YOU KNOW,
BACK TO THIS COMMITTEE TO WHAT
WE'RE SEEING IN THOSE TRENDS AND
WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOT ONLY IN
WHAT IS BASED ON OUR ESTIMATE
AND PROJECTIONS IN THE BUDGET,
BUT SAY EVEN THE YEAR OVER YEAR
GROWTH CAUSE I SEE THOSE
SOMETIMES AS TWO DIFFERENT
THINGS, BUT TWO IMPORTANT
POINTS. AND EVEN IF THERE'S SOME
UNREAL, I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY. I
THINK IT'S GONNA TAKE A WHILE TO
GET TO A NEW NORMAL, SO I
UNDERSTAND. THE DATA RIGHT AND
TRYING TO CREATE A, UH, A MORE
PREDICTABLE A FORMULA THERE. UH,
BUT I JUST WONDER IF EVEN IF
THERE WERE TIMES WHERE WE
PROJECTED HIGHER, BUT WE DID NOT
SPEND AS MUCH UM, WHAT IS? UM,
THE ADMINISTRATION PROPOSING? DO
WITH THAT UNSPENT DOLLARS, IS
IT? UH I GUESS THAT'S MY
QUESTION. SO THE GOVERNOR'S
PROPOSAL REFLECTS THE PROPOSAL
THAT IS BEFORE YOU ON WHAT? OUR
PROJECTED UTILIZATION AND
PROJECTED USE OF THOSE DOLLARS.
AND SO, UM. BUT IN THOSE CASES
THERE'S NÓ LIKE, YOU KNOW,
REDIRECTING OF THOSE FUNDS IN
ANY PARTICULAR DIRECTION OR JUST
BASICALLY, THIS IS WHAT WE
BELIEVE THAT WE'RE GONNA DO,
EVEN THOUGH FROM THIS CURRENT
FISCAL YEAR, HOW DOES THAT MATCH
UP? SO WE'RE WE'RE WE DO OUR
UPDATES. SO FOR EXAMPLE, EVEN IN
MAY, RAY VICE, YOU KNOW, EVEN
THOUGH IT'S JUST A FEW MONTHS,
THERE'S A FEW MONTHS OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US IS
IMPORTANT. SO YOU WILL HAVE A AN
UPDATE AT MAY REVISE ON ON WHAT
WE HAD PROJECTED THEN, FOR, YOU
KNOW FOR PARTICULARLY BUDGET
YEAR, SO YOU'LL YOU'LL SEE THAT
WITH NEW INFORMATION. WHAT ARE
WE PROJECTING OF SOME ADDITIONAL
DATA THAT'S GOING TO INFORM US
WHAT THAT PROJECT IS GOING TO BE
BUT AS FAR AS AND THEN WE WILL
UPDATE THAT SO THE LEGISLATURE,
THIS COMMITTEE WILL BE ABLE TO
SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT
WAS, UM ESTIMATED. AND WHAT THAT
UPDATED NUMBER IS. OK BECAUSE
WE'RE OBVIOUSLY WHEN WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT OTHER POSSIBLE
DELAYS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, UM,
THIS COMMITTEE WILL BE VERY
CONCERNED IF WE SEE THAT SOME OF
THOSE FUNDS ARE WOULD BE
REVERTED BACK TO THE GENERAL
FUND, AS OPPOSED TO REDIRECTED
IN OTHER AREAS WHERE WE STILL
NEED TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS IN
THIS PARTICULAR SYSTEMS AREA, SO
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT, UH,
THIS COMMITTEE IS ON THE RECORD
OF SAYING YOU KNOW? IF WE WERE
PLANNING ON USING IT FOR THIS
COMMUNITY, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE
IT CONTINUE USES IN COMMUNITY
COMMITTEE. UH COMMUNITY, UM, AS
OPPOSED TO REVERTING IT TO THE
GENERAL FUND. UM SEEING OTHER NÓ
OTHER, UH QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
ON THIS ITEM? THIS IS AN
INFORMATION ITEM AND NÓ ACTION
IS NECESSARY, SO WE'LL MOVE ON
TO THE NEXT ISSUE, PLEASE, WHICH
IS THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED DELAY
OF SERVICE PROVIDER RATE REFORM.
SO WILL THE NEXT MEMBERS. UM
COME ON UP. AND AGAIN WE WILL GO
INTO THE ORDER IN WHICH IT
STATES ON THE AGENDA. WHAT WE'RE
GONNA PROBABLY, UH DO BECAUSE I
KNOW THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ROOM FOR
EVERYBODY. AND SO, UM, I BELIEVE
FOR THIS PARTICULAR, UH, PANEL
CAN WE, YOU KNOW DEPARTMENT. UH
MY CHAIR. UH,
SO JUST FOR THIS ONE, WE'RE
GONNA ASK THE UM DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE AND L A Ó TO ACTUALLY
COME TO THE N èC S¼ ON THE
DÍAS UP HERE TO MAKE ROOM,
PLEASE. YEAH. THERE'S ONE SEAT
OVER THERE OR TWO AND THEN ONE
SEAT OVER THERE OR TWO. YEAH. I
APPRECIATE IT.
AND THEN CHIEF DEPUTY DIRECTOR.
YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY.
IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE IS
SITUATED. MICS ARE WORKING. UH,
MIS MR CHAIR IF IT'S OK, UH
CHRISTOPHER O'NEILL OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE ALL START
OUT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND
THEN PASS IT ON TO MY Dð Dð S¼
COLLEAGUES. OK? YEAH, YEAH. UH,
THANK YOU, DOCTOR JACKSON AND
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. UM
AGAIN, CHRIS O'NEILL WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. UM, THE
PROPOSAL BEFORE YOU IS DRIVEN BY
THE GENERAL FUND SITUATION AND
IS ONE OF A NUMBER OF APPROACHES
INCLUDED IN THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET INTENDED TO HELP ADDRESS
THE OVERALL FUNDING SHORTFALL IN
THE UPCOMING BUDGET YEAR. THE
OUTLINED APPROACH WILL RETURN
FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF Dð Dð S¼
SERVICE PROVIDER RATE REFORM TO
THE ORIGINAL TIMELINE ADOPTED
THROUGH THE 2021 BUDGET ACT.
WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT THE NEXT
ROUND OF RATE ADJUSTMENTS AND
ASSOCIATED FUNDING FOR SERVICE
PROVIDERS SCHEDULED TO OCCUR ON
JULY 1ST 2024 WHAT, INSTEAD TAKE
EFFECT. JULY 1ST 2025. THIS
APPROACH MAINTAINS RATES AT
THEIR CURRENT LEVELS THROUGH
FISCAL YEAR 2425 AS WELL AS
FUNDING FOR THE QUALITY
INCENTIVES PROGRAM. AND FROM
HERE, I'LL PASS IT TO MY Dð Dð
S¼ COLLEAGUES. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. CARLA CASTANEDA, WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES, AND, UM, BUILDING OFF
THAT WILL ADDRESS THE QUESTIONS
THAT ARE IN THE AGENDA. UM THE
FIRST ONE WAS TALKING ABOUT
QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM AND
WHAT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO
DATE, UM, PAGES, 21 AND 22 OF
THE AGENDA LIST THE ACTIVITIES
SO FAR, AND THE MEASURES THAT
HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, UH, WHAT'S
IN PROGRESS NOW FOR THE 2425
FISCAL YEAR IS THE PROVIDER
DIRECTORY. UM THESE EFFORTS
BEGAN LAST SPRING IN TRYING TO
IDENTIFY INFORMATION TO COLLECT
AND HOW TO DESIGN AAA COLLECTION
FOR THE INFORMATION. SO UM, IN
PROGRESS, NOW IS A WEB BASED
PORTAL TO COLLECT PROVIDER
INFORMATION. UM THIS MEASURE IS
INTENDED TO LEAD TO FURTHER
DEVELOPMENTS THAT WILL IMPROVE
ACCESS TO INFORMATION BOTH AT
PROVIDER LEVEL BUT ALSO A PUBLIC
FACING MODEL. UM THAT WORK WILL
CONTINUE AND WE ARE LOOKING AT
ACTIVITIES THAT ARE IDENTIFIED
THIS SPRING WHETHER THE MEASURE
IS, UH, THE LEGIS. ADOPTS A RATE
FULLY FUNDED RATE MODEL THAT
WILL INCLUDE A COMPONENT UP TO
10% OR WHETHER THAT IS THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL. THAT
IS THE FUNDS SEPARATE FROM THE
RATE. UH THEN THE NEXT QUESTION
WAS ASKING ABOUT SOME OF THE
IMPACTS OF PRIOR PHRASES AND
RATE REDUCTIONS. UM A AS
DIRECTOR BARGER MENTIONED
EARLIER. DURING THE GREAT
RECESSION, THE STATE HAD
IMPLEMENTED MANY. MANY CHANGES
TO, UM MAINTAIN CALIFORNIA'S
PUBLIC SERVICES. UM BUT ALSO
ESTABLISHED TOOLS TO HE HELP
MITIGATE SOME OF THOSE FUTURE
DOWNTURNS FOR DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. THIS INCLUDED, UM
ISSUES LIKE, UM REDUCING OR
CHANGING ELIGIBILITY FOR EARLY
START. THERE WERE CAPS ON
CERTAIN SERVICES LIKE RESPITE.
THEY WERE ACROSS THE BOARD RATE
REDUCTIONS, AND THERE WERE ALSO,
UM, A AS, UH, RECENTLY RESTORED
SOME OF THE SOCIAL WRECKING CAMP
SERVICES DELAY. UM ONE OF THE
OTHER FEATURES THAT WAS LONG
STANDING WAS CHANGING OUR
ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL
REIMBURSEMENTS, WHICH HELPED
REDUCE SOME OF THE GENERAL FUND
IMPACT. UM THESE, THESE CHANGES
WERE PARTICULARLY LONGER
STANDING IN RESTORING, UH, IT
TOOK A FEW YEARS. ONE OF THE
FIRST ONES WAS CHANGING SOME OF
THE EARLY START ELIGIBILITY TO
RETURN THAT RECENT BUDGETS THAT
HAS BEEN EXPANDED AS WELL TO
ADDRESS SOME OF THE CHANGES WE
SAW DURING THE PANDEMIC. UM THE
CAPS IN RESPITE WERE ALSO
RESTORED IN 2018 AS DIRECTOR
BARGEMAN MENTIONED EARLIER ON
OUR PROJECTIONS. UH, LOOKING AT
THAT INFORMATION. UM THERE WERE
DATA THAT WERE ATTRIBUTED TO
SOME OF THE CHANGES IN THE CAP,
RESTORING ELIMINATING THE CAP.
BUT THEN THERE WERE ALSO CHANGES
THAT WERE, UH, BEHAVIORS DURING
THE PANDEMIC. UM. FOR PROVIDERS
WHO HAD EXPERIENCED RATE FREEZES
. THERE WERE THERE ARE A NUMBER
OF FLEXIBILITIES IN CURRENT LAW.
UH, SOME OF THE FREQUENTLY USED
ONES ARE HEALTH AND SAFETY
WAIVERS. UH, WHEN I, UH,
PROVIDER IDENTIFIES THE NEED FOR
A ADJUSTMENT. UH, ANOTHER
FLEXIBILITY IS SOMETHING THAT
WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1993. IT DOES
REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE
REGIONAL CENTERS, BUT IT DOES
ALLOW FLEXIBILITIES TO WAIVE
CERTAIN PARTS OF REGULATIONS OR
STATUTE. UM. ONE OF THE MORE
VISIBLE IMPACTS OF DURING THAT
GREAT RECESSION WAS BETWEEN THE
PERIODS OF 2008 AND 2010. WHILE
WE SAW THE POPULATION INCREASE
FOR DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES FROM
AROUND 237 INDIVIDUALS TO, UH,
JUST OVER 247,000 INDIVIDUALS.
THE PURCHASE OF SERVICE
EXPENDITURES DURING THAT PERIOD
WAS RELATIVELY FLAT AT ABOUT 3.4
BILLION. UM ONE OF THE OTHER
QUESTIONS ASKED WAS ABOUT THE,
UM, IMPACT ON PROVIDERS AND, UM,
GIVEN THE CURRENT LENGTH OF SOME
OF THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES
THAT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY, UM,
WHAT WE HAVE IN THE CURRENT
BUDGETS, UH, AUTHORITY AND WHAT
IS CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS ARE
SOME OF THE TRAINING STIPENDS
FOR DIRECT SERVICE
PROFESSIONALS. UM THOSE ARE IN
PROGRESS NOW. AND AS DIRECTOR
BARGER MENTIONED OVER, 40,000
STAFF HAVE ACCESSED THAT. UH, WE
ARE IN THE INITIAL PHASES OF THE
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, SO SEVERAL
REGIONAL CENTERS HAVE
PARTICIPATED IN WHERE THERE WERE
VENDORS WHO COULD READILY ACCESS
THAT SERVICE. AND THEN THERE'S A
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
FOR REGIONAL CENTER STAFF AS
WELL TO SUPPORT SOME OF THAT
SERVICE COORDINATING INCREASE.
ALSO IN PROGRESS THAT HAD
INITIATED BEFORE THE THOSE
WORKFORCE STABILITY PROGRAMS, UM
, ARE ONGOING PROGRAMS FOR A
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL
TRAINING PROGRAM. THAT'S A
TIERED WAGE PROGRAM, UM, AS WELL
AS A BILINGUAL STIPEND TO HELP,
UH WITH IN WITH DIRECT SERVICE
PROFESSIONALS WHO SPEAK AND CAN
COMMUNICATE IN LANGUAGES OTHER
THAN ENGLISH, INCLUDING AS
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE. UM ONE
OF THE LAST QUESTIONS WAS ASKED
ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PROVIDERS IN
THE SYSTEM, AND THIS IS ANOTHER
AREA WHERE IT'S A LITTLE
DIFFICULT, DEPENDING ON YOUR
DEFINITION. YOU MAY HAVE A
DIFFERENT, UH, ANSWER. ONE OF
THE TYPICALLY IDENTIFIED
INFORMATION IS BY VENDORS. AND
SO, UM, CURRENTLY THERE ARE
APPROXIMATELY 46,000 PROVIDERS.
UM THIS IS COMPARED TO
APPROXIMATELY 41,000 IN ABOUT 26
2016 17. BUT AS PART OF THE
QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM, AND
THAT PROVIDED DIRECTORY, UM WILL
HAVE BETTER VISIBILITY INTO
THOSE NUMBERS AND WHETHER
VENDORS ARE PROVIDING DIFFERENT
SERVICES AND IF THERE'S CHANGES
OVER AREAS THANK YOU. L A Ó.
KINA HENDRON L Ó. OUR KEY
FINDING ON THIS ITEM IS THAT THE
PROPOSED DELAY IN SERVICE
PROVIDER RATE REFORM WOULD HELP
THE BUDGET PROBLEM BUT THAT
ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES COULD BE
WARRANTED. THE PROPOSAL WOULD
HELP ADDRESS THE STATE BUDGET
PROBLEM BY PROVIDING ABOUT 600
MILLION IN GENERAL FUND SAVINGS
IN 2024 25. NONETHELESS, THE
PROPOSAL DOES INVOLVE TRADE
OFFS. THE STATE ACCELERATED RATE
REFORM IMPLEMENTATION IN
RESPONSE TO STAKEHOLDER CONCERNS
ABOUT A SHORTAGE OF DIRECT
SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS OR Dð, S¼
P S¼ AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE
SERVICES. THE ACCELERATION OF
RATE REFORM HAS NOT YET BEEN
FULLY IMPLEMENTED, AND SO SOME
DEGREE OF Dð S¼ P SHORTAGE
PRESUMABLY STILL EXISTS TODAY.
IF THE PROPOSAL IS IMPLEMENTED,
INDIVIDUALS SERVED BY DDS MIGHT
NOT RECEIVE SERVICES AS QUICKLY
AS COULD BE POSSIBLE IF THE FULL
RATE REFORM, UH, WERE
IMPLEMENTED IN 2024 25 AS UNDER
CURRENT LAW. THE LEGISLATURE
COULD CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES. AS
WE NOTED BEFORE, UM, FOR EXAMPLE
, IT COULD TARGET SELECT SERVICE
PROVIDER CODES WHERE THE Dð S¼ P
SHORTAGES ARE MOST ACUTE. THIS
WOULD REQUIRE WORKING WITH THE
ADMINISTRATION TO IDENTIFY WHICH
TYPE OF TARGETED OR SCALED BACK
APPROACH WOULD MAKE THE MOST
SENSE ADMINISTRATIVELY. AND A
KEY POINT FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO
KEEP IN MIND IS THAT ANY
ALTERNATIVES STILL REQUIRE
DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR SOLUTIONS
ELSEWHERE IN THE BUDGET. THE L,
A Ó IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST THE
LEGISLATURE IN IDENTIFYING
ALTERNATIVES IN OUR OFFICE CAN
PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN
EVALUATING TRADEOFFS. AND WE
DIDN'T WANNA NOTE THAT ASIDE
FROM THE PROPOSED DELAY, OUR
ANALYSIS ALSO RAISES TO
OVERSIGHT ISSUES RELATED TO THE
ONGOING IMPLEMENTATION OF RATE
REFORM. UM THESE ARE LISTED ON
PAGE 24 OF THE AGENDA. WE WANTED
TO CHECK IF THE COMMITTEE WOULD
LIKE US TO SPEAK ON THE
OVERSIGHT ISSUES AT THIS TIME.
OK? THANK YOU. NEXT. GOOD
AFTERNOON, MR CHAIR. ASSEMBLY
MEMBER. UH, MY NAME IS BARRY
GIARDINI. I'M THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR WITH THE CALIFORNIA
DISABILITY SERVICES ASSOCIATION,
ALSO ONE OF THE THREE CO CHAIRS
OF THE LETTERMAN COALITION.
REPRESENTING A STATE. UH,
STATEWIDE. UH, COALITION OF
STAKEHOLDERS. UM HONORED TO BE
HERE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR THE
INVITATION. APPRECIATE THE
COMPREHENSIVE AGENDA, MISS
VASQUEZ AS WELL, UM I THINK WE
SIT HERE RECOGNIZING THE VERY
DIFFICULT BUDGET SITUATION IN
FRONT OF US. I DON'T THINK WE
COME TO THIS CONVERSATION
IGNORANT OF THE FACT THAT YOU
ALL HAVE TO MAKE VERY DIFFICULT
DECISIONS AROUND WHERE TO SPEND
STATE RESOURCES THAT ARE
INADEQUATE TO MEET THE DEMANDS
OF ALL OF CALIFORNIANS, SO THAT
REQUIRES US TO REALLY TAKE A
STRONG LOOK AND SEE. WHERE ARE
THOSE DOLLARS CAN BE MOST
MEANINGFUL. WHERE IS THE NEED
MOST ACUTE, AND WE BELIEVE THAT
THIS PROPOSAL WHILE IT WOULD
SAVE GENERAL FUND REVENUES IS
THE WRONG DECISION FOR WITH
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES, THE WORKFORCE THAT
SERVES THEM AND THE FAMILY
MEMBERS THAT LOVE THEM. UM WE
HAVE MADE SOME SIGNIFICANT
PROGRESS IN STABILIZING THE
LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH ID Dð
OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS,
WITH THE FIRST TWO STAGES OF
RATE MODEL IMPLEMENTATION. WE
HAVE HELPED EDGE OUR WAY OUT OF
KIND OF THE COVID NIGHTMARE AS
IT'S BEEN NOTED. ALREADY THE
ACCELERATION WAS PREDICATED ON A
DIRE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE. OUR OUR
INFORMATION SHOWED THAT ONE OF
EVERY FIVE Dð S¼ P S¼ HAD LEFT
THE SYSTEM DURING THE PANDEMIC,
AND WE WANTED TO FIND A WAY TO
BRING THEM BACK. SO THE
ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATURE CAME
TOGETHER AND WISELY MADE THE
INVESTMENT. TO NOT ONLY FUND THE
RATE MODEL IMPLEMENTATION BUT
ALSO TO ACCELERATE IT IN IN
RESPONSE TO THE NEED THAT NEED
HAS NOT GOTTEN ANY LESS ACUTE.
UM WHILE WE LIKE WHILE I COULD
SAY WE'VE MADE SOME PROGRESS,
AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO HIRE A
LITTLE BIT EASIER WITH THOSE
FIRST TWO STAGES OF GREAT MODEL
IMPLEMENTATION. THIS LAST STAGE
IS THE BIG ONE. IT'S THE IT'S
THE ONE THAT'S SUPPOSED TO GET
US TO MARKET RATES. UM SOMETHING
FAIRER AND MORE COMPETITIVE.
THAT WILL ALLOW US TO COMPETE
WITH OTHER WORKERS IN OTHER
INDUSTRIES, AND I'LL TOUCH ON
THAT IN A MOMENT. BUT I THINK
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO JUST
REMEMBER OUR HISTORY A LITTLE
BIT AND I KNOW SOME OF THIS HAS
BEEN COVERED. THE RATE STUDY WAS
DONE BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE
PUSHED FOR IT AFTER ADVOCATES
SAID WE'RE UNDERFUNDED. WE'RE
UNDERFUNDED. WE SAID, LET'S
VALIDATE THAT NUMBER. IT FOUND
THAT WE WERE UNDERFUNDED BY $1.8
BILLION ANNUALLY, SO THIS SYSTEM
HAS GIVEN BACK FOUR DECADES,
RIGHT? WE HAVE GIVEN BACK SINCE
THE RATE FREEZES. EVERY YEAR. WE
HAVE NOT BEEN FULLY FUNDED. IT'S
BEEN A SAVINGS TO THE STATE OF
THE CAL OF CALIFORNIA ON UH AND
THE PEOPLE WHO FEEL THE IMPACT
ARE PEOPLE. DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES EVERY DAY AND SO
LOOKING AT THIS PROPOSAL WHILE
WE UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE SITTING
HERE TALKING ABOUT IT, IT
DOESN'T HIT VERY COMFORTABLY
WHEN IT MEANS REAL THINGS TO
REAL PEOPLE WHO NEED THE
SERVICES AND I WANNA TOUCH ON
JUST THE INDIVIDUAL'S IMPACTED
BY THIS PROPOSAL. AND WHY AND
WHY. WE'RE UM, OPPOSING IT.
INDIVIDUALS WITH I Dð Dð THEIR
LIVES ARE DESTABILIZED TODAY.
EVEN WITH THE PROGRESS WE'VE
MADE, WE STILL SEE WAITING LISTS
FOR SERVICES INDIVIDUALS
REFERRED. REGIONAL CENTERS TO
PROVIDERS WHO SAY WE WILL. WE
WOULD LOVE TO SERVE YOU, BUT WE
DON'T HAVE THE STAFF TO DO IT.
WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN
PROGRAM NOW WHO ARE EFFECTIVELY
GETTING RASH SERVICES IN SOME
CASES WHERE THEY'RE AUTHORIZED
FOR FIVE DAYS, BUT THEY CAN ONLY
COME TO PROGRAM TWO DAYS A WEEK,
MEANING THE OTHER THREE DAYS.
THEY'RE THEY'RE AT HOME. OR
MAYBE YOU CAN ONLY COME IN THE
MORNING AND THE OTHER HALF OF
THE FOLKS WILL COME THE
AFTERNOON. THIS IS STRICTLY A
WORKFORCE PROBLEM. WE ARE IN THE
PEOPLE BUSINESS PEOPLE SERVING
PEOPLE. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO
FUND THE SERVICES AT AN ADEQUATE
RATE TO RECRUIT A WORKFORCE TO
MAKE SURE WE HONOR THE LETTERMAN
ACT. WE'RE THE ONLY STATE IN THE
NATION THAT HAS AN ENTITLEMENT
TO SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
I Dð Dð, AND I THINK EVERYONE IN
THIS ROOM SHOULD BE IMMENSELY
PROUD OF THAT. I HEAR FROM
COLLEAGUES IN OTHER STATES AND
HEAR ABOUT THEIR ALLOWABLE
WAITLIST AND FEEL VERY FORTUNATE
THAT I WORK IN CALIFORNIA WHERE
WE HONOR THE LIVES OF PEOPLE
WITH I Dð Dð, BUT TO DO THAT WE
HAVE TO NURTURE IT. WE HAVE TO
FOSTER. WE HAVE TO FUND THE
SYSTEM ADEQUATELY TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE'RE LIVING UP TO THAT
PROMISE EVERY DAY. UM IN ORDER
TO GROW AND MOVE FORWARD. IT'S
GONNA BE ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE
THAT WE FUND THE SYSTEM. IT'S
THE FOUNDATION BRINGING THE
FUNDING IN AND SO WE CAN TALK
ABOUT ALL THE GREAT REFORMS, THE
GREAT WORK THE DEPARTMENT IS
DOING ON INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS
WORKFORCE CHALLENGES TO WORK ON
QUALITY OUTCOMES, MEASURES, ETC.
BUT WE MUST MAKE THE INVESTMENT
SO THAT WE CAN BUILD BECAUSE
WITHOUT A FOUNDATION. IT'S VERY
DIFFICULT TO BUILD. I WANNA KNOW
JUST A COUPLE OF OTHER QUICK
THINGS AROUND THE WORKFORCE. Dð
S¼ P S¼, UH, DO AMAZING WORK.
THEY DO IT EVERY DAY. THEY THE
OF QUALITY. THE BEST MEASURE OF
QUALITY IS WITH A COMPETENT,
STABLE Dð S¼ P SERVING
INDIVIDUAL WITH I Dð Dð THAT
POINT OF INTERACTION AND A
STABLE AND GREAT RELATIONSHIP.
THERE IS GOING TO LEAD TO THE
BEST OUTCOMES. THAT'S NOT TO SAY
IT'S THE ONLY OUTCOME MEASURE.
WE SHOULD WE SHOULD TAKE INTO
ACCOUNT. IT'S NOT THE ONLY
METRIC BUT THAT IS FUNDAMENTALLY
THE WHEN THE SYSTEM WORKS BEST.
THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING. RIGHT
NOW THE WORKFORCE IS STRUGGLING.
THEY'VE EXPECTED PERHAPS WAGE
INCREASES TO COME WITH THE JULY
1ST INCREASE. ORGANIZATIONS HAVE
BUDGETED TO PROVIDE THOSE
INCREASES TO THEIR WORKERS, AND
NOW THEY ARE LOOKING AT A
POTENTIAL 30 MONTH DELAY BETWEEN
THE LAST SECOND STAGE OF RATE
MODEL IMPLEMENTATION AND THE
FINAL STAGE. IN THAT TIME, THE
FAST FOOD WORKERS MINIMUM WAGE
IS HITTING APRIL 1ST TAKING FAST
FOOD WORKERS UP TO $20 AN HOUR
HEALTH CARE WORKERS. MINIMUM
WAGE MAY WELL GO THROUGH
DEPENDING ON THE BUDGET
CONVERSATIONS THIS YEAR. THE
WHILE. Dð S¼ P S¼ ARE LOOKING AT
RATE WAGE EXPECTATIONS AND THE
RATE MODELS 1516 $17 AN HOUR.
SOME OF THE RATE WAGE MODELS ARE
BELOW MINIMUM WAGE, AND I KNOW
THE DEPARTMENT'S INVESTING TO
ADDRESS THAT. BUT IT JUST
DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT. WHEN Dð S¼ P
S¼, WHO ARE DOING THIS CRITICAL
WORK ARE BEING UNDERFUNDED AND
AREN'T BEING AT LEAST ABLE TO
COMPETE WITH WORKERS IN FAST
FOOD. NÓ NÓ NOTHING AGAINST FAST
FOOD WORKERS, BUT Dð S¼ P S¼
DESERVE A FAIR A FAIR WAGE FOR
AN INCREDIBLE JOB. SO I JUST
WANT TO LEAVE IT WITH THIS
DOCTOR JACKSON. YOU STARTED THIS
HEARING TALKING ABOUT THE RISK
THAT WE TAKE. IF WE DON'T INVEST
, WE ACTUALLY MOVE BACKWARD. I
FEAR THAT THE RISK OF NOT MOVING
FORWARD WITH THE CURRENTLY
ENACTED RATE MODEL TIMELINE
RISKS UNDERCUTTING THE PROGRESS
WE'VE MADE OVER THE FIRST TWO
STAGES. IT MEANS REBUILDING IT.
WE'VE ALREADY SPENT A DECADE
COMING OUT OF A GREAT RECESSION
TO TRY TO REBUILD. WE'RE
BUILDING BACK UP TOWARDS IT. BUT
THIS DELAY COULD REALLY HURT US
AND REALLY HURT PEOPLE WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. AND
SO I APPRECIATE YOUR
CONSIDERATION AND THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND I'M
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
YOU MAY HAVE. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. OUR NEXT ONE PANELIST. GOOD
AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS AMY
WESLING. I'M THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE ASSOCIATION OF
REGIONAL CENTER AGENCIES, ALSO
KNOWN AS ARCA, WHICH SUPPORTS
AND WORKS ALONGSIDE ALL 21 OF
THE STATE'S REGIONAL CENTERS.
I'M ALSO ONE OF THE CO CHAIRS OF
THE LANTERMAN COALITION, AND I
APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE
HERE TODAY TO SHARE THE REGIONAL
CENTER'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE
PROPOSAL TO DELAY THE LAST PHASE
OF THE RATE IMPLEMENTATION. AS
HAS BEEN NOTED. CALIFORNIA HAS A
UNIQUE IN THE COUNTRY
ENTITLEMENT TO NEEDED SER
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES THAT WAS
ESTABLISHED IN THE LANTERMAN ACT
AND CLARIFIED IN THE ARC VERSUS
DID LAWSUIT IN 1985 THAT
ENTITLEMENT BELONGS TO THE
PEOPLE WE SERVE. IT BELONGS TO
THE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES,
AND WE ALL COLLECTIVELY CARRY
OUT THIS MANDATE IN
COLLABORATION WITH OUR SERVICE
PROVIDER PARTNERS. HISTORIC RATE
UNDERFUNDING HAS MADE IT
CHALLENGING AND AT TIMES
IMPOSSIBLE TO CARRY OUT THAT
RESPONSIBILITY. THE RATE STUDY
ONCE AGAIN PROMISED TO CONNECT
RATES FOR SERVICES TO THE COST
OF DELIVERING THEM AND
ESPECIALLY THE COST OF
DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING A
DIRECT SUPPORT WORKFORCE, WHICH
IS THE LYNCHPIN OF SERVICE
DELIVERY. AND AS MR GIARDINI
NOTED, ONE OF THE STRONGEST
DETERMINANTS OF QUALITY. THERE
IS NÓ QUESTION THAT THE LABOR
MARKET SHIFTED DRAMATICALLY
DURING THE PANDEMIC. MAKING IT
EVEN HARDER FOR OUR SERVICE
PROVIDER COMMUNITY TO RECRUIT
THE STAFF NECESSARY TO PROVIDE
PEOPLE WITH THE SERVICES THEY
NEED AND ARE ENTITLED TO AND
THIS HAS RESULTED IN WEIGHTLESS
AND RATIONING OF AVAILABLE
SERVICES. AS WAS NOTED, FOR
INSTANCE, PROVIDING TWO RATHER
THAN FIVE DAYS PER WEEK OF
DAYTIME SUPPORT. THIS MEANS
PEOPLE CANNOT USE ALL OF THE
SERVICES. THE REGIONAL CENTER
HAS AGREED TO FUND AND AT TIMES
ARE OFFERED LESS THAN IDEAL
SERVICES TO FILL IN THE GAPS.
LET ME BE CLEAR. NÓ ONE IS
PLEASED WITH THAT REALITY. TWO
FACTORS MAKE THIS EVEN WORSE.
FIRST THE POPULATION IN OUR
SYSTEM IS GROWING INCREDIBLY
QUICKLY. AT A TIME WHEN
CALIFORNIA'S STATE POPULATION IS
STAGNANT. THIS MEANS WE'RE DOING
A BETTER JOB AT FINDING AND
IDENTIFYING AN ONBOARDING PEOPLE
WHO DESPERATELY NEED SUPPORT.
BUT HAVING A SYSTEM THAT HAS
GROWN 31% FROM A POPULATION
BASIS, JUST SINCE 2019 MEANS WE
NEED TO NOT ONLY MAINTAIN THE
SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT WE HAVE,
BUT WE HAVE TO GROW CAPACITY IF
WE MAINTAIN THE CAPACITY WE HAVE
, WE'RE ALREADY WAY BEHIND. AND
SECOND, UNFORTUNATELY, AS HAS
BEEN NOTED, MANY OF OUR SERVICE
PROVIDERS CAN MUST COMPETE WITH
THE FAST FOOD INDUSTRY FOR
WORKERS. THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR
FAST FOOD WORKERS WILL INCREASE
TO $20 PER HOUR, EFFECTIVE APRIL
1ST. AND THAT'S A WAGE THAT'S
HIGHER THAN ASSUMED FOR Dð S¼ P
S¼ IN THE FULLY IMPLEMENTED RATE
MODELS, AND WE'RE NOW ONLY
HALFWAY TO IMPLEMENTING THOSE
GREAT MODELS. WITHOUT THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FINAL
PHASE OF THE RATE MODELS IN JULY
OF 2024, AS CURRENTLY EXPECTED,
OUR SERVICE PROVIDERS CANNOT
SECURE THE WORKFORCE. THEY NEED
TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE
ALREADY IN THE SYSTEM OR OF THE
ADDITIONAL 30,000 PEOPLE AND
FAMILIES WE EXPECT TO ADD IN THE
COMING YEAR. WITHOUT ADEQUATE
FUNDING FOR PROVIDER RATES. THE
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES SYSTEM
CANNOT KEEP ITS PROMISE TO
PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH THE SERVICES
THEY NEED AND ARE ENTITLED TO.
AND FOR THAT REASON, ARCA URGES
THE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE TO
REJECT THE ADMINISTRATION'S
PROPOSAL IN THIS AREA. THANK
YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON COMMITTEE
CHAIR AND MEMBERS. UH, MY NAME
IS MARK POLAN èC E Ó OF THE
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY LIVING
NETWORK. èC L N. I LEARNED
TODAY THAT DIRECTOR BARGEMAN AND
I STARTED THE SAME YEAR IN OUR
CAREERS IN 1985 AND APOLOGIES OF
MY TESTIMONY SOUNDS DUPLICATIVE.
UM CCL N IS A STATEWIDE
MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATION WITH
APPROXIMATELY 100 ORGANIZATIONS,
LARGE AND SMALL ACROSS THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA. OUR MEMBERS
PROVIDE SPECIALIZED SERVICES
THAT SUPPORT CALIFORNIA'S
DIVERSE I Dð Dð COMMUNITY TO
LIVE MORE EQUITABLE AND
INCLUSIVE LIVES. OUR MEMBERS
PROVIDE SUPPORTED LIVING
SERVICES, INDEPENDENT LIVING
SERVICES EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.
CO-ORDINATED FAMILY SUPPORTS
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE RESPITE AND
WE DO HOUSING ADVOCACY. THERE'S
A FAMOUS QUOTE THAT QUALITY IS
DEFINED AT THE POINT OF
INTERACTION BETWEEN THE STAFF
MEMBER AND THE INDIVIDUAL. WITH
A DISABILITY. CLN STRONGLY
SUPPORTS THE INITIATIVES TO
IDENTIFY QUALITY INDICATORS.
QUALITY MEASURES AND QUALITY
INCENTIVES. PEOPLE RECEIVING
SERVICES IN THEIR FAMILIES
DESERVE AND SHOULD EXPECT
NOTHING LESS THAN THE HIGHEST
QUALITY OF SERVICES. WHILE
THERE'S BEEN PROGRESS MADE
TOWARDS THESE EFFORTS, THIS
STILL REMAINS WORK TO BE DONE.
BUT WE'VE GOT TO START
SOMEWHERE. WE ECHOED THE
PREVIOUS TESTIMONY THAT
HIGHLIGHTED THE Dð S¼ P.
WORKFORCE SHORTAGES WERE
DESPERATELY STRUGGLING TO
ATTRACT, RETAIN AND ENGAGE A
SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE. WE ARE
NOTHING WITHOUT OUR DEDICATED,
PASSIONATE AND ADEQUATELY
TRAINED EMPLOYEES, THE CURRENT
SHORTAGE IN THE DIRECT SUPPORT
PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE HAS
REACHED A CRITICAL BREAKING
POINT. PEOPLE ARE FACING LONG
DELAYS IN RECEIVING SERVICES ARE
GOING WITHOUT SERVICES
ALTOGETHER. PROVIDERS ARE
STRUGGLING TO ENGAGE JOB SEEKERS
TO ENTER THE FIELD OF THE DIRECT
SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL FOR
CALIFORNIANS WITH INTELLECTUAL
AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS WILL
ONLY GET WORSE AS OTHER
STATUTORY STATUTORILY REQUIRED.
INCREASED MINIMUM WAGES ARE SET
TO INCREASE IN APRIL OF 2024 IF
THIS DELAY STANDS. AS OF JULY.
1ST 2024 MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS IN
THE FAST FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY.
YEAH FOR THOSE FOLKS WILL BE
EARNING A STARTING WAGE THAT IS
$6400 MORE PER YEAR THAN WE'RE
CURRENTLY FUNDED TO PAY OUR
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL
STAFF. THIS ESSENTIAL WORKFORCE
IS BEING LOST. IN THE 2019
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES RATE STUDY PROVIDED A
SOLID ROAD MAP TO EVALUATE
SERVICE PROVIDER RATES A DELAY
IN IMPLEMENTING THIS YEAR RISKS
A DELAY FOR POTENTIAL FOR DELAYS
. UH IN FUTURE YEARS, IT'S 2024
AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FULLY
FUNDING AND 2019 RATE STUDY FIVE
YEARS LATER. ADMINISTRATIVE
DELAYS AND THE LACK OF REQUIRED
UPDATES TO RATE MODELS ARE
UNDERMINING THE VALUE OF THE
RATE STUDY BEFORE IT'S EVEN
FULLY IMPLEMENTED. THESE RATE
MODELS ARE A CRITICAL TOOL FOR
YOU ALL THE LEGISLATURE. TO
SUPPORT THE PROVISION OF
MEASURABLE QUALITY OUTCOMES FOR
PEOPLE RECEIVING SERVICES IN
THEIR FAMILIES. THE
SUSTAINABILITY OF THE DIRECT
SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE.
AND THE SYSTEM'S CAPACITY. TO
ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS FROM ALL
BACKGROUNDS HAVE EQUITABLE
ACCESS TO THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF
SERVICES. IMPLEMENTING THE RATE
MODELS IS ALL ABOUT DIRECT
SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL WAGES.
PROVIDERS SIMPLY CAN'T WAIT ANY
LONGER IF THEY CAN SURVIVE.
SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE VERY EAGER
TO DEMONSTRATE QUALITY AND
ACHIEVE THEIR FULLY FUNDED 2019
RATES. SUPPORTED LIVING
PROVIDERS AND OTHER RESIDENTIAL
SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE ALREADY
BEING HIT AS OF JAN. ONE WITH A
NEW UNFUNDED MANDATE. S¼ B 616.
BILL INCREASED SICK TIME FROM 3
TO 5 DAYS FOR EMPLOYEES WORKING
FIVE DAYS OR 40 HOURS, WHICHEVER
IS GREATER. THAT TYPICAL WORK
WEEK IS NOT A TYPICAL WORK WEEK
FOR US. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL
RESULT IN A P A LAWSUIT PRIVATE
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S ACT WHICH
WILL BE CATASTROPHIC FOR
PROVIDERS. THE RATE MODEL
ACCOUNTED FOR FIVE SICK DAYS,
UH, IN THE RATE MODEL
METHODOLOGY. DELAY WILL LEAVE
THAT MANDATED UNFUNDED FOR 18
MONTHS, AND PROVIDERS ARE
ALREADY PAYING A HIGHER WAGE
THAN THE WAGES LISTED IN THE
RATE STUDY. WE'RE EXCITED THAT
THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES AND CCL N HAVE BEEN
LAYING THE FOUNDATION OF THE
IMPORTANT WORK AHEAD ON THE
PAVED SERVICE OUTCOME PROJECT
AND DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL
UN UNIVERSITY. PAVE PERSON
CENTERED ADVOCACY, VISION AND
EDUCATION WILL BE DEVELOPING
DATA DRIVEN MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS.
RESEARCH AND EVALUATION. AND
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL
TRAINING. THE PAVE PROJECT
FOCUSES ON TWO IMPORTANT
COMPONENTS OF QUALITY METRICS
THAT MATTER TO PEOPLE SERVED IN
THEIR FAMILIES INFORMED CHOICE
AND USER AND FAMILY
SATISFACTION. IN CLOSING. DON'T
DELAY FULLY IMPLEMENT THE RATE
MODELS ON JULY 1ST 2024 THANK
YOU. COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND STAFF
, UM, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO
PROVIDE, UH, TESTIMONY TODAY AND
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU. WE NEED TO MAKE SOME
SPACE FOR M MARK. THANK YOU. THE
MEMBER JACKSON AND COMMITTEE
CALL. MY NAME IS JUDY MARK, AND
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF DISABILITY
VOICES UNITED. UM THANK YOU FOR
INVITING ME TO TESTIFY TODAY AND
TO OFFER THE DISABILITY JUSTICE
PERSPECTIVES OF PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES AND FAMILY MEMBERS
WHEN THE LEGISLATURE WAS FIRST
CONTEMPLATING THE SUBSTANTIAL
INVESTMENTS, UM, TO RAISE
SERVICE PROVIDER RATES. I
TESTIFIED AT A BUDGET HEARING,
AND I SAID THE WHAT PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES AND FAMILIES
ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT IS THAT
THESE RATE INCREASES END UP
GOING DIRECTLY TO SERVICE
PROVIDERS WHO ARE WORKING WITH
US WHO ARE WORKING WITH OUR
FAMILY MEMBERS. AND WE ALSO CARE
THAT IF WE'RE GONNA PUT IN RATE
INCREASES THAT THEY ARE TIED TO
SPECIFIC OUTCOME MEASURES THAT
WE CARE ABOUT UM, WELL, THE
LEGISLATURE SHARED THESE GOALS.
THE ADMINISTRATION SHARED THESE
GOALS AND PLACED THEM IN
TRAILER, THE LANGUAGE AND TASK
Dð Dð S¼ TO ENSURE THEY WERE MET
. BUT WE ARE FAR FROM REACHING
THESE GOALS AND WE FEAR THAT
MOVING BACK TO THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FINAL RATE
INCREASE WILL MAKE THIS MUCH
WORSE. MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE
DONE BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE
THAT RATE INCREASES ARE ACTUALLY
GOING TO DIRECT CARE STAFF.
STARTING IN 2021 DDS CONDUCTED
TWO STAFF STABILITY SURVEYS FOR
WHICH PROVIDERS WERE PAID $8000
TO TAKE PART IN STILL ONLY 42%
PARTICIPATED TELL YOU IF YOU
OFFERED FAMILIES OR SELF
ADVOCATES $8000 TO PARTICIPATE
IN A SURVEY. WE WOULD DEFINITELY
DO IT. UM BUT WE ARE STILL
WAITING FOR THE RESULTS OF THESE
SURVEYS FROM Dð Dð S¼, AND WE
HAVE NÓ IDEA WHETHER WAGES HAVE
ACTUALLY GONE UP AND I DID A
VERY, VERY QUICK SURVEY AND
LOOKED AT JOBS AVAILABLE AND
THERE ARE SOME PROVIDERS WHO ARE
STILL OFFERING MINIMUM WAGE JOBS
. AND SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE
THAT THIS THAT THE RATE
INCREASES ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO
INCREASE THESE WAGES. AND THEN
LAST MAY, DDS SENT OUT A
DIRECTIVE THAT REQUIRED SERVICE
PROVIDERS TO USE A SIGNIFICANT
PORTION OF THEIR RATE INCREASE
TO IMPROVE DIRECT STAFF WAGES
AND REQUIRED THEM TO MAINTAIN
DOCUMENTATION AND COULD
POTENTIALLY BE SUBJECT TO AUDIT.
YET WE HAVE SEEN NÓ RESULTS. WE
DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHETHER
THERE HAVE BEEN AUDITS AND THAT
WOULD BE SOMETHING I WOULD
REALLY WANT TO KNOW. UM SO.
BEHIND THESE RATE INCREASES TO
INDIVIDUAL OUTCOMES IS THE OTHER
MAJOR GOAL THAT WE HAVE, UM, THE
PROCESS THAT Dð Dð S¼ HAS
DEVELOPED TO DE TO CREATE
QUALITY INCENTIVES FOR SERVICE
PROVIDERS HAS MOVED INCREDIBLY
SLOWLY. AND SO FAR, IT'S VOID OF
OUTCOMES THAT AIM HIGH FOR
PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES. UM AND I. I
ACTUALLY SIT ON THE QUALITY
INCENTIVE WORK GROUP THAT'S
DEVELOPING THESE MEASURES, AND I
HAVE TO TELL YOU IT'S BEEN A
FRUSTRATING PROCESS. THERE IS
STILL LITTLE CLARITY ABOUT WHAT
CONSTITUTES QUALITY FOR MOST
SERVICE TYPES. IN FACT, THERE
ARE 65 SERVICE CODES THAT ARE
ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A RATE
INCREASE IT A LITTLE CALCULATION
I DID ON MY OWN, AND IT LOOKS
LIKE ONLY EIGHT. OF THOSE
SERVICE CODES HAVE A MEASURE
ATTACHED TO THEM. SO MOST
PROVIDERS DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT
TO DO TO EARN THESE QUALITY
INCENTIVES, WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY
LEAD TO BETTER OUTCOMES FOR
PEOPLE. UM WE BELIEVE THAT IF
YOU DELAY THIS ANOTHER YEAR,
IT'S JUST GONNA EXACERBATE THE
PROBLEM. UM BECAUSE THE
PROVIDERS WILL ONLY GET THAT
EXTRA 10% INCENTIVE ONCE THE
FULL FUNDING OF THE RATE
INCREASE GOES TO E EFFECT GOES
INTO EFFECT. AND I REALLY ASKED
THE LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE
OVERSIGHT TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE
MOVING FORWARD WITH THESE, UH,
THESE MEASURES AND I JUST WANT
TO ALSO TAKE JUST A SECOND TO
TALK ABOUT THE NEW I Tð SYSTEM
BECAUSE IT IS DIRECTLY RELEVANT
TO ENSURING THAT PEOPLE ARE
HAVING OUTCOMES THAT THEY WANT
AND IT IT IS REALLY HARD FOR ME
TO SEE HOW WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE
TO TRACK PEOPLE'S OUTCOMES.
WITHOUT THIS. I Tð SYSTEM
MOVING. AND MOVING QUICKLY. THUS
FAR, UH Dð Dð S¼ HAS ISSUED A
QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE
LEGISLATURE, WHICH I READ AT
STATED THAT THERE WERE 100 AND
85 STAKEHOLDER SESSIONS WITH
REGIONAL CENTERS, NINE MEETINGS
WITH SELF ADVOCATES AND FAMILIES
, AND ONLY FOUR WITH PROVIDERS,
SO OBVIOUSLY IT'S BEEN HEAVY ON
THE REGIONAL CENTER SIDE. VERY
LIGHT ON THE SIDE OF THE PEOPLE
WHO ARE ACTUALLY USING THOSE
SERVICES. UM, WE DON'T REALLY
UNDERSTAND WHO'S IN CHARGE OF
MAKING THIS ALL HAPPEN, AND WE
KNOW IT'S GONNA AFFECT US, SO WE
WOULD REALLY LIKE MORE
TRANSPARENCY. IN THE PROCESS OF
DEVELOPING THE I Tð SYSTEM. SO I
KNOW WHAT THIS ALL SOUNDS MESSY.
I'M BEING LIKE A LITTLE CRITICAL
HERE. BUT WHAT I WANNA SAY IS
EVEN THOUGH IT'S MESSY, IT
DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULD DELAY
ANYTHING. BECAUSE IF WE DELAY IT
, IT MEANS THE MESS IS JUST
GOING TO LAST FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
AND SO I THINK THAT IF WE
CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH
THIS JUNE 2024 DATE, IT'S GONNA
FORCE THE DEPARTMENT TO WORK
WORK MORE CLIFF QUICKLY TO
DEVELOP THESE PERFORMANCE
MEASURES THAT THAT, UH, THAT CAN
BE INCENTIVIZED BY SERVICE
PROVIDERS AND WE JUST CAN'T KEEP
KICKING THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD
BECAUSE THIS ROAD IS LEADING TO
OUR FUTURE AND OUR CHILDREN'S
FUTURES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR LEE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL THE
PRESENTATIONS AND ALL THE
PANELISTS, UM, AT SOME POINT
WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE, YOU KNOW,
L A KEEP ALLUDING TO HAVING
ALTERNATIVES. SO IF THERE IS ANY
WAY TO ELABORATE ALTERNATIVES,
I'M NOT SURE NOW, BUT, UH, IF
ALTERNATIVES WE ARE ALWAYS ALL
EARS TO ALTERNATIVES TO BUDGET
SOLUTIONS, UH, BUT I DO WANT TO
ASK THE ADMINISTRATION THIS AND,
UM, WE HEAR THIS IN VARIOUS
DIFFERENT BUDGET, BUDGET
COMMITTEES AND SETTINGS THAT YOU
SAID THIS CUT IS HAPPENING
BECAUSE WE NEED A BUDGET
SOLUTION, BUT THAT'S MATH. THE
BUDGET IS ABOUT THE
PRIORITIZATION OF SOCIAL VALUES.
AND IF YOU WANTED TO ACHIEVE THE
SAME MATHEMATICAL CALCULATION,
YOU COULD CLOSE SOME EMPTY
PRESENTS. YOU COULD NOT EXPAND
SOME FREEWAYS. YOU COULD, UH
STOP TAX SUBSIDIZING PEOPLE'S
SECOND HOUSES. I MEAN, THOSE ARE
ALL THINGS THAT ARE IN THE
BUDGET TODAY, SO I WANT TO ASK
ADMINISTRATION. WHY IS IT THAT
YOU LOOKED AT THIS ONE TO DELAY
THE IMPLEMENTATION? IS IT
BECAUSE THERE WAS A 600 MILLION
MARK THAT WE COULD SAVE SOME
MONEY? OR IS THERE A DEEPER
RATIONALE TO THIS THAN MATH? UH,
THANK YOU, ASSEMBLY MEMBER, LEE
CHRIS O'NEILL WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. AS HAS
BEEN THE THEME AS YOU ALLUDED TO
DURING THIS BUDGET CYCLE. IT'S
BEEN ABOUT THE PROPOSALS BEFORE
YOU REFLECT DIFFICULT DECISIONS
AND IN WEIGHING THE DIFFERENT
COMPETING DEMANDS AND THE
ADMINISTRATION, UM, UNDERSTANDS
THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY
HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN
CONVERSATIONS WITH WITH
STAKEHOLDERS THROUGHOUT THE
ONSET OF IMPLEMENTATION. UM. AND
WE'LL JUST REITERATE THAT THE
ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTS THIS
INITIATIVE. AND UM YOU KNOW, THE
PROPOSAL TO DELAY IS DRIVEN BY
THE BUDGET SITUATION AND THAT,
UM. IT, YOU KNOW, DUE TO
RESOURCE AVAILABILITY, BUT AGAIN
, THE ADMINISTRATION IS
COMMITTED TO CONTINUED
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE
AND STAKEHOLDERS TO REFORM THE
Dð Dð S¼ SERVICE SYSTEM. IN A
WAY THAT'S OUTCOMES FOR FOCUSED
AND CENTERED ON HELPING EVERY
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVE THEIR SURE I
UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT WHAT
METRICS OR OUTCOMES LEAD YOU TO
SAY THIS IS THE THING THAT WE
TARGET VERSUS SOMETHING ELSE,
EVEN WITHIN THE DDS WORLD.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER, UM THE. THIS.
THIS PROPOSAL IS DRIVEN SOLELY
BY THE BUDGET SITUATION. ALL
RIGHT. THANK YOU. UM AND THEN I
DID WANT TO IF THE CHAIR ALLOW,
UM I DID WANNA FOLLOW UP ON.
SOME OF THE COMMENTS SOME OF OUR
OTHER PANELISTS MADE ABOUT, UH,
THIS IS ALLUDED TO IN THE IN THE
AGENDA AS WELL. IS THAT WHETHER
OR NOT DDS HAS BEEN AUDITING OR
ACTUALLY ENSURING THAT EVEN AS
WE PROGRESS WITH THE RATE REFORM
, IS IT BEING IMPLEMENTED ON THE
GROUND? SO HAVE YOU BEEN
CONDUCTING ANY OF THAT AUDIT OR
THAT WORK TO ENSURE THE MONEY'S
OUT THERE AND THEN? SECONDLY IF
IT ISN'T ACTUALLY BEING REALIZED
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MONEY THAT
WE'RE SAYING, WE SHOULD BE GOING
OUT TO PROVIDERS. THANK YOU FOR
THE QUESTION. PETE CHERVIN I THE
CHIEF FOR DATA ANALYTICS AND
STRATEGY AT THE DEPARTMENT, AND
IT INCLUDES THE AUDIT FUNCTION
FOR THE DEPARTMENT. UH, WE'VE
DONE A NUMBER OF THINGS IN OUR
AUDIT SECTION THAT I THAT I
WON'T GO INTO UNLESS YOU WANT
EXTRA EXTRA, UH, EXPLANATION,
BUT ON THIS PARTICULAR POINT OF
AUDITING TO THIS REQUIREMENT, UH
, WE GENERALLY DON'T AUDIT A
PROVIDER UNTIL THE FISCAL YEAR
HAS CLOSED. WE DON'T SEE THAT
OUR AUDIT PROTOCOL WILL INCLUDE
THIS UNTIL AT LEAST JULY. UH UH,
OF THE COMING YEAR, WHICH IS
ONLY A MONTHS FROM NOW. WE
CERTAINLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE
WERE PART OF NEGOTIATING THE
STATUTORY LANGUAGE THAT MADE
THIS REQUIREMENT WE'VE ALWAYS
ANTICIPATED COMMENCING THIS
AUDIT ACTIVITY JUST HASN'T
HAPPENED YET AT THIS POINT, BUT
WE DON'T HAVE ANY AUDIT
INFORMATION FROM 21 TO 22. THIS
WAS FIRST IMPLEMENTED IN 2223,
AND THAT WHEN THAT YEAR CLOSED
THAT THE INCREMENT WAS
RELATIVELY MARGINAL, SO THE
SHORT ANSWER IS NÓ, SIR. SO THE
ACCOUNTING WISE, THOUGH, IF THE
MONEY ISN'T BEING REALIZED TO
PROVIDERS WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS
TO THOSE DOLLARS? WHERE WOULD
THEY HAVE GONE? UM WE'RE OUR
AUDIT PROTOCOL ENSURES THAT THE
FUNDING IS ALWAYS SPENT,
ACCORDING TO APPLICABLE STATE
AND FEDERAL STATUTES. WE HAVEN'T
INCLUDED IN OUR PROTOCOL UP TO
THIS POINT OF VALIDATION THAT
THE THAT THE LANGUAGE IS QUITE
TECHNICAL, BUT THAT THAT THE
AMOUNT OF MONEY IS APPLIED THE
AMOUNT OF NEW MONEY APPLIED TO
THE Dð S¼ P WAGE IS COMMENSURATE
OR PROPORTIONAL TO THE AMOUNT OF
THE RATE INCREASE INCREMENT
THAT'S BEEN APPLIED. THAT MAKES
SENSE TO ABSOLUTELY NOBODY BUT
WE DON'T HAVE IT IN OUR AUDIT
PROTOCOL, UH, AT AT THIS
PARTICULAR TIME, BUT IT'S GOING
TO BE THERE AND WE INTEND TO
LOOK AT IT AS PART OF OUR
ONGOING REVIEW OF VENDORS. ALL
RIGHT. THANK YOU. I THINK IT'S
GONNA BE VERY IMPORTANT FOR US
TO RECOGNIZE. THAT GIVEN THE UM
LEVEL. UM OF UNCERTAINTY AND
FRAGILITY OF THE WORKFORCE. UM
AND GIVEN THE CONTINUED ECONOMIC
PRESSURES OF UM, LESS SKILLED.
UM, BUT YET MORE PROFITABLE JOB
OPPORTUNITIES ELSEWHERE. UM.
POSES A GREAT THREAT TO OUR
SYSTEM. AND IF WE DON'T HAVE THE
WORKFORCE THAT WE NEED UH,
THEREFORE WE WILL BE AT RISK OF
HAVING THIS COMMUNITY, UM, FALL
INTO GREATER INSTABILITY. AND
DUE TO THAT. AND DUE TO MY FIRM
STANCE ON NOT DOING THINGS THAT
WILL, UH. PUT US AT RISK OF
FURTHER INSTABILITY. THIS
COMMITTEE IS OPPOSED TO THIS
PROPOSAL. UM BUT WE ARE, UM,
LOOKING FORWARD TO FINDING WAYS.
TO IF WE CANNOT FULLY IMPLEMENT
UM, THE NEXT PHASE. THAT WE
DON'T DO A FULL PAUSE, BUT WE
KEEP MOVING FORWARD. UM, I
BELIEVE WE NEED TO HAVE ALL
OPTIONS ON THE TABLE. UNTIL WE
ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO MAKE A
DECISION. BUT LET ME BE CLEAR.
UH, I HAVEN'T FOUND ANY GOOD
NEWS YET IN THE BUDGET, EITHER.
UH, BUT WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT
AGAIN. WE DO NOT MAKE THE SAME
MISTAKES THAT WE MADE DURING THE
GREAT RECESSION. BUT THAT WE ARE
SURGICAL AS POSSIBLE. AND THAT
WE ARE NOT MAKING DECISIONS
BLINDLY OR IN A WAY THAT CAUSES
US TO MAKE RUSH DECISIONS. UM. I
HAVE A QUESTION. UH FOR, UH, THE
PANELIST. AND I THINK, UH, THE
F. THE FIRST QUESTION WOULD BE
YOU KNOW ALL THE ARE THERE ANY
ALTERNATIVES? OR WILL YOU BE
WILLING TO PROVIDE THIS
COMMITTEE WITH ALTERNATIVES? UH,
TO A FOR ALTERNATIVE TO A FULL
DELAY. UH, THAT WILL ALSO. UM
AND MANY CASES, MY AID WILL BE
ABLE TO BRING DOWN SOME FEDERAL
DOLLARS WITH THAT AS WELL. AND
THIS IS JUST A QUESTION FOR, UM
ALL THE, UH, PANELIST. THANK YOU
, MR CHAIR AND THE DEPARTMENT. I
IS OPEN TO THOSE ONGOING
DISCUSSIONS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE ON SPECIFIC OPTIONS.
MHM. HE'LL HE'LL GET TO YOU. OK?
UH, I'M NOT GOOD AT MY. THAT'S
ALL RIGHT PEOPLE JUST TRYING TO
FIGURE OUT HOW TO WAKE THIS
STUFF HERE. UH, MR CHAIR. THANK
YOU FOR THE QUESTION. I MEAN, I
THINK OBVIOUSLY OUR POSITION AT
THIS POINT IS TO TRY TO HOLD THE
LINE ON THE JULY 1ST 2024. BUT I
THINK ACK ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE
BUDGET MAY NOT GET BETTER, AND
IT MAY GET WORSE. I THINK WE'RE
VERY OPEN TO PROVIDING TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT, UM, AS
NECESSARY TO COME UP WITH SOME
VIABLE ALTERNATIVES. I. I WILL
NOTE THAT THE RATE STUDY FOUND
FAIRLY COMPREHENSIVE AND ACROSS
THE BOARD UNDERFUNDING FOR
SERVICES SO FROM A.
IMPLEMENTATION PERSPECTIVE, I
THINK, CARVING OUT PARTICULAR
SERVICE LINES AS OPPOSED TO
FINDING WAYS TO MAKE PROGRESS
ACROSS THE BOARD FOR ALL
SERVICES COULD BE PROBLEMATIC.
BUT AGAIN, WE ARE AVAILABLE AND
WILLING TO HELP AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE IN THE TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE FRONT. ASSEMBLY
MEMBER LEE I JUST WANT TO
CLARIFY, TOO, BECAUSE THERE IS A
FEDERAL COMPONENT TO THIS. WHAT
GENERALLY IS THE RATE OF
REIMBURSEMENT FOR ONE STATE
DOLLAR? WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF
FEDERAL MONEY THAT WE GET
LEVERAGE BACK? I DON'T KNOW WHO
WOULD BE BEST TO ANSWER THIS
QUESTION. COULD YOU REPEAT THE
QUESTION? I WANNA MAKE I SO I,
AS I UNDERSTAND WITH OUR RATE
REFORMS, THERE IS A FEDERAL
COMPONENT TO THIS. IT'S THE
REIMBURSEMENT RATES. UH YES,
REIMBURSEMENT RATES, BUT IT'S UM
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE RATE
WOULD BE. SO FOR EVERY ONE STATE
DOLLAR. HOW MUCH? UM OR HOW MANY
CENTS OR DOLLARS BACK. DO WE GET
FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR
PURCHASE OF SERVICES? THE SHARE
OF FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENTS IS
APPROXIMATELY 40% OF THE COST OF
PURCHASE SERVICES. 40% SO FOR
EVERY DOLLAR IT'S 40 CENTS BACK
FOR EVERY DOLLAR 60 CENTS IS
GENERAL FUND. 40 CENTS IS
FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT. OK, THAT
MAKES SENSE. AND THEN? SECONDLY
AS I RECALL TO IN THIS RATE
REFORM PROCESS, THERE WAS SOME
APPLICATIONS YOU HAD TO SUBMIT
TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AM I
CORRECT IN THIS PROCESS? SO IF
YOU WERE TO DELAY TO 25 DO YOU
HAVE TO RESUBMIT OR REDO ANY
FEDERAL, UH, APPLICATIONS?
CORRECT. YOU WOULD HAVE TO
RESTART THAT. THERE WOULD BE A
DIFFERENT PROPOSAL. YES, AND HOW
LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO RESUBMIT
TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IF YOU
WERE TO DELAY THAT THAT DEPENDS
ON THE CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE
INCLUDED IN THE WAIVER. OK? UM
AND ADMINISTRATIVELY SPEAKING
BECAUSE STATUTORILY THE RATE
REFORM WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FULLY
IMPLEMENTED BY JULY OF THIS YEAR
IS THE IS THE DEPARTMENT STILL
SO PREPARED TO DO THAT, IN THE
CASE THAT WE ARRIVE BACK TO THIS
DECISION, AND THEY WOULDN'T
COMPROMISE ANY OF OUR FEDERAL
STANDING RIGHT. AN AMENDMENT IS
CURRENTLY, UH, POSTED FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT THAT WOULD BE SUBMITTED
LATER. YES. SORRY WHAT AMENDMENT
IS THAT? AN AMENDMENT TO
IMPLEMENT FOR JULY. 2024 IS
CURRENTLY IN, UM, PUBLIC COMMENT
PHASE. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. AS WE
CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THE
PRESSURES IN TERMS OF THE RATES,
I KNOW THAT ARE, UH, MOST RECENT
UM LAWS ON SICK LEAVE, HAVE, UH,
RECENTLY HAD SOME GUIDANCE COME
OUT. THERE SEEMS TO BE CAUSING
SOME CONCERNS. UM AND SO, UM, DO
YOU ANTICIPATE? UH, THAT THE, UH
, MOST RECENT GUIDANCE OF SICK
LEAVE? UH, DO YOU ANTICIPATE
THAT BEING AN ISSUE FOR UH, OUR
SYSTEM. IT IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT
TO THE DEPARTMENT'S ATTENTION,
SO WE ARE EVALUATING THAT RIGHT
NOW. UH, ANY ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS? UH, ON THIS ITEM. SO
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT,
UM, I GO ON THE RECORD OF TO
REQUEST ON A TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE BASIS OF THAT. Dð Dð
S¼ AND DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
PROVIDE FISCAL OPTIONS TO
PROVIDE THE RATE INCREASE THAT
IS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO TAKE
PLACE ON JULY 1ST 2024 FOR THOSE
RATE CATEGORIES THAT WOULD
MAXIMIZE, UH, FEDERAL FINANCIAL
PARTICIPATION. UM. NOTING ANY
PROGRAMMATIC OR FEDERAL APPROVAL
IMPACTS OF WHICH THE LEGISLATURE
SHOULD BE AWARE. UM, I ALSO
REQUEST THAT THIS INFORMATION
COME BACK TO THE SUB COMMITTEE
STAFF. UH, THE CHAIR OF STAFF
AND THE LEGISLATIVE OFFICE
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST OFFICE
BEFORE OR BY FEBRUARY MARCH,
22ND. AGAIN BY FEB FRIDAY.
MARCH, 22ND. IN ADDITION, I
REQUEST THAT Dð Dð S¼ PROVIDE
INFORMATION ON WHEN IT PLANS TO
CONDUCT. UH, THE AUDIT ON
PROVIDERS. TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE
WITH COMPENSATION INCREASES FOR
DIRECT CARE STAFF. WITH A
BRIEFING ON THE FIGHTINGS ONCE
COMPLETED. AS PART OF THIS DDS
SHOULD EXPLAIN HOW IT WILL
COORDINATE WITH REGIONAL CENTERS
ON THIS ISSUE. UH, THIS
INFORMATION COULD BE, UH,
REQUESTED BEFORE OR BY FRIDAY,
MARCH, 22ND. LASTLY I REQUEST
INFORMATION FROM Dð B S¼ ABOUT
THE ANTICIPATED TIMELINE FOR
FINALIZING QUALITY MEASURES AND
UPGRADING THE DEPARTMENT'S I Tð
SYSTEMS. AND IF THESE WOULD BOTH
OCCUR IN TIME UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCE TO IMPLEMENT THE
9010 BY THE STATU STATUTORY TIME
FRAME. OF JULY 1ST 2020 THREE.
IS THE ADMINISTRATION AMENABLE
TO ALL THESE REQUESTS BY THE
ALLOCATED, UH, DEADLINES. MISTER
UH, DOCTOR JACKSON. UM CHRIS
O'NEILL WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE. UM THE ADMINISTRATION
IS PREPARED TO ENGAGE IN
CONVERSATIONS ON A TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE BASIS. UM FOR THE
FIRST REQUEST, WE WOULD CLARIFY
THAT, UM, WE'RE PREPARED TO
PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON,
UM OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES
IDENTIFIED BY, UM BY THE
LEGISLATURE, AND WE PROVIDE
TECHNICAL FEEDBACK ON THOSE
OPTIONS. BUT WE WOULD WE WOULD
NOT BE IN A PLACE TO PROVIDE
OPTIONS OTHER THAN WHAT'S
CURRENTLY IN THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET PROPOSAL. AND CAN YOU
TELL ME WHY THAT'S THE CASE? UH,
THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSAL IS
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET. UM BUT WE ARE
PREPARED TO ENGAGE ON A
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE BASIS ON
POTENTIAL SCENARIOS OR
ALTERNATIVES THAT, UM, MAY YOU
KNOW, MAY COME FROM THE
LEGISLATURE AND WE COULD RESPOND
TO QUESTIONS ON THOSE. YEAH. BUT
ALSO I JUST WANNA MAKE CLEAR,
UH, THAT IF WE'RE GONNA COME TO
ANY AGREEMENT, UH, THAT, UH THE
FULL PARTICIPATION IS GONNA BE
CRITICAL. UM BECAUSE, UH, THIS
WILL NOT BE A SITUATION WHERE,
UH, WE JUST, UM UM, ACQUIESCE.
TO THE PROPOSAL. BUT THIS IS
CLEARLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING
THAT IF WE DON'T BELIEVE OR FEEL
OF THIS COMMITTEE AND FEEL LIKE
THERE'S FULL ENGAGEMENT AND THEY
WANT TO COME TO A CONCLUSION
THAT I THINK WE CAN THAT I'M
CERTAINLY THINK WE CAN DO, UH,
THAT, UM THAT'S GOING TO
DEFINITELY POSE SOME SOME ISSUES
INTO THE FUTURE. UNDERSTOOD
DOCTOR JACKSON. THANK YOU. I
APPRECIATE THAT. UH, I WANNA
THANK THIS PANEL VERY MUCH.
FINALLY, THE INTER. IS IT? MHM.
YEP. THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE ON TO
ISSUE FIVE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL
FOR A MASTER PLAN FOR
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. FOR
THOSE IN THIS AUDIENCE. THIS IS
KNOWN AS ONE OF THOSE MARATHON
HEARINGS. HOW LONG CAN YOU LAST?
WE WILL FIND OUT. OH, I LOVE IT.
NEXT. SO. I THINK WE HAVE
EVERYONE SITUATED. I? YOU MAY
BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY. THANK
YOU, UH, DOCTOR JACKSON AND
AGAIN. NANCY BARGEMAN, DIRECTOR
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES, UM,
EXTREMELY PLEASED TO BE HERE
WITH YOU AND THE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS, UM TO, UM, SHARE WITH
YOU. INFORMATION REGARDING THE
MASTER PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. UM I WOULD ASK FOR A
LITTLE BIT OF GUIDANCE. IF YOU
YOU WOULD ASSIST ME TODAY. UM UH
, MR CHAIR IS THERE'S UH, TWO
DIFFERENT QUESTIONS. UM, SO I
HAVE ON THE PANEL FOR DEPARTMENT
OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES, WHICH
IS IN THE AGENDA ON PAGE 27. AND
THEN I WILL ALSO BE RESPONDING
FOR THE QUESTIONS, UM, ON BEHALF
OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH HUMAN
SERVICES, WHICH STARTS ON PAGE
31 AND ENDS ON PAGE 32. WOULD
YOU BY QUESTION IS, WOULD YOU
LIKE ME TO GO AHEAD AND GO
THROUGH BOTH SETS OF QUESTIONS
NOW? OR WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO
JUST DO THE FIRST ONE AND THEN
COME BACK. OK JUST THE FIRST
THING. ALL RIGHT, JUST THE FIRST
SET. OK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND AGAIN, I I'M EXTREMELY
PLEASED TO BE HERE. UM AND I, I
WILL SAY, UM, I WANT TO, UM I'M
ALWAYS HONORED, BUT I'M I'M HERE
WITH SUCH AN INCREDIBLE PANEL,
AND I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO, UM
, THE CONVERSATION AND HEARING
UM, INPUT FIRST II I WANNA SHARE
AND GOING TO THE QUESTIONS THAT
ARE, UM, ON THE AGENDA ON PAGE
27, CALIFORNIA'S DEPARTMENT OF.
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. WE
PROVIDE SERVICES. AS I NOTED, UM
, IN MY EARLIER TESTIMONY FOR
INDIVIDUALS IN CALIFORNIA WHO
HAVE AN INTELLECTUAL
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY. UM BUT
AS A SYSTEM, SO WHEN YOU TAKE A
LOOK AT PROVIDING SERVICES TO
CALIFORNIANS, UM, WHO ARE
RECEIVING SERVICES THROUGH
REGIONAL CENTERS? UM WE REALLY
ARE A SYSTEM OF PARTNERS. WE
REALLY ARE A SYSTEM OF PARTNERS
NOT ONLY WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES, BUT EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE
ARE DEEPLY CONNECTED TO OTHER
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS.
INDIVIDUALS WITH I Dð Dð REALLY
DEPEND NOT ONLY ON REGIONAL
CENTER SERVICES BUT EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE
SERVICES US FROM VARIOUS SYSTEMS
IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. THE
MASTER PLAN WILL CONNECT THESE
SYSTEMS MORE INTENTIONALLY, AND
WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO BUILD ON
THESE NEW CONNECTIONS IN A WAY
THAT IS VERY HOLISTIC TO SERVE
PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND
DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES, SO
THEY CAN THRIVE JUST LIKE ANY
OTHER INDIVIDUAL WHO'S IN
CALIFORNIA OR RECEIVING
SERVICES. THIS COULD BE
EXTREMELY TRANSFORMATIONAL TO
THE LIVES OF THE INDIVIDUALS
THAT WE SUPPORT. WE RECOGNIZE
THAT WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLY
CHANGING SYSTEM AND THE NEEDS OF
INDIVIDUALS, THE INDIVIDUALS,
THE DEMOGRAPHICS, BUT ALSO
REALLY, UM, A NEW GENERATION IS
COMING UP. UM I REALLY
APPRECIATED DIRECTOR XAVIER
TALKING ABOUT THE VALUE OF
EMPLOYMENT AND LOOKING AT HOW WE
HAVE KIND OF THE INTEGRATION AND
HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY OF
EXPECTATIONS AS EARLY IN LIFE.
THIS IS REALLY ONE OF THOSE
OPPORTUNITIES. US TO TAKE A STEP
BACK. LOOK AT THOSE
TRANSFORMATIONAL EFFORTS THAT WE
CAN HAVE AS A CHANGING IN THE
REALITY OF WHAT WE CAN HAVE FOR
LIFE OPPORTUNITIES, NOT JUST IN
A DAY TO DAY CHANGES, BUT ALSO
FOR LIFELONG SUCCESS. THE MASTER
PLAN IS ABOUT EMBRACING THE
ENTITLEMENT AND THE PROMISE OF
THE LANTERMAN ACT. UM, IT IS NOT
ABOUT TRYING TO TAKE A LOOK AT
WHAT ARE KIND OF SOLUTIONS. YOU
KNOW, WE RECOGNIZE THE, UM THE
CRITICAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE
FISCAL. UM, ISSUES I HAVE HEARD
FROM STAKEHOLDERS I'VE HEARD
FROM OUR COMMUNITY. IS THIS
REALLY ABOUT BUDGET SOLUTIONS?
THIS IS REALLY ABOUT LOOKING AT
A SHARED VISION WITH OUR
COMMUNITY, MAKING SURE THAT SELF
ADVOCATES AND FAMILIES ARE
LIFTING UP THEIR VOICE TO WHAT
THEY'RE LOOKING FOR IN THE
FUTURE, BUT ALSO MAKING SURE IT
INCLUDES ADVOCATES THE
LEGISLATURE. AS WE LOOK TO THE
VISION OF WHAT THE MASTER PLAN
CAN BE. IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE
DO TOGETHER, BUT WHAT'S REALLY
IMPORTANT, WHAT'S REALLY
VALUABLE IS THAT THE 36
COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT'S
APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY, YOU
KNOW THAT THEY ARE REALLY
INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE GOING TO BE
ABLE TO COME TO THE TABLE. I'M
BRINGING FORWARD. UM THE
RECOMMENDATIONS AND THIS
COMMITTEE IS REALLY DRIVEN BY
THEM. THIS IS FOR THEM. IT'S
BRINGING THEM AND THEN THEY'RE
THE ONES THAT ARE THE MOST
IMPORTANT SEAT AT THAT TABLE. UM
OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS. UM TWO
THIRDS OF THEM ARE INDIVIDUALS
WITH LIVED EXPERIENCES OR FAMILY
MEMBERS. UM WE ALSO WANNA MAKE
SURE THAT WE'RE STRENGTHENING
THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE
BUILT IN OUR EXISTING IN, UM, IN
INITIATIVES I SHARED WITH YOU
THAT WE HAVE A NUMBER OF
INVESTMENTS. THAT'S NOT TO BE
PUT ASIDE. WE WANT TO EMBRACE
THOSE. SO AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT
THOSE INCREDIBLE INVESTMENTS AND
THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE
TO DO THAT WE'RE STILL
IMPLEMENTING. YOU KNOW, WE'RE
STILL IN IN VARIOUS STAGES OF
DOING THAT, SO THIS IS TO BUILD
ON THAT TO BE ABLE TO BRING
EVERYBODY TOGETHER TO SEE WHAT
ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING.
CURTAIN INVESTMENTS. HOW DO WE
LEVERAGE THOSE INVESTMENTS MOVE
TO AN OUTCOME BASED THAT WE'RE
REALLY FOCUSED ON QUALITY? THE
EXPERIENCE? INDIVIDUALS THAT
WERE DOING IT THROUGH A LENS OF
CULTURE, YOU KNOW, HUMILITY AND
SENSITIVITY THAT WE'RE REALLY
FACING THE ISSUES OF INEQUITY IN
OUR SYSTEM AND HAVING VERY
PURPOSEFUL CONVERSATIONS AND
MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE
RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THAT WE'LL
BE ABLE TO ADDRESS IT. THE PLAN
WILL ALSO BE DEVELOPED, UM, IN
PARTNERSHIP OF INPUT FROM OUR
SISTER DEPARTMENTS, SO
CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES HAS INCREDIBLE, UM,
DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE FOCUSED ON
SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS. WE WANNA
CONTINUE THAT GREAT MOMENTUM AND
MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT
LEAVING PEOPLE BEHIND IN ANY
SYSTEM THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT WE
ARE HAVING ACCESS TO THOSE
IMPORTANT USES. SOME OF THE
QUESTIONS WAS, HOW ARE WE GOING
TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT
INDIVIDUALS ARE UNDERSTANDING
WHAT IS DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
BUT ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE
HAVING ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION
FOR THOSE SELF ADVOCATES. WE ARE
GONNA MAKE SURE THAT THE UM WORK
GROUPS AND THE INFORMATION
THAT'S SHARED NOT ONLY IN THE
COMMITTEE BUT ALSO AS WE DO
OTHER PLANNING AND ROUNDTABLE
DISCUSSIONS AND FOCUS GROUPS IS
GOING TO BE PRESENTED IN PLAIN
LANGUAGE, AND IT'S GOING TO BE
REFLECTIVE OF LANGUAGES OF THOSE
WHO HAVE, UM, PREFERENCES IN UM,
LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH.
UM, THE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS ARE
GOING TO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
WE RECOGNIZE AND WE'VE HEARD
THIS IS ACTUALLY A GOOD THING.
WE'VE HEARD DISAPPOINTMENT OF
NOT BEING APPOINTED TO THE
COMMITTEE. I'M SAD THAT PEOPLE
ARE FEELING DISAPPOINTED, BUT
THE LEVEL OF INTEREST IS SO GOOD
. AND SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT
WE OPEN THE DOOR AND MAKE SURE
THAT PUBLIC INPUT IS DEFINITELY
THERE. SO THE COMMITTEE IS NOT
THE ONLY PLACE TO BE ABLE TO
HAVE INPUT. WE'RE GOING TO BE
GOING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. THE
INTENT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE OPENING THE DOOR AND
HAVING PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE
AND ONE WAY AND REALLY PROBABLY
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WAYS
OF DOING THAT. IS GOING WHERE
PEOPLE ARE SO WE WILL HAVE ROUND
TABLE. WE'RE INVITING PEOPLE TO
MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AND KIND OF
INVITE US TO THEIR COMMUNITY.
UM, WE WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH
THE LEGISLATURE TO SEE YOU KNOW,
IN, UM VARIOUS COMMUNITIES. IF
THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN PARTNER
WITH, WE WOULD CERTAINLY WELCOME
THAT. ON THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES WEBSITE. UM
IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO
LOOK AT THAT FOR THE MASTER PLAN
FOR DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES,
THERE'S NOT ONLY AN EMAIL FOR
INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN SEND,
UM QUESTIONS TO, BUT THERE'S
ALSO A LINK TO BE ABLE TO INVITE
A ROUND TABLE IN THE COMMUNITY
WHERE INDIVIDUALS ARE UM, GOING
A LITTLE BIT MORE INTO, UM THE
IMPLEMENTATION AND ASKING KIND
OF WHAT THE GOALS ARE. YOU KNOW
THE GOALS AND STRATEGIES ARE
REALLY ABOUT A ROADMAP FOR
IMPLEMENTING EXISTING
INITIATIVES AS AS I HAVE SHARED,
BUT HAVING A WAY TO BE ABLE TO
MEASURE THOSE OUTCOMES PREVIOUS
PANELISTS HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW
WHAT ARE THOSE OUTCOMES? WHAT
ARE THOSE MEANINGFUL THINGS THAT
WERE MEASURING THAT WE CAN
REALLY SEE THAT WE ARE
BENEFITING AND IMPACTING
INDIVIDUALS. BUT THE QUESTION
IS, WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO WITH
THIS PLAN? KNOW IS THAT
SOMETHING THAT'S GONNA BE
EVALUATED AND REVISITED? ARE WE
GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MORE
CONVERSATIONS, ONE OF THE GREAT
THINGS THAT WE HAVE WITHIN
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES? UM,
DEPARTMENTS IS THE DEPARTMENT OF
AGING. THEY HAVE AN INCREDIBLE
MASTER PLAN FOR AGING. WE HAVE
LOTS OF LESSONS LEARNED THAT'S
GOING TO BE REALLY GOOD ABOUT
THAT. ONE OF THE AREAS THAT THEY
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS TO HAVE
A FOLLOW UP PROCESS SO THEY HAVE
GROUPS THAT ARE ABLE TO TAKE A
LOOK AT WHAT ARE THE
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAME OUT OF
THAT PLANNING. BEING ABLE TO
HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT YOU
KNOW, AFTER THE DELIVERY OF THE
PLAN. WHAT ARE THOSE NEXT STEPS?
WE'RE GONNA WANNA MAKE SURE THAT
THE, UM, COMMITTEE THAT WE'RE
WORKING WITH THAT THEY ARE ALSO
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS OF WHAT
IS THAT FOLLOW UP LOOK LIKE THAT
THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO
RECOMMEND SO AGAIN, CENTRALIZING
EVERYTHING ON THE COMMITTEE,
MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE LIFTING
UP THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT
THEY'RE DRIVING THE PROCESS. UM,
BUT WE'RE THERE THE WAY. SO IN CLOSING. I'M
INCREDIBLE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE
THIS CONVERSATION WITH YOU TODAY
. UM I'M I'VE I'VE BEEN WANTING
TO BE ABLE TO HAVE KIND OF A
MASTER PLAN. SO IF I SOUND A
LITTLE BIT EXCITED ABOUT IT,
THERE'S A REASON WHY THIS IS
REALLY INCREDIBLY POSITIVE FOR
OUR COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO WORK
TOGETHER FOR A SHARED VISION. UM
AND MAKE SURE THAT THE
INDIVIDUALS AND THE FAMILIES ARE
THE VOICES THAT ARE LIFTED UP
THE HIGHEST THANK YOU. JUST A
LITTLE EXCITED. JUST A LITTLE.
UH, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. CHRIS
O'NEILL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
NOTHING FURTHER TO ADD TO THE
PRESENTATION. THANK YOU,
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST. KARINA
HENDRON, L Ó. THE KEY. FINDING
THAT WE WANT TO STRESS IS THE
IMPORTANCE OF LEGISLATIVE
INVOLVEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT
AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
PROPOSED MASTER PLAN. WE
RECOMMEND THAT THE LEGISLATOR
CONSIDER INTRODUCING LEGISLATION
TO ENSURE THAT THE VISION FOR
THE MASTER PLAN AS WELL AS THE
PLAN'S ONGOING IMPLEMENTATION
REFLECTS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.
ADDITIONALLY THE LEGISLATURE MAY
WANT TO CONSIDER POTENTIAL
FUTURE COST PRESSURES OF THE
MASTER PLAN AS IT WEIGHS THE
MASTER PLAN AGAINST OTHER
FUNDING PRIORITIES. GIVEN LIKELY
BUDGET DEFICITS THROUGH 2728
UNDERSTANDING THE POTENTIAL
FISCAL IMPACTS OF THE MASTER
PLAN WILL BE KEY. AND WE ALSO
RECOMMEND THAT THE LEGISLATURE
ASKED THE ADMINISTRATION TO
PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
WHAT IT HAS CONSIDERED THUS FAR
ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE
LEGISLATURE AND ONGOING
OVERSIGHT ONCE A PLAN IS OFF THE
GROUND. THANK YOU VERY MUCH NEXT
NEXT PANELIST. UM WITH ME. I
THINK SO. OH, THIS. MAKE SURE
THAT THE MICROPHONE IS
SUFFICIENT, SO WE ALSO NEED THE
INTERPRETER TO HEAR AS WELL BY
THE WAY. OH, WELL. YOU THEM AND
BE THEM. THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN JAS
JACKSON AND THE COMMITTEE AND
SUBCOMITTEE MEMBERS. MY NAME IS
THE NAME. MY NAME IS SASHA
BITTNER. AND I'M A MEMBER OF NEW
MONTH PLAN. TAKE ALL THE GROUP.
AND I'M A MEMBER. THANK YOU. SAY
IT AGAIN. AND I REMEMBER
EVERYTHING, AND I'M A MEMBER OF
THE NEW MASTER PLAN. I THEY GO
THE STAKEHOLDER GROUP. A ALL
NUDE. I'M HONORED TO BE ABOUT A
BIT. I'M HONORED TO BE A PART OF
THIS. I HAVE SERVED AS CHAIR OF
THE STATE COUNCIL ON
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES CHAIR
OF THE REGIONAL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE AREA. FIVE CO-CHAIR OF
THE GOLDEN GATE REGIONAL CENTER,
SELF DETERMINATION LOCAL
ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND CURRENTLY
SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE SAN
FRANCISCO I HÌ S¼ S¼ PUBLIC
AUTHORITY GOVERNING BOARD AND I,
DEPUTY IN 1970 THREE. THE EURO
BORN BORN THE YEAR I WAS BORN,
THE LANDERMAN ACT. EXPANDED TO
INCLUDE PEOPLE WITH THEIR THE.
TO INCLUDE PEOPLE WITH CEREBRAL
PALSY. I LIKE ME LIKE ME. THIS
LEGISLATION PROMISED A NEW ERA
FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
PEOPLE THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE
SUPPORT WE NEED TO LEAD FULL,
REWARDING LIVES IN OUR
COMMUNITIES. INSTEAD OF BEING
SENTENCED TO NURSING HOMES OR
STATE HOSPITALS, WHILE WE ARE IN
MUCH BETTER IN A MUCH BETTER
SITUATION THAN THE BAD OLD DAYS,
WHEN WE WERE LOCKED UP AND OUT
OF SIGHT, DEVELOPMENTALLY
DISABLED PEOPLE AND THEIR
FAMILIES CAN STILL FACE DAWNING
BARRIERS IN SECURING NEEDED
SERVICES. I HOPE THIS
STAKEHOLDER GROUP WILL HELP
REMOVE THESE BARRIERS AS WE
EXAMINE HOW TO ACHIEVE CRUCIALLY
NEEDED REVISIONS TO REGULATIONS
CONSISTENT PRACTICES ACROSS
REGIONAL CENTERS, A MORE
STREAMLINED PROCESS, SUFF
FUNDING AND OTHER REFORMS TO
ENSURE TIMELY ACCESS TO QUALITY
SERVICES. AND THAT ACCESS SHOULD
NOT BE LIMITED TO PEOPLE LIKE ME
WHO HAVE TIRELESS ADVOCATES LIKE
MY MOM WHO HAS SPENT SO MUCH OF
HER OWN LIFE, TRYING TO SECURE
NEEDED SUPPORT AND SERVICES FOR
ME, ALL CLIENTS, FAMILIES AND
OTHER ADVOCATES SHOULD FIND THE
SYSTEM EASY TO NAVIGATE AND
RESPONSIVE TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL
NEEDS, WITH NÓ BARRIERS AS A
RESULT OF DISABILITY LANGUAGE
INCOME, EDUCATION LEVEL LACK OF
ADVOCACY, TRAINING RACE OR ANY
OTHER REASON IT IS NOT FOR ANY
OF US TO GET SUBPAR SERVICES OR
FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS. WHILE
I'VE BEEN ON MANY ADVISORY
COMMITTEES THAT HAVE FOCUSED ON
BETTER MEETING THE NEEDS OF
CALIFORNIANS WITH DIVE,
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, I'M
VERY EXCITED TO FINALLY HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO TACKLE THE
RELEVANT ISSUES SO COMPA
COMPREHENSIVELY. WITH GUIDANCE
FROM CLIENTS, FAMILIES,
ADVOCATES, PROVIDERS AND OTHERS.
I HOPE WE WILL BE ABLE TO USE
OUR COMBINED KNOWLEDGE AND
TALENTS TO FIND INNOVATIVE,
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO THE
PROBLEMS THAT UNDERMINE THE FULL
REALIZATION OF THE LANDERMAN
ACT. AND WHILE I HAVE YOUR
ATTENTION, I'M VERY TROUBLED BY
THE PROPOSED DELAY IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RATE STUDY
. IT CERTAINLY WON'T HELP THE
LONG EXISTING LONG DELAYS IN
SECURING NEEDED SERVICES, MUCH
LESS ALLEVIATE THE ALREADY DIRE
DIRECT STAFF SHORTAGE. AND FOR
US TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY
IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE AND VIABLE
NEW PROGRAMS OR REIMAGINE THE
ONES WE ALREADY HAVE. OUR SYSTEM
NEEDS TO BE FULLY FUNDED. WITH
THE IDEAS AND ACTION PLANS
GENERATE GENERATED BY THE
STAKEHOLDER GROUP IN CONJUNCTION
WITH A SUFFICIENT LEVEL OF
FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITY SYSTEM. CALIFORNIA
CAN BECOME AN ASPIRATIONAL MODEL
FOR THE NATION CAN PREPARE. WE
CAN FINALLY FULFILL THE VISION
OF THE LANDERMAN ACT. IN
ENSURING THAT PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITY THAT PEOPLE WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES HAVE
ACCESS TO THE WEATHER THAN THE
BOAT, THE SERVICES AND SUPPORT
THEY NEED. TO LIVE FOR THE SELF
DETERMINED AND THEN INCLUDE THE
AND INCLUSIVE LIVES. YOU KNOW,
BEAUTIFUL TODAY IN OUR BEAUTIFUL
STATE. THANK YOU. WELL, SASHA, I
KNOW WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE YOU. I
KNOW A MASTER WHEN I SEE ONE.
AND YOU FULLY UTILIZED YOUR TIME
. VERY WELL. AND I WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR BEING WILLING. TO
PROVIDE US WITH LEADERSHIP TO
MAKE THIS HAPPEN. SO THANK YOU
FOR BEING WITH US TODAY. THANK
YOU FOR INVITING ME. THANK YOU,
UH, DOCTOR JACKSON AND, UH,
MEMBERS OF THE SUB COMMITTEE.
FIRST OF ALL FOR INVITING ME. UM
MY NAME IS MARTY OMOTO. I AM UH,
THE FOUNDER OF èC Dð CAN
CALIFORNIA DISABILITY AN AGING
COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK, AND
I'VE BEEN AN ADVOCATE AND AN
ACTIVIST FOR OVER 50 YEARS, AND
THAT STARTED IN MOST IMPORTANTLY
OF ALL IT STARTED, UM BECAUSE OF
MY OLDER SISTER, ELENA. WHO HAD
A WHO HAD A DEVELOPMENTAL,
DISABILITY, PHYSICAL
DISABILITIES AND BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH NEEDS. SO LIKE YOU UH AND
I'VE I'VE HEARD YOU IN MANY
HEARINGS. WHEN YOU TALKED OF HOW
YOU BR BROUGHT YOU INTO THIS
FIELD AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO
HUMAN SERVICES IS BECAUSE OF THE
CRISIS THAT YOUR FAMILY FACED
AND HOW YOU HAD TO DEAL WITH IT.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANT TO
YOU AND TO YOUR FAMILY. UM AND I
HAD THE SAME COMMITMENT TO MY
SISTER. UH, WE WERE CLOSE IN AGE
I WAS WITH HER THROUGH THE POINT
OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. SPECIAL
EDUCATION ALL THE WAY THROUGH
HIGH SCHOOL AND ALL THE YEARS
AFTER AND SEEING HOW HER HEALTH
EVENTUALLY DETERIORATED AND SHE
PASSED AWAY. UH, IN HER FIFTIES,
UH, IN 2003 AS WE WERE
ORGANIZING PROTESTS TO STOP THE
SUSPENSION OF THE LANTERMAN ACT
RIGHT OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL. I'M
ALSO THE FATHER. THE PROUD
FATHER OF ALEX, WHO HAS HE'S 31
YEARS OLD. HE HAS DOWN SYNDROME.
IS ON THE SPECTRUM. HE'S
ACTUALLY HERE IN THE AUDIENCE.
UH, I'VE KNOWN HIM SINCE HE WAS
SEVEN YEARS OLD. UH AND I HE I
WAS A CLOSE FRIEND OF HIS MOM'S
HIS MOM AS SHE WAS DYING. UM
PLEADED WITH ME. THEY HAD NÓ
FAMILY. NÓ CIRCLE SUPPORT OTHER
THAN ME AS A FRIEND. YOU TAKE
CARE OF THEM. AND SO THAT'S A
PROMISE I MADE TO HER. UM AS SHE
PASSED AWAY. AND HE'S BEEN WITH
ME EVER SINCE. UM. HE WAS 25
WHEN SHE DIED, AND HE IS NOW 31.
AND SO THAT'S A PROMISE I INTEND
TO ALWAYS KEEP. AND THAT'S ALSO
THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON WHY
I'M HERE. I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF
THE MASTER PLAN FOR
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. AND ALSO
SERVED ON MANY OTHER TASK FORCE
WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
AGAIN. BECAUSE OF THAT
COMMITMENT THAT I HAD TOWARDS MY
FAMILY THAT YOU ALSO SHARE. I
ACTUALLY SEE THAT THERE ARE
MODELS OUT THERE THAT AND I AND
THE SUB COMMITTEE ANALYSIS, UH,
MENTIONS THIS THAT THE MASTER
PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
CAN FOLLOW. UH, THE MASTER PLAN
FOR AGING. I ACTUALLY WORKED ON
THAT I WAS A MEMBER APPOINTED
MEMBER OF TWO OF THE KEY
SUBCOMMITTEES. AND I ALSO WAS AN
APPOINTED MEMBER ON ON ANOTHER
TASK FORCE THAT I THINK THIS
COULD BE A MODEL FOR IT WAS THE
FUTURE OF DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS
TASK FORCE. UM BOTH OF THOSE. A
STAKEHOLDER GROUPS WERE FOCUSED.
TO A SPECIFIC GOAL. UH, THEY
WERE TARGETED. THEY WERE PERSON
CENTERED AND ACROSS SYSTEMS. AND
SO I THINK THOSE ARE GOOD MODELS
FOR US TO LOOK AT IN TERMS AS WE
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS TO DEVELOP.
AND ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT THE
MASTER PLAN FOR, UH, FOR
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. AND THE
OTHER THING WITH THE MASTER PLAN
FOR AGING, WHICH I THINK WILL BE
KEY FOR THE MASTER PLAN FOR
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES IS THAT
ALL OF US AS ADVOCATES ON THE
STAKEHOLDER GROUPS CAME TO AN
AGREEMENT THAT WE HAD TO PUT
FORWARD, UH NOT ONLY TO THE
ADMINISTRATION, BUT ALSO TO YOU
AS THE LEGISLATURE. MEANINGFUL
ACTIONS, DEPTHS, UH, THAT COULD
BE ACHIEVED IN THE SHORT TERM
AND IN THE LONG TERM, SO IT
WASN'T JUST ASPIRATIONAL. IT WAS
ACTUALLY ACTION STEPS THAT COULD
HAPPEN. AND THEY WERE ACTION
STEPS THAT WERE WHOLE PERSON
CENTERED CROSSING DIFFERENT
SYSTEMS. UM TO ACTUALLY MAKE A
DIFFERENCE TO OLDER
CALIFORNIANS. THE KEY
FOUNDATION. I THINK AS WE MOVE
FORWARD WITH THE MASTER PLAN
FOR, UH, I'M SORRY FOR
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. IS THAT
IT HAS TO HAVE THE FOUNDATION
THAT IT'S WHOLE PERSON CENTERED.
THAT IT IS TIED TO THE NEEDS. OF
THE INFANTS. CHILDREN AND ADULTS
AND OLDER ADULTS WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. UM,
THAT IS TIED. TO THE WHOLE
PERSON. LIFE OF THE FAMILIES.
IT'S TIED TO THE WHOLE PERSONAL
LIFE OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF
AND DEAF PLUS WHO ALSO HAVE
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. OR
MAYBE, UH, MEMBERS OF FAMILIES.
IT'S ALSO THE WHOLE PERSON S¼,
UH, WHOLE PERSON CENTERED FOCUS
ON THE PEOPLE WHO PROVIDE
SERVICES. AND WHY IS THAT SO
IMPORTANT? BECAUSE. AT THE END
OF THE DAY. THE MASTER PLAN FOR
DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES NEEDS TO
TAKE A MAJOR STEP, AND THIS IS
SOMETHING THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO
IN THIS ACTIONABLE IS TO BREAK
THE SILOS OF DIFFERENT SYSTEMS
THAT CREATE BARRIERS. BARRIERS
TO MY SON BARRIERS TO THE PEOPLE
OUT IN THE HALLWAY WHO ARE
LISTENING TO THIS HEARING OR IN
THE NEXT HEARING ROOM OR THE
PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE? BARRIERS
TO ACCESSING THE HOUSING THEY
NEED. THE TRANSPORTATION THEY
NEED TO HAVE. THE HEALTH CARE.
THE SUPPORTS AND SERVICES, THE
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, THE EDUCATION
AND EMPLOYMENT. AND THE WELLNESS
SERVICES AND SO MUCH MORE, MY
SON. ALEX AND MY SISTER, ELENA.
HAD A COMPLETE LIFE. EVEN IF MY
SISTER'S LIFE ENDED EARLY, AND
EVEN IF ALEX LOST HIS MOM'S LIFE
, THE THING IS, WE NEED TO STATE
OF CALIFORNIA, AND WE EAT ALL OF
US AS ADVOCATES AND POLICY
MAKERS TO LOOK AT MY SON AND
EVERYONE ELSE IN THIS ROOM AND
OUTSIDE AS A COMPLETE HUMAN
BEING. AND I THINK YOU
UNDERSTAND THIS BECAUSE YOU
SPOKE OF THAT IN PREVIOUS
HEARINGS. IT MEANS THAT OUTCOMES
WILL BE TIED TO THE INDIVIDUAL.
AND IT MEANS THAT YOU TIE OUT
ACCOUNTABILITY TO THOSE PERSON
CENTERED OUTCOMES. AND THAT WILL
THEN BRING I THINK, UH, WHAT YOU
MENTIONED EARLIER AT THE START
OF THIS HEARING. STABILITY. THAT
FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS ALWAYS
HOPE FOR AND. ONE MORE POINT AND
SO GOING BACK TO THE POINT
RAISED BY THE LEGISLATIVE
ANALYST, AND I THINK IT WAS ALSO
IN THE SUB COMMITTEE ANALYSIS
ABOUT THE CONCERN OF MOVING
FORWARD ON A MASTER PLAN FOR
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES DURING
VERY BAD BUDGET TIMES. AND DOES
IT RAISE EXPECTATIONS? AND HOW
DO YOU LOOK AT IMPLE
IMPLEMENTING SOMETHING, UM, OR
STEPS WHEN WE THERE'S A AN
ENORMOUS BUDGET SHORTFALL. I
THINK, IF ANYTHING ELSE FIRST OF
ALL, THE MASTER PLAN FOR AGING
WAS DEVELOPED IN GOOD BUDGET
TIMES. BUT WHEN WE WORKED ON
DEVELOPING IT, WE RECOGNIZE THAT
THOSE GOOD TIMES WOULD NOT LAST.
AND THE VERY FACT THAT MASTER
PLAN FOR AGING EXISTS NOW.
UNDERSCORES THE NEED FOR A
MASTER PLAN BECAUSE IT PROVIDES
A BLUEPRINT AND A ROAD MAP FOR
YOU AS POLICYMAKERS AND FOR US
AS ADVOCATES TO REALLY LOOK AT
WHAT'S THE IMPACT OF MAKING
CERTAIN DECISIONS, AND YOU
RAISED THIS EARLIER WHETHER IT'S
TO CUTS OR REDUCTIONS OR
WHATEVER IT IS ON THE
INDIVIDUAL. RATHER THAN JUST ON
A SYSTEM. AND SO IF ANYTHING
ELSE, THE DE THE MASTER PLAN FOR
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES WILL
ACTUALLY HELP US NOT ONLY
THROUGH GOOD BUDGET TIMES, BUT
THROUGH BAD ONES AS WELL. LASTLY
WELL, WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I JUST
WANNA SAY STARS SHOW I THOUGHT I
WAS WE WERE THE SAME AGE, BUT
APPARENTLY WE'RE NOT. SO SASHA
AND I HAVE WORKED TOGETHER AS
ADVOCATES FOR LIKE FOREVER, BUT
I GUESS, UH, I'M A LOT OLDER
THAN HER. I JUST WANNA SAY,
LASTLY, THE NEED FOR THE MASTER
PLAN. THERE'S A SENSE OF URGENCY
THAT UM A LOT OF US HAVE UM, AS
A FAMILY MEMBER AND AS A FATHER.
I'M GONNA BE 70 YEARS OLD THIS
YEAR. MY DAD DIED WHEN HE WAS
81. I KNOW I'M RUNNING OUT OF
TIME. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH TIME
I HAVE. TO FIGHT FOR MY SON. AND
TO KEEP THE PROMISE I MADE TO
HIS MOM. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH
TIME I HAVE. TO FIGHT AS AN
ADVOCATE FOR EVERYONE ELSE IN
THIS ROOM. AND EVERY OTHER
FAMILY IN THIS ROOM AND EVERY
OTHER INDIVIDUAL WHO IS
DESPERATE FOR SERVICES THAT
THEY'RE NOT GETTING. HAD THAT
SAME SENSE OF URGENCY BECAUSE
THEY'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME,
TOO. AND SO FOR WE ASK YOU. AS
YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE MASTER
PLAN FOR A, UH FOR DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES TO JUST ENSURE THAT
IT'S MEANINGFUL. THAT IT WILL
MAKE A DIFFERENCE THAT IT'S NOT
GONNA BE JUST SOME DOCUMENT OR
REPORT THAT NÓ ONE WILL READ AND
NÓ ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. AND I
THINK THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
IF THE FOUNDATION IS BASED ON
THE WHOLE PERSON. AND THAT THE
NEEDS OF THAT WHOLE PERSON IS
TIED TO OUTCOMES. AND THAT LEADS
TO ACCOUNTABILITY. IF THAT
HAPPENS. GOOD THINGS CAN MAKE
CAN CAN BEGIN TO HAPPEN FOR MY
SON. AND FOR EVERYONE ELSE, SO
THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIR AND MEMBERS
. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY
TO TESTIFY TODAY. MY NAME IS
WILLIAM MINER. I'M SPEAKING ON
BEHALF OF DISABILITY RIGHTS,
CALIFORNIA AND I ALSO SIT HERE
TODAY AS THE BROTHER OF SOMEONE
WHO IS SERVED BY OUR SYSTEM. MY
COMMENTS TODAY ARE INFORMED BY
Dð R èC S¼ LEGAL ADVOCACY ON
BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE WE SUPPORT.
BY A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE
STRUCTURAL BARRIERS THAT OUR
CLIENTS FACE AND, MOST
IMPORTANTLY, BY SHARED
COMMITMENTS TO RISE ABOVE THOSE
BARRIERS. I HAVE FOUR POINTS TO
MAKE. THREE OF THEM TODAY ARE
GOING TO BE ABOUT THE SUBSTANCE
OF WHAT WE HOPE TO SEE IN THE
MASTER PLAN, AND THE FOURTH IS
GOING TO BE ABOUT THE PROCESS.
FIRST WE SHARE THE AGENCIES
AGENCIES VISION THAT THE
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES SYSTEM
CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT OPERATE IN
ISOLATION. BUT THIS VISION CAN'T
BE REALIZED. WHILE OUR CURRENT
STRUCTURES SEEM PREMISED ON THIS
BELIEF THAT SILOING IS SOMEHOW
NECESSARY TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL
AND STATE, WE CALL THEM PAYER OF
LAST RESORT RULES. WHERE PEOPLE
ARE TOLD THAT THESE RULES MEAN
THAT THEY AND THEIR FAMILIES
NEED TO EXHAUST ALL SOURCES OF
FUNDING ALL OTHER SERVICES FROM
OTHER SYSTEMS BEFORE THE
REGIONAL CENTER WILL STEP IN AND
HELP. IT'S AT THIS POINT WHERE
WE SEE PEOPLE FALLING THROUGH
THE CRACKS, AND THE MASTER PLAN
MUST BEGIN THE HARD WORK OF
SEALING THESE CRACKS BY PITTING
THE BURDEN ON OUR SYSTEMS AND
ALL OF US AND SYSTEMS, NOT
INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE, BUT ON
SYSTEMS TO SOLVE SYSTEM LEVEL
PROBLEMS, LIKE PAIR OF MASTERS
OR ISSUES. SO THIS MEANS A FEW
THINGS. IT MEANS STRENGTHENING
CO ORDINATION ACROSS SYSTEMS. IT
MEANS CLOSING THE LOOP. WHEN
REFERRALS ARE MADE, IT MEANS
EXPLORING NÓ WRONGS OR PRACTICES
AND FUNDING MODELS THAT ARE
ALIGNED WITH WHAT MARTY WAS
TALKING ABOUT CALIFORNIA'S
VISION OF WHOLE PERSON CARE. UM
IT ALSO MEANS WE HAVE TO INCLUDE
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THESE OTHER
SYSTEMS AS PARTNERS IN THE
MASTER PLAN PROCESS. WE CAN'T DO
THIS ALONE. THIS BRINGS BRINGS
ME TO MY SECOND POINT. YOU KNOW,
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SYSTEMS,
BUT WE ALSO NEED TO LOOK WITHIN
OUR OWN SYSTEM. AND IN
PARTICULAR, THE MASTER PLAN
NEEDS TO EXAMINE THE GOVERNANCE
STRUCTURE OF OUR SYSTEM
STRUCTURES THAT GIVE REGIONAL
CENTERS WHAT I'D CALL BROAD AND
PERHAPS NEARLY UNCHECKED
DISCRETION TO DEVELOP BOTH
WRITTEN AND UNWRITTEN RULES
ABOUT WHAT SERVICE THE SERVICES
ARE AUTHORIZED AND WHOM. WE'VE
SEEN THAT THIS PATCHWORK OF
LOCAL PRACTICES, IN EFFECT LIMIT
BOTH THE SCOPE AND THE
GEOGRAPHIC AVAILABILITY OF
SERVICES AND DEEPLY PROBLEMATIC
WAYS. INCLUDING IN WAYS THAT
HAVE RACIALLY DISPARATE IMPACTS
ON PEOPLE. UM AND TO SUCH A
DEGREE THAT I FEAR THAT WE MIGHT
BE PITTING FEDERAL FUNDING AT
RISK, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE OFTEN SAY
IN THE SYSTEM WITH A RESIGNATION
21, DIFFERENT REGIONAL CENTERS,
21 DIFFERENT WAYS OF DOING
THINGS. UM, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?
I? I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER THAN
THAT. AND PEOPLE DESERVE A
SYSTEM WITH SERVICE
AUTHORIZATION STANDARDS THAT ARE
ASCERTAINABLE THAT OUR
TRANSPARENT THAT ARE EQUITABLE
AND THAT SHOULDN'T DEPEND ON
WHETHER SOMEONE LIVES IN THE
REDWOOD COAST OR THE INLAND
EMPIRE OR ANYWHERE IN BETWEEN.
MY THIRD POINT IS THAT WE
ENVISION A MASTER PLAN THAT
BUILDS ON AND TIES TOGETHER SOME
OF THE GOOD WORK THAT'S BEEN
DONE SO FAR. THE WORK ON THE
QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM, THE
9010 WORK ON REGIONAL CENTER
PERFORMANCE MEASURES. UM FOR TOO
LONG. OUR SYSTEM HAS BEEN DRIVEN
BY COMPLIANCE BASED METRICS THAT
SEEM TO CARE MORE ABOUT THE
VOLUME OF SERVICES PROVIDED
RATHER THAN WHETHER THOSE
SERVICES ARE ACTUALLY EFFECTIVE
AND THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS. ON
THAT FRONT. THERE HAS BEEN, BUT
IT'S FELT FRAGMENTED, SO THE
MASTER PLAN NEEDS TO ENSURE THAT
THESE FUNDING MODELS AT BOTH THE
REGIONAL CENTER AND THE PROVIDER
LEVEL ARE ALIGNED IN SHAPE A
SYSTEM WHERE PEOPLE ARE
SUPPORTED, UM, TO ACHIEVE THE
OUTCOMES THAT MATTER, MOST TO
THEM. TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO Kò
AND LIVES OF THEIR OWN DESIGN.
IT'S EVERY ALL THE THINGS THAT
SASHA WAS TALKING ABOUT. AND
LASTLY, IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO
TRUST THE OUTCOMES THAT ARISE
FROM THE MASTER PLAN NEED TO
TRUST THE PROCESS THAT GETS TO
THOSE OUTCOMES. SO THIS MEANS
PRACTICES LIKE USING A USING AN
EXTERNAL FACILITATOR TO BUILD
TRUST. IT MEANS DEVELOPING A
TRANSPARENT DECISION MAKING
STRUCTURE. UM, IT MEANS BRINGING
IN TECHNICAL AND SUBJECT MATTER
EXPERTS TO HELP THE WORKING
GROUP AS MEMBERS IDENTIFY.
WHAT'S THE DATA? THAT'S THERE.
WHAT ARE KEY GAPS IN THE DATA?
WHAT ARE BEST PRACTICES THAT WE
CAN LOOK AT IN OTHER STATES? UM
AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, MOST
IMPORTANTLY, IT MEANS INVITING
IN PEOPLE WITH I Dð Dð SERVICE
BY OUR SYSTEM, NOT JUST AS
CONSULTANTS BUT AS PARTNERS IN
DECISION MAKING. UM, AND IN
CLOSING, I'LL ADD THAT WHEREVER
THIS GOES, UM WE NEED MORE THAN
JUST RECOMMENDATIONS, AND MARTY
SAID IT WELL, WE NEED ACTIONABLE
CHANGES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
IN IN PEOPLE'S LIVES. PEOPLE
HAVE WAITED LONG ENOUGH. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. I'D
BE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AS
WELL. GOOD AFTERNOON, AMY
WESLING FROM ARCA THE LAST TIME
THIS AFTERNOON, I PROMISE, SO I
GREATLY THAT'S WHAT THEY ALL SAY
YOU CAN HOLD ME TO IT, SO I
GREATLY APPRECIATE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN FROM THE
REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE FROM THE
REGIONAL CENTER PERSPECTIVE
ABOUT THE TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY
. THE MASTER PLAN FOR
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES OFFERS
OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. AS MR
OMOTO NOTED, THIS EFFORT
NATURALLY FOLLOWS FROM THE WORK
OF THE FIRST DEVELOPMENTAL
CENTER TASK FORCE, WHICH DEVISED
A PLAN FOR CLOSING OUR STATE'S
INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS FOR THOSE
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES,
AND WE ACHIEVED THAT. AND LATER
THE DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES TASK
FORCE, WHICH EXPLORED HOW TO
FILL GAPS IN THE COMMUNITY BASED
SYSTEM AND LAID THE GROUNDWORK
FOR NEW MODELS OF CARE AND
ULTIMATELY FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE
FUNDING MODELS FOR OUR SERVICE
PROVIDERS. OUR SYSTEM IS ONE
THAT IS ALWAYS EVOLVING. AND
THOSE CHANGES ARE WHAT DRIVE US
TO DO MORE AND THINK BIGGER
ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE SERVE BY
REGIONAL CENTERS CAN ACHIEVE. AT
ONE TIME CARE AND SUPERVISION
OUTSIDE OF AN INSTITUTIONAL
SETTING WAS VISIONARY IN CUTTING
EDGE. NOW WE SUPPORT MANY PEOPLE
TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN. AND WORK
AND INTEGRATED SETTINGS WITH
SUPPORT, WHICH IS AN OUTCOME.
THE FOUNDERS OF OUR SYSTEM COULD
NOT HAVE EVEN IMAGINED. THESE
CHANGES HAVE BEEN DRIVEN BY THE
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND
PASSIONS OF SELF ADVOCATES AND
THEIR FAMILIES FROM WHOM WE HAVE
LEARNED SO MUCH AND WHO DESERVE
TO BE CENTRAL TO THE
CONVERSATION AND DRIVING IT. THE
QUESTIONS THE MASTER PLAN SHOULD
SEEK TO ANSWER ARE WHAT IS OUR
COLLECTIVE VISION FOR THE
FUTURE. AND HOW DO WE GET THERE
TOGETHER? IN SHORT, WHAT IS AS
DIRECTOR BARGEMAN PUT IT, OUR
SHARED VISION OR THE NEXT NORTH
STAR? WE ARE ALL STRIVING TO
REACH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS
PLAN MUST ADHERE TO THE
FOLLOWING CORE PRINCIPLES FIRST
AND FOREMOST THE PRESERVATION OF
THE ENTITLEMENT AS WE KNOW IT
HERE IN CALIFORNIA. OTHER STATES
CLAIM TO BE ENTITLEMENT STATES,
BUT WE KNOW THE TRUTH. WE HAVE
THE NATION'S ONLY ENTITLEMENT.
THAT IS TRUE. AND UM, ALLOWS
THOSE EVEN WHO ARE NOT ENROLLED
IN THE MEDICAID WAIVER TO
PARTICIPATE IN SERVICE DELIVERY.
EQUITY AND FLEXIBILITY. WE MUST
ENSURE THE EQUITABLE
AVAILABILITY, INCLUDING ALONG
RACIAL, ETHNIC GEOGRAPHIC,
SOCIO-ECONOMIC, SOCIOECONOMICAL
AND LINGUISTIC LINES OF FLEXIBLE
SERVICES, INCLUDING THOSE
RESPONSIVE TO INDIVIDUAL
CULTURES THAT PEOPLE NEED TO
REACH THEIR OWN PERSON CENTERED
GOALS. COMMUNITY INCLUSION. WE
MUST SUPPORT COMMUNITY INCLUSION
AND PARTICIPATION, INCLUDING AN
EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING,
TRANSPORTATION AND BEYOND. WE
ARE AT A PLACE WHERE WE ARE
STRIVING TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE
WE SUPPORT ARE ACTIVE MEMBERS OF
THEIR COMMUNITIES, WHICH
BENEFITS NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE WE
SERVE BUT MAKES COMMUNITIES ALL
THE MUCH RICHER. AS HAS BEEN
MENTIONED. WE HAVE TO BREAK DOWN
SILOS AND WE HAVE TO STREAMLINE
ACCESS TO GENERIC SERVICES. WE
AND WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO
DO THAT WITHOUT SACRIFICING
FEDERAL DOLLARS BECAUSE WE KNOW
THAT OUR SYSTEM IS HEAVILY
DEPENDENT ON THE THOSE FUNDS. WE
ALSO KNOW IN THAT SAME VEIN,
HOWEVER, THAT THE PRESENCE OF
DISABILITY IN A FAMILY BRINGS
COUNTLESS PROFESSIONALS INTO
PEOPLE'S LIVES. AND IT SHOULD
NOT BE A FULL TIME JOB FOR
FAMILIES AND FOR INDIVIDUALS. WE
SUPPORT TO COORDINATE THOSE
SERVICES, SO WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE
OUT HOW TO BREAK DOWN SILOS AND
HOW TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A
MORE SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE FOR
THOSE WE SERVE. TECHNOLOGY AND
DATA WE NEED, AS MS MARKS SAID
ON THE LAST PANEL. WE NEED TO
ENSURE THAT OUR DATA SYSTEMS
CONTINUE TO IMPROVE SO THAT WE
KNOW WHAT OUTCOMES ARE. WE ARE
ACHIEVING AND WHERE WE STILL
HAVE ROOM TO GROW. WE ALSO KNOW
THAT TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING THE
WORLD AROUND US, AND WE NEED TO
ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ARE
PART OF THAT EQUATION THAT WE
USE TECHNOLOGY IN A WAY THAT
ENRICHES THEIR LIVES, AND THAT
MAKES THEM BRINGS THEM ALONG IN
THAT PROCESS. ULTIMATELY WE NEED
TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. WE'RE
NOT JUST BUILDING A SYSTEM FOR
TODAY, BUT FOR TOMORROW AS WELL
BY TAKING INTO ACCOUNT CHANGING
DIAGNOSTICS AND DEMOGRAPHIC
TRENDS AND THE THINGS THAT WE
CAN SEE COMING SO THAT WE CAN
ANTICIPATE NEEDS BEFORE WE ARE
FAILING TO MEET THEM. IN CLOSING
IN ORDER TO BRING THE VISION TO
LIFE, OUR COLLECTIVE VISION THAT
WE WILL FORM THROUGH THIS
PROCESS AND ENSURE THAT THIS
WORK DOESN'T RESULT IN A REPORT
THAT SITS ON A SHELF SOMEWHERE.
THE PROPOSED STRATEGIES MUST
ALSO INCLUDE ESTABLISHING AND
MAINTAINING SUSTAINABLE FUNDING
FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS AND
SYSTEMATICALLY ADDRESSING
WORKFORCE CAPACITY CHALLENGES.
THANK YOU. QUESTIONS FROM
MEMBERS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO
ALL THE PRESENTERS. UM I DO
THINK, GENERALLY SPEAKING, THIS
IS A GOOD THING TO HAVE MORE
INSTITUTIONALIZED REPRESENTATION
OF, UH, THOSE. UH, WHO ARE
PARENTS OR THOSE WHO ARE IN THE
ID COMMUNITY? BROADLY SPEAKING.
UH, BUT AS WE TALK ABOUT THIS IN
THE BUDGETARY CONTEXT, TOO, AND
A Ó MENTIONED THIS WHAT IS THE
ANTICIPATED BUDGET PRESSURE OR
COSTS THAT COULD EXIST FROM THIS
BECAUSE IN THE PAST WHEN WE DID
MASTER PLANS, FOR OTHER THINGS,
THE DEPARTMENTS SO IT COST LOTS
AND LOTS OF MONEY. SO WHAT IS
THE PRICE TAG ON THIS ONE? THEY
JUST PAY. THANK YOU FOR THE
QUESTION. AND AGAIN. NANCY
BARGEMAN, DIRECTOR OF Dð, Dð S¼,
UM AS WE'RE LOOKING AT THE
MASTER PLAN, IT IS A LONG TERM
VIEW. SO IT'S GIVING US A ROAD
MAP. UM TO LOOK AT WHAT ARE THE
PRIORITIES AND THE ABILITY TO
HAVE A ROADMAP AND IDENTIFY
PRIORITIES, EVEN DURING A TIME
AS WE SIT TODAY IS INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT. SO THAT THIS ROAD MAP
, YOU KNOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS
OR THE PRIORITIES THAT IS GOING
TO ALLOW FOR FUTURE
CONVERSATIONS WHETHER IT'S THIS
YEAR NEXT YEAR OR FIVE YEARS
FROM NOW, BECAUSE WE NOW HAVE A
COLLECTIVE FRAMEWORK. THE LAST
YOU KNOW, I'D SAY. PROBABLY
THREE TO FIVE YEARS. UM, I'VE
BEEN DIRECTOR SINCE 2016. WE'VE
HAD INCREDIBLE PROGRESS. LIKE I
SAID, THERE'S BEEN MANY, MANY
THINGS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO
ACHIEVE MUCH OF THE AREAS THAT
WE'VE HAD FOCUS ON OFTEN HAS
BEEN IN REACTION TO SOMETHING.
YOU KNOW, AS OPPOSED TO A VERY
PURPOSEFUL HEY, HERE IS OUR OUR
OVERARCHING. HOW ARE WE GOING TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WORKING IT
WITH A VISION GOING FORWARD, AND
THAT'S HONESTLY THE OUTCOME OF
BEING ABLE TO HAVE A MASTER PLAN
IN THOSE DAYS WHERE WE CAN THEN
HAVE DECISIONS OF INVESTMENTS.
YOU KNOW, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE
HAVE, UM WE HAVE A NUMBER OF
AREAS THAT WERE WORKING ON RIGHT
NOW. ARE WE IN FOCUSED ON THE
RIGHT AREAS. WE'RE NOT SAYING
LET'S TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO
MAKE A REQUEST FOR FUTURE BUDGET
REQUEST WE'RE SAYING ARE WE
DOING WHAT WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE
RIGHT NOW WITH WHAT WE HAVE, BUT
IT CAN ALSO BE FOR FUTURE
DISCUSSIONS IN THE DAYS THAT
THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO
TARGET. UM, POLICY CHANGES,
INVESTMENTS OR SHIFTING OF FUNDS
OR ACCESSING FEDERAL DOLLARS. I
MEAN, ONE OF THE REAL GREAT
VALUES WE OUR FEDERAL
REIMBURSEMENTS IS REALLY WHAT'S
SUSTAINED. YOU KNOW, FOR SO MANY
YEARS, BUT ARE WE DOING IT IN
THE MAXIMIZING THE FEDERAL
DOLLARS IN THE WAY THAT WE CAN.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO
GO AND ALSO REVISIT. WHAT IS THE
REIMBURSEMENTS. IS THERE A WAY
THAT OTHER STATES ARE DOING
THINGS AND THAT'S WHERE IT'S
IMPORTANT WITHIN, UM, HEALTH,
HUMAN SERVICES. OTHER
DEPARTMENTS LIKE WE ALREADY HAVE
COMMITMENTS FROM OTHER
DEPARTMENTS TO SUPPORT BE THOSE
EXPERT PANEL, UM, SUPPORTERS TO
HELP US NAVIGATE. UM, SOME OF
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND FORWARD
THINKING. MAY I? THANK YOU. I
THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION. UH,
SOME LEE. UM I JUST WANTED TO
SCORE THAT THE MASTER PLAN FOR
DEVELOP. UM MARTY MOTO. UM èC
Dð CAN PARENT AND FATHER, UM, I.
I JUST WANTED TO SCORE THE VALUE
OF A MASTER PLAN IF IT'S DONE
RIGHT, LIKE THE MASTER PLAN FOR
AGING IS THAT IT CROSSES IT
LOOKS AT THE INDIVIDUALS AND
CROSSES ALL THE DIFFERENT
SYSTEMS THAT THAT INDIVIDUAL
NEEDS AND ACCESS THE DANGER THAT
WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW WITH, UM,
WITHOUT HAVING THAT FOR PEOPLE.
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES,
AND ALSO THE PEOPLE WHO PROVIDE
THE SERVICES IS THAT WE'RE ONLY
LOOKING AT THE IMPACT IN ONE
DEPARTMENT. SO WHEN THERE WERE
MASSIVE CUTS AND MY SISTER WHEN
SHE WAS STILL ALIVE, THEY WERE
ONLY LOOKING AT HOW THE CUTS
WERE GONNA IMPACT HER LIFE IN
THE SERVICE SERVICES SHE GOT
UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF THE AUTO
SERVICES DIDN'T LOOK AT THE CUTS
TO ME THAT SHE ACCESS DIDN'T
LOOK TO CUTS AT I HÌ S¼ S¼ THAT
SHE NEEDED OR BEHAVIORAL OR THEN
CALLED MENTAL HEALTH BACK IN THE
2000 THREES OR EVEN BEFORE THAT,
SO THE VALUE OF THIS IS THAT IF
IT'S RIGHT. IF IT'S DONE IN THE
WHOLE PERSON CENTERED WAY IT
WILL LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUALS.
ALL THE NEEDS THEY NEED IN ALL
THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES IN
CALIFORNIA, WHETHER IT'S HOUSING
, TRANSPORTATION, BEHAVIORAL,
HEALTH AND OR OR, UH, ME OR
EMPLOYMENT AND THAT'S REALLY
IMPORTANT AND I THINK THAT CAN
MAKE THE GREATEST DIFFERENCE. IT
ALSO ALLOWS YOU, DOCTOR JACKSON
AND THIS LEGISLATURE TO MAKE
BETTER DECISIONS BECAUSE YOU'RE
GONNA KNOW THAT IF YOU MAKE THIS
CUT, IT'S GONNA IMPACT THE SAME
PERSON THAT THREE OR FOUR
DIFFERENT TIMES. YOU DIDN'T HAVE
THAT INFORMATION IN 2000 THREE.
IN FACT, THE REASON I KNOW THAT
IS BECAUSE THE UNDERST THEN OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, WAS
TALKING TO THE SECRETARY THEN
WHEN THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT A
VARIETY OF POTENTIAL CUTS, AND
SHE WAS ASKING HOW DO WE KNOW
THAT THIS CUT TO I HÌ S¼ S¼ IS
NOT IMPACTING THE SAME PERSON.
WHO'S GETTING CUT IN SSI. AND
THE ANSWER WAS, WE DON'T KNOW.
AND I THINK WE CAN HAVE BETTER
ANSWERS THAN THAT. AND GIVE YOU
BETTER INFORMATION TO MAKE
BETTER DECISIONS. SO THANK YOU,
BUT BUT I THINK THE QUESTION IS,
IF I MAY, MR LEE UM, IF, UH, WE
INTRODUCED A BILL TO CREATE A
REPORT. A PLAN AN IDEA. THOUGHT.
WE WOULD GET A LETTER UNDER OUR
DOORS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE, SAYING THIS WOULD COST
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.
AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE DOLLAR
AMOUNT ATTACHED TO THIS ITEM. SO
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. IS THERE.
A, UH WHERE IS THIS REPORT?
MASTER PLAN GONNA COST US. THANK
YOU, DOCTOR JACKSON. I'LL DEFER
TO THE DIRECTOR FOR THIS
QUESTION. YEAH. THANK YOU,
DOCTOR. JACKSON. UM APOLOGIZE
WHEN I WAS THINKING ABOUT KIND
OF THE COST OF LIKE, WHAT'S THAT
OUTCOME, BUT CERTAINLY
APPRECIATE THE FOCUS QUESTION OF
SAYING, WHAT'S THE PROCESS?
WHAT'S THE COST OF THE PROCESS
AND APPRECIATE THAT? UM, AS I
NOTED, WITH ALL THE NUMBER OF
INITIATIVES THAT WE'VE HAD, AND
AGAIN, NANCY BARGEMAN, DIRECTOR
OF Dð, Dð S¼. THAT THERE'S BEEN,
UM SOME LEVEL OF FUNDING THAT'S
BEEN AVAILABLE OVER THE LAST
SEVERAL YEARS ON SOME
SIGNIFICANT KIND OF INITIATIVES.
IT'S BEEN OUR QUALITY INCENTIVE
PROGRAM, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT
SOME OF THE STANDARDIZATION THAT
THAT WE'RE WE'RE LOOKING THE UM
RATE IMPLEMENTATION.
ADMINISTRATIVELY THIS HAS BEEN
INCREDIBLY VALUABLE TO THE
DEPARTMENT TO BE ABLE TO SEE HOW
WE'RE GOING TO COORDINATE HOW
WE'RE GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTING,
UM IN STRUCTURALLY TO HAVE THAT
HAPPEN. WHY I BRING THAT UP IS
BECAUSE IT GETS BACK TO LOOKING
AT THIS FROM A WHOLE KIND OF
SYSTEM. DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES,
SO Dð Dð S¼. WE HAD ALREADY
STARTED DOWN THE PATH OF LOOKING
AT HAVING A STRATEGIC PLAN TO BE
ABLE TO BRING ALL THESE
IMPORTANT INITIATIVES FORWARD.
AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO MOVE IT,
SO WE'VE ALREADY IDENTIFIED
WITHIN SOME OF THOSE
ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDINGS TO
IMPLEMENT MANY OF THE MAJOR
POLICY AND INITIATIVES THAT THE
LEGISLATURE AND THE
ADMINISTRATION HAS IDENTIFIED AS
PRIORITIES. SO WE'RE USING SOME
OF THOSE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE
FACILITATION OF THE SUPPORT TO
SELF ADVOCATES, AND ALSO THEN
THE CO ORDINATION OF HAVING LIKE
AAA COORDINATOR OF BEING ABLE TO
HELP US HAVE THAT THAT FRAME.
WORK THE INDEPENDENCE THAT WAS
ASKED FOR MAKING SURE THAT IT'S
OUTSIDE OF DDS, BUT STILL
CERTAINLY, UM, UNDER THE
DIRECTION OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH
AND SERVICES. SO THAT'S THE
FUNDING OF IT. UM, WE CAN
PROVIDE A BREAKDOWN. I APOLOGIZE
FOR NOT BEING HERE TODAY. WITH
THAT, UM, MUCH OF IT IS BECAUSE
IT'S AL. ALSO WITHIN AN EXISTING
CONTRACT, UM AND SO PEELING THAT
APART AS SAYING, OK, THAT WORK
IS ONLY FOR THE MASTER PLAN WHEN
WE ALSO HAVE THE IMPORTANT GOOD
QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM AND
ALL THESE OTHER THINGS. IT'S
THIS WHOLE ADMINISTRATIVE
NAVIGATION OF DOING ALL OF THE
AREAS THAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON
RIGHT NOW. MR LEE. ANYTHING ELSE
FOLLOW UP. UM YES, THAT
INFORMATION PROVIDED THIS
COMMITTEE WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL.
AND WHAT YOU'RE PLANNING TO DO
WITH EXISTING RESOURCES. VERSUS
WHAT WE PROBABLY NEED TO BE.
PROVIDED FOR IN THE FUTURE, BUT
I THINK TO DOCTOR JACKSON'S
POINT, AS WE SAID, IS THAT WHEN
WE IN THE LEGISLATURE PROPOSES
THESE VERY SIMILAR THINGS, IT
ASTOUNDS US THE COST. THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE GIVES US
SO THEN IT'S SECONDARILY AMAZES
US TO SAY THAT YOU WON'T NEED
ANY MONEY TO DO THIS. UM SO WE
RAINED A BIT SKEPTICAL THAT IT
WILL BE AS FREE AS IT SOUNDS
LIKE, SO IF WE COULD PROVIDE THE
INFORMATION THAT'D BE HELPFUL,
AND THEN TO OUR SPEAKER'S OTHER
POINT, YOU KNOW IT WOULD HAVE
BEEN HELPFUL DURING THIS BUDGET
CYCLE TO KNOW IF WE'RE TO IMPACT
FROM ALL POPULATIONS. IF THEY'RE
GONNA LOSE MULTIPLE DIFFERENT
SERVICES. THAT'S THE KIND OF
STUFF WE NEED FOR TIMES LIKE
THIS. SO UH, BROADLY SPEAKING,
OF COURSE, IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO
ELEVATE THESE ELEVATE THESE
CONCERNS THESE OPINIONS TO
SOCIALIZE THEM, BUT WE DO WANT
TO KNOW IN LIGHT OF THE BUDGET
SITUATION. WHAT IS THE REAL
DOLLARS ASPECT TO IT? SO THANK
YOU. I APPRECIATE THANK YOU. AND
I WILL ALSO NOTE THAT WE'RE ALSO
SEEKING SOME FOUNDATION, UM,
DOLLARS, BUT THERE'S THAT'S
CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING THAT'S
BEEN LOCKED IN, BUT WANTED TO
JUST NOTE THAT APPRECIATE THAT
ASSEMBLY MEMBER. AND UM UH,
THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK AND
WE'LL WE'LL FOLLOW UP. UH A
ADDITIONAL, ADDITIONALLY
OBVIOUSLY, AS SOMEONE WHO HAS
BEEN A CONNOISSEUR OF THE, UH,
MASTER PLAN ON AGING, JUST
UNDERSTANDING HOW IMPORTANT IT
IS TO BE ABLE AND TO CREATE SOME
SENSE AS WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO
READ IT. SOME SENSE OF, UH,
BUILDING OF INSTITUTIONAL
KNOWLEDGE ALONG THE WAY, BECAUSE
A LOT OF THESE THINGS IS A LONG
TERM. UH, ACTION THAT HAS TO
HAPPEN. UM BUT SIMILAR TO THE
MASTER PLAN ON AGING. UM THERE
WAS ALSO, UM, A TRAILER BILL
LANGUAGE THAT WAS DONE THROUGH
THE MASTER FOR THE MASTER PLAN
OF ASIAN AS WELL TO ENSURE THAT
THERE WAS SOME CONNECTION TO THE
LEGISLATURE. IN TERMS OF
OVERSIGHT. WE AGREE WITH THE
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST. UH UH, WHO
MAKES THE RECOMMENDATION AND
MAKING SURE THAT, UH, WE ARE
DOING UM, OUR FIDUCIARY
RESPONSIBILITY. UM AS WELL, UM,
DOES THE UM ADMINISTRATION UM,
UNDERSTAND THE REQUEST FOR US TO
BE ABLE TO DEVELOP TRAILER,
BUILD LANGUAGE AND BE A MAL TO
UH UH, MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN
GET THAT DONE. YEAH, THANK YOU.
UM YES, WE WELL, THE
ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT PUT
FORWARD TRAILER BILL LANGUAGE
REGARDING THE MASTER PLAN. UM WE
WOULD CERTAINLY MAKE OURSELVES
AVAILABLE TO WORK WITH YOU, UM,
REGARDING, UM THE AREAS THAT
YOU'D LIKE TO FOCUS ON. UH,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UM UH, THE
COMMITTEE WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST
ASSISTANCE FROM THE LEGISLATIVE
ANALYST'S OFFICE TO BEGIN TO
WORK ON A DRAFT OF TRAILER BILL
LANGUAGE. UM IN COLLABORATION
WITH LEGISLATIVE STAFF, UM,
EMULATING WHAT WAS CALLED FIGHT
FOR THE MASTER PLAN OF AGING AND
S¼ B 228. TO BE SHARED FIRST
WITH SUB-COMMITTEE STAFF AND
CHAIR STAFF AND THEN WITH THE
ADMINISTRATION FOR THEIR INPUT
WITH A MORE DEVELOPED DRAFT,
COMING BACK TO THE SUBCOMITTEE
BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY, UH, 22ND.
ADDITIONALLY THE BUDGET FOR THE
MASTER PLAN UH, WORKLOAD HAS
BEEN REQUESTED. UH, BUT THIS HAS
NOT YET BEEN SHARED. UH THE
SUBCOMITTEE HAS ALSO REQUESTED A
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS PLANNED
THUS FAR, UH, WHICH IS ALSO
OUTSTANDING. AND CAN THIS
INFORMATION PLEASE BE SHARED
WITH OUR STAFF? UH, BY FRIDAY,
MARCH FIRST. THAT THIS FRIDAY.
WHAT DAY IS IT? YEAH. YOU KNOW?
UH, BUT THE I, BUT THE IDEA OF
COURSE, IS AS WE BEGIN. WE JUST
WANNA MAKE SURE WE GET AS MUCH
INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE. I THINK
THE KEY TO ALL THIS IS
COMMUNICATION AND, UM, IF
THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH ANY
DEADLINES THAT WERE REQUESTING
THE IDEA IS JUST TO BE
COMMUNICATIVE SO THAT WE CAN
MAKE SURE THAT WE, UM, MAKE SOME
WIN WIN SITUATIONS FOR EVERYBODY
. IS THAT OK? DOES THAT SOUND OK
? ABSOLUTELY AND WE ABSOLUTELY
ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING. WITH
THIS COMMITTEE AND, UM WITH WITH
STAFF AND KEEPING THAT LINE OF
COMMUNICATION OPEN. UM I, I WILL
SAY, PROBABLY MARCH FIRST, MAYBE
A BIT OF A CHALLENGE. BUT IF
THERE'S THINGS THAT WE CAN
PROVIDE, BY, UM FRIDAY
ABSOLUTELY WILL DO THAT. UM AND
WE WILL, UM, CONNECT AND MAKE
SURE THAT WE'RE IDENTIFYING
THOSE AREAS THAT YOU'RE WANTING
TO HAVE DELIVERABLES. WELL THERE
CERTAINLY IS AN EXCITING TIME. I
DO AGREE. UM AND I. I THINK
THAT, UH, QUITE FRANKLY, LONG
OVERDUE. AND I'M EXCITED TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE ALSO, UM HAVE
SUFFICIENTLY SPECIFIC. GOALS
THAT ARE REALLY TIED TO
MEASURABLE OUTCOMES RIGHT
BECAUSE WE SOMETIMES BELIEVE
THAT ESPECIALLY WITH MEMBERS OF
THE LEGISLATURE, WHERE YOU KNOW,
I I'M SURE THIS YEAR THAT IS ME.
I'M GONNA BE CHAIR NEXT YEAR,
RIGHT? UM HOPEFULLY IF I ACT
RIGHT, BUT YOU KNOW, THAT NEVER
GOES VERY WELL. UM BUT I THINK
THE IDEA IS, IS THAT UH,
SOMETIMES WHEN WE'RE CREATING
THESE VISIONS UM, WE ASSUME THAT
PEOPLE HAVE THE INSTITUTIONAL
KNOWLEDGE TO BE ABLE AND THE
EXPERTISE IN THESE MEASURE THESE
VERY MEASURABLE GOALS TO BE ABLE
TO ARTICULATE HOW WE GET THERE.
AND SO THE MORE THAT IT BECOMES
A MANUAL. AS OPPOSED TO VISION
STATEMENTS. UM I THINK THAT IT
WILL GO A LONG WAY IN THE LONG
TERM. I WANT TO THANK THIS PANEL
VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. WE WILL
NOW TURN TO ISSUE NUMBER SIX. TO
BE I. LET ME LET ME JUST CHECK
IN. OK? COUPLE.
WHAT PLEASE. NEED ANOTHER CHAIR.
AN ISSUE NUMBER SIX IS THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2020 THREE
EQUITY CHANGES AND GOALS AND
PATH GOING FORWARD. WE'LL GIVE
EVERYONE A CHANCE TO SETTLE IN
AND FIND THEIR SEATS AND THEN.
DEPARTMENT MAY BEGIN. UH WHEN
READY. GOOD AFTERNOON, DR
JACKSON AND MEMBERS OF THE SUB
COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS BRIAN
WINFIELD. I'M THE CHIEF DEPUTY
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM SERVICES FOR
THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. LET'S JUST PAUSE. REAL
QUICK INTERPRETER. COULD YOU
HEAR ALL THAT? IS THAT OK? OK?
JUST FOR THE INTERPRETER. JUST
COME BRING IT ON UP, OK, I DO MY
BEST. I'M BRIAN WINFIELD, CHIEF
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM
SERVICES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. AND UM I
WILL BE SPEAKING TO QUESTIONS
NUMBERS TWO AND THREE OF ISSUE
SIX. AND FOR QUESTION NUMBER
ONE. I WILL ALLOW MY COLLEAGUE
ERNIE CRUZ TO, UH GO IN BEFORE
ME. GOOD AFTERNOON, ERNIE CREWS
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. UM THE FIRST QUESTION
IS HOW IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
2020 THREE UH, CHANGES IS GOING.
ARE THERE SPECIFIC IMPEDIMENTS
OR CHALLENGES? SO THE TABLE
INCLUDED ON PAGES, 35 AND 36 OF
THE AGENDA, UH, PROVIDES AN
UPDATE ON THE DEPARTMENT'S
PROGRESS. IMPLEMENTING EQUITY
CHANGES INCLUDED IN THE 2023
TRAILER BILL LANGUAGE.
STANDARDIZATION IN THE AREAS OF
INTAKE ASSESSMENT. VENDOR UH,
VENDOR IS A PROCESS SPECIFIED IN
TITLE 17 REGULATIONS TO BECOME A
REGIONAL CENTER FUNDED PROVIDER
OF SERVICES, UM, RACE, ETHNICITY
AND LANGUAGE DATA DEFINITIONS.
INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM PLAN
DEVELOPMENT. AND RESPITE
ASSESSMENT ARE ALL UNDERWAY, AS
WELL AS AN EVALUATION OF GENERIC
SERVICES. THE FIRST DELIVERABLES
ARE IN THE AREAS OF RACE,
ETHNICITY. AND LANGUAGE DATA
DEFINITIONS AND INDIVIDUAL
PROGRAM PLAN DEVELOPMENT. WE'VE
BEEN MEETING WITH DIVERSE
STAKEHOLDERS ON THESE ITEMS. UH,
WITH MORE MEETINGS TO COME, UH
AND WE DON'T FORESEE ANY
OBSTACLES TO MEETING THE JUNE 30
2024 TIMELINES FOR INITIAL
PHASES, NOR SUBSEQUENT
TIMELINES. IF WE ENCOUNTER
IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES WILL
BE HAPPY TO HIGHLIGHT THESE TO,
UH, HIGHLIGHT THESE FOR THE
LEGISLATIVE STAFF DURING OUR
QUARTERLY BRIEFINGS. THANK YOU
AGAIN. BRIAN WINFIELD Dð Dð S¼
FOR QUESTION NUMBER TWO. WHAT
DOES THE DATA TELL US ABOUT
WHETHER THE SYSTEM IS IMPROVING
OR NOT ON NARROWING ETHNIC,
RACIAL AND GEOGRAPHIC
DISPARITIES? UH, WORKING TO
ADDRESS DISPARITIES, UH, WITHIN
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES REMAINS A
PRIORITY. INVESTMENTS HAVE BEEN
MADE TO THIS WORK AND A LOT HAS
BEEN ACHIEVED, BUT THERE IS MUCH
WORK STILL TO BE DONE. WHEN
LOOKING AT PURCHASE OF SERVICE
DATA. WE CONTINUE TO SEE
INEQUITIES IN SPENDING IN THE
AGGREGATE. WE ARE SEEING THE
NEEDLE MOVE IN A POSITIVE
DIRECTION IN A NUMBER OF AREAS
WHEN CONTROLLING FOR FACTORS
SUCH AS AGE. LIVING ARRANGEMENT
AND THE TYPE OF SERVICES A
PERSON RECEIVES. AS NOTED ON
PAGE 39 OF THE AGENDA DATA
SHOULD BE CONSISTENT AND OF GOOD
QUALITY. AN ANALYSIS SHOULD
COMPARE PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR
NEEDS. SUCH AS A SIMILAR
RESIDENTIAL SETTINGS. WHEN
LOOKING AT TRENDS OVER TIME, Dð
Dð S¼ IS LOOKING AT SERVICE
DELIVERY ACROSS MANY DIFFERENT
POPULATION SUBGROUPS. YOUNGER
HISPANICS ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST
GROWING SUBGROUPS THEY MAKE UP.
THEY COMPRISE 75% OF THEM ARE 21
AND UNDER WHILE WHITES ARE
CONTINUING TO AGE WITHOUT A
SIMILAR DECREASE IN YOUNGER
INDIVIDUALS. THIS IS SIGNIFICANT
BECAUSE REGIONAL CENTERS SPEND
LESS ON INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
YOUNGER, WHO ARE RECEIVING MANY
OF THEIR SERVICES THROUGH THE
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM WHILE THEY
SPEND, UH MORE FUNDING ON
INDIVIDUALS, UM, WHEN THEY ARE
ADULTS. THESE DIFFERENCES IN
POPULATION GROWTH CAUSE PURCHASE
SERVICE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE
TWO GROUPS TO WIDEN ON THE
AGGREGATE. THERE ARE INDICATIONS
THAT SOME GAPS ARE CLOSING. I
WILL GIVE YOU TWO EXAMPLES. THE
FIRST EXAMPLE IS IN 2016 17 THE
DIFFERENCE IN PURCHASE OF
SERVICE AMONG CHILDREN AND YOUNG
ADULTS AGES THREE TO 21 LIVING
AT HOME HAS NARROWED. IN 2016 17
. THERE WAS A 22% DIFFERENCE IN
PURCHASE OF SERVICE BETWEEN
HISPANIC AND WHITE CONSUMERS IN
THIS 3 TO 21 AGE GROUP AND IN
2220 THREE, THE GAP IN SPENDING
FOR THE SAME AGE GROUP NARROWED
TO 12. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF MOVING
THE NEEDLE IS IN THE AREA OF
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, AND THIS IS
ON PAGE 46 OF YOUR AGENDA ON IN
THE CHART. IN 2016 17 PURCHASE,
A SERVICE WAS HIGHEST FOR
CONSUMERS REPORTED AS ASIAN AND
WHITE PURCHASED A SERVICE AMONG
CONSUMERS REPORTED AS HISPANIC
WAS AMONG THE LOWEST. NOW FAST
FORWARD TO 2220 THREE. THE
PURCHASE OF SERVICE WAS HIGHEST
FOR CONSUMERS REPORTED AS
AFRICAN AMERICAN, BLACK AND
ASIAN AND THERE WAS ONLY A
SLIGHT DIFFERENCE IN PURCHASE OF
SERVICE OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
FOR CONSUMERS WHO IDENTIFY AS
WHITE OR HISPANIC. ALTHOUGH
WE'RE PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO
ALL PURCHASES, SERVICE SPENDING
TRENDS A GAP IN SPENDING WE NEED
TO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO
IS DISPLAYED ON PAGE 47 OF THE
AGENDA. THIS CHART DISPLAYS A
TRENDED PURCHASE OF SERVICE FOR
THREE DIFFERENT SERVICE TYPE,
INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS,
SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES AND
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE FOR
INDIVIDUALS, 18 AND OLDER. WE
SEE THE GAP IN SPENDING WIDENING
BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS WHO IDENTIFY
AS WHITE AS COMPARED TO OTHER
ETHNICITIES WITH INDIVIDUALS.
IDENTIFY AS HISPANIC SHOWING THE
BIGGEST GAP. IN SUMMARY IN
SUMMARY, THE NEEDLE IS MOVING IN
THIS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN
SOME AREAS, BUT THERE CONTINUES
TO BE MUCH WORK TO BE DONE IN
THE EQUITY SPACE, AND IT WILL
MUST REMAIN A PRIORITY. THE
THIRD QUESTION WAS WHAT KEY AND
SPECIFIC STRATEGIES WE NEED TO
BE MINDFUL OF, AND ACT ON AS A
STATE TO FURTHER THE CAUSE OF IN
THE TO UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF
INEQUITABLE ACCESS. UM, FIRST,
THE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO CONTINUE
STRONG COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT
ALL DIVERSE WITH ALL DIVERSE
COMMUNITIES TO INCLUDE
INDIVIDUALS WHO IDENTIFY AS
HISPANIC, AFRICAN AMERICAN BLACK
, NATIVE AMERICAN AND ALL OTHER
ETHNICITIES, UM, INCLUDING
INDIVIDUALS OF OUR DEAF
COMMUNITY. WE NEED TO CONTINUE
DECISION MAKING THROUGH THE LENS
OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND
PREFERENCES. AS SOON DIDS WILL
BE RELEASING THE LANTERN ACT IN
SPANISH. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME
THE LANMAN ACT HAS BEEN
TRANSLATED IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE.
LASTLY AS WE'VE HEARD ABOUT THE
MASTER PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES, THIS WILL BE VERY
IMPORTANT WORK TO LOOK AT, AND
IT'LL BE ANOTHER AVENUE FOR
INCREASED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
PRIORITIZATION OF THE WORK AND
BUILDING ON THE EXISTING WORK
THAT WE'RE ALREADY DOING. THANK
YOU. NEXT UP. CHRIS O'NEILL
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE NOTHING
FURTHER TO ADD. LEGISLATIVE
ANALYST. KARINA HENDRON L A Ó.
UH, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY
BE EQUITY ISSUES IN VARIOUS
ISSUES ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT. WE
WANTED TO NOTE THAT OUR ANALYSIS
THIS YEAR FOCUSED ON ONE
SPECIFIC AREA, AND THAT IS
EFFORTS TO IMPROVE EQUITY AND
PURCHASE OF SERVICE VIA THE
COORDINATE FAMILY SUPPORT
SERVICES PILOT PROGRAM. AND
WE'LL SHARE OUR COMMENTS LATER.
THAT'LL BE DURING AGENDA ITEM
NUMBER 12 ON HÌ èC B S¼ RP
FUNDING AND WE DID WANT TO NOTE
THAT ALTHOUGH OUR COMMENTS LATER
WILL FOCUS ON CO ORDINATED
FAMILY SUPPORTS, WE NOTE THAT
THIS IS NOT THE ONLY EQUITY
ISSUE THAT WARRANTS
CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU, UH,
NEXT PANELIST. GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS VIVIAN HAHN AND IN
ADDITION TO BEING A SENIOR
ATTORNEY AT DISABILITY RIGHTS,
CALIFORNIA I ALSO HAVE A BROTHER
, WHO HAS AUTISM AND IS SERVED
BY A REGIONAL CENTER. IN ORDER
TO ADDRESS RACIAL INEQUITIES IN
OUR SYSTEM, ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN DO IS TO
FIND MORE EQUITABLE WAYS TO
MANAGE COSTS. THE APPROACHES
THAT OUR SYSTEM HAS RELIED ON
FOR YEARS ARE EFFECTIVE AT COST
CONTAINMENT, BUT THEY IMPEDE
PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO ACCESS
SERVICES IN RACIALLY
DISPROPORTIONATE WAYS. POINT TO
THREE EXAMPLES. FIRST WHEN WE
ASK WHY AVERAGE SPENDING AMOUNTS
MAY DIFFER FROM GROUP TO GROUP.
WE MAY WANT TO FOCUS ON HOW
SPENDING DECISIONS ARE ACTUALLY
MADE AND WHAT PRINCIPLES OR
RULES THOSE DECISIONS TO APPROVE
OR DENY SPENDING ARE BASED ON AT
DISABILITY RIGHTS, CALIFORNIA
WHERE WE GET THOUSANDS OF CALLS
FROM PEOPLE EVERY YEAR, SEEKING
ASSISTANCE WITH THIS VERY ISSUE,
ACCESSING SERVICES FROM THEIR
REGIONAL CENTER. ONE OF THE TOP
REASONS WE HAVE HEARD, UM, FOR
DENYING SERVICES IS THE FAILURE
TO EXHAUST GENERIC RESOURCES.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SOME OTHER
SPEAKERS HAVE TOUCHED ON BEFORE
ME. UM, BUT I KNOW THAT THIS IS
A BARRIER AND AN ISSUE THAT
REGIONAL CENTERS AND THE
DEPARTMENT HAVE RECOGNIZED AND
HAVE TRIED TO IN, UM, ADDRESS IN
DIFFERENT WAYS, ONE OF THE MAIN
WAYS ONE OF THE MAIN INVESTMENTS
THAT THEY'VE UNDERTAKEN TO
ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IS
INVESTMENT IN MORE NAVIGATOR
POSITIONS OR IN THE CREATION OF
NEW SERVICE TYPES OR SERVICE
CODES THAT INCLUDE SERVICE
NAVIGATION. AS A COMPONENT OF
THAT SERVICE. BUT THESE
INVESTMENTS INVESTING MORE AND
MORE IN INDIVIDUAL NAVIGATORS TO
HELP PEOPLE WE THEIR WAY THROUGH
COMPLEXITY WITHOUT ALSO FOCUSING
ON REDUCING THAT COMPLEXITY AT
THE SAME TIME IS A LOSING
ARGUMENT AND A LOSING
INVESTMENT. AH! I'LL GIVE YOU AN
EXAMPLE. AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE
THAT I SHARED WITH YOU ALL THE
LAST TIME. UM I SPOKE BEFORE
THIS THIS SUBCOMITTEE. UM IF YOU
HAVE A JUNGLE A THICK, DENSE
JUNGLE THAT JUST KEEPS GROWING
AND GROWING AND GETTING THICKER
AND HARDER TO NAVIGATE. YOU WHAT
YOU COULD APPROACH IT BY.
FINDING MORE GUIDES BRING IN
MORE GUIDES TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE
THE JUNGLE, PRINTING UP MORE
MAPS, MORE MAPS AND BETTER MAPS
TO THE JUNGLE, PUTTING UP BETTER
SIGNAGE TO HELP PEOPLE FIND
THEIR WAY THROUGH THE JUNGLE OR
YOU COULD TAKE THOSE DOLLARS AND
INVEST IN BUILDING A HIGHWAY, A
PAVED ROAD THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF
THE JUNGLE SO PEOPLE CAN JUST GO
THROUGH. THAT IS THE SOLUTION
THAT WE HAVE NOT YET TRIED AND
NOT YET REALLY FOCUSED ON. UM,
IF WE DO NOT DO THAT, AND DO NOT
TRY THAT AND INSTEAD KEEP
RELYING ON INDIVIDUAL FAMILY
MEMBERS OR INDIVIDUAL SERVICE
COORDINATORS TO, UM, NAVIGATE
THIS MAZE WITHOUT DOING THESE
OTHER THINGS AT THE SAME TIME.
IT'S NEVER GONNA WORK. UM AND.
EVEN WORSE WHEN WE THINK ABOUT A
BUDGET PERSPECTIVE, IT'S AN
INEFFICIENT, NON COST EFFECTIVE
APPROACH. SO, UH, THAT'S ONE UM
SECOND. ONE OF THE THINGS WE
SHOULD FOCUS ON IN TERMS OF COST
CONTAINMENT. ARE THE LIMITATIONS
THAT ARE PLACED ON HOW AND WHEN
PEOPLE CAN GET SERVICES.
REGIONAL CENTERS. UM THESE ARE
CALLED PURCHASE OF SERVICE
POLICIES THAT REGIONAL CENTERS
DETERMINE. IN THE WAY THAT OUR
SYSTEM WORKS, EACH REGIONAL
CENTER, UM, SETS ITS OWN
PURCHASE OF SERVICE POLICIES. IN
ESSENCE, THEY GET TO SET THEIR
OWN LIMITATIONS ON SERVICES.
THESE ARE RULES ON WHO CAN GET
SERVICES FOR WHAT PURPOSE AND
HOW MUCH THEY MAY INCLUDE THINGS
LIKE CAPS ON THE NUMBER OF HOURS
A PERSON CAN GET OR CAPS ON
DOLLAR AMOUNTS THAT CAN BE SPENT
ON A PARTICULAR SERVICE. THIS
HAS RESULTED IN. HUGE VARIATION
ACROSS REGIONAL CENTERS. IN
TERMS OF ACCESS TO THE SAME TYPE
OF SERVICE. I'LL GIVE YOU ONE
EXAMPLE. CURRENTLY IF YOU LOOK
AT THE WEBSITE FOR HARBOR
REGIONAL CENTER THEIR PURCHASE
OF SERVICE POLICY FOR PERSONAL
ASSISTANCE THE SERVICE BUT THEN
SAYS THAT FOR CHILDREN FOR
MINORS, PERSONAL ASSISTANTS IS
GENERALLY NOT AVAILABLE. THEY
TYPICALLY DON'T PROVIDE PERSONAL
ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN AT ALL
BECAUSE THEY CONSIDER PERSONAL
ASSISTANT TO BE A TYPICAL FAMILY
RESPONSIBILITY. WHY. WHY IS
PERSONAL ASSISTANT WHICH THEY
DEFINE AS SUPPORT TO HELP PEOPLE
BE ABLE TO GO OUT INTO AND
ACCESS THE COMMUNITY? WHY IS
THAT CONSIDERED A FAMILY'S
RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE ON IN THE
SOUTH BAY AREA? BUT IT MIGHT NOT
BE. BUT THAT MIGHT ACTUALLY BE
CONSIDERED A REGIONAL CENTER
RESPONSIBILITY AND A NEIGHBORING
AREA ACROSS THE STREET IN A
DIFFERENT REGIONAL CENTER
CATCHMENT AREA, IT MAKES NÓ
SENSE. THESE PURCHASE OF SERVICE
POLICIES SHOULD BE INTERROGATED
FOR THEIR IMPACT ON RACIAL
EQUITY. THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT OUT
AN EXECUTIVE ORDER. UH, THERE IS
A RACIAL EQUITY COMMISSION WHOSE
WORK IS JUST GETTING LAUNCHED
AND UNDERWAY. THERE ARE SO MANY
OTHER RACIAL EQUITY FRAMEWORK.
UM EFFORTS GOING ON THAT I THINK
OUR SYSTEM HAS MUCH TO LEARN
FROM, UM AND. ONE OF THE BEST
THINGS WE CAN DO IS TO LOOK AT
THAT WORK AND TAKE FROM IT AND
SEE WHAT WE CAN LEARN ABOUT
APPLYING AN INTENTIONALLY AND
EXPLICITLY ANTI RACIST LENS TO
THE RULES THAT WE HAVE AROUND
WHO GETS TO ACCESS SERVICES. WHY
AND HOW MUCH? THIRD. ONE OF THE
REASONS WHY WE RELY SO HEAVILY
ON OVERLY RESTRICTIVE PURCHASE
OF SERVICE POLICIES TO LIMIT
COSTS. IT IS BECAUSE SOMEHOW. WE
AS A SYSTEM REALLY DON'T HAVE
VERY GOOD WAYS TO REALLY TELL
WHAT PEOPLE ACTUALLY NEED. THIS
IS BECAUSE WE DON'T REALLY HAVE.
CONSISTENT OR COMPREHENSIVE
APPROACHES TO CONDUCTING SERVICE
NEEDS ASSESSMENTS. UNLIKE OTHER
LONG TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORT
SYSTEMS, AND THIS STATE AND IN
OTHERS, WE DON'T HAVE A
VALIDATED OR RELIABLE ASSESSMENT
TOOL THAT WE USE. WE HAVE NÓ
CONSISTENT RUBRIC OR CRITERIA
THAT IS USED ACROSS REGIONAL
CENTERS. UM, CONSISTENTLY. WE
HAVE NÓ COMPREHENSIVE OR
COMMONLY USED ASSESSMENT OF
FUNCTIONAL NEED ASSESSMENT OF,
UM ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING.
WE HAVE NÓ ASSESSMENT OF NEED
FOR THINGS LIKE HOUSING RISK OF
HOMELESSNESS OR OTHER SOCIAL
DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH.
SOMETIMES THESE THINGS MAY BE
ASKED ABOUT IF A SERVICE
COORDINATOR HAPPENS TO BE
THOROUGH AND TO THINK OF THEM
FOR A PARTICULAR CLIENT, OTHER
SERVICE COORDINATORS OR OTHER
REGIONAL CENTERS. IT MAY NOT
HAPPEN. THERE'S JUST NÓ
CONSISTENCY. AND THIS MAY BE THE
MOST CRITICAL THING OF ALL.
BECAUSE IN THE END SO MUCH OF
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK
ABOUT RACIAL DISPARITIES IN OUR
SYSTEM. IN OTHER WORDS, SPENDING
IS REALLY NOT THE BEST MEASURE
OF EQUITY AT ALL. PEOPLE WITH
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES DESERVE TO GET THE
SUPPORTS AND SERVICES THEY NEED
TO STAY IN THE COMMUNITY AND
LIVE THE KINDS OF LIFE OF LIVES
THEY WANT. WHEN THEY NEED THEM.
THE DEGREE TO WHICH THIS HAPPENS
FOR PEOPLE IN OUR SYSTEM, BROKEN
DOWN BY RACE, ETHNICITY AND
OTHER CATEGORIES WOULD BE A FAR
MORE MEANINGFUL MEASURE OF
EQUITY THAN MERELY THE AMOUNT OF
DOLLARS SPENT. WE ALL KNOW WE'VE
ALL MADE PURCHASES. THAT HAD
HAVE BEEN EXPENSIVE AND COST A
LOT AND IF STILL NOT MET THE
NEED. THAT WE ACTUALLY HAD.
WE'VE ALL ALSO MADE INEXPENSIVE,
RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE
PURCHASES. DON'T COST A TON OF
MONEY. BUT THEY MAKE US HAPPY.
AND THEY MEET THE NEED THAT WE
BOUGHT THEM FOR. IT'S NOT THE
AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT MATTERS
MOST. THE THING. THE SPENDING
DATA PROVIDES CONTEXT, BUT IT'S
NOT THE THING. THE THING IS THE
DEGREE TO WHICH PEOPLE ARE
ACHIEVING IN THEIR LIVES. THE
OUTCOMES THAT MATTER THE MOST TO
THEM AS THEY DEFINE THEM. SO TO
ME, THAT'S THE FUTURE OF WHAT WE
NEED TO DO TO ADDRESS RACIAL
DISPARITIES IS TO INVEST IN AND
DEVELOP. UM INITIATIVES PROJECTS
EFFORTS THAT ARE BEING
UNDERTAKEN RIGHT NOW, UM,
INCLUDING BY THE PAVE PROJECT.
OTHER EFFORTS IN OUR SYSTEM TO
REALLY HAVE GOOD, SOLID,
MEANINGFUL MEASURES OF WHETHER
OR NOT PEOPLE ARE ACHIEVING THE
OUTCOMES THAT MATTER MOST TO
THEM. AND THEN DISAGGREGATE THAT
BY RACE WHEN WE DISAGGREGATE IF
WE COMPARE AND WE SEE THAT
THERE'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE, WE
SEE DIFFERENCES BY RACE. THAT'S
THE REAL MEASURE OF EQUITY. AND
I DON'T THINK WE WILL EVER BE
ABLE TO ACHIEVE OR REALLY EVEN
PINPOINT OR TARGET EFFECTIVE,
INCLUDING COST EFFECTIVE
APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING TO
REALLY REDUCING RACIAL DISPARITY
UNTIL WE HAVE THAT KIND OF DATA
CAPACITY IN OUR SYSTEM. THANK
YOU. OK, MY COLLEAGUE JUST SAID
ALL THESE THINGS THAT YOU DON'T
WANT TO LOOK AT DATA AND I'M
ABOUT TO GIVE YOU DATA. SO JUST
IGNORE THAT PART. UM JUDY MARK
FROM DISABILITY VOICES UNITED
YET I TOTALLY AGREE THAT
OUTCOMES ARE WHAT MATTERS. BUT
WE DON'T. WE CAN'T MEASURE
OUTCOMES RIGHT NOW. AND SO, ALL
WE HAVE IS DATA, SO I WANT TO
TALK TO YOU. ASSEMBLY MEMBER
ABOUT YOUR REGIONAL CENTER FOR A
LITTLE WHILE. THE REGIONAL
CENTER THAT'S IN YOUR CATCHMENT
AREA. UM SO I LAST YEAR WHEN I
WAS HERE, I PRESENTED A CHART
WHICH LOOKED AT BOTH RACE AND
PLACE. SO WE LOOKED AT, UM, THE
THESE LINES AND I. I HANDED THEM
OUT TO FOLKS CAN'T SEE IT. UM
WHERE YOU LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE
THAT THERE ARE HORIZONTAL LINES
FROM THE LOWEST RACE OR ETHNIC
GROUP TO THE HIGHEST RACE OR
ETHNIC GROUP AND IN THE VAST
MAJORITY OF CASES, THE HIGHEST
IS THE WHITE PEOPLE AND THE
LOWEST ARE THE LATINOS. UM BUT
IT DOES DIFFER AT SOME REGIONAL
CENTERS. I WE UPDATED THE CHART
TODAY BY REGIONAL CENTER AND
YOU'LL SEE THAT IT'S PRETTY
IDENTICAL. THAT UM, THAT THE
REGIONAL CENTERS ARE IN THE
EXACT SAME ORDER AND THAT THINGS
REALLY HAVEN'T CHANGED SINCE
LAST YEAR. UH, THE INLAND
REGIONAL CENTER IN YOUR DISTRICT
ASSEMBLY MEMBER. JACKSON IS THE
LARGEST BY FAR, BUT IT'S RIGHT
THERE AT THE BOTTOM, JUST LIKE
IT HAS BEEN FOR DECADES. UM
FUNDING IS BASED ON HISTORIC
SPENDING. AND SO IN ENGLAND IS
NEVER GONNA BE ABLE TO MAKE IT
UP THIS CHART. IT'S JUST NOT
GONNA HAPPEN. AND I'M GONNA
BREAK IT DOWN EVEN MORE FOR YOU.
UM, IF YOU WERE A LATINO ADULT
IN THE GOLDEN GATE REGIONAL
CENTER, WHICH IS THE ONE AT THE
VERY TOP THERE, YOU'RE ONLY
RECEIVING 46% OF WHAT WHITES
RECEIVE. SO YOU'RE YOU'RE
GETTING LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT
WHITES RECEIVE. IF YOU'RE LATINO
, HOWEVER, YOU'RE STILL GETTING
TWICE THE AMOUNT OF SERVICES AS
WHITES GET AT INLAND REGIONAL
CENTER, SO YOU CAN'T JUST LOOK
AT RACIAL DIFFERENCES. YOU HAVE
TO LOOK AT GEOGRAPHIC
DIFFERENCES AS WELL. AND IF
YOU'RE AN INLAND, UH, INLAND
REGIONAL CENTER, LATINO ADULT
YOU ARE RECEIVING THE LOWEST
AMOUNT OF SERVICES IN THE STATE
OF ANY MAJOR ETHNIC GROUP. AT
ANY REGIONAL CENTER. SO YOU
REALLY DON'T WANT TO BE A LATINO
AT INLAND REGIONAL CENTER?
BECAUSE YOU ARE GETTING SO FEW
SERVICES YOU YOUR FUTURE IS
PRETTY POOR. UM THERE HAVE BEEN
MANY EFFORTS OVER THE YEARS.
I'VE BEEN PART OF MANY OF THESE
EFFORTS TO REDUCE RACIAL
DISPARITIES. I'M GONNA JUST TALK
ABOUT A COUPLE THAT WERE
MENTIONED IN THE IN THE AGENDA.
THE FIRST ONE IS TO ESTABLISH A
STANDARDIZED IP P TEMPLATE SO
THAT THERE ARE SIMILAR
PROCEDURES. SIMILAR EXPERIENCES,
REGARDLESS OF RACE OR PLACE. UH,
THROUGH YOUR IP P MEETINGS,
WHICH IS WHAT DETERMINES YOUR
SERVICES. UM Dð Dð S¼ PROVIDED
AN UPDATE TO YOU FOR YOUR
AGENDA. UM SEEING THAT IT WAS
BEING FINALIZED VERY SOON. WITH
LOTS OF STAKEHOLDER INPUT AND I.
I JUST WANNA SHARE THAT THE
ORIGINAL PROPOSAL WAS PRESENTED
TO THE PUBLIC LAST SUMMER AT
PUBLIC MEETINGS. AND THERE WAS
PRETTY UNIVERSAL CONCERN OVER
THE DOCUMENT THAT WAS BEING
SHARED. AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY
FURTHER DRAFTS SINCE LAST JULY.
UM AND SO WE, WE'RE NOT EXACTLY
SURE, WHAT'S WHAT'S GONNA BE
PRESENTED IN ITS FINAL FORM. BUT
WE REALLY HAVE TO GET THIS RIGHT
BECAUSE THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR US TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE
PROVIDING A PERSON CENTERED AND
EQUITABLE, UH, APPROACH AND
EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE IP
PROCESS. THE SECOND, UM AGEN
AGENDA ITEM. UH IN YOUR, UH IN
YOUR THE SECOND ITEM FROM YOUR
AGENDA IS TO TALK ABOUT, UM, THE
DIFFERENCES. THE DRIVER OF
DISPARITIES THAT YOU HEARD
ALREADY TODAY THAT LATINOS
BECAUSE THIS IS A LATINO ISSUE.
LATINOS ARE THE MOST UNDERSERVED
COMMUNITY IN THE STATE. AND THAT
LATINO FAMILIES KEEP THEIR ADULT
CHILDREN AT HOME. UH AND SO,
THEREFORE THEY'RE GONNA GET
FEWER SERVICES. WELL ONE OF THE
THINGS BUT ACTUALLY I WANNA
POINT OUT REAL QUICKLY THAT IF
YOU COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES,
AND YOU LOOK AT LATINOS WHO LIVE
AT HOME COMPARED TO WHITES WHO
LIVE AT HOME, THERE ARE STILL
THE DISPARITIES AMONG LATINOS,
SO THEY'RE STILL GETTING FEWER
SERVICES. BUT THERE IS THIS NEW
SERVICE THAT YOU JUST HEARD, UM
L, A Ó TALK ABOUT WHICH IS
CALLED CO ORDINATED FAMILY
SUPPORT SERVICES, AND IT WAS
TOUTED AS A WAY TO BRING MORE
EQUITY TO THE SYSTEM BECAUSE IT
PROVIDES SUPPORTED LIVING FOR
ADULTS LIVING WITH STILL LIVING
IN THEIR FAMILY HOME WITH THEIR
PARENTS. BUT THE PROBLEM IS, IS
THAT WHEN CO ORDINATED FAMILY
SUPPORTS WAS ROLLED OUT LAST
YEAR, IT DIDN'T LOOK ANYTHING
LIKE SUPPORTED LIVING. DID AS UM
, AN AGENCY BASICALLY A TOTAL
STRANGER COMING INTO THE
FAMILY'S HOME AND èC STARTING
TO COORDINATE THINGS. UM,
COORDINATE THINGS LIKE MAKING
DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS, ARRANGING
FOR COMMUNITY OUTINGS, THINGS
THAT THE PARENTS KIND OF WE
DON'T NEED HELP WITH THAT. AS AN
APPARENT OF AN ADULT WHO IS
LIVING AT HOME. WE NEED STAFF TO
BE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
WHEN OUR KID WAKES UP LIKE
THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY NEED. AND
THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE LATINOS
ALREADY DON'T TRUST THE REGIONAL
CENTER. THEY ALREADY DON'T TRUST
, UM STRANGERS COMING INTO THEIR
HOME AND SO THEY HAVEN'T
UTILIZED THE SERVICE AT ALL. IN
FACT, VERY FEW PEOPLE OF ALL
RACES HAVE USED THIS SERVICE.
AND FINALLY WE HAVE TO ADDRESS
THE FACT THAT THERE IS A LACK OF
TRUST OF PARENTS OF COLOR WITH
THEIR REGIONAL CENTERS. AND IF
WE DON'T DIRECTLY ADDRESS THAT,
THEN WE'RE NEVER GOING TO SOLVE
THIS PROBLEM. UM PARENTS OF
COLOR REPORT TO ME THAT THEY ARE
AFRAID TO HAVE THE REGIONAL
CENTERS COME INTO THEIR HOME.
THEY'RE AFRAID THAT THE REGIONAL
CENTER IS GONNA MAKE JUDGMENTS
ON THE WAY THAT THEY LIVE.
THEY'RE GONNA TAKE AWAY THEIR
CHILD SERVICES AND POSSIBLY EVEN
TAKE AWAY THEIR CHILD. UM AND
THIS IS BECAUSE THERE IS AN
INHERENT CONFLICT OF INTEREST
WITH SERVICE CO ORDINATION IN
THE STATE. UM THESE SERVICE
COORDINATORS ARE THERE TO
ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE, UH, TO
ADVOCATE FOR THEIR FAMILIES, BUT
THEN THEY ARE DIRECTED BY THEIR
SUPERIORS TO DENY SERVICES TO
THESE SAME FAMILIES AND
SOMETIMES EVEN TESTIFY AGAINST
THEM IN A COURT. BEFORE A JUDGE.
SERVICE COORDINATORS ARE PUT IN
THESE UNTENABLE POSITIONS, AND
THEY LACK ANY POWER TO CHANGE
THINGS. AND SO THERE IS
CONSEQUENTLY ABSOLUTELY NÓ TRUST
IN SERVICE COORDINATORS. ONE
MAJOR SOLUTION WHICH IS NOT AT
ALL ON THE TABLE RIGHT NOW, UM,
BUT IT'S FROM THE 19 EIGHTIES.
AND SINCE WE'RE HAVING THIS
CONVERSATION ABOUT THE MASTER
PLAN COMMITTEE, UM WE I WANNA
BRING IT UP. WE NEED TO SEPARATE
OUT SERVICE CO-ORDINATION FROM
SERVICE DECISION MAKERS. THEY
SHOULD NOT BE THE SAME PEOPLE WE
SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHO IS
OUR SERVICE COORDINATOR BASED ON
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE
TRUST AND THAT COME FROM OUR
COMMUNITY. THIS IS WORKING
REALLY WELL IN THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM. WE'RE
UNDERSERVED FAMILIES CAN BRING
ON FACILITATORS. THEY CHOOSE TO
BE THEIR ADVOCATES AND WE SEE
RACIAL DISPARITIES NARROWING IN
THE SELF DETERMINATION PROGRAM,
AND IT GIVES US A MODEL FOR US
TO WORK ON. THANK YOU. GOOD
AFTERNOON, DOCTOR JACKSON
COMMITTEE MEMBERS. UH, MY NAME
IS FERNANDO GÓMEZ. AND I'M HERE
TODAY. UH NOT ONLY AS A FATHER
OF A 17 YEAR OLD YOUNG MAN WITH
DOWN SYNDROME WHO SERVED BY
REGIONAL CENTER SYSTEM BUT ALSO
THE CO FOUNDER OF THE INTEGRATED
COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE, A
STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION THAT'S
DEDICATED TO THE LIVES OF
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITHIN
THE CALIFORNIA I Dð Dð
COMMUNITY. WE. OUR COMMUNITY. UM
TODAY THERE ARE OVER 22
INDIVIDUALS WHO DROVE HOURS AT
END TO BE HERE TODAY. THERE ARE
OVER 100 PEOPLE. WATCHING THIS
VIDEO LIVE STREAMING ON, UH,
ZOOM. AND ACTUALLY, WE'RE
TRANSLATING THIS MEETING AS IN
REAL TIME AS IT GOES ON, BECAUSE
THERE IS THAT MANY PEOPLE
INTERESTED IN THE SUBJECT
MATTER. UM, WE ARE A COMMUNITY
AND THE PANEL BEFORE US LIVELY
DISCUSSION GREAT SUBJECT MATTER.
PROMISE OF A MASTER PLAN, WHICH
SOUNDS GREAT. AND WE KNOW THAT
EVERY S¼ GO INDIVIDUAL IS
IMPORTANT. HOWEVER. LATINOS MAKE
UP OVER 42% OF INDIVIDUALS
SERVED BY THE REGIONAL CENTER
SYSTEM. AND. AS EXCITED AS WE
WANT TO BE ABOUT A MASTER PLAN.
WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THAT ONLY
17% EVEN THOUGH WE'RE 42% SERVED
ONLY 17% ARE LATINOS ARE ON THE
TASK FORCE. SO WE ALREADY KNOW
THAT THERE'S GONNA BE
UNDERREPRESENTATION. AND
FURTHERMORE, THERE'S NOT ONE
BEST BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE,
BECAUSE I KNOW INFORMATION IS
STILL COMING OUT. THERE'S NOT
ONE LATINO SOUTH ADVOCATE ON
THAT TASK FORCE. YES. THERE WILL
BE MEETINGS IN THE COMMUNITY AND
THERE'LL BE CONVERSATIONS AND
WE'RE LOOKING TO USE THOSE AS WE
SLASH OUR WAY THROUGH THE JUNGLE
AS MY COLLEAGUE HERE, UM, USES A
COMPARISON. SO AS A DAD AND FROM
THE ONSET OF NEARLY TWO DECADES
OF ADVOCACY. MY FAMILY HAS
RELIED ON THE LETTERMAN ACT AS
OUR LIFELINE AND BEACON OF HOPE.
IT EMBODIES HER ASPIRATION FOR
CHILDREN TO LEAD MEANINGFUL
LIVES THROUGHOUT THESE YEARS. I
HAVE ADVOCATED FOR OUR
COMMUNITY. WRESTLED WITH THAT
STARK REALITIES OF THE
DISPARITIES THAT WE JUST HEARD A
JUDY SHARE. AND THE CHALLENGE IN
BARRIERS IN ROADBLOCKS THAT
HINDER OUR JOURNEY. THE QUESTION
THAT WEIGHS HEAVILY ON MY MIND,
AND I BELIEVE THE MINDS OF MANY
IS HOW DO WE EFFECTIVELY ADVANCE
EQUITABLE ACCESS FOR ALL? EVERY
SINGLE CALIFORNIAN UNDER THE
LAMAN ACT. WHAT SEEMS TO BE
WORKING IS THAT THERE IS A
TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SYSTEM
NAVIGATIONS. DISPARITIES IN
EQUITIES ARE ARE HAPPENING
ACROSS THE STATE RESONATING AT
VARIOUS LEVELS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
BUT YET WHAT WE SEE IS MISSING
IS THE SYNCHRONIZATION. OF
EFFORTS AT THE POINT OF SERVICE
CO ORDINATION THE POINT WHERE WE
CALL THE RUBBER MEETING THE ROAD
. TO OFTEN FAMILIES ENCOUNTER A
CULTURE OF REJECTION. WHERE THEY
MUST PORTRAY THEIR LOVED ONES IN
A NEGATIVE LIGHT. JUST TO
QUALIFY FOR SERVICES ONLY TO BE
THRUST INTO AN OVERWHELMING AND
COMPLEX PROCESS. OF OBTAINING
THOSE SERVICES THAT THE DIRELY
NEED. THE RULES AND THE CRITERIA
FOR QUALIFICATION OF SERVICES
REMAIN THE SHROUDED IN MYSTERY,
LEAVING FAMILIES FRUSTRATED AND
OVERWHELMED IN THE LIFE CHANGING
SERVICES THAT ARE NEEDED OUT OF
REACH, A PROCESS THAT TAKES
MONTHS AT END IN A TIRING OF MY
OF TIME. UNFORTUNATELY THE
SYSTEM SUPPORTS DO NOT SHARE THE
SAME URGENCY. THAT WE AS FAMILY
MEMBERS HAVE WHERE IT'S SEEMS TO
BE OK IF IT TAKES SIX MONTHS A
YEAR, EVEN MORE SO TO OBTAIN A
SERVICE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN
USED THAT VERY SAME DAY. WE ARE
HERE AND AGREED THAT SERVICE
CORDINATION SHOULD BE PERSON
CENTERED YET TOO OFTEN, IT FEELS
VERY BUREAUCRATIC AND ISOLATING
DIRECTIVES ARE CONVOLUTED AND
INCONSISTENTLY INTERPRETED WHILE
COMPLIANCE DEMANDS FURTHER
ALIENATE INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR
FAMILIES, TRUST AND RESPECT OUR
IN ESSENTIAL PILLARS AND IN
BRIDGING DISPARITIES, THEY ARE
ERODED WHEN INFORMATION SHARED
IN GOOD FAITH. WITH SERVICE
COORDINATORS IS LETTER IS LATER
WEAPONIZED AGAINST THE FAMILIES
IN PLACES LIKE HEARINGS. WE
RECOGNIZE THE IMMENSE CHALLENGES
FACED BY THE SERVICE
COORDINATORS, THEY MUST NAVIGATE
REGIONAL CENTERS, POLICIES,
ADHERE TO SYSTEM DIRECTIVES AND
MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WHILE
STRIVING TO BE PERSON CENTERED.
THEY ARE CAUGHT BETWEEN A ROCK
AND A HARD PLACE WHILE
INCREASING COORDINATING NUMBERS.
MORE SERVICE COORDINATORS AND
REDUCING CASE LOAD RATIOS. THEY
ARE THAT MAY HELP. BUT THE
SERVICE DELIVERY PROCESS STILL
FAILS TO ALIGN WITH THE NEEDS
AND THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE
COMMUNITIES THAT IT SERVES. WHAT
PROGRAMS LIKE COORDINATE FAMILY
SUPPORT MAY APPEAR BENEFICIAL IN
SUPPORTING FAMILIES. IN REALITY,
OUR COMMUNITY PERCEIVES THEM AS
INTRUSIVE AND MANY CASES
UNTRUSTWORTHY. HOW PROGRAMS LIKE
THE SELF DETERMINATION I AS A
GAME CHANGER. IN ONE IS LUCKY
ENOUGH TO TRANSITION INTO SELF
DETERMINATION BECAUSE IT IS A
PRETTY CHALLENGING AND DIFFICULT
PROJECT PROCESS TODAY. WAS SOME
REGIONAL CENTERS ARE STRIVING TO
CHANGE EMBEDDED CULTURES OF
BUREAUCRACY. COMPLIANCE DEMANDS
OFTEN STIFLE THAT PROGRESS. OUR
COMMUNITY YEARNS TO BE HEARD. TO
BE A GENUINE PARTNER IN SHAPING
EQUITABLE SERVICES. WE PROVIDE
FEEDBACK. WE SHARE EXPERIENCES.
YET AT TIMES IT FEELS THE OUR
VOICES ARE NOT BEING HEARD. SO
WE KNOW AND I'VE HEARD ABOUT THE
DATA. THAT SHOWS LATINOS
FAMILIES ARE GETTING, FOR
EXAMPLE, MORE RESPITE THAN WHITE
NON LATINOS. HOWEVER. THAT'S IN
MANY CASES, THE ONLY SERVICE
THAT THEY ARE RECEIVING. IN
REALITY FOR MANY LATINOS. WE ARE
LOOKING TO HAVE THAT EQUITY HAVE
ACCESS TO DIVERSE SERVICES THAT
ARE NEEDED FOR FAMILY MEMBERS TO
SURVIVE SO TRUE PERSON CENTERED
SERVICE COORDINATIONS BRACES OUR
DIVERSITY, IT HOLDS THE PROMISE
OF TRANS FORMATIVE CHANGE. THEY
ARE DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS WHO
WORK TIRELESSLY. WE HEARD HIM
MANY MORE. WE'RE GONNA HAVE A
DIRECTOR HERE WHO'S GONNA BE
PROVIDER TESTIMONY. WE HAVE
ANOTHER DIRECTOR WHO'S COMING IN
IN THE NEXT PANEL, WHO'S
PROVIDING TESTAMENT. THERE ARE
MANY, MANY INDIVIDUALS WITH
AMAZING HEARTS WHO ARE TRYING
HARD TO FIX. THIS SYSTEM. BUT
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS A
SERVICE COORDINATION'S REALLY
NOT IN ALIGNMENT. WITH THE
COMMUNITY THAT IT SERVES. SO.
DESPITE THE CHALLENGES, WE
REMAIN HOPEFUL, HOPEFUL THAT
THROUGH COLLECTIVE EFFORT, WE
CAN DISMANTLE THESE BARRIERS AND
CREATE A SYSTEM THAT TRULY
SERVES ALL CALIFORNIANS. WE MUST
CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE TO
COLLABORATE AND TO BELIEVE IN
THE POSSIBILITY OF A FUTURE
WHERE EQUITY AND INCLUSION ARE
JUST NOT ASPIRATIONS, BUT
REALITIES AND WE DO AGREE WITH
YOU THAT. SURVIVING IS NOT
ENOUGH THAT WE SHOULD BE
THRIVING. THANK YOU. GOOD
AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. MY
NAME IS MIE GATES. I'M THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT KERN
REGIONAL CENTER. UM, WITH THE
SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 138
REGIONAL CENTERS HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE SERVICES
TO INDIVIDUALS, THEIR FAMILIES,
PROVIDERS AND OTHER
STAKEHOLDERS. MANY THINGS HAVE
CHANGED SINCE THE LANTERMAN
SYSTEM BEGAN OVER 50 YEARS AGO,
OUR DAY TO DAY LIVES AND THE
DEMOGRAPHICS OF OUR STATE ARE
VASTLY DIFFERENT. AND WE HAD A
LOT OF WORK TO DO TO CATCH UP
WITH ALL OF THOSE CHANGES. IN
ADDITION, THE REGIONAL CENTER
SYSTEM HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY
COMPLEX AS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE
WE SERVE AND THE FUNDING NEEDS
GROW. STANDARDIZATION OF THE IP
THE INTAKE PROCESS, RESPITE
ASSESSMENT TOOL AND VENDOR
ORGANIZATION PROCEDURES. ISN'T
PROCESS AND REGIONAL CENTERS
LOOK FORWARD TO THE BENEFITS.
THIS WORK WILL BRING.
STANDARDIZATION WILL MAKE OUR
SYSTEM EASIER FOR INDIVIDUALS
AND FAMILIES TO USE AND EASIER
FOR OUR STAFF TO ADMINISTER. IT
ALSO ADDRESSES GEOGRAPHICAL
DIFFERENCES IN SERVICE PROVISION
BETWEEN REGIONAL CENTERS. A
COMMON SOURCE OF CONFUSION AND
FRUSTRATION FOR INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES. MAKING OUR SYSTEM
EASIER TO UNDERSTAND AND
NAVIGATE, WILL LEAD TO GREATER
EMPOWERMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES, WHICH IS A CORE
PRINCIPLE OF THE LANTERMAN ACT.
THROUGH AA, THE ASSOCIATION OF
REGIONAL CENTER AGENCIES.
REGIONAL CENTERS HAVE BEEN
WORKING FOR SOME TIME TO
IDENTIFY AREAS THAT CAN BE
STANDARDIZED. IN ADDITION TO THE
AREAS IDENTIFIED IN SENATE BILL
138 ARC IS WORKING ON A STANDARD
DAYCARE ASSESSMENT TOOL TO
ENSURE CONSISTENT ASSESSMENT OF
NEEDS ACROSS THE SYSTEM.
STANDARDIZATION SHOULD
STREAMLINE PROCESSES AND FREE UP
TIME TO DO WHAT REGIONAL CENTERS
ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT. BUILDING
RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIVIDUALS
AND FAMILIES, DEVELOPING AND
IMPLEMENTING PERSON CENTERED
PLANS THAT CONTAIN A THOROUGH
ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS AND IDENTIFY
MEANINGFUL OUTCOMES. CREATING
NEW RESOURCES AS WELL. ALL OF
THESE THINGS ARE NECESSARY TO
ADDRESSING EQUITY. SENATE BILL
138 ALSO ADDRESSES GENERIC
SERVICES ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS
, AS NOTED EARLIER IN THE
LANTERMAN ACT IS THAT GENERIC
SERVICES MUST BE EXHAUSTED
BEFORE REGIONAL CENTERS CAN FUND
FOR EXAMPLE, PRIVATE INSURANCE
COVERAGE AND MEDIC MAY HAVE TO
BE EXPLORED AS SPENDING SOURCES
FIRST. HOWEVER FOR OUR
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES,
KNOWING WHAT GENERIC SERVICES
ARE AND APPLYING FOR THOSE
SERVICES CAN BE ANOTHER BARRIER
TO GETTING THEIR NEEDS MET.
DEFINING GENERIC SERVICES AND
HOW REGIONAL CENTERS WILL ASSIST
WITH COORDINATING THEM WILL BE A
HUGE SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES IDENTIFYING AND
TRACKING THE USE OF GENERIC
SERVICES WOULD BE HELPFUL IN
IDENTIFYING HOW NEEDS ARE OR ARE
NOT BEING MET OUTSIDE OF
REGIONAL CENTER PURCHASE OF
SERVICE. THIS UNDERSTANDING MAY
FURTHER ILLUMINATE ROOT CAUSES
OF DISPARITY. THERE ARE MANY
COMPLEXITIES TO THE PURCHASE OF
SERVICE DATA. BUT P S¼ IS ONLY
ONE MEASURE OF EQUITY. WE SHOULD
BE LOOKING AT OTHER DATA AS WELL
TO ENSURE WE ARE GETTING A FULL
PICTURE OF THE CHALLENGES OUR
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACE.
THE MOST BASIC QUESTION WE NEED
TO ASK. ARE YOUR NEEDS BEING
MET? ARE YOU ATTAINING YOUR
GOALS? ARE THE ARRAY OF SERVICES
REGIONAL CENTERS OFFER
SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF
OUR DIVERSE POPULATION. THE
ADDITION OF THE
SELF-DETERMINATION PROGRAM. CO
ORDINATED FAMILY SUPPORTS THE
EXPANSION OF PARTICIPANT
DIRECTED SERVICES, THE COMMUNITY
NAVIGATOR PROGRAM AND THE
RESTORATION OF SOCIAL RECREATION
AND NON MEDICAL THERAPIES ARE
EXAMPLES OF THE SYSTEMS ATTEMPT
TO BETTER MEET THE NEEDS OF THE
PEOPLE WE SERVE. ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT THINGS OUR SYSTEM CAN
DO IS TO FOSTER CULTURALLY
SENSITIVE RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
BETWEEN REGIONAL CENTER SERVICE
COORDINATORS AND INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES. KEEPING IT TOP OF MIND
THAT IT IS OUR INDIVIDUALS WHO
ARE AT THE CENTER OF ALL PLANS,
DRIVING THEIR PLAN WITH THE
SUPPORT OF FAMILY, FRIENDS,
CAREGIVERS AND THE REGIONAL
CENTER SYSTEM. ALLOWING SERVICE
COORDINATORS THE TRAINING AND
TIME TO DEVELOP THOROUGH, PERSON
CENTERED INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM
PLANS AND BUILDING EFFICIENCIES
INTO THE SYSTEM FOR THE
PAPERWORK SIDE OF THE JOB IS
CRUCIAL IN THIS EFFORT. THE
STANDARDIZATION MEASURES IN
SENATE BILL 138 SHOULD SUPPORT
THIS. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE
STATEWIDE DATABASE SYSTEM. WHAT
WE CALL SANDIS CAN REDUCE TIME
ON PAPERWORK AND MAKE DATA DATA
MORE EXPANSIVE AND RELIABLE. AS
A STATE. BUILDING CLEAR PATHWAYS
FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN
AGENCIES SUPPORTING OUR
INDIVIDUALS WITH DECREASE THE
BURDEN INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
NOW FACE TO ACCESS WHOLE PERSON
SUPPORTS. THANK YOU. UH, THANK
YOU ALL VERY MUCH. UM, OBVIOUSLY
. ISSUE OF EQUITY IS SO
IMPORTANT. AND ONE THING THAT I
KNOW THAT I'VE LEARNED THAT IN
TERMS OF EQUITY, THERE'S GOTTA
BE YEAH. YOU CAN'T TAKE. UM YOU
CAN'T NIBBLE AROUND THE EDGES
WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH
THAT EQUITY. BECAUSE IT'S
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THE
SYSTEMIC NATURE. THAT THAT HAS
TO BE DONE WITH A SENSE OF
URGENCY. AGGRESSION TO BE HONEST
TO TRULY MOVE THE SYSTEM IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION. UH, SO MY
QUESTION FOR, UH, THE DEPARTMENT
IS WHAT POLICIES AND PRACTICES
HAVE. WE'VE CHANGED. UM IN ORDER
TO HYPER FOCUS ON THE HUGE
DISPARITY THAT WE SEE IN THE
LATINO COMMUNITY. YEAH. THANK
YOU, DOCTOR JACKSON FOR THE
QUESTION, UM, I'LL DO MY BEST TO
ANSWER. THERE'S A LOT PACKED IN
THERE. UM SO AS A DEPARTMENT WE
HAVE REALLY PRIORITIZED LOOKING
AT EQUITY THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE
SYSTEM AND REALLY LOOKING AT ALL
THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE
THROUGH THE EQUITY LENS WE FOR
ABOUT SEVEN YEARS NOW, WE'VE HAD
FUNDING FOR A SERVICE ACCESS AND
EQUITY GRANTS. THOSE GRANTS ARE
AVAILABLE BOTH TO REGIONAL
CENTERS AND TO COMMUNITY BASED
ORGANIZATIONS. THOSE HAVE BEEN
REALLY FOUNDATIONAL TO A LOT OF
WORK THAT HAS BEEN GONE, GONE ON
THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE AND
HAVE REALLY IMPROVED, UH,
PROVISION OF INFORMATION
ENGAGEMENT WITH FAMILIES AND
INDIVIDUALS SERVED, UM,
DEVELOPING NEW MODELS THAT WE
CAN THEN REPLICATE THROUGHOUT
THE STATE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE
NAVIGATOR, UH, PROGRAM? UM AS I
MENTIONED, WE ARE TRANSLATING
THE LANTERN ACT INTO SPANISH AT
THE AS A RESULT OF OUR COMMUNITY
REQUESTING THAT SO THAT WORK HAS
BEEN ONGOING FOR QUITE SOME TIME
. OUR DEPARTMENT IS ALSO
UNDERGOING A TRANSFORMATION WITH
REGARDS TO THE REGIONAL CENTER
PERFORMANCE. THEY'RE THEIR
OPERATIONS AS WELL AS YOU HEARD
EARLIER, THE QUALITY INCENTIVE
PROGRAM AND THERE'S EQUITY BUILT
INTO BOTH OF THOSE SYSTEMS WHERE
THERE IS, UH BOTH PUBLIC
RECOGNITION AS WELL, AS, UM UH
FUNDING INCENTIVES FOR GOOD
PERFORMANCE BY SERVICE PROVIDERS
AND BY REGIONAL CENTERS. ONE
EXAMPLE OF THAT IS LOOKING AT
THE, UM UM UH, LANGUAGE SPOKEN
BY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SERVED BY
REGIONAL CENTERS AND THEN
LOOKING AT THE STAFF AT REGIONAL
CENTERS AND THE LANGUAGES THAT
THEY SPEAK AND TRYING TO, UM,
MATCH THOSE TO SOME DEGREE SO
THAT FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS
SERVE FEEL THAT THEY HAVE
SOMEONE WHO, UM, THEY CAN RELATE
TO SO UM OH, GOSH, THERE ARE SO
MANY THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING IN
THE EQUITY SPACE. UM COORDINATE
FAMILY SUPPORTS, ALTHOUGH, UM,
UH THERE MAY BE SOME WHO HAVE
NOT FOUND IT TO BE HELPFUL. THAT
WAS A SERVICE THAT WAS BORN OUT
OF. I'M HEARING FROM OUR
COMMUNITY THAT FAMILIES DIDN'T
WANT TO BE FORCED TO PLACE THEIR
ADULT CHILDREN OUTSIDE THE
FAMILY HOME. THEY WANTED
ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS IN THE
FAMILY HOME, AND SO WE DEVELOPED
A COORDINATE FAMILY. PILOT
PROGRAM TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT
INSIDE THE FAMILY HOME. SO UM,
YEAH, NÓ. I UNDERSTAND. I THINK
ALL OF THAT IS GREAT. BUT I, I
THINK SPECIFICALLY IS, UH
THROUGH MY OWN STUDIES. UH, YOU
KNOW THAT IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE
SOME EQUITY, AND IT'S HARD TO
ACHIEVE EQUITY OF YOUR CLIENTS
DON'T TRUST YOU RIGHT? ALL THOSE
THINGS. SO ARE YOU SAYING THAT
EACH REGIONAL CENTER HAS A
LATINO CENTRIC PROGRAM TO
SPECIFICALLY WORK ON THE ISSUES
FACING LATINO COMMUNITY? I DON'T
KNOW IF I WOULD SAY THAT. I'M I
CAN'T SAY THAT WITH ALL
ASSURANCE. SO I WOULD LIKE TO
SEE UM, LATINO FOCUSED PROGRAMS
THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED THROUGH
THAT FUNDING. RIGHT IS AGAIN YOU
CAN'T SAY. THIS IS AN EQUITY
PROGRAM, BUT IT'S NOT HYPER
FOCUSED IN ORDER TO MOVE THAT
FORWARD. AND SO IF THERE ARE ANY
OR EVEN IF THERE AREN'T I WOULD
LIKE TO SEE A LIST OF THE
REGIONAL CENTERS AND WHICH ONES
HAVE DEVELOPED LATINOS CENTRIC
PROGRAMS. TO REALLY MOVE THAT
NEEDLE RIGHT BECAUSE AGAIN.
SOMETIMES YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES
YOU GOTTA SAY. THE STUFF OUT
LOUD, THE HARD STUFF OUT LOUD
BUT AGAIN. NÓ MATTER HOW MEANING
A PROGRAM IS. IF IT'S NOT DONE,
NOT IN A CULTURALLY COMPETENT
WAY, BUT I CULTURALLY SPECIFIC
WAY. THEN WE ARE NOT DOING
EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO MOVE
THE NEEDLE. RIGHT? UM. SO I JUST
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE THAT
THAT REQUEST IS THERE UH, I. I
HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS AND. WHO
ARE SERVED BY THE REGIONAL
CENTER IN MY AREA. UM AND THEY
TRULY IS A TRUST ISSUE THAT IS
QUITE. UM. AND BORDERS ON
TRAUMATIC IN SOME IN SOME WAYS.
WHEN I'M LISTENING. AND I'M IN
THE CONVERSATIONS. I SEE I HEAR
IS NOT JUST A SENSE OF UM. WELL,
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GONNA
REALLY SERVE ME THE WAY I WANT
THEM TO. IT'S MORE OF A THERE'S
A PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH THIS. AND
THAT'S A DIFFERENT LEVEL. THEN.
YOU KNOW? ME GOING TO THE BANK
AND WAITING IN LINE FOR A LONG
TIME, RIGHT? EVEN THOUGH I MIGHT
GET VIOLENT THAT TIME, TOO, BUT
ANYWAY BUT THE IDEA IS THERE'S
SOMETHING MORE THAT I THINK WE
REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY,
REALLY HAVE GOT TO GET TO
BECAUSE NÓ MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY
YOU PUMP INTO AGAIN. ALL THE
WELL MEANING PROGRAMS AND
INITIATIVES AND INNOVATIONS
YOU'RE TRYING TO DO. IF THE
POPULATION DOESN'T TRUST YOU,
YOU WILL NOT MOVE THE NEEDLE
EITHER. SO MY QUESTION IS WHAT
SPECIFICALLY? UM IS THE
DEPARTMENT DOING AND WHAT
SPECIFICALLY ARE REGIONAL
CENTERS DOING? TO BUILD THE
NECESSARY TRUST. AND REAL
COMMUNICATION. THAT WILL ALLOW
FOR THAT REAL MOVEMENT TO
HAPPEN. MHM. CAN I? CAN I SPEAK
TO THE REGIONAL CENTER PART?
ABSOLUTELY. UM SO. I KNOW IT AT
CURRENT REGIONAL CENTER, BUT I
ALSO UM I AWARE THAT MANY
REGIONAL CENTERS UH HAVE, UH,
REGULAR MEETINGS WITH THEIR, UM,
UH, A REPRESENTATIVE GROUP OF
THEIR HISPANIC COMMUNITIES. SO
FOR EXAMPLE, AT KERN, UM WE HAVE
A GROUP OF FAMILIES, UH, WHO
ACTUALLY HAVE A NONPROFIT NOW
CALLED PADRES UNIDOS? UM AND WE
MEET WITH THEM MONTHLY, UH, TO
TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES.
NOTHING'S YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING'S
ON TABLE, WHATEVER THEY WANT TO
TALK ABOUT, UM A LOT OF TIMES.
IT'S NOT PLEASANT, BUT WE ALWAYS
WE ARE THERE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS,
AND THAT IS WHAT WE ALL AGREE ON
. IS THAT, UM YES, THERE'S A LOT
OF PAIN. THERE'S A LOT OF
FRUSTRATION. UM BUT WE'RE THERE
TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS AND TALK
HEART TO HEART ABOUT WHAT WE AS
A REGIONAL CENTER CAN DO TO
BETTER MEET THEIR NEEDS AND TO
UNDERSTAND THEIR FRUSTRATION.
UM, IN ADDITION TO THAT, WHEN WE
JOB PROGRAMS LIKE SELF
DETERMINATION. UM WHICH WE SO
DESPERATELY WANT OUR, UM
HISPANIC COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND
SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE AN
INFORMED CHOICE ABOUT HEY,
WHETHER YOU KNOW, MAYBE THIS
PROGRAM UM WOULD BE REALLY
HELPFUL TO ME IS THAT WE, UM
REGULARLY DO, UM, IN SPANISH.
UM, OUTREACH. UH UH.
INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS TO OUR
HISPANIC COMMUNITY. UM, THEY
PREFER IN PERSON. UM I KNOW YOU
KNOW DURING THE PANDEMIC, A LOT
OF THINGS WERE DONE BY ZOOM, ET
CETERA. OUR HISPANIC COMMUNITY
IS ALWAYS PREFERRED. WE WANT YOU
TO BE THERE IN PERSON TALKING TO
US IN THE SAME ROOM. AND SO WE
DO THAT. UM AND AS BRIAN
MENTIONED, WE HAVE MANY, UM,
STAFF WHO ARE HISPANIC AND
SPANISH SPEAKING. AND SO WE HAVE
NÓ PROBLEM. UM, DOING THAT. SO
UH, WE ALSO HAVE A VERY STRONG
CONNECTION WITH OUR, UM WHAT WE
CALL EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY CENTER.
IT'S OUR RESOURCE CENTER. UM,
THEY'RE ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY
LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM
US JUST BY HÌ AND STANCE. UM,
BUT THEY ARE VERY, UM UM FOCUSED
ON OUR HISPANIC COMMUNITY. AND
SO, UH, THROUGH THEM, WE WORK
TOGETHER REGULARLY, UM, TO
EDUCATE AND FORM OFFER TRAININGS
ON ANYTHING. WHETHER IT'S P Ó
S¼ DISPARITY, SELF DETERMINATION
. UM OTHER THINGS. THEY ALSO
HAVE THE COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR
PROGRAM. UM SO WE MEET WITH THEM
VERY REGULARLY, UM, WALK ACROSS
THE STREET TALK TO EACH OTHER
WHENEVER WE NEED TO. SO WE AND
OTHER REGIONAL CENTERS I KNOW
ARE DOING OUR ABSOLUTE BEST. UM
AT KN, UH, WE ACTUALLY THE
MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS THAT WE
SERVE ARE HISPANIC. UM, SO IT IS
A HUGE FOCUS FOR US. SO DUE TO
YOUR FOCUS YOU BACK? ARE YOU
SAYING THAT THAT DISPARITY DOES
NOT, ALTHOUGH THERE'S A
DISPARITY STATEWIDE THAT IN
TERMS OF CURRENT THAT THAT
DISPARITY WITH LATINOS DON'T
DOES NOT EXIST? I AM NOT SAYING
THAT I'M SAYING WE ARE MAKING
EVERY EFFORT. BUT I ABSOLUTELY
AGREE WITH YOU THAT THERE IS A
TRUST ISSUE, AND IT'S NOT AN
ISSUE THAT HAS ALWAYS
AMELIORATED BY HAVING A SERVICE
COORDINATOR WHO IS OF THE SAME
CULTURE AND LANGUAGE. UM, YOU
KNOW, IT'S A BASIC TRUST OF THE
SYSTEM OF THE REGIONAL CENTER
ITSELF. UM SO WE HAVE A LOT OF
WORK TO DO. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE
TRYING TO DO WITH OUR PADRES
UNIDOS GROUP AND ALSO BY JUST
OPENING AN INVITATION TO OUR
ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO PLEASE COME
TO THESE MEETINGS, UM, DOING
EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN POSSIBLY
THINK OF TO TRY TO BREAK DOWN
THAT LACK OF TRUST THAT EXISTS
BETWEEN US BUT I? I THINK A BIG
PART OF THAT LACK OF TRUST IS
JUST YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE
BUREAUCRACY THAT WE DEAL WITH,
UM, AND PART OF THE ISSUE OF
EVEN ROLLING OUT, UM, NEW
SERVICES THAT MAY BE OF
ASSISTANCE TO OUR HISPANIC
COMMUNITY IS JUST TRYING TO, UM,
GET OUR SERVICE COORDINATORS TO
OBSERVE ALL ABSORB ALL OF THE
NEW INFORMATION THAT KEEPS
COMING. THEM SO, UM, IT'S A BIG
PICTURE. THERE'S A LOT OF
ASPECTS, UM, TO TAKE A LOOK AT
THAT CAN BE IMPROVED. UM BUT NÓ
WE STILL HAVE DISPARITY ISSUES
AND WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE MANY
MORE IN OUR HISPANIC COMMUNITY
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SELF
DETERMINATION VERY, VERY HAPPY.
SO CAN YOU JUST GIVE ME MAYBE
TWO? TWO KEY ACTIONS YOU THINK
CAN BE TAKEN. YOU KNOW WHETHER
IT'S THROUGH, YOU KNOW THE
REALLOCATION OF DOLLARS OR A
HYPER FOCUS OR TWEAKING ON SOME
OF THE OTHER INNOVATION PROGRAMS
. WHAT ARE 22 KEY THINGS YOU
THINK CAN REALLY MOVE THE
NEEDLE. I I LIKE I. I LOVE YOUR
IDEA OF REALLY FOCUSING ON, UH,
THE OUR HISPANIC COMMUNITY
SPECIFICALLY WITH REGARD TO, UM,
SERVICES LIKE SELF DETERMINATION
. WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO THAT
AT KERN. UM IT IT IS. IT IS A
STRONG GOAL OF OUR SELF
DETERMINATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
. UM SO WE ARE DOING YOU KNOW
EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SCHEDULE IN
PERSON. UM, UH, INFORMATIONAL
MEETINGS. UH, ALSO, UH,
CONTRACTING WITH, UH UH,
AGENCIES OF IND. INDEPENDENT
FACILITATORS, UM, WHO ARE
SPANISH SPEAKING TO HOLD THESE
INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS TO ASSIST
THEM, UM, FAMILIES WITH THE
ACTUAL TRANSITION PROCESS TO
SELF DETERMINATION, WHICH IS,
FERNANDO SAID, CAN BE COMPLEX.
UM, SO, UH, WE. WE HAVE YET TO
SEE YOU KNOW THAT. BUT BUT I DO
HAVE TO SAY THAT IT KN. UM THE
SELF DETERMINATION PILOT PROGRAM
BEGAN IN OUR EASTERN COUNTIES IN
ENNO AND MONO. UM AND SO MANY OF
THE PARTICIPANTS IN OUR PROGRAM
CURRENTLY CAME FROM THAT PILOT
PROGRAM FROM THAT VERY SMALL
POPULATION THERE. THAT IS
LARGELY, UH, WHITE. SO. IF WE
ELIMINATE THOSE I WOULD LIKE TO
LOOK AT THE NUMBERS ARE STILL
SMALL. SO IT'D BE EASY IF WE
ELIMINATE THOSE INDIVIDUALS FROM
THE PILOT PROGRAM. HOW ARE WE
DOING IN TERMS OF, UM UH,
DIVERSITY? UH, WITHIN THE NEW,
UM, GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THE IN
THE PROGRAM. SO WHAT I'M HEARING
IS I HEAR FROM THE TESTIMONY
HERE, THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF
EXCITEMENT AROUND SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM. AND WHAT
I'M HEARING IS, IS THAT THAT
MADE ACTUALLY GIVEN THE TYPE OF
FLEXIBILITY. HONORING THE HÌ
THE, UM HELPING PROFESSIONS
PHILOSOPHY THAT THE CLIENT IS AN
EXPERT IN THEIR OWN LIVES. THAT
THAT MAY HOLD THE BIGGEST
POSSIBILITY TO MOVE THE NEEDLE
WHERE WE WANT TO MOVE. AND IT
SEEMS TO ME UH, THAT. UM THIS
MIGHT BE A PROGRAM. WE SHOULD BE
LOOKING AT DOUBLING DOWN ON AM I
HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
HERE? YOU'RE EXACTLY IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION. CAN I GET AN A
MAN? THREE OF OUR FAMILY MEMBERS
ARE IN THE SELF DETERMINATION
PROGRAM. SO WE ARE A BIG FANS.
IT'S UM IT'S I COULD HAVE
PERMISSION TO FOLLOW UP ON THE
POINT THAT THAT I MADE EARLIER
ABOUT ASSESSMENT. I'LL SAY THIS,
UM THROUGHOUT MY BROTHER'S LIFE.
WHENEVER HE HAD HIS ANNUAL IP
S¼. THE WAY NEEDS ASSESSMENT WAS
DONE FOR HIM WAS ALL IN ONE
MEETING. IN OTHER WORDS, A
SERVICE COORDINATOR WHO WE MAY
NOT HAVE HAD MUCH INTERACTION,
DIRECT INTERACTION WITH AT ALL
FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. ONCE A YEAR
, I WOULD SIT DOWN WITH US FOR
MAYBE 90 MINUTES. COLLECT SOME
INFORMATION. ASK SOME QUESTIONS,
PUT IT TOGETHER. WRITE DOWN SOME
GOALS AND SOME SERVICES. BAM! UM
YOU KNOW IT. IT WAS ENOUGH TO
GET SERVICES. BUT NOW THE FIRST
YEAR THAT HE WAS IN SELF
DETERMINATION, HE HAD A REAL
PERSON CENTERED PLAN. IF I COULD
SHOW YOU THESE THESE ASSESSMENTS
SIDE BY SIDE FROM THE THIS THE
PERSON CENTERED PLAN THAT HE WAS
ABLE TO GET ONLY ONCE HE ENTERED
SELF DETERMINATION. IT'S A
BREATHING LIVING DOCUMENT. YOU
FEEL LIKE YOU KNOW WHO HE IS. IT
INCLUDED. NOT IT WASN'T JUST
TAKEN FROM LIKE ONE QUICK
MEETING PER YEAR IN INVOLVED,
YOU KNOW? ALMOST QUALITATIVE,
LIKE METHODS WHERE THE PERSON
WENT OUT AND TALKED TO ALL THESE
DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN HIS LIFE,
SPENT TIME WITH HIM ON HIS OWN
WITHOUT HIS FAMILY PRESENT IN
PLACES WHERE HE FELT COMFORTABLE
. SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT HE WAS
LIKE WHAT HE WAS INTERESTED IN
AND WHAT HE WAS LIKE WHEN HE WAS
JUST NOT ON HIS OWN THAT LEVEL
OF INQUIRY. IT WAS LIKE IT WAS
JUST NOT SOMETHING THAT IS
POSSIBLE. LOGISTICALLY RIGHT NOW
IN THE TRADITIONAL SYSTEM, OUR
SERVICE COORDINATORS DO NOT HAVE
THE CAPACITY THROUGH NÓ FAULT OF
THEIR OWN. AND WHAT I'M HEARING
IS THAT WE USE THAT TYPE OF
PHILOSOPHY. UM BUT DIRECTED TO
OUR, UH, LATINO BROTHERS AND
SISTERS THAT THAT MIGHT HOLD
SOME PROMISE. BUT WOULD YOU
AGREE, SIR? I? I DEFINITELY DO
AGREE. MY SON ACTUALLY IS IN HIS
FOURTH YEAR. UM WE WERE
FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO
HAVE NAVIGATED THE MIGRATIONS
PROCESS WHICH, UH, FROM THE
TRADITIONAL TO THE SOUTH.
DETERMINATION UM, BUT WHAT WE DO
FIND IS THAT THERE IS TREMENDOUS
AMOUNT OF INTEREST IN THE LATINO
COMMUNITY IN SELF DETERMINATION.
BUT THERE ARE REALLY A LOT OF UM
, I. I WOULD SAY BARRIERS THAT
THAT PROHIBIT PEOPLE FROM
THERE'S A LOT OF HOOPS. THERE'S
A LOT OF REGULATIONS. WE'VE GOT
A LOT OF REGULATION
QUALIFICATIONS. YOU HAVE TO MEET
IN ORDER TO DO THAT. SO I'M
HEARING MAKING IT EASIER MAKING
IT MORE OF A, YOU KNOW,
STRAIGHTFORWARD PROCESS,
STRAIGHTFORWARD PROCESS. AND IF
I MAY, UH, DOCTOR CHAD AND JUST
WANTED TO EXPAND ON ONE KEY
POINT, I KNOW, UM MITCHY TALKED
ABOUT THE PARENT GROUP AND THAT
THE MEAT AND SO FORTH AND THAT'S
REALLY IMPORTANT AND LATINOS,
YOU KNOW, WE DO LOVE TO MEET IN
PERSON, BUT WHAT WE'RE FINDING
OUT FOR TWO ADVOCACY AND BE ABLE
TO HAVE AN IMPACT THAT WE'RE
LOOKING AT THAT WE'RE RESORTING
TO RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY DIGITAL
PLATFORMS, LIKE ZOOM TO BE ABLE
TO COME TOGETHER BECAUSE IT'S
NOT JUST ABOUT TRAINING AND
INFORMATION. IT'S ABOUT
IMPLEMENTATION, AND THAT GIVES
US A BROADER SENSE OF COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT INTERACTION AND THE
ABILITY TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER
PEER TO PEER. I BELIEVE THAT IF
WE'RE ABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON THAT
TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY, IT WILL ALSO
HELP FACILITATE PROGRAMS LIKE EN
ENGAGING INTO SELF
DETERMINATION. M MARK. YOU MADE
A COMMENT IN REGARDS TO UM. THE
REGIONAL CENTER FUNDING
DISPARITY. DEPENDING ON WHICH
REGIONAL CENTER WHAT PART OF THE
REGION ARE YOU ARGUING THAT IF I
AM A. CLIENT AT ONE CENTER THAT
I MAY BE. FIND IT LESS FOR THE
SAME SERVICE. UH, IF YOU GET
FUNDED AT ALL. SO THERE'S THERE
ARE DIFFERENCES IN THE OUTREACH
THAT REGIONAL CENTERS DO.
THERE'S DIFFERENCE IN THE TYPES
OF SERVICES THAT VIVIAN WAS
TALKING ABOUT. THEY HAVE THESE
PURCHASE OF SERVICE. UH
GUIDELINES AND THESE RULES AND
IN SOME REGIONAL CENTERS, THE
RULES ARE INCREDIBLY STRICT, SO
THAT NOBODY'S GONNA GET SERVICES
AND IN OTHER REGIONAL CENTERS,
IT'S VERY FLEXIBLE. I COME FROM
WEST SIDE. THE TWO OF US COME
FROM WEST SIDE REGIONAL CENTER,
AND WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR
THAT. IT HAS BEEN A CENTER THAT
HAS IT. IT'S AT THE TOP OF THIS
LIST. IT IS THEY THEY GO ABOVE
AND BEYOND, AND THEY DO WHAT
THEY NEED TO DO TO GET FAMILIES,
THE SERVICES, THE INDIVIDUAL THE
SERVICES THEY NEED. THERE ARE
OTHER REGIONAL CENTERS THAT HAVE
HISTORICALLY JUST NOT DONE THAT.
AND UNFORTUNATELY INLAND IS ONE
OF THOSE REGIONAL CENTERS WHERE
YOU ARE FACING JUST SYSTEMIC
BARRIERS. YOU HAVE SERVICE
COORDINATORS WHO ARE VERY
UNEDUCATED. ABOUT WHAT
POSSIBILITIES. THERE ARE. PEOPLE
ARE NOT INFORMED THAT THEIR
RATES OF EVEN INTAKE ARE VERY
LOW. I. I HAVE TO TELL YOU
BEFORE THIS BEFORE THIS HEARING
YESTERDAY, I WAS RUNNING SOME OF
THESE DATA ON INLAND REGIONAL
CENTER, AND THEY ARE REQUIRED BY
LAW TO KEEP THEIR THEIR DATA
THEIR P Ó S¼ DATA BY RACE ON
THEIR WEBSITE. AND THEY WERE
MISSING FISCAL YEARS 20 TO 21.
SO I CALLED TO SAY WHERE? WHERE
IS THIS? I NEED THIS DATA TO
GIVE TO THIS ASSEMBLY MEMBER. I
CO I LITERALLY TRIED FIVE
DIFFERENT NUMBERS, I. I COULD
NOT GET A HOLD OF A HUMAN BEING
AT INLAND REGIONAL CENTER. AND
II. I WASN'T IN A DESPERATE
SITUATION. I WASN'T IN A CRISIS
AS A FAMILY. I JUST NEED A
LITTLE BIT OF DATA. CAN YOU
IMAGINE IF YOU ARE A FAMILY
MEMBER IN CRISIS, AND YOU CANNOT
GET A HOLD OF A HUMAN BEING AT
YOUR REGIONAL CENTER, SO IT THE
STANDARDS NEED TO BE MUCH, MUCH
HIGHER. BUT BUT IN ADDITION YOU
YOU COULD PUT LOTS MORE
RESOURCES TO GET PEOPLE TO
ANSWER PHONES AT REGIONAL
CENTERS. ULTIMATELY IT'S NOT
GOING TO MAKE MUCH OF A
DIFFERENCE IF YOU ARE BASING.
YOUR SPENDING ON HISTORIC
SPENDING INLAND IS NEVER GOING
TO IMPROVE BECAUSE ENGLAND HAS
ALWAYS FUNDED PEOPLE AT VERY LOW
LEVELS AND Dð Dð S¼ PROVIDES, UH
, FUNDING TO INLAND BASED ON
WHAT THEY SPENT LAST YEAR, SO
THEY'RE NEVER GONNA MOVE UP. SO
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE
UNDERPERFORM REGIONAL CENTERS
AND I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE YEAR
TO ASK FOR IT, BUT WE HAVE TO
HAVE A SPECIAL POT OF MONEY TO
GET THESE LOW PERFORMING
REGIONAL CENTERS JUST FOR P Ó
S¼ TO BRING UP THEIR FAMILIES TO
BRING UP THEIR INDIVIDUALS TO
GET THE KINDS OF SERVICES THAT
PEOPLE LIKE OUR CHILDREN ARE
ABLE TO GET AT WEST SIDE
REGIONAL CENTER, SO IT IT IT.
IT'S GOT TO BE VERY TARGETED AND
THAT AND THAT JUST DOESN'T
HAPPEN RIGHT NOW. BUT MR
WINFIELD, UM BUT WHEN'S THE LAST
TIME WE HAVE YOU HAVE ALL
UPDATED THE BASIC. MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS IN TERMS OF
SERVICES AND FUNCTIONS FOR
REGIONAL CENTERS. I DON'T KNOW
IF, UH, MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS. I
MEAN, ALL REGIONAL CENTERS
PROVIDE THE ARRAY OF SERVICES
THAT ARE IN IN THE LANTERMAN
ACT. AND THEY'RE FUNDED BASED ON
INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM PLAN
DECISIONS AND THAT'S HOW
SERVICES GET PURCHASED
THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM, SO I
DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S
NECESSARILY A MINIMUM STANDARD.
IT JUST SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THAT
THIS IS THE. UM PRINCIPAL
VEHICLE IN WHICH WE'RE SERVING
THIS POPULATION. WE ARE. USING
STATE FUNDS TO DO IT. AND I
DON'T THINK I'VE EVER BEEN IN A
MEETING OR HEARING YET THAT SAYS
THAT THERE'S SOME LEVEL OF
CONSISTENCY WITHIN REGIONAL
CENTERS. THAT THE STATE HAS A
RESPONSIBILITY TO RECTIFY THAT
IN A MORE MEANINGFUL AND DIRECT
WAY. AND SO I THINK MY QUESTION
WOULD BE WELL, THAT WOULD BE IS
UM. WHAT IS THE PLAN TO REALLY
RECTIFY THAT? BECAUSE AGAIN, I
DON'T EVEN THINK WE CAN ACHIEVE
EQUITY. IF THERE'S NOT A BASIC
UNIFORM. PROCESS GOALS.
EXPECTATIONS. THAT CAN BE DONE
UNIVERSALLY. SO THAT WE CAN
ACTUALLY HAVE. SO WHEN WE DO
HAVE DATA. IT'S ACTUALLY DATA WE
CAN RELY ON BECAUSE THERE'S A
BENCHMARK THAT WE'RE ALL
GETTING, YOU KNOW. YOU SEE WHAT
I'M SAYING HERE? AND SO, I. I
THINK A IF THERE ISN'T YOU KNOW.
I'M HIGHLY ALARMED. UH, BUT. IT
SEEMS TO ME THAT, UH UH, I'M NOT
. ONE TO AND THE REASON WHY I'M
SPENDING SO MUCH TIME ON THIS. I
ACTUALLY WASN'T PLANNING ON IT.
BUT WHEN YOU DEAL WITH ISSUES OF
EQUITY, YOU GOTTA JUST GO IN.
AND YOU GOTTA SIT WITH IT. AND
YOU GOTTA JUST TALK THROUGH IT
AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS
THAT THOSE THINGS WE CAN DO IS
IT MAY NOT BE FIVE THINGS. IT
COULD BE TWO THINGS AND THOSE
TWO THINGS CAN GO A LOT FURTHER
THAN THOSE 10 THINGS. YOU SEE
WHAT I'M SAYING? I'M TALKING AS
A SOCIAL WORKER HERE. SO YOU'RE
JUST GONNA HAVE TO DEAL WITH ME
NOW. BUT, UH. I THINK THIS IS
ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS WE
CAN DO TO BE PROUD OF. AND IT'S
MY HOPE THAT WE CAN BEGIN TO UM.
HONE IN TO SOMETHING. SO WE'RE
ALL TALKING THE SAME TALK.
SOMETIMES WE'RE NOT TALKING THE
SAME TALK RIGHT? AND WE'RE.
MAKING THE SAME STEPS TOGETHER.
NÓ MATTER WHAT PART OF THE STATE
YOU'RE IN. OR NÓ MATTER HOW
WE'RE BUDGETING. THAT WERE ALL
MARCHING TOGETHER AND WE CAN
UNDERSTAND WHY SOMETHING IS
WORKING. AND WHY NOT? SOMETHING
IS WORKING, AND IT SHOULDN'T
DEPEND ON. WHO'S BEING SERVED BY
WHICH REGIONAL CENTER RIGHT? SO,
I. I DON'T EXPECT YOU TO HAVE
ALL THESE ANSWERS. I PROBABLY
GAVE YOU 10,000 DIFFERENT
ANSWERS. I MEAN QUESTIONS. SOME
OF WHICH I NÓ LONGER REMEMBER. I
EVEN ASKED YOU BUT I THINK THE
IDEA IS THAT II? I WANT TO START
HAVING MORE MEANINGFUL
DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS RIGHT SO
THAT WE DON'T KEEP FINDING
OURSELVES HERE. HAVING THE SAME
DISCUSSION NOW I KNOW THE REPORT
JUST CAME OUT LAST YEAR. I WAS
IN THAT HEARING. IN TERMS OF
TALKING ABOUT THE EQUITY. AND SO
, I. I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE JUST NOT ASSUMING THAT
WE'RE GONNA JUST KEEP WE'RE
GOING TO MAKE PROGRESS, BUT I
DON'T WANNA BE HERE FIVE OR SIX
YEARS LATER SAYING WHAT
HAPPENED. RIGHT RIGHT. AND SO,
UM I APPRECIATE YOU. UH ANY
THOUGHTS? YEAH I. I THINK. AS I
TESTIFIED EARLIER, A LOT OF WORK
HAS BEEN DONE, UH, WITHIN THE
ENTIRE SYSTEM WITH OUR SYSTEM
PARTNERS, BUT THERE IS CERTAINLY
MUCH MORE WORK TO BE DONE. UM
AND WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT THE
RE ASSESSMENT THAT WE ARE. WE
ARE DEVELOPING. UM AS UH, DOCTOR
GATES TEST TESTIFIED. THERE IS A
DAYCARE ASSESSMENT TOOL THAT
ARCA IS ALSO WORKING ON. SO
THERE'S SOME STANDARDIZATION
THAT IS GOING ON IN THE SYSTEM.
THAT WILL BE HELPFUL TO SORT OF
LE LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD. THE
OTHER ITEM THAT I THINK, UM,
ISN'T NECESSARILY PART OF THE
DISCUSSION AROUND THE TYPES AND
AMOUNTS OF SERVICES A PERSON
GETS, BUT IT DOES PLAY INTO THE
TOTAL PURCHASE OF SERVICE AND
THAT IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE RATE MODELS BECAUSE THE RATE
MODELS BRING ABOUT A DEGREE OF,
UM PARITY THROUGHOUT THE STATE
AND HAVE SOME BUILT IN
GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES IN THEM,
SO THAT WILL ALSO ASSIST US IN
LOOKING AT APPLES TO APPLES. SO
UM, LOTS HAS BEEN DONE. BUT
THERE IS CERTAINLY MUCH MORE TO
DO AND WE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY
TO, UM, YOU KNOW? PULL UP OUR
BOOTS AND WORK EXTRA HARD ON
THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. MADAM
DIRECTOR. I KNOW YOU CAN'T I'M
SORRY. I DIDN'T SEE YOU FROM THE
YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT YOU WERE
SECURITY OR SOMETHING, YOU KNOW?
COME TO TAKE ME AWAY, BUT YOU
KNOW? NOT A CHANCE, MISTER CHAIR
AND I APOLOGIZE FOR KIND OF
SNEAKING IN. BUT THIS IS AN
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, UM,
CONVERSATION. AND UM, I JUST
DON'T WANNA BE LEFT OUT. UM SO
THANK YOU. AND I JUST WANT TO
JUST EXPRESS YOU KNOW, UM EQUITY
AND ACCESS AND ABSOLUTELY WITHIN
EACH OF THE RACE, ETHNICITY, YOU
KNOW, WE KNOW EVEN WITHIN
LANGUAGE. THESE ARE THESE ARE
URGENT ISSUES, AND I JUST WANT,
YOU KNOW, SHARE AND JUST, YOU
KNOW. YOU KIND OF REITERATE WHAT
CHIEF DEPUTY DIRECTOR WINFIELD
IS SAYING, UM, WE WELCOME THOSE
CONVERSATIONS AND ABSOLUTELY THE
GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES HAVE BEEN
A LONG STANDING ISSUE AS FAR AS
EXPENDITURES AND THE THERE'S NOT
ONE SOLUTION TO FIX SUCH AN
IMPORTANT AND. SYSTEMIC ISSUE
THAT IS DEEP, AND IT'S NOT JUST
WITHIN DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES.
IT'S ACCESS TO OTHER SYSTEMS,
YOU KNOW, SO THERE'S WE HAVE TO
UNDERSTAND. LIKE YOU SAID, WE
HAVE TO GET INTO THAT
CONVERSATION. THE RATES THE
RATES IS CERTAINLY GONNA HELP
BECAUSE THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY PUT
FORWARD BECAUSE OF THOSE
INEQUITIES BETWEEN THE
GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES. I THE S¼
B 138 IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF
LEGISLATION THAT HAPPENED LAST
YEAR BECAUSE IT DOES START
IDENTIFYING THOSE
STANDARDIZATIONS OF SAYING, HEY,
WE RECOGNIZE THERE'S 21
DIFFERENT WAYS AND SOMETIMES
THERE'S ACTUALLY EVEN MORE THAN
THAT. I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT
HAPPENS, BUT IT DOES. SO WE NEED
A STANDARDIZE THOSE EXPERIENCES.
WE'RE DOING THE INTAKE PROCESS,
MAKING SURE WE'RE STANDARDIZING
INTAKE. WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT
BECAUSE WE DO KNOW THAT
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ABSOLUTELY
HAVE ENTERED INTO AND TIMELY
ACCESS TO SERVICES AT INTAKE HAS
BEEN SLOWER THAN THE WHITE
COMMUNITY. WE KNOW THAT WE NEED
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE APPROACHES
TO DOING THOSE THINGS. THESE ARE
JUST SOME EXAMPLES. UM, BUT I
JUST WANT TO KIND OF SHARE IN
THE CONVERSATION OF SAYING WE
ARE FULLY COMMITTED AS A
DEPARTMENT, RAISING THE URGENCY
CONTINUING THE URGENCY, YOU
KNOW, AND LISTENING TO THE
CHALLENGES THAT FAMILIES FACE
THE TRUST ISSUE. ABSOLUTELY WE
HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THESE ARE
REALLY, UM EMBEDDED, SOMETIMES
IN KIND OF THOSE CORE
RELATIONSHIPS AT A LOCAL, BUT WE
TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT FROM A
STATE PERSPECTIVE. WHAT ARE WE
DOING TO HOLD ACCOUNTABILITY?
WHAT ARE THE THINGS WE CAN DO TO
AFFECT THOSE CHANGES? SO JUST
KIND OF MY WAY TO SAY THIS IS AN
IMPORTANT CONVERSATION. THANK
YOU FOR TAKING THE EXTRA TIME ON
IT BECAUSE IT IS SO CRITICALLY
IMPORTANT. UM AND WE ARE. WE'RE
IN IT, YOU KNOW, BOOTS UP. YOU
KNOW, WE'RE WE'RE READY TO GO
BECAUSE THE, UM NOT GETTING
ACCESS TO, UH, A SERVICE THAT IS
SO CRITICAL, UM, EARLY ON. IS
COULD HAVE A LIFELONG IMPACT ON
AN INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY AND WE
CAN'T HAVE THAT HAPPEN. I'M NOT.
I'M NOT PUNTING TO THE MOUTH TO
THE MASTER PLAN, BUT THAT IS ONE
ELEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
WE'RE DOUBLING DOWN, BUT I'M NOT
. I'M NOT GIVING UP EVEN ON OUR
CURRENT INITIATIVES TO MAKE SURE
WE'RE AFFECTING CHANGE BECAUSE
AS ABSOLUTELY THE PRIORITY AND
IT IS ONE THAT I PERSONALLY
TAKEN ON AND YOU KNOW, IN ORDER
TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS WORK,
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR
EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM TO HEAR
THIS. AND THAT'S WHEN YOU'RE
GOING. ABOUT THIS WORK, AND
ESPECIALLY THE SYSTEM OF
SENSITIVE SUBJECTS LIKE THIS.
THIS REALLY HAS TO BE DONE IN
THE SPIRIT OF LOVE. AND RESPECT.
AND ALTHOUGH WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
. HEAVY THIS SITUATIONS. WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT MISTRUST AND ALL
THOSE THINGS. UM IT'S NOT MY
HOPE THAT IT BRING FORTH ANGER.
BUT IT BRING FORTH A MORAL
IMPERATIVE. THAT WE CAN ALL
SHARE TOGETHER. AND TO SAY TO
TELL YOU THE TRUTH. YEAH. I
MEAN, WE'RE DEALING WITH HUMANS.
IT'S MESSY. WHETHER YOU'RE A
CLIENT OR A PROVIDER. IF YOU'RE
A HUMAN, YOU'RE MESSY. SOME OF
US CLEAN UP A LITTLE BETTER THAN
OTHERS. BUT WE ALL HAVE BAD
DAYS, TOO. AND SO I THINK THE
QUESTION BECOMES, HOW CAN WE
HELP EACH OTHER, BE SUCCESSFUL?
RIGHT AND THAT'S WE'RE ENGAGING.
EVEN IN THESE TOUGH QUESTIONS.
YES IT MAY FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.
BUT IF IT DOESN'T FEEL
UNCOMFORTABLE, THEN WE'RE NOT
DOING WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO,
EITHER. AND WE'LL NEVER GET TO
THE SOLUTION. RIGHT? SO JUST
KNOW I APPRECIATE EVERYONE IN
THIS ROOM AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE
THIS DISCUSSION IN A WAY THAT
HOPEFULLY WILL CONTINUE. RIGHT
CONTINUE TO BEND THAT ARC
TOWARDS JUSTICE, RIGHT? SO
ANYWAY. CHURCH. WHERE'S THE
COLLECTION PLAY? I, UM. GO AHEAD
AND THEN I AND THEN I ACTUALLY
HAVE TO GET BACK TO MY SCRIPT,
AND I'LL BE EXTREMELY BRIEF. UM
AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING ABOUT
LOVE AND FROM LOVE COMES RESPECT
AND TRUST AND ALL OF THE THINGS
THAT ARE IMPORTANT SPEAKING ON
BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE'RE
LOOKING TO HELP THE SYSTEM HELP
US. AND I GOTTA BE HONEST.
DIRECTOR BARGEMAN FROM DAY ONE
EMBRACED THE IDEA OF CREATED THE
INTEGRATED COMMUNITY
COLLABORATIVE, A AN OUTREACH
MODEL THAT THAT EMPOWERS
INDIVIDUALS AND BEHIND ME, I
KNOW IS MR CRUZ AND HIM AND HIS
TEAM WORK WITH US DAY IN AND DAY
OUT THERE IS LOVE THERE. THERE
THERE. THERE IS ONE AND THERE
ARE PE. I MEAN, WE'VE GOT OUR
BOOTS ON AS THE COMMUNITY IS, WE
JUST HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW IT
COMES TOGETHER. AND I LIKE THAT
ANALOGY ABOUT THAT ROAD THAT THE
PATHWAY AND I THINK IT'S THERE.
WE JUST HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW
TO PUT IT TOGETHER. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR THAT, UM. I WOULD
LIKE TO, UH, REQUEST THAT THE
INFORMATION THAT WAS PROVIDED
FOR THIS AGENDA, AND WE
CERTAINLY THINK UM, FOR
RECEIVING THIS INFORMATION, BUT
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE IT TO BE
INCLUDED AS A REGULARLY WRITTEN
UPDATE. UM IN THE QUARTERLY
MEETINGS THAT ARE CONDUCTED WITH
LEGISLATIVE STAFF PURSUANT TO
STATUTE. UH, TO ASSIST IN
TRACKING NUMBER ONE THE STEPS
TOWARD IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
EQUITY CHANGES THAT WERE
INSTITUTED IN S¼ B 138 CHAPTER,
192. AND THEN NUMBER TWO. THE
PROGRESS OR LACK THEREOF AND
COMPLI, COMPLICATING FACTORS AND
NARROWING AND EVALUATING
DISPARITIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES SYSTEM. UM OVER TIME.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
THAT IT IS ACTUALLY IS WRITTEN
IN STATUTE. UH, THAT, UH, THIS
COMMITTEE, UH, RECEIVES
QUARTERLY. UM, UPDATES. AND IT'S
GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT THAT
WE MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE UH,
FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH THAT? UM,
IS THIS, UM, AMENABLE TO THE
ADMINISTRATION? ABSOLUTELY WE
APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO
MEET WITH LEGISLATIVE STAFF
QUARTERLY TO PROVIDE UPDATES AND
HAVE A DIALOGUE WITH THEM, AND
WE'LL BE HAPPY TO HAVE A
CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WOULD BE
HELPFUL. I APPRECIATE EVERYONE,
UH, WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT
ISSUE. THANK YOU. YEAH. HEY, I
USED TO TOUCH I OH, ME TOO.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE A THREE MINUTE
RECESS. I TOLD YOU. THIS IS A
MARATHON THREE MÐI MINUTE RECESS
AND, UH, WE'LL BE, UH WE'LL BE
BACK SHORTLY. I GUESS WE'RE
GONNA TAKE A RECESS. YES. IT
NEEDS. TO YEAH. YOU JUST WATCH.
I YEAH.
OK WE'RE GOING TO ASK PEOPLE TO
BEGIN TO TAKE THEIR SEATS,
PLEASE. IF EVERYONE CAN TAKE
THEIR SEATS SO THAT WE CAN KEEP
GOING. I WANNA CATCH AT LEAST
ONE NETFLIX EPISODE BEFORE BED.
YOU. I THOUGHT WE HAD ANOTHER
PERSON ON HERE. I'M SURE THERE
IS ONE MORE. I CAN'T REMEMBER
WHO IT WAS, THOUGH. AND IT WAS
YOU, ERNIE. ME. AND. THE
INDIVIDUAL SERVE. THERE ARE SIX.
YEAH, THAT'S IT. I WAS. AND I'M
LIKE I THINK THERE'S MORE HERE.
RIGHT. LIKE WHO'S ON THIS ONE?
BRING THIS. LEAVING ON A HIGH
NOTE. HEARING BACK TO ORDER. UH,
WE ARE NOW ON ISSUE NUMBER
SEVEN. REGARDING SOCIAL
RECREATION AND CAMP SERVICE
IMPLEMENTATION OVERSIGHT. WE'RE
GOING TO START PICKING THINGS UP
NOW. AND SO I WANNA REMIND ALL
OF OUR PANELISTS AS WELL. YOU
HAVE FIVE MINUTES. FIVE MINUTES.
FIVE MINUTES. LET ME SEE. UM AND
THEN, UH, WE WILL CONTINUE ON
UH, WITH THE REST OF OUR
HEARING. I WANT TO THANK
EVERYONE FOR HANGING IN THERE.
BUT YOUR PRESENT IS PRESENCE IS
SO IMPORTANT. UM AND SO, UM,
DEPARTMENT CAN BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE
READY. HØI GOOD EVENING, UH,
ERNIE CRUZ DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. SO FIRST
QUESTION WOULD HAVE BEEN THE
ISSUES WITH, UH, THE RESTORED
IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL
RECREATION CANCER SERVICES. UM
THE ISSUES WITH RESTORED
IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL WORK
CAMP SERVICES, UH, INCLUDE ONE,
REBUILDING THE POOL OF SERVICE
PROVIDERS PROVIDING SOCIAL WORK.
RECREATION PREVIOUSLY, SERVICES
WERE PROVIDED IN SEGREGATED
SOCIAL RECREATION AND CAMP
SETTINGS. REGIONAL CENTERS HAVE
NEEDED TO WORK WITHIN THEIR
LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO SECURE
ANGER. UH INCLUSIVE PROVIDERS
WHO ARE WILLING TO PROVIDE A
VENDOR, UH, TO WHO ARE WILLING
TO BECOME A VENDOR, UM AND OR
USE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
SERVICES WHO CAN HANDLE THE
BILLING FOR THE FAMILIES. THE
PART, THE DEPARTMENT IDENTIFIED
AND PROVIDED SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS
TO REGIONAL CENTERS. UH UH, THAT
REGIONAL CENTERS ARE TO USE WHEN
VENDOR SOCIAL RECREATION
ENTITIES TO FACILITATE AND
EXPEDITE THE VENDOR ORGANIZATION
PROCESS. THAT'S THE PROCESS OF
BECOMING A SERVICE PROVIDER WITH
THE REGIONAL CENTER. THERE ARE
SOCIAL, UH, RECREATION ENTITIES,
UM, THAT THERE ARE SOME SOCIAL
RECREATION ENTITIES THAT HAVE,
UH, HAVE NOT BEEN INTERESTED IN
BECOMING VENDORED WITH THE
REGIONAL CENTER DUE TO, UM
POSSIBLY BEING PAID IN ARREARS.
UM REGIONAL CENTERS RESPONDED
WITH PROPOSALS TO USE FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT SERVICE AGENCIES, UH,
TO PAY FOR SERVICES, WHICH
EVENTUALLY LED TO SOCIAL
RECREATION. UH, BEING AT AS AS A
PARTICIPANT DIRECTED SERVICE.
TRACKING PURCHASE OF SERVICE FOR
SOCIAL RECREATION AND CAMP HAS
BEEN CHALLENGED. UM THE
DEPARTMENT INSTRUCTED REGIONAL
CENTERS TO USE A SPECIFIC SUBCO
FOR PURPOSES OF TRACKING
PURCHASE OF SERVICE
EXPENDITURES. PAYMENT PROCESS
AND PAYING IN ARREARS WAS ALSO A
CHALLENGE. THE DEPARTMENT
ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE IN
CORRESPONDENCE TO REGIONAL
CENTERS. UH THE DEPARTMENT
PROVIDED DIRECTION AND
CLARIFICATION ABOUT THE TIMING
OF PAYMENTS AND FOR THESE
SERVICES OR SUBSCRIPTIONS, WHICH
CAN BE PAID AHEAD OF THE
SERVICE. UH, STARTING LASTLY,
THERE'S BEEN SOME AMBIGUITY
ABOUT WHAT SOCIAL RECREATION
SERVICES CAN BE PURCHASED BY THE
REGIONAL CENTER. UH, GOOD
EVENING, BRIAN WIN Dð Dð S¼ THE
QUESTION. SECOND QUESTION IS,
HAVE THESE ISSUES BEEN RESOLVED
AND WHAT ISSUES OR AREAS OF
CONCERN REMAIN, UH, Dð Dð S¼ HAS
BEEN IN ENGAGED WITH OUR
COMMUNITY AROUND THE VARIOUS
ISSUES THAT REGIONAL CENTERS
HAVE ENCOUNTERED ENCOUNTERED.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE ISSUED TWO
DIRECTIVES TO REGIONAL CENTERS
TO CLARIFY THE STATUTE AND TO
PROVIDE DIRECTION TO THE
REGIONAL CENTERS ABOUT
PURCHASING SOCIAL RECREATION AND
CAMP. WE ALSO ISSUE THE, UM
INFORMATION AROUND THE VENDOR
ORGANIZATION AND ARE HELPING TO,
UH, STREAMLINE SO FAMILIES CAN
GET SERVICES THROUGH, UH,
PARTICIPANT DIRECTED SERVICES.
UH ARE THERE ISSUES REMAINING?
UM, WE ARE CERTAINLY OPEN TO
HEARING ISSUES THAT COME FROM
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN OUR
COMMUNITY. UM BUT AT THE CURRENT
TIME, UM WE'RE NOT AWARE OF
ISSUES THAT ARE BEING FACED. WE
ARE REVIEWING REGIONAL CENTERS
PURCHASE OF SERVICE POLICIES FOR
COMPLIANCE WITH STATUTE. AND
THOSE ARE CURRENTLY SOME HAVE
BEEN APPROVED. SOME ARE UNDER
REVIEW. UM, AND THAT PROCESS IS
ONGOING. UM LASTLY WOULD
IMPLEMENTATION BE IMPROVED BY
CLARIFYING UNDERLYING ISSUES AND
LEGISLATIVE INTENT AND TRAILER
BILL IN THE 2024 BUDGET? UH, THE
ADMINISTRATION IS NOT PROPOSING
TRAIL BILL LANGUAGE, AND I WOULD
NOTE THAT CURRENT STATUTE DOES
HAVE A PROVISION WHERE THE
DIRECTOR OF Dð Dð S¼ CAN ISSUE A
DIRECTIVE TO REGIONAL CENTERS IF
THERE'S NEED FOR ADDITIONAL
DIRECTION OR CLARIFICATION.
THANK YOU. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
CHRIS O'NEILL DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE NOTHING FURTHER TO ADD
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST KINA HENDRON
L A Ó NÓ COMMENTS TO ADD AT
THIS TIME, OK? THANK YOU, DOCTOR
JACKSON. AND SUB COMMITTEE
MEMBERS. AND VIVIAN HAN AT
DISABILITY RIGHTS, CALIFORNIA
I'M LIKE ALREADY, REALLY. UH, WE
TOLD YOU WE GONNA START GOING
QUICK. YOU THOUGHT WE WERE
PLAYING. TO BE ON IT. LAST
WEEKEND. I AND SOME OTHERS IN
THIS ROOM WENT TO A MEMORIAL
SERVICE. TO HONOR THE LIFE OF A
REMARKABLE MAN WHO DIED LAST
MONTH AT THE AGE OF 68. HIS NAME
WAS HOWARD MCBROOM. HOWARD HAD
AUTISM. HE HAD BEEN RAISED BY A
SINGLE MOM AND HAD NÓ LIVING
FAMILY MEMBERS LEFT AFTER SHE'D
PASSED. HOWARD HAD BEEN LIVING
ON HIS OWN FOR THE LAST TWO
DECADES. BUT IF YOU THINK HOWARD
DIED ALONE YOU'D BE WRONG. HIS
SERVICE WAS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO
LOVED HIM. STAFF. COWORKERS
FORMER SERVICE COORDINATORS AND
SO MANY FRIENDS. SOME OF WHOM
HAD VISITED HIM IN THE HOSPITAL
AND HELD HIS HAND AT THE END.
WHEN HE WAS YOUNG HOWARD
STRUGGLED TO BE ACCEPTED. BUT
THAT TURNED AROUND WHEN HE GOT A
JOB AS THE MANAGER OF HIS HIGH
SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM. WHERE
HIS TEAMMATES ADORED HIM. MADE
SURE NÓ OTHER KIDS GAVE HIM A
HARD TIME WHEN THEY WERE AROUND
AND WENT ON TO BECOME LIFELONG
FRIENDS. LATER HOWARD WOULD SAY
THAT GETTING TO BE PART OF THAT
TEAM. SAVED HIS LIFE. SOME OF
YOU MAY KNOW WHAT THAT'S LIKE. I
KNOW I DO. WHICH IS WHY THERE
WAS SO MUCH HOPE WHEN THE
LEGISLATURE BROUGHT BACK SOCIAL
RECREATION AND CAMPING SERVICES
THREE YEARS AGO. BECAUSE SOCIAL
RECREATION ISN'T JUST ABOUT
GIVING SOMEBODY AN ACTIVITY TO
FILL THEIR TIME OR A MOMENTARY
CHANCE TO SOCIALIZE. IT'S ABOUT
HELPING PEOPLE FIND A WAY TO
BELONG. TO JOIN WITH OTHERS
AROUND A SHARED GOAL OR INTEREST
AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS IN THE
PROCESS. IN SHORT. IT'S ABOUT
PROVIDING SOMEONE AN OPPORTUNITY
TO FIND THEIR PEOPLE. OUR SYSTEM
TALKS A LOT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE
OF HAVING WHAT'S CALLED A CIRCLE
OF SUPPORT. A NETWORK OF FOLKS
WHO CARE ABOUT A PERSON AND CAN
HELP THEM OUT IN EVERYDAY LIFE.
SOMETIMES WE CALL THESE PEOPLE
NATURAL SUPPORTS. AND WE LEAN ON
THEM HEAVILY. NOT JUST TO
PROVIDE UNPAID THEY GIVING OR TO
SAVE ON COST TO THE STATE, BUT
TO KEEP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
LIVING IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
SOCIAL RECREATION AND CAMPING
SERVICES HELP PEOPLE WITH
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES CULTIVATE THOSE
CIRCLES. BUT PEOPLE AND
ESPECIALLY CHILDREN WITH
DISABILITIES HAVE HAD A HARD
TIME GETTING THEM. TOO HARD.
SOME REGIONAL CENTERS WOULD ONLY
GIVE IT TO YOU IF YOU GAVE UP
HOURS OF OTHER SERVICES IN
RETURN. SOME WOULD ONLY PAY UP
TO $100 PER MONTH AND NÓ MORE.
UM AND THAT INCLUDES YOUR YOUR
LOCAL REGIONAL CENTER. UM,
DOCTOR, JACKSON INLAND REGIONAL
CENTER. AND SOME REGIONAL
CENTERS SAID IN THEIR POLICIES
THAT THEY GENERALLY WOULDN'T
FUND SOCIAL RECREATION FOR
CHILDREN AT ALL SINCE THEY
CONSIDERED THAT TO BE A FAMILY'S
RESPONSIBILITY. HERE I WANNA
THANK AND GIVE CREDIT TO THE
DEPARTMENT WHO RECENTLY WORKED
WITH Dð R èC AND HEARD OUR
FEEDBACK AS THEY DEVELOPED A NEW
DIRECTIVE TO REGIONAL CENTERS TO
HELP CLEAR UP SOME OF THESE
ISSUES. WE APPRECIATE THE
COLLABORATION. BUT WRITTEN
GUIDANCE ALONE WON'T BE ENOUGH.
WILL NEED MORE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE
AND STATUTE AND IN THE Dð Dð
WAIVER TO DEFINE SOCIAL
RECREATION AND BE CLEARER ABOUT
ITS SCOPE AND PURPOSE FOR SURE.
AND WE NEED TO FIND LESS
BURDENSOME WAYS FOR
NONTRADITIONAL PROVIDERS WHO
AREN'T VENDORS LIKE BOYS AND
GIRLS CLUBS AND LOCAL, UM
RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENTS
TO GET PAID WHEN THEY NEED TO
BE. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE
NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS
ACROSS THE SYSTEM FROM SERVICE
COORDINATORS TO THE HEARING
OFFICERS WHO DECIDE COMPLAINTS
UNDERSTAND WHAT'S MOST
IMPORTANT. AT THE END OF THE
DAY, IF OUR POLICIES, PRACTICES
AND DECISIONS AREN'T
PRIORITIZING, HELPING PEOPLE TO
BE LESS ALONE IN THE END TO
CONNECT WITH OTHERS WHO COULD
LOVE THEM. BE THERE FOR THEM.
THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE
HERE FOR. WHICH BRINGS ME BACK
TO HOWARD. HOWARD OFTEN SAID
THAT THE LIFE HE GOT TO LIVE
FULL OF LOVE. PURPOSE AND SELF
DETERMINATION. WOULD NOT BE
POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE REGIONAL
CENTER SYSTEM. IN MANY WAYS,
HOWARD'S STORY EXEMPLIFIES THE
VERY BEST OF WHAT A REGIONAL
CENTER CAN DO FOR SOMEONE. WHICH
IS WHY IT'S ONLY APPROPRIATE
THAT THE REGIONAL CENTER HOWARD
BELONGED TO WAS THE ONE NAMED
FOR FRANK Dð LANTERMAN, THE MAN
WHOSE VISION FOR MORE INCLUSIVE
WORLD IS WHAT UNITES US TODAY.
THANK YOU ALL. AND THANK YOU,
HOWARD FOR SHOWING US THE WAY.
DANIEL, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO
NEXT? OF COURSE. GOOD AFTERNOON,
EVERYONE. MY NAME IS DANIEL
ANTUNES AND I'M HONORED TO HAVE
THE CHANCE TO SHARE WITH YOU
TODAY. WHY ACCESS TO SOCIAL
RECREATION AND CAMP SERVICES IS
SO IMPORTANT TO ME AND COUNTLESS
OTHERS LIKE ME. AS A 17, YEAR
OLD SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL SERVED
BY A REGIONAL CENTER. I CAN'T
STRESS ENOUGH HOW MUCH THIS
PROGRAM HAS IMPACTED MY LIFE.
THEY'VE PROVIDED ME WITH A SENSE
OF BELONGING GROWTH AND
INVALUABLE EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE
SHAPED WHO I AM TODAY. FIRSTLY
LET ME TELL YOU WHY SOCIAL
RECREATION AND CAMP SERVICES
MATTER TO ME AND HAVE CHANGED MY
LIFE. I HAVE MADE FRIENDS AND I
FEEL INCLUDED THAT I CAN BE WITH
OTHERS AND TEAMS LIKE THE ONE IN
MY SCHOOL. I AM A STUDENT WHO
HAS TRIED VERY HARD TO BE A PART
OF THE VARSITY TEAM IN MY HIGH
SCHOOL AT AND AT FIRST I WAS
VERY DEPRESSED BECAUSE I WASN'T
COMPLETELY ACCEPTED. BUT NOW I
AM MAKING FRIENDS WHO SUPPORT
ME. I FEEL INCLUDED CONNECTED
AND HAVE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.
FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME WHO FACES
CHALLENGES DUE TO MY DISABILITY.
THESE SERVICES OFFER A SAFE AND
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE I
CAN PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES,
MAKE FRIENDS AND SIMPLY BE
MYSELF WITHOUT JUDGMENT. UNDER
RECREATION AND CAMP. UNDER
SOCIAL RECREATION AND CAMP. I'VE
I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO
SO MANY THINGS THAT I WOULDN'T
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OTHERWISE.
FROM OUTDOOR ADVENTURES LIKE
HIKING AND CAMPING TO CREATIVE
ACTIVITIES LIKE ARTS AND CRAFTS.
THESE PROGRAMS HAVE OPENED DOORS
TO EXPERIENCE I HAVE NEVER
THOUGHT POSSIBLE. THEY'VE SHOWN
ME THAT MY ABILITIES ARE FAR OUT
WAY FAR OUTWEIGH MY DISABILITIES
AND I HAVE GIVEN ME THE
CONFIDENCE TO PURSUE MY
PASSIONS. I'M A I'M ACTUALLY ON
MY HIGH SCHOOL'S VARSITY
WRESTLING TEAM NOW. NÓ MOREOVER,
PER, MOREOVER, PARTICIPATING IN
THESE PROGRAMS HAVE TAUGHT ME
VALUABLE LIFE LESSONS. I'VE
LEARNED ABOUT SELF DISCIPLINE,
TEAMWORK AND THE IMPORTANCE OF
PERSEVERANCE. WHETHER IT'S
WORKING TOGETHER TO SOLVE A
PROBLEM DURING A TEAM BUILDING
EXERCISE OR PUSHING MYSELF TO
TRY SOMETHING NEW. I'VE GROWN
IMMENSELY AS A PERSON, THANKS TO
THESE EXPERIENCES. ONE OF THE
MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS I'VE
LEARNED IS THAT IT'S NOT JUST
ABOUT ME. IT'S ABOUT BEING A
PART OF A TEAM AND SUPPORTING
EACH OTHER TO SUCCEED. WHETHER
WE'RE PLAYING SPORTS WORKING ON
A GROUP PROJECT OR SIMPLY
SPENDING TIME TOGETHER. I'VE
COME TO REALIZE THAT THE POWER
OF COLLABORATION AND THE JOY
THAT COMES FROM HELPING OTHERS
THRIVE. BEING ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE
TO THE SUCCESS OF MY TEAM HAS
BEEN INCREDIBLY REWARDING AND
HAS TAUGHT ME THE TRUE MEANING
OF EMPATHY AND CAMARADERIE.
LASTLY I WANT TO EMPHASIZE HOW
MUCH I LOVE BEING MYSELF. SOCIAL
RECREATION CAMP HAS PROVIDED ME
WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP
CONFIDENCE, ENGAGE WITH MY
COMMUNITY AND EMBRACE MY
UNIQUENESS. THESE PROGRAMS HAVE
SHOWN ME THAT MY THAT DISABILITY
DOES NOT THAT MY DISABILITY DOES
NOT DEFINE ME. AND THAT I HAVE
SO MUCH TO OFFER THE WORLD. AND
DON'T GET ME WRONG. IT WASN'T
EASY TO GET THE MY THE MY
SOCIAL, THE SOCIAL RECREATION
SERVICES. BUT THANKFULLY I HAVE
A STRONG CIRCLE OF SUPPORT. WHO
ADVOCATES FOR ME. I'M HAPPY FOR
ME, BUT I AM A MEMBER OF THE
ICC. YOUNG ADVOCATES FOR CHANGE
SELF ADVOCATE GROUP AND I KNOW
THERE ARE MANY OTHER OF MY
FRIENDS WHO STILL DO NOT HAVE
THESE SERVICES. I HOPE SOON. I
HOPE SOON THEY THERE IS. I HOPE
SOON THEY RECEIVE THE HELP TO DO
WHAT I DO. PLEASE DO EVERYTHING
POSSIBLE SO THAT OTHERS LIKE ME
CAN HAVE BETTER ACCESS TO SOCIAL
RECREATION AND CAMP SERVICES.
THAT SO THAT THEIR LIFE CAN
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. THANK YOU
FOR LISTENING. MISTER ANTONIO. I
WANNA LET YOU KNOW. HOW
IMPORTANT IT IS FOR YOU TO BE
HERE. AND HOW UM. YOU'RE THE
MOST IMPORTANT PERSON ON THIS
PANEL. DON'T TELL THE OTHERS,
THOUGH. UH, BUT I REALLY
APPRECIATE YOU. BUT I DO HAVE
ONE PROBLEM. I WAS IN WRESTLING,
TOO, AND I NEVER GOT THAT KIND
OF LETTERMAN JACKET. WHAT SIZE
IS THAT? WE GONNA HAVE TO TALK
AFTER THIS HEARING? I'M GONNA
GET MY LETTERMAN JACKET TONIGHT.
I APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU.
GREAT JOB. THANK YOU, UH, THANK
YOU. THANK YOU, UM DOCTOR,
JACKSON AND SUB COMMITTEE
MEMBERS FOR GIVING ME A MOMENT
TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT SOCIAL
RECREATIONAL SERVICES. MY NAME
IS PATRICK RUBY. I'M THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT HARBOR
REGIONAL CENTER AND REGIONAL
CENTERS WERE THRILLED WHEN,
AFTER YEARS OF ADVOCACY FUNDING
FOR SOCIAL RECREATIONAL SERVICES
WAS RESTORED BACK IN 2021.
COMMUNITY WAS VERY EXCITED TO
HEAR THE NEWS AND THAT REGIONAL
CENTER SHOULD BE ABLE TO FUND
AGAIN. UM AND OUR STAFF WERE
EVEN MORE EXCITED. UH, ONE
ASPECT OF THE RESTORATION OF
FUNDING. THAT WAS A SIGNIFICANT
CHANGE FROM PRIOR YEARS WAS THAT
THIS RESTORATION OF FUNDING WAS
TO SUPPORT SOCIAL RECREATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES THAT PROMOTE
INCLUSIVITY IN THE PAST VAST
MAJORITY OF THE SOCIAL
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT
OUR COMMUNITY HAD ACCESS TO WERE
SEGREGATED SITES OR PROGRAMS
WHERE PEOPLE WE SERVE ONLY HAD
THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH
OTHERS, UM, WITH DISABILITY.
WITH THE NEW MANDATE TO FUND
REGIONAL CENTER STAFF WERE
EXCITED TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN
EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY
BE AVAILABLE TO THEM IN THE
COMMUNITY. EVEN THOUGH WE'RE
EXCITED TO FUND THESE SERVICES,
IT WAS A CHALLENGE TO RESTORE
THE PROGRAM. SO I PUT IN THE
WILLS BACK ON A CAR THAT'S BEEN
BROKEN DOWN FOR 10 YEARS. AND I
LIKE TO CATEGORIZE THESE
CHALLENGES AND REALLY THREE
BROAD CATEGORIES. RESOURCES,
ADMINISTRATIVE AND EDUCATION.
UNDER RESOURCES. WE'VE HEARD A
LITTLE BIT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT
THE FACT THAT THERE WERE NOT
AVAILABLE PROVIDERS IN THE
COMMUNITY, AT LEAST THAT WOULD
BE TO THE REGIONAL CENTER. MANY
OF THE PROVIDERS WERE NÓ LONGER
BUSINESS THEY STOPPED, YOU KNOW,
15 YEARS AGO, THE ONES THAT WERE
STILL IN BUSINESS WERE
SEGREGATED SITES, AND THEY WOULD
NOT REALLY MEET THE GOAL OF
FUNDING FOR INCLUSIVE SITES FOR
OUR INDIVIDUALS SERVED. WE ALSO
HEARD THE DISCUSSION ABOUT SOME
OF THE PROVIDERS THAT ARE IN THE
COMMUNITY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH OUR
VENDOR, ORGANIZATION AND
DEPARTMENT OF TAKING STEPS TO
HELP OVERCOME SOME OF THOSE
BARRIERS. BUT THERE STILL ARE
CHALLENGES IN THE COMMUNITY
WHERE THE PROVIDERS TRYING TO
ACCESS THE FUNDS DIRECTLY FROM
THE FAMILY AS QUICKLY AS
POSSIBLE. I KNOW WHEN I HAVE MY
OWN EXPERIENCE WITH MY CHILDREN,
I PAY UPFRONT RIGHT THERE. SOME
PROVIDERS DON'T WANT TO WORK
WITH THE REGIONAL CENTER. AND SO
WE'RE WORKING THROUGH BARRIERS
WITH THE FM S¼, UM AGENCIES AND
WITH THE FAMILIES TO OVERCOME
THOSE BARRIERS, BUT IT STILL
PRESENTS A CHALLENGE. WHEN IT'S
A THIRD PARTY COMING AND PAYING
THEM. THEY DON'T WANT TO WORK
WITH US NECESSARILY.
ADMINISTRATIVELY HARBOR REGIONAL
CENTER DID NOT HAVE POLICIES IN
PLACE THAT OUTLINED OUR
PHILOSOPHY OR PURCHASE AND
PRACTICES RELATED TO SOCIAL
RECREATIONAL SERVICES. WHAT CAN
WE FIND? HOW MUCH CAN WE BE
FUNDED? WILL THERE BE LIMITS?
MOREOVER, WHEN CAN AN EXCEPTION
OF THE POLICY BE MADE? WITH
REGARDS TO EDUCATION. WE HAVE TO
REMEMBER A GOOD PORTION OF OUR
COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE NOW, AS
WELL AS OUR STAFF THAT ARE ON ON
OUR ROSTERS. AT THIS TIME. WE'RE
NOT WORKING AT A REGIONAL CENTER
ARE SERVED BY A REGIONAL CENTER.
THE LAST TIME WE FUNDED SOCIAL
RECREATIONAL SERVICES, THIS LACK
OF KNOWLEDGE LIMITED INITIALLY
LIMITED EVERYONE'S PERSPECTIVES
ON WHAT IS POSSIBLE THROUGH OUR
SERVICE SYSTEM. HOW HAS HARBOR
ADDRESSED THESE CHALLENGES
NUMBER ONE TO INCREASE THE
RESOURCE POOL, INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES COULD ACCESS. WE'VE HAD
TO BE VERY CREATIVE IN OUR
FUNDING AS WE AS WE'VE HEARD
FROM THE DEPARTMENT, THEY'VE
GIVEN US SOME AUTHORITY TO BE
ABLE TO PAY UPFRONT. WHEN THE
FAMILY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PAY.
UM THAT'S TAKEN OFF A LOAD. BUT
THEN THERE'S WORKLOAD ON THE
BACKSIDE FOR OUR STAFF, AND I'M
GONNA GO IN A LITTLE BIT NUMBERS
IN JUST A MINUTE OR TWO ABOUT
THE INCREASE OF SOCIAL RECORD
OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
ANOTHER EXCITED DEVELOPMENT WAS
THE FM S¼ SERVICES THAT WE
DISCUSSED EARLIER. FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMING IN
AND BE ABLE TO HEY, GET THE
RECEIPTS FROM THE INDIVIDUALS
AND SO THAT WE CAN REIMBURSE THE
PROVIDER IN A MORE, UM,
EXPEDITED MANNER RATHER THAN
HAVING THE PROVIDER BE BENDER
THROUGH THE REGIONAL CENTER. USE
AN FM S¼ IN THIS MANNER WILL
SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE
SERVICE POSSIBILITIES AVAILABLE
TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE'RE
EXCITED ABOUT THAT OPPORTUNITY.
UM AS WE WORK THROUGH VENDOR
ORGANIZATION WITH FM S¼ AGENCIES
AT THIS TIME. ADMINISTRATIVELY.
OUR BOARD APPROVED A POLICY BACK
IN 2022, AND THIS WAS SUBMITTED
TO THE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY OUR
BOARD. WE SUBMITTED IT TO THE
DEPARTMENT BACK IN 2022. IT WAS
REVIEWED BY THE DEPARTMENT. IT
WAS APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
BUT RECENT DIRECTORS HAVE
RECENTLY COME OUT SAYING, HEY,
THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE IN STATUTE
. WE NEED SOME MINOR
MODIFICATIONS MADE TO YOUR
POLICY. AND AT THIS POINT IN
TIME, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF
REVISING THAT POLICY, AND WE'LL
BE TAKING TO OUR BOARD AT OUR
MARCH BOARD MEETING. AND I KNOW
OUR BOARD WILL BE FULLY
SUPPORTIVE OF THE CHANGES IN THE
POLICY BECAUSE THEY WANT TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE'RE SERVING OUR
COMMUNITY AS EFFECTIVELY AS
POSSIBLE. TO ADDRESS THE
EDUCATIONAL BARRIER. WE HAVE
BEEN ON A ROLL HOSTING. WEBINARS
ZOOM MEETINGS. EVERY CHANCE WE
GET THAT WE'RE INTERACTING WITH
THE PUBLIC. WE'RE DISCUSSING
SOCIAL RECREATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES AND THE FACT THAT
WE CAN FUND THOSE, UM, I THINK
IT'S STILL GETTING OUT THERE TO
THE COMMUNITY OF LIKE WHAT IS
POSSIBLE AND EVEN TO THE STAFF.
I THINK IT'S STILL GETTING OUT
THERE. WHAT IS POSSIBLE? UM
THERE'S SECTIONS UNDER STATUTE
THAT SAYS THERE'S PARENTAL
RESPONSIBILITY. WE ARE ACTIVELY
WORKING ON OUR STAFF TO OVERCOME
THAT. MISUNDERSTANDING IN
RELATION TO THE SOCIAL
RECREATIONAL NOT TO SAY THAT
THERE'S NOT PARENTAL
RESPONSIBILITY, BUT THAT
REGIONAL CENTER HAS A ROLE TO
PLAY IN FUNDING. THESE SERVICES
REPORTS FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE
SERVED BY THE REGIONAL CENTER
SYSTEM. AND THAT ACTUALLY GOES A
LITTLE BIT OVER AND ABOVE. I
BELIEVE WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER
TYPICAL PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
FOR, UH NÓ DEVELOPMENT OF
DISABLED CHILD. HOW HAVE THESE
EFFORTS IMPACTED OUR COMMUNITY?
WE HAVE SEEN THE NUMBER OF
INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING FUNDING
FROM HARBOR INCREASE FROM A
LITTLE OVER 100 IN THE FIRST
FISCAL YEAR, SOCIAL REC WAS IN
PLACE AS WE WERE TRYING TO GET
EVERYTHING IN PLACE. THEN LAST
YEAR WE HAD OVER 2000
INDIVIDUALS SERVED. SOCIAL WRECK
, AND THIS YEAR WE'RE ON TRACK
TO NEARLY DOUBLE THAT AND AGAIN
LIKE I MENTIONED THERE'S SOME
WORKLOAD ISSUES THAT COME ALONG
WITH THAT VOLUME OF INCREASE ON
THE BACK END ON THE ACCOUNTING
SIDE, PROCESSING THE PAYMENTS
AND PROCESSING THE UM VENDOR
ORGANIZATIONS FOR FAMILIES FOR
ONE TIME REIMBURSEMENTS. UM,
IT'S A WORKLOAD FOR EVERYBODY
INVOLVED, AND SO, UH, WE'VE BEEN
WORKING THROUGH THAT, THOUGH. WE
ALSO SEE INDIVIDUAL ACCESS AN
ARRAY OF SERVICES SUCH AS
HORSEBACK RIDING, KICKBOXING,
KARATE, TAEKWONDO, SWIMMING,
MUSIC LESSONS, ART LESSONS.
GYMNASTICS BASEBALL, SOCCER,
BASKETBALL, TENNIS, SUMMER AND
SCIENCE CAMPS. ACTING CLASSES.
THE LIST IS ALMOST LIMITLESS ON
WHAT FAMILIES HAVE BEEN
ACCESSING THROUGH HARBOR
REGIONAL CENTER. AND I WOULD
LIKE TO SAY, PROBABLY ACROSS THE
WHOLE SYSTEM AS WELL. UM, SO AS
FAMILIES ARE ASKING FOR SERVICES
, WE ARE RESPONDING IN A
POSITIVE MANNER. WE ARE TAKING
THOSE AGENCIES NAMES. WE WERE
REACHING OUT TO CHECK WITH THEM
AND SEE IF THEY LIKE TO BE A
SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE REGIONAL
CENTER. AND LIKE I MENTIONED
BEFORE, SOME CHOOSE NOT TO UH,
BUT WE WORK AROUND THAT AND WORK
THROUGH THE FM S¼ AGENCY OR
REIMBURSEMENT THROUGH FAMILIES.
IF THEY HAD THAT MEANS POSSIBLE.
ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO
HIGHLIGHT THAT HARBOR WAS VERY
LUCKY TO PARTICIPATE IN LAST
YEAR WAS A GRANT THAT WAS
ALLOCATED, UM TO ADDRESS SOCIAL
RECREATIONAL SERVICES STATEWIDE,
THE GRANT ALLOCATED 4 MILLION TO
HARVARD FUND ACTIVITIES ACROSS
THE STATE THROUGH TWO AGENCIES,
UH, THAT ARE EMBEDDED IN OUR
COMMUNITIES ALREADY, UM
EVERYBODY WILL KNOW THESE
AGENCIES, THE YM èC, A S¼ AND
THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS, THE
CALIFORNIA STATE ALLIANCE OF YM
èC. A HAS RECEIVED 2.5 MILLION
AND A CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE OF
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS RECEIVED
1.6 MILLION IN GRANTS, BUT THE
ALLIANCES, THE BOTH ENTITIES
DISTRIBUTED THEIR FUNDS ACROSS
THEIR LOCAL AFFILIATES. SO EVERY
LOCAL AFFILIATE HAD THE SAME
OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR A GRANT
UP THROUGH THEIR STATE ALLIANCE.
UH, NOT ALL OF THEM WERE
ACCEPTED. SOME OF THEM WERE NOT
REALLY HITTING THE TARGET THAT
WE WANTED TO GRAB TO ADDRESS AND
THE FIVE PRIORITIES THAT WE
REALLY WANTED. THE GRANTS TO
ADDRESS WERE TO CREATE
REESTABLISHED AND ARE ENHANCED
EXISTING PROGRAMS THAT ARE
INCLUSIVE OF CHILDREN.
ADOLESCENCE WITH INTELLECTUAL
AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF
FRIENDSHIPS BETWEEN CHILDREN AND
ADOLESCENTS THROUGH INTEGRATED
AND INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS AND
ACTIVITIES. HIRE AND TRAIN STAFF
TO ENSURE THE PROVISION OF
ADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN
AND ADOLESCENTS WITH COMPLEX
NEEDS. SUPPORT COMMUNITIES WITH
CULTURAL AWARENESS AND
SENSITIVITY BY ENHANCING
LANGUAGE ACCESS AND CULTURAL
COMPETENCE WITHIN THE SOCIAL
RECREATION PROGRAMS AND
ACTIVITIES THEMSELVES. AND THEN
THE FIFTH ONE WAS TO DEVELOP AND
VENDOR INCLUSIVE SOCIAL AND
RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT APPLY
PERSON CENTERED. AND FAMILY
CENTERED PRACTICES. WHILE WE
WAIT FOR THE FINAL RECORDING
FROM THE ALLIANCE, AS WE HAVE
BEEN HAPPY TO SEE THAT WE'VE
HEARD REPORTING BACK INFORMALLY
AT THIS TIME, UH UH, INCREASE IN
LOCAL AFFILIATES, CAPABILITIES
TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND
MATERIALS AND MORE LANGUAGES
INCLUDED IN AMERICAN SIGN
LANGUAGE AND SPANISH. AND THAT
CONCLUDES MY STATEMENT. THANK
YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I
THINK IT'S PARTICULARLY IN TERMS
OF, UH OF THESE ISSUES. I THINK
THE MORE COMMUNICATION AND CHECK
INS THE BETTER. AND SO I THINK
ON MOST OF THESE ITEMS, YOU'RE
GONNA HEAR THAT THE CONSTANT
REQUEST. LET'S DO SOME CHECK INS
. LET'S MEET QUARTERLY RIGHT
JUST SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO
HOPEFULLY, UH, BE A SUPPORTIVE
TOGETHER. UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE UH, MAKING EACH OTHER
SUCCESSFUL. SO I WOULD LIKE TO
REQUEST THAT THE ADMINISTRATION
AND ARCA TOGETHER REPORT BACK ON
TRENDS AND BARRIERS AND THE
UTILIZATION OF SOCIAL RECREATION
AND CAMP SERVICES STARTING APRIL
1ST 2024 RECOGNIZING RIGHT
DURING THE GREAT RECESSION. THIS
WAS ONE OF THOSE PROGRAMS THAT
IT WAS BASICALLY A BLITHER
OBLITERATED RIGHT? AND SO NOW WE
HAVE TO BUILD THIS BABY BACK UP.
UH AND SO, UH, WE RECOGNIZE THAT
THIS IS GONNA HAVE TO BE, UM, A
TEAM EFFORT TO DO SO. AND SO, UM
, IF WE CAN GET A REPORT BACK ON
THESE TRENDS UM AND THE
UTILIZATION OF SOCIAL RECREATION
CAMP SERVICES. STARTING APRIL
1ST. THAT WOULD BE GREAT. AND OF
COURSE, IF THERE'S ISSUES WITH
THE DEADLINE JUST JUST ABOUT
COMMUNICATION. UM AND THEN, OF
COURSE, WE WOULD LIKE TO UM,
HAVE REGULAR REPORTING ON A
QUARTERLY BASIS ON THIS AS WELL.
UM IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THIS UH
UH, REPORTING WOULD INCLUDE THE
INDICATION OF ISSUES AND
MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND THE
IMPLEMENTATION. UH, THAT ARE
MAYBE CREATING BARRIERS TO THE
SERVICES FOR FAMILY. FOR
FAMILIES. UH, THE REPORTING
SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE INPUT OF
THE REGIONAL CENTRAL LIAISONS AS
THE UNDERGROUND UH, STATE
PRESENCE AT A REGIONAL CENTERS
WHO ARE INTENDED TO ASSIST WITH
COMMUNICATION AND CLARIFICATION
OF STATE POLICY. UH, FOR THE
PROVISIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. THE COMMITTEE ALSO,
UH, SEES THE NEED TO CLARIFY
SOME OF THE STATUTE AS WELL. UM,
AND SO WE ARE ASKING THAT THE
ADMINISTRATION ENGAGE WITH THE
COMMITTEE AND STAKEHOLDERS TO
CRAFT SOME CLARIFYING. UM UH,
TRAILER BILL LANGUAGE. UH, IN
TERMS OF THE SOCIAL RECREATION
AND CAMP SERVICES POLICY. UM
ALIGNING TO THE EXTENT
APPROPRIATE WITH THE
CLARIFICATION AND THE Dð Dð S¼
DIRECTIVES. UM AND THAT CAPTURES
MORE EXPLICIT, EXPLICITLY
LEGISLATIVE INTENT FOR THE
AVAILABILITY OF THE SERVICES. UM
. IT'S OUR HOPE THAT WE CAN
DRAFT A CONSENSUS OR AS CLOSE AS
POSSIBLE. UH WITH TRAILER BILL
LANGUAGE. UM AND AGAIN, WE WANT
TO ACCOMPLISH THIS BY APRIL, THE
FIRST MR ADMINISTRATION WILLING
TO ENGAGE IN THIS PROCESS WITH
US? WERE ABSOLUTELY HAPPY TO
HAVE THE CONVERSATION AROUND.
WHAT INFORMATION IS NEEDED? YES.
OK, UH, WHAT ABOUT THE TRAILER
BILL LANGUAGE? UM SORRY. èC
CHRIS O'NEILL DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE, MR. CHAIR UM, I THINK
AS MR WINFIELD ARTICULATED.
EARLIER THERE IS NÓ TRAILER OF
LANGUAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, AND I THINK
IT IT'S WOULD BE THE
ADMINISTRATION'S POSITION THAT,
UM, THE DIRECTIVE AUTHORITY
MAYBE MAKES NEEDED CHANGES MORE
NIMBLE WHEN THEY NEED TO OCCUR,
SO WE CAN PRETTY GLAD TO HAVE
MORE CONVERSATIONS ON TRAILER
BILL LANGUAGE ITSELF, BUT, UM,
THAT WOULD BE THE POSITION OF
THE ADMINISTRATION RIGHT NOW. OK
UH, THANK YOU. FOR THAT. WE DO.
WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE ACTUALLY
HAVE MORE, UM, EXPLICIT
CONVERSATION ON THIS TO SEE IF
MAYBE WE CAN, UM MAKE THIS A WIN
WIN FOR EVERYBODY, IF POSSIBLE.
UH BUT THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. I
WANT TO. UM THANK THIS PANEL. UM
ESPECIALLY MR ANTONIA. THANK
YOU. FOR YOU. YOU HAVE MADE THE
PANEL WORTH DOING. ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. PANEL. THANK
YOU.
YOU. CAN SEE. YEAH. I. GOT A LOT
TO LEARN. STILL. WE WANT TO
BRING UP ISSUE EIGHT INDIVIDUAL
PROGRAM PLAN TO ENJOY INDIVIDUAL
FAMILY SERVICES PLAN MEETINGS.
UM THIS IS THE GOVERNOR'S
TRAILER BILL PROPOSAL. I JUST
WANNA BRING EVERYONE UP.
BUT HE IS CREA.
ADMINISTRATION MAY BEGIN WHEN
YOU'RE READY. THANK YOU. GOOD
EVENING. ONCE AGAIN, BRIAN
WINFIELD WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES, UH, FOR
ISSUE EIGHT. THE FIRST QUESTION
IS WHAT DO PANELISTS RECOMMEND
FOR THE CONTINUATION OF IP P AND
IF S¼ P REMOTE MEETINGS. WE
BELIEVE THAT TRIBAL LANGUAGE
PROPOSED BY THE ADMINISTRATION
STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE.
REMOTE MEETINGS SERVE AN
IMPORTANT ROLE, BUT WE ALL
BENEFIT FROM FACE TO FACE
INTERACTIONS WITH EACH OTHER,
ESPECIALLY SINCE SERVICE
COORDINATORS AND INDIVIDUALS
SERVED BY FAMILIES DEVELOP
LIFELONG RELATIONSHIPS. WE DO
NOT WANT TO LIMIT CHOICE FOR
PEOPLE, BUT MEETING IN PERSON
HELPS BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND IT
HELPS BUILD THE TRUST THAT WE
ALL TALKED ABOUT EARLIER IS SO
IMPORTANT IN THAT RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE REGIONAL CENTER AND
INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVE SERVICES
. UM MEETING IN PERSON ALSO
FEELS FACILITATES A MORE
ACCURATE EVALUATION OF NEEDS AND
SERVICES THAT CAN BENEFIT IN
INDIVIDUAL SERVED AND FAMILIES.
THE PROPOSED TRAILER LANGUAGE
ALLOWS ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OR
ADVOCATE TO JOIN AN INDIVIDUAL
PROGRAM PLAN MEETING REMOTELY,
WHICH MAKES IT EASIER FOR THEM
TO JOIN THE MEETING. THIS CAN
HELP INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING
SERVICES AND OR THEIR FAMILIES
TO FILL MORE SUPPORTED IN THE
CONVERSATION. FOR CHILDREN IN
THE EARLY START PROGRAM, THE
OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
PROGRAMS EXTENDED FLEXIBILITY
FOR INDIVIDUAL FAMILY SERVICE
PLANS TO BE CONDUCTED REMOTELY
WHEN FACE TO FACE MEETINGS WERE
NOT FEASIBLE DURING THE
PANDEMIC. FEDERAL REGULATIONS
EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR
CONDUCTING INITIAL AND ANNUAL
IFS, P MEETINGS BEING CONDUCTED
FACE TO FACE AND AT TIMES AND
SETTINGS CONVENIENT TO THE
FAMILY. WHILE PROVIDING
FLEXIBILITY FOR SEMI ANNUAL
REVIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUALIZED
FAMILY SERVICE PLAN. UH, WHAT IS
THE OPTIMAL POLICY SCENARIO FOR
REMOTE MEETINGS TO MAXIMIZE
ACCESS FOR HARDER TO SERVE
ISOLATED AND DISADVANTAGED
FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH IN
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES? UM, AGAIN, THE
PROPOSED TRAILER BILL LANGUAGE
SPECIFIES. THE IP MEETING MUST
BE HELD AT A TIME AND LOCATION
CONVENIENT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL
SERVED OR FAMILY, WHICH REMOVES
BARRIERS. THIS COULD MEAN THAT
MEETING, UH, MEETING COULD OCCUR
DURING LUNCHTIME. IT COULD OCCUR
IN THE EVENING WHEN THE FAMILY
IS AVAILABLE, AND IT CAN ALSO
OCCUR IN THE FAMILY'S HOME. BUT
IT CAN ALSO HAPPEN AT ANOTHER
LOCATION THAT IS CONVENIENT FOR
THE FAMILIES CHOOSING SO WE
BELIEVE THE TRAIL OF THE
LANGUAGE MEETS ALL OF THOSE
REQUIREMENTS. THANK YOU.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. CHRIS
O'NEILL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.
NOTHING FURTHER, DAD.
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST KEN HENDRON
L A Ó NOTHING TO ADD AS WELL.
GOOD EVENING AGAIN. I SO
APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
SPEAK TO THIS ISSUE. UH, WILLIAM
MINER WITH DISABILITY RIGHTS,
CALIFORNIA CHAIR AND MEMBERS WE
FIND OURSELVES AT A CRITICAL
JUNCTURE WITH THIS ISSUE BECAUSE
WITHOUT ACTION, THE STATUTORY
OPTION FOR REMOTE IP AND I S¼ P
MEETINGS. GONNA GO AWAY. IT'S
GOING TO EXPIRE ON JUNE 30TH. IT
NEEDS TO BE PRESERVED. THE
ABILITY TO CONDUCT THESE
MEETINGS REMOTELY, WHICH STARTED
AS A NECESSITY DURING THE
PANDEMIC HAS PROVED INVALUABLE
EVEN BEYOND SAFETY. THE REMOTE
OPTION IS ENABLED BROADER
PARTICIPATION FROM LOVED ONES
FROM SUPPORTERS FROM ADVOCATES.
AND IT IS HOW, AND IT HAS HELPED
COUNTLESS PEOPLE AND THEIR
FAMILIES OVERCOME BARRIERS SUCH
AS DISABILITY, DISTANCE
TRANSPORTATION. CHILDCARE NEEDS
DIFFICULTY TIME TAKING TIME OFF
WORK. UM IT'S ALSO HELPED PEOPLE
WHO ARE AFRAID. IN SHORT, IT IS
INCREASED ACCESS TO OUR SYSTEM.
AND INSTEAD OF PRESERVING THIS
OPTION IN STATUTE, THE
ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSAL
THREATENS TO NARROW ACCESS ON
FAVORING IN PERSON MEETINGS,
USING THE RATIONALE THAT THIS
FOSTERS TRUST. AND DON'T GET ME
WRONG. WE AGREE THAT BUILDING
TRUST IS IMPORTANT IN THAT IN
PERSON CONTACT. IT CAN HELP
CULTIVATE IT. BUT LET ME ALSO
SAY THIS I TRUST IS EARNED
THROUGH MUTUAL RESPECT IT'S
EARNED THROUGH OFFERING AND THEN
FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH SUPPORT
IT'S EARNED THROUGH PEOPLE
FEELING SEEN, UM AND IT'S EARNED
BY SAYING YES TO SERVICES AND
BREAKING OUT OF A CULTURE OF NÓ.
THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT
THEY'LL TRUST. AND A PROPOSAL
THAT MAKES IN PERSON MEETINGS A
PRIORITY WITHOUT AFFIRMATIVELY
SAFEGUARDING THE REMOTE OPTION
THAT'S GONNA HAVE THE OPPOSITE
EFFECT OF BUILDING TRUST. PEOPLE
ARE GOING TO FEEL LIKE THEIR
CHOICES ARE BEING TAKEN AWAY.
THEIR CHOICE IS ABOUT HOW THEY
WANT TO HAVE THEIR IP P
MEETINGS. AND WE'VE ALREADY SEEN
THIS HAPPEN WITH OUR CLIENTS.
EVEN WITH THE STATUTE WITH HOW
IT IS TODAY, UM, WHO ARE BEING
TOLD BY REGIONAL CENTERS THAT IN
PERSON MEETINGS ARE NOW
MANDATORY NÓ EXCEPTIONS, AND IN
ONE CASE, THIS CAME THROUGH OUR
INTAKE LINE. JUST LAST WEEK, A
CLIENT WAS TOLD THEY HAVE TO FLY
. THEY HAVE TO FLY FROM NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA TO SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA FOR THEIR IP P
MEETING. AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE.
DOESN'T BUILD. TRUST IT. IT
BREACHES IT. IT BREAKS IT, AND
IT DEMONSTRATES WHY IT'S NOT
ENOUGH FOR THE ADMINISTRATION'S
PROPOSAL TO JUST BE SILENT ABOUT
REMOTE MEETINGS. UM GETTING THIS
BALANCE RIGHT IS TOO IMPORTANT
TO BE LEFT ENTIRELY TO REGIONAL
CENTER LOCAL CONTROL. THE PUSH
FOR IN-PERSON MEETINGS ALSO
RISKS MARGINALIZING THOSE FOR
WHOM IN PERSON REQUIREMENTS
ISN'T JUST IMPRACTICAL BUT CAN
FEEL IMPOSSIBLE. I'M THINKING
ABOUT PEOPLE WITH ID WHO HAVE
VERY COMPLEX SUPPORT NEEDS AND
WHO ARE ALREADY FORCED TO
NAVIGATE INTERSECTING CHALLENGES
ACROSS MULTIPLE SYSTEMS. I'M
THINKING ABOUT PEOPLE SERVED BY
THE CHILD WEL WELFARE SYSTEM BY
THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM BY OUR
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEMS. UM,
THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE
CRISIS WITH GREATER FREQUENCY
THAN ANYBODY ELSE AND FOR WHOM
GATHERING MEETING. PARTICIPANTS
IN IN ONE ROOM IS CHALLENGING,
EVEN UNDER THE BEST OF
CIRCUMSTANCES. UM AND I HEARD
DEPUTY DIRECTOR WINFIELD TALK
ABOUT WHAT ADVOCATES CAN JUST
JOIN BY ZOOM AND PEOPLE CAN BE
IN PERSON. I THINK WE'VE ALL
BEEN IN ZOOM MEETINGS WHERE YOU
KNOW YOU'RE JOINING BY. ZOOM
EVERYONE ELSE IS IN PERSON.
MAYBE YOU CAN SEE THE ROOM.
MAYBE YOU CAN'T SEE THE ROOM.
PEOPLE ARE HAVING SIDE
CONVERSATIONS WHEN EVERYONE'S BY
ZOOM THAT'S KIND OF A GREAT
EQUALIZER IN HOW PEOPLE CAN
PARTICIPATE IN THOSE MEETINGS. I
MEAN, LASTLY, THE DISCOURSE
DISCOURSE SURROUNDS REMOTE
MEETINGS VERSUS IN PERSON
MEETINGS. IT'S NOT. IT'S NOT
JUST THEORETICAL. OTHER COW HH
S¼ PROGRAMS HAVE DEVELOPED
ENTIRE TELEHEALTH POLICIES TO
GET THIS BALANCE, RIGHT? WE CAN
LOOK TO CALA, FOR EXAMPLE, JUST
ONE EXAMPLE WHERE CARE MANAGERS
THEY'RE REQUIRED TO DEVELOP
INDIVIDUALIZED PLANS THAT THIS
STOP PEOPLE'S SERVICES. IT'S
KIND OF SIMILAR TO AN IP. AND
WHILE CARE MANAGERS YES, THEY'RE
EXPECTED TO HAVE SOME FACE TO
FACE CONTACT IN PERSON. CONTACT
UM THEY ALSO NEED TO PIVOT TO
TELEHEALTH WHEN IT'S NECESSARY
TO RESPECT UM CHOICE CULTURAL
PREFERENCE ACCESS TO THESE
MEETINGS AND THIS TYPE OF
INTENTIONAL FLEXIBILITY, WHICH
IS ABSENT IN THE CURRENT TRAILER
BILL PROPOSAL. IT'S NOT JUST A
CONVENIENCE. IT'S A CORNERSTONE
OF EQUITABLE SERVICE DELIVERY.
IT'S HOW PEOPLE ACCESS THEIR
MEETINGS ACCESS THEIR SERVICES.
AND ALSO BEGS THE QUESTION. IF
REMOTE ACCESS ISN'T BEEN
EMBRACED BY OTHER HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES, WHY
SHOULD PEOPLE SERVED BY REGIONAL
CENTERS DESERVE OR ENTITLED TO
BE ENTITLED TO HIM LESS? SO IN
CLOSING. THERE ARE REAL LIVES.
THEY ARE BEING IMPACTED BY THESE
DECISIONS, PEOPLE WHOSE ACCESS
TO SUPPORT HINGES ON THE
FLEXIBILITY AND INCLUSIVITY OF
THE REMOTE OPTION, SO WE HAVE TO
SAY WE ARE PLEASED BY THE STAFF
RECOMMENDATION TO KEEP WORKING
THROUGH THIS ISSUE TO KEEP
TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN WAYS
THAT PRESERVE THIS OPTION. UM
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO ENGAGING
IN THAT CONVERSATION AND THANK
YOU FOR THE TIME ON THIS PANEL
HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. UH,
YES, UM. GOOD AFTERNOON. UH, MY
ENGLISH IS NÓ, UM, VERY WELL,
BUT I'M GONNA TRY MY BEST. MY
NAME IS RUI SALDANA. I'M A PARA
THREE WONDERFUL SPECIAL YOUNG
ADULTS SERVED BY REGIONAL CENTER
SYSTEM. I'M ALSO A CO-FOUNDER OF
INTEGRATED COMMUNITY
COLLABORATIVE. OVER THE PAST 18
YEARS I HAVE TIRELESSLY
ADVOCATED FOR MY CHILDREN AND
HUNDREDS OF OTHERS FAMILIES AND
NAVIGATING A COMPLEX AND
INTIMIDATING REGIONAL CENTER
SYSTEM. I'M HERE ASKING YOU
PLEASE HEAR ME AND KNOW THAT I
AM SPEAKING FROM MY THE BOTTOM
OF MY HEART, AS WELL AS ON
BEHALF OF MANY OTHER PARENTS
LIKE ME. PLEASE LET'S NOT LET
THE OPTION FOR REMOTE IP
MEETINGS EXPIRE IN JUNE OF THIS
YEAR. IT'S CRUCIAL. TO UPLOAD
THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF CLIENTS AND
FAMILIES TO GATHER TOGETHER IN
ZOOM MEETINGS, ENSURING THEIR
SAFETY AT HOME AND SAFEGUARDING
THEIR MEDICAL FRAGILE CHILDRENS.
REMOVING THESE OPTION WILL
INFRINGE UPON THEIR DIGNITY
FORCE THEM TO MISS WORK IN CO
TRAVEL EXPENSES AND MAKE THEM
UNCOMFORTABLE WITH VISITORS IN
OUR HUMBLE HOMES. IN ADDITION,
N IP P, IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT
FAMILIES HAVE SUPPORT FROM
ADVOCATES AND CIRCLE SUPPORT.
ULTIMATELY, LET'S RESPECT THEIR
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO CHOOSE.
WHAT BEST WHAT? WHAT IS BEST FOR
THEM? EVERY PERSON SHOULD BE
RIGHT. SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO
CHOOSE. NAVIGATING THE REGIONAL
CENTER SYSTEM IS INTIMIDATING.
AND WHEN YOU FACTOR IN LANGUAGE
AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY, IT
BECOMES NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. FOR
FAMILIES WHO OPT FOR REMOTE IP
MEETINGS. IT MEANS HAVING
SOMEONE YOU TRUST AND NEED WITH
AND NEED WITH YOU. IT ALSO
ENABLES PARTICIPATION FROM
FAMILY MEMBERS, MOSTLY DADS, WHO
NOW HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ALSO
ATTEND THE MEETINGS. FAMILY AND
SUPPORT WHO MAY BE AT WORK IN A
DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ARE NOW IN
THE SAME MEETING. HEBREW
MEETINGS DO NOT WORK. WE KNOW
BECAUSE IT HAS PROVEN COU
CHAOTIC AND THE CLARITY OF THE
MEETING COMPLETELY LOST,
THEREFORE, THAT IS NOT A GOOD
OPTION. PROMOTE IP P MEETINGS
ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE, PRODUCTIVE,
LESS EXPENSIVE FOR THE STAFF AND
ARE BETTER ATTENDED. WE HAVE
HERE THE ARGUMENT FOR THE
IMPORTANCE OF HAVING EYES ON THE
CHILD. AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIP
THROUGH IN PERSON. IP P IN
PERSON. MEETINGS HAVE BEEN LIKE
THIS FOR YEARS, AND THAT HASN'T
EARNED THE TRUST OF THE
COMMUNITY. ON THE CONTRARY.
THAT'S WHY I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT
THAT TO BE TRUE. EYES ON THE
CHILD FOR MY COMMUNITY MEANS
INVASION OR A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT
TO OUR CULTURE AND BELIEF, WITH
TYPICAL FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AND
OUR PRIVACY INVADED, HAVING
PEOPLE IN OUR HOMES. WE FEEL
CONTROL IT, EXPOSE IT TO ABUSE
OF POWER. IN MY CULTURE TRUST IS
NOT SOMETHING TO BE FORCED UPON,
BUT EARN IT. IF SYSTEM WHO ARE
VERY INTIMIDATING, WE SHOULD
BUILD RELATIONSHIP THEY NEED TO
MAKE SERVICE COORDINATOR MORE
HUMAN AND NOT BE THE SAME PEOPLE
WHO ALSO NEED WHO ALSO, UM.
DENIED THE SAME SERVICES WE CAME
ASKING FOR THEY SHOULD NOT BE
THE PERSON WHO ALSO TALKS TO THE
CLINICAL TEAM AND TELL OUR WHOLE
LIFE TO OTHERS. THEY SHOULD NOT
BE THE ONES TO UPLOAD DENIALS
AND BRIDGE THE TRUTH WE HAVE
PLACED ON THEM. DO NOT DO NOT
BLEED. THE FAMILIES DO NOT BLAME
THE FAMILIES FOR NOT TRUSTING
RETALIATION USUALLY COMES TO US
FOR AN EXACTLY THE SAME
RELATIONSHIP YOU REQUIRES TO
TRUST. WHITE BLACK, ASIAN OR
LATINO TRUST OF THE SYSTEM. OUR
COMMUNITY FACES NUMEROUS
CHALLENGES AND MAKE NÓ. IT MAKES
NÓ SENSE TO IMPOSE FURTHER
BURNERS ON OUR FAMILIES. THIS IN
FLEX THE SYSTEM ISSUES WITHIN
OUR SYSTEM, WHICH PROTEST
COMPLIANCE OVER PERSONAL CENTER
APPROACH. IN FACT, I BELIEVE
THAT BY TAKING AWAY THIS OPTION,
YOU'RE ACTUALLY CREATING MORE
BARRIERS AND DISTRUST IN THE
SYSTEM. MY VOICE HERE. TODAY
ECHOES THE SENTIMENTS. ON 10. OF
THOUSANDS OF MOTHERS AND FAMILY
MEMBERS WHO PLEAD FOR THEIR
VOICES TO BE HERE. THERE NEEDS
TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED, AND TO BE
GENERAL PARTNERS AND IMPROVING
THE SYSTEM THAT SERVES US.
DESPITE INVITED. IN INITIATIVES
OR DIRECTIVES AND WELL
INTENTIONED EFFORTS. WE FIND
OURSELVES AT THE CROSS CROSSROAD
FACING THE POTENTIAL REMOVAL OR
SOMETHING IN OUR COMMUNITIES,
HAS DEMIN BEAL AND BENEFICIAL IT
FEELS AS THOUGH OUR VOICES ARE
BEING DISREGARDED AND SILENCE
AND CHANGES ARE BEING IMPOSED
UPON US AS ALWAYS.
UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS AN ART.
ALL TOO FAMILIAR FEELING FOR
MANY. I HOPE THIS COMMENTS
REPRESENTING TRUE TRANSPARENCY
IN THEIR EYES, SINCERITY AND
REAL EMPATHIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF
NÓ. SUN SETTING REMOTE IP
MEETINGS. HOWEVER, MY QUESTION
TO YOU IS THOSE ARE BOYS TRULY
MATTER. MY VOICE TRULY MATTER,
BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN AFTER YOU
AND INLAND EMPIRE. I DON'T KNOW
IF YOU REMEMBER ME. BUT I HAVE
BEEN THERE WITH MORE THAN 30 OF
YOUR CONSTITUENTS. BEGGING YOU
FOR THE SAME THING. I HOPE SO. I
HOPE THAT MATTERS. I HOPE II. I
WANT TO BELIEVE THE MATTERS FOR
YOU. AND. FOR US. I'M I'M JUST
IN SUMMARY. I'M I'M NÓ. I'M UM
ENGLISH SPEAKING. BUT WHAT I
WANT TO BEG YOU IS PLEASE THANK
YOU. COMMUNITY THE RIGHT TO
CHOOSE. DON'T TAKE AWAY THAT
RIGHT? WE THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO
CHOOSE NOT BEING LIKE FORCED,
LIKE ALWAYS. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. CHAIR. MEMBERS STAFF OF THE
COMMITTEE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO
ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. MY NAME IS
LAURIE BENALI, AND I'M, THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT ALTA
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CENTER. AND
WHILE I'VE BEEN THE EXECUTIVE
DRESS GROUP FOR THE PAST 2.5
YEARS, I AM NOT NEW TO THE
SYSTEM. I'VE WORKED IN A VARIETY
OF CAPACITIES AT ALTA CALIFORNIA
REGIONAL CENTER FOR NEARLY 30
YEARS, UH, STARTING OFF AS A
SERVICE COORDINATOR, PROGRAM
MANAGER AND DIRECTOR OF CLIENT
SERVICES. OVER THE YEARS, I'VE
PARTICIPATED IN MANY IP P
MEETINGS AND HAVE DIRECT WORKING
KNOWLEDGE ON HOW BEST TO GATHER
INFORMATION AND ASSESS FOR
SERVICE NEEDS. THE IP P AND THE
I S¼ P ARE FOUNDATIONAL TO THE
LANTERMAN ACT. IT REFLECTS THE
SERVICES AND SUPPORTS TO THE
PLANNING TEAM PROCESS TO
IDENTIFY THE STRENGTHS. THE
AMBITIONS AND SUPPORT NEEDS OF
AN INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR FAMILY
THROUGH PERSON CENTERED PROCESS.
THERE ARE MANY ADVANTAGES, UH,
TO MEETING UH IN PERSON. FACE TO
FACE VISITS PROVIDE THE CLIENT
FAMILY AND THE SERVICE
COORDINATOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO
BUILD RAPPORT. AND TO ESTABLISH
TRUST, AND WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF
THE NEED TO DO THAT, IN MANY
TESTIMONIES ACROSS MANY PANELS
TODAY. RELATIONSHIPS ARE AT THE
CENTER OF THE SERVICE SYSTEM AND
SIMPLY PUT OUR EASIER TO DEVELOP
AND MAINTAIN WHEN MEETING IN
PERSON. BEING IN PERSON ALLOWS
THE ABILITY TO CONDUCT A
THOROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT THROUGH OBSERVATION,
UH, OBSERVING THE INDIVIDUAL IN
THEIR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. UH
OBSERVING THE INTERACTIONS
BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS AND
FRIENDS WHO MIGHT BE THERE.
GETTING A SENSE OF HOW THE
INDIVIDUAL MOVES AROUND IN THE
SPACE, FOR EXAMPLE, ARE THERE
MOBILITY ISSUES OR LIMITATIONS
THAT A DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
ASSESSMENT COULD BE HELPFUL TO
ADDRESS? UH, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE
HAVE BEEN MANY OPPORTUNITIES
WHERE OUR STAFF HAVE GONE IN
WITHOUT AN INDIVIDUAL, KNOWING,
UH, THAT THE FAMILY WAS CARRYING
AN INDIVIDUAL AROUND THE HOME.
UH AND SO AN OVERHEAD LIFT
SYSTEM WAS ASSESSED AND PUT INTO
PLACE FOR SAFE TRANSFERS. UH,
BATHING SYSTEMS COULD ALSO BE
PUT IN PLACE TO ALLOW FOR SAFE
TRANSFERS. UH, SYSTEM ALL
AROUND. OFTENTIMES WE GO IN AND
WE SEE SOMEBODY WHO WAS A Y, A
WHEELCHAIR USER, AND WE'RE ABLE
TO SEE OH, MY GOODNESS THAT THAT
WHEELCHAIR IS NÓ LONGER ADEQUATE
TO MEET THEIR NEEDS. UM ARE
THERE BEHAVIOR SUPPORTS THAT
COULD BE AVAILABLE IN A BENE
BENEFIT TO THE FAMILY THAT
PERHAPS WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO
SEE, UH, IN A ZOOM MEETING. UH,
ALL OF THESE THINGS REALLY DO
SPEAK TO THE NEED TO BE TOGETHER
. BUT I DO WANT TO UNDERSCORE
THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING THAT
RELATIONSHIP. UH, AND BUILDING
THAT RAPPORT AND TRUST.
ULTIMATELY, YOU'RE RIGHT. IT IS
EARNED, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF
OPPORTUNITIES THAT FACE TO FACE
MEETINGS HELP TO FACILITATE THAT
OPPORTUNITY. IN SOME CASES,
FAMILIES REPORT WHEN WE'RE
ONLINE WHEN WE'RE IN AN, UH, YOU
KNOW, IN A IN AN INBOX, ONE
DIMENSIONAL MEETING, UH, THAT
EVERYTHING'S GOOD. EVERYTHING'S
FINE. UM BUT THROUGH AN IN
PERSON OBSERVATION IN THE
SERVICE COORDINATOR AS I JUST
MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, I WAS ABLE
TO DO THIS ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT AND MAY IDENTIFY
POTENTIAL AREAS OF NEED THAT
WOULDN'T OTHERWISE BE
IDENTIFIED. FROM THE
OBSERVATIONS. THE SERVICE
COORDINATOR WILL SUGGEST SERVICE
OPTIONS THAT COULD BENEFIT THE
INDIVIDUAL FAMILY. AND THAT,
LIKE I SAID, MAY OTHERWISE HAVE
BEEN MISSED. UH, IN MANY
INSTANCES, THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS
AND FAMILIES THAT DON'T KNOW
WHAT IS AVAILABLE OR WHAT? UH
WHAT THEIR SERVICES COULD BE,
AND IT HELPS TO ENHANCE THEIR
LIFE. UH, IF WE'RE ABLE TO BE
ABLE TO BE IN THAT SPACE WITH
THEM AND TO OFFER THOSE SERVICES
WHEN LIMITED TO A REMOTE
ASSESSMENT. THESE NEEDS MAY GO
UNIDENTIFIED AND ESSENTIALLY
UNMET AND BEING IN THE HOME IS
IDENTICAL. I IDEAL FOR
CONDUCTING THESE ASSESSMENTS.
BUT ABSENT THAT OPPORTUNITY, THE
REGIONAL CENTER UNDERSTANDS THAT
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES MAY NOT
BE OPEN TO HOSTING A MEETING IN
THEIR HOME, AND IN THOSE
INSTANCES, THE REGIONAL CENTER
STILL LEANS INTO THE VALUE OF A
FACE TO FACE MEETING. UH, BUT
WE'LL LOOK TO THE INDIVIDUAL,
UH, TO IDENTIFY A PLACE THAT IS
CONVENIENT FOR THEM. A PLACE
THAT THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE.
OFTEN TIMES OUR SERVICE
COORDINATORS WILL GO TO A
CHILD'S SCHOOL. UH AND PAIR THE
MEETING WITH MAYBE THE END OF AN
IEP MEETING. UH OR IF IT'S AN
ADULT THAT SERVED IN OUR SYSTEM,
YOU KNOW, GOING TO THEIR DAY
PROGRAM GOING TO THEIR PLACE OF
WORK. UH, IF THAT IS
ACCOMMODATED, UH, MANY PEOPLE
COME TO THE REGIONAL CENTER OR A
PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY. LIKE I
SAID THAT THEY'VE IDENTIFIED UH,
COMFORT IN THE LOCATION OF THE
MEETING COULD BE ANYWHERE THAT
THEY CHOOSE. REGIONAL CENTERS
ARE ALSO VERY FLEXIBLE IN THEIR
ABILITY TO SCHEDULE THE IP OR
THE IFS, P MEETING AT TIMES AND
LOCATIONS THAT ARE BEST FOR THE
INDIVIDUAL AND OR THEIR FAMILY
AND IN SUPPORTING ACCESS FOR
ADVOCACY. UH, WE CERTAINLY WANT
TO WORK WITH THE ENTIRE PLANNING
TEAM, AND WE KNOW THAT THE
ADVOCACY PARTNERS ARE ESSENTIAL
TO THE FAMILY TO THE CLIENTS
SERVED, UH, IN HELPING THEM TO
GET THEIR NEEDS MET. WE INVITE
THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. UH, IT IS
NOT UNUSUAL FOR OUR SERVICE
COORDINATORS TO SCHEDULE
MEETINGS OUTSIDE OF THEIR WORK
HOURS. PEOPLE GET UP VERY, VERY
EARLY TO GET TO MEETINGS THAT
HAPPENED PRIOR TO AN
INDIVIDUAL'S WORK DAY OR THEY
MAY WORK LATER IN THE EVENING.
WE ALSO HAVE PROJECTS THAT ARE
CURRENTLY GOING ON AND SUPPORTED
THROUGH OUR FUNDING. UH, FOR
EARLY START IN IN MEETING A
NONTRADITIONAL WORK HOURS, SO
MEANING ON HOLIDAYS WEEKEND
HOURS, AND WE'RE FINDING THAT
THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT DATA
SUPPORTING, UH, ACCESS AND THE
ABILITY TO, UM SERVE PEOPLE. AND
THIS IS THROUGH THE SERVICE
PROVIDER. UH, SYSTEM, BUT IT
DOESN'T LIMIT THE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR SERVICE COORDINATORS ALSO TO
MEET IN DIFFERENT TIMES AND
SPACES. UH, REGIONAL CENTERS ARE
VERY SUPPORTIVE, UH, OF
RECOGNIZING AND BEING SENSITIVE
TO WHAT FAMILIES ARE WANTING.
BUT WE'RE ALSO RECOGNIZING OUR
NEED TO BE ABLE TO FULLY ASSESS.
UH, WHAT OPPORTUNITIES COULD
EXIST. AND ON A REMOTE, UM
EVALUATION. THERE'S JUST A LOT
OF THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN MISSED.
AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
SO I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE HAS
BEEN LINGERING FOR TOO LONG. SO
THIS IS THE YEAR WE'RE GONNA GET
THIS BABY DONE. I THINK THAT
OVERALL UM THERE IS, UM SOME
CLEAR POINTS THAT I THINK THAT
UM, BOTH SIDES, UM, HAVE VERY
CLEAR POINTS ON. UH, BUT I THINK
BOTH SIDES HAVE SOME GAPS IN
THEIR ARGUMENTS, TOO. THIS STATE
IS TOO BIG, TOO DIVERSE. TO HAVE
A BLANKET POLICY. WE'RE GONNA
HAVE TO ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE
FLAVOR IN THERE. LITTLE TOO
BLAND FOR ME. UM, BUT I THINK
OVERALL WE CAN GET THERE. BUT
IT'S GOING TO TAKE US SITTING
DOWN. AND ACTUALLY TALKING IN
THE SAME ROOM AT THE SAME TIME.
AND WORKING THIS BABY OUT AND
LOOKING AT LANGUAGE TOGETHER. I
AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO FACILITATE
THAT. UM WHAT I'M GONNA BE
ASKING FOR UM, IS THAT, UM UH,
THAT THE DEPARTMENT, UM,
IDENTIFY SOMEONE WHO WILL WORK
WITH MY OFFICE. WHO WILL WORK
WITH ME. TO LOOK AT THE PROPOSED
TRAILER BILL LANGUAGE. AND TO BE
ABLE TO BRING SOME OF THE
STAKEHOLDERS IN THE SAME ROOM AS
WELL SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY
WORK THROUGH TRAILER BUILD
LANGUAGE THAT WE THINK AND WE
CAN HAVE A WIN WIN HERE. YOU'RE
RIGHT. SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T
KNOW WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW
EITHER. AND WHAT OTHER
POSSIBILITIES ARE AND THAT
THERE'S SOME THINGS AND
RESOURCES THAT MIGHT BE BROUGHT
TO BEAR. BUT THERE'S CLEARLY
BEEN SOME BAD ACTORS THROUGH
THIS PROCESS. THAT UM CLIENTS
HAVE INTERACTED WITH. AND TOO
MANY OF THEM HAVE HAD A NEGATIVE
EXPERIENCE. SO WE ALSO NEED TO
ADD SOME STUFF IN TERMS OF
CONFIDENTIALITY IN THERE AS
WELL. SO THAT WHEN THEY'RE
DIVULGING STUFF THAT THAT'S NOT
BEING USED AGAINST THEM AFTER
THE FACT. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE
THAT WHEN THEY HAVE
OPPORTUNITIES WHERE THEY NEED,
UH, THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS OR
ADVOCATES WHO ARE NOT IN THE
SAME AREA AS THEM. THAT THEY
HAVE THE ABILITY TO ENSURE THAT
SOME LEVEL OF ZOOM IS POSSIBLE.
RIGHT? DOES A PERSONAL MEETING
HAVE TO HAPPEN EVERY TIME? I
DON'T THINK SO. TO BE HONEST.
SHOULD IT HAPPEN? NEVER.
ABSOLUTELY NOT. WHAT IS THE
SWEET SPOT? WHAT IS THE POINT
THAT HONORS PEOPLE DIGNITY?
HONORS THEIR OWN
CONFIDENTIALITY. BUT THEN ALSO
HONORS THE NEED. UM, FOR UM. THE
DEPARTMENT TO DO THEIR DUE
DILIGENCE AS WELL TO ENSURE THAT
THEY ARE REALLY DOING WHAT THEY
NEED TO DO. THERE'S SOMETIMES
THERE'S BEEN PEOPLE ON ZOOM THAT
I CAN'T STAND. BUT WHEN I MET
THEM IN PERSON, I'M LIKE, OH,
AIN'T THAT BAD, RIGHT? ALL I'M
SAYING IS SORRY. MAYBE IT WAS
GETTING TOO LATE. UM CUTTING UP,
UM BUT WHAT I'M SAYING IS, IS
THAT WE CAN GET THERE. RIGHT?
AND UM, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE USING THIS PROCESS TO THE
TRAILER BUILDING. I DON'T WANT
TO KICK THIS OFF AND KICK THIS
OFF COUNT THE ROLL ANOTHER YEAR.
I'M WILLING TO PUT IN THE TIME.
IF YOU ALL ARE WILLING TO PUT IN
A TIME, LET'S GET THIS DONE. I
THINK WE CAN DO THIS. AND III. I
THINK WE MUST DO THIS BECAUSE
GOING AT THIS EVERY YEAR AFTER
YEAR THAT'S TOO MUCH STRESS.
RIGHT. Y'ALL STRESSING ME OUT.
RIGHT SO LET'S LET'S WORK. THIS.
IS THIS SOMETHING YOU'RE WILLING
TO WORK WITH ME ON? ABSOLUTELY.
OK SO WE'RE GONNA WORK THROUGH
THIS, OK? I JUST WANT TO, UM LET
YOU KNOW THAT, UH, HONESTLY, I
FEEL LIKE WE'RE LIVING IN TWO
DIFFERENT WORLDS. BECAUSE II I
HAVE BEEN IN MANY IP P, S¼ AND
PERSON AND IN, UH, EVEN IN, UM
UM REMODELING. I NEVER HAVE SEEN
SOMEONE OFFERING, UM, SERVICES.
I HAVE TO FIGHT FOR IT. IN
HONESTLY, AS A MARIO MOTTO,
SAYS. I I'M RUN OUT OF TIME. I.
I DON'T KNOW IF I'M I'M GONNA BE
ALIVE TOMORROW. I HAVE THREE
CHILDREN WITH, UM, SPECIAL NEEDS
I AS A SINGLE MOTHER. THE SONG
GIVES ME THE ABILITY TO JUMP
FROM HERE TO THERE AND THERE AND
THERE AND THERE. AND HONESTLY, I
NEVER HAVE SEEN SOMEONE TO JUST
OFFER SOMETHING EVERY TIME I'M
TIRED. AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE
BEEN AFTER YOU FROM THERE TO
HERE BECAUSE I NEVER HAVE SEEN
THAT. THAT'S WHY I MAYBE WE'RE
LIVING IN TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS.
I DON'T KNOW. WELL, MY GOAL IS
TO BRING US INTO ONE WORLD.
RIGHT UH AND, UM, BEFORE WE
FINISH THIS, WE'RE GONNA MEET
AGAIN. YOU AIN'T DONE WITH ME,
LAD. WE STILL WE GONNA SPEND
SOME MORE TIME TOGETHER? OK I
WANT TO BE CAREFUL. WHAT YOU ASK
FOR WAS FOR DINNER. I WENT I
WENT TO WATCH NETFLIX. I'M A
PICKY EATER, TOO, BUT THAT'S MY
THERAPY. ALL RIGHT, BUT WE'RE
GONNA GET THROUGH THIS I. I HEAR
YOU. OK, MR LEE. YES UH, I WOULD
LIKE TO ALIGN A LOT OF MY
COMMENTS WITH OUR CHAIR. OF
COURSE. UH, YOU ALWAYS MORE
ELOQUENTLY CAN PUT IT THAN THAN
I CAN. BUT I WOULD JUST SAY
THAT, UH, IN ALL ASPECTS OF
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, I THINK
THAT DIGITAL DEMOCRACY AND ZOOM
TOOLS HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL.
WHETHER IT BE IN PUBLIC COMBAT
AND CITY COUNCILS OR EVEN IN
THIS MEETING SPACE. CERTAINLY
THERE'S REALLY NOTHING THAT CAN
REPLACE THE IN PERSON
INTERACTION AND THE OBSERVATIONS
YOU CAN MAKE AND THOSE BODY
LANGUAGE CUES OR EVEN CONTEXTUAL
CUES THAT IS NOT OFFERED BEHIND
A WEBCAM. UNFORTUNATELY, BUT THE
ACCESS THAT ALLOW SO MANY FROM
ACROSS THE STATE, ESPECIALLY IN
RURAL REGIONS, AND WE TALK ABOUT
EQUITY. THE LIKE. OUR LAST PANEL
WE TALKED ABOUT IS THIS IS
REALLY ONE OF THOSE IMPORTANT
TOOLS TO UNLOCK THESE THINGS AND
TO ASK PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY
DOING SO MUCH FOR THEIR OWN
FAMILIES FOR THEIR COMMUNITY TO
GET ON A FLIGHT OR DRIVE HOURS
AND HOURS IS HARD. AND SO I
THINK THERE IS THAT GREAT
BALANCE THAT CAN HAPPEN. WHERE
MEETINGS CAN TAKE PLACE OR
DISCUSSIONS CAN HAPPEN OR A
PHONE CALL OR ZOOM OR SOMETHING
LIKE THAT CAN HAPPEN. BUT THERE
ARE TIMES WHEN IT IS
APPROPRIATE. PERHAPS YOU NEED TO
BE IN PERSON. BUT THERE'S A LOT
OF TIMES WHEN YOU KNOW THE OLD
JOKE WE HAVE IN IN THIS KIND OF
WORK IS IN IN EMAIL COULD HAVE
SUFFICED. YOU COULD HAVE
SUFFICED THERE. BUT MAYBE NOT,
BUT SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, ZOOM
WOULD SUFFICE IN THESE CASES,
AND I DO HOPE THAT, UH,
DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO WORK
WITH THE COMMITTEE. UH THE I
WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT, UH
POLICY COMMITTEE STAFF. HUMAN
SERVICES ALSO BE INVOLVED IN THE
TRAILER BILL LANGUAGE, SINCE
THIS IS A POLICY ISSUE, AND
WE'LL WORK ON IT TOGETHER. NÓ
ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY. OK SO
WE'RE GONNA GET THROUGH THIS.
WE'RE GONNA FIGURE THIS BABY
OUT, RIGHT? BUT ONE THING IS FOR
SURE. I DON'T BELIEVE IN A ONE
SIZE FIT ALL OK? AND SO THE MORE
WE HEAR STORIES, THE MORE
EXAMPLES YOU'VE ALL HAVE OFFERED
MANY RIGHT IN TERMS OF THE
CLIENTS, UH, RIGHT DEPARTMENT
HAS TOLD STORIES AS WELL ON HOW
IT'S ACTUALLY BEEN BENEFICIAL
ALSO, RIGHT? AND SO I THINK THE
IDEA IS, HOW DO WE PUT A LITTLE
BIT OF FLEXIBILITY IN THERE? BUT
AT THE SAME TIME AT THE END OF
THE DAY HOW DO WE GET QUALITY?
AND TIMELY SERVICES. RIGHT? AND
HOW DO WE MAKE SURE IT'S DONE IN
A RESPECTFUL WAY THAT SO PEOPLE
CAN BE TR CAN FEEL LIKE THEY'RE
BEING TRUSTED, RIGHT? AND TRUST
IS INVOLVED. OK, SO I LOOK
FORWARD TO THIS JOURNEY. ALL
RIGHT. AND UH, BUT I WANT TO
THANK THIS PANEL VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
ISSUE NINE SELF DETERMINATION
PROGRAM UPDATE AND PARTICIPATION
CHOICE SPECIALIST POSITIONS
ELIMINATION.
TO EVERYONE'S HERE. ALL RIGHT?
YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY.
GOOD EVENING, DOCTOR JACKSON, A
MEMBER. AND, UH, STAFF. VICKY
SMITH, UH, DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR
OUR POLICY AND PROGRAM
DEVELOPMENT DIVISION AT THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. UM WILL ADDRESS THE
THREE QUESTIONS THAT ARE BEING
ASKED OF THE PANEL REGARDING
ISSUE NINE. QUESTION ONE. WHAT
ACCOUNTS FOR THE SLOW RAMP UP OF
THE SELF DETERMINATION PROGRAM?
WE'VE ACTUALLY SEEN A TREMENDOUS
GROWTH IN THE PROGRAM SINCE WE
WENT, UH, STATEWIDE. UH, THE
FIRST THREE YEARS OF THE PROGRAM
REQUIRED THE DEPARTMENT, UH, TO
PROVIDE PROGRAM, UH,
PROGRAMMATIC. UH, INFRASTRUCTURE
, UH, BUILDS TO OPERATIONALIZE
THE PROGRAM. AT THE TIME THAT WE
WENT STATEWIDE AND OPENED IT UP
TO INDIVIDUALS. IN JULY OF 2021.
WE HAD 637 INDIVIDUALS WHO CHOSE
TO RECEIVE THEIR SERVICES
THROUGH SELF DETERMINATION.
WITHIN THAT FIRST YEAR THAT IT
OPENED AS A VOLUNTARY OPTION
ACROSS THE STATE. THERE WERE 934
ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUALS WHO CHOSE
TO HAVE THEIR SERVICES DELIVERED
THROUGH SELF DETERMINATION. AS
DATA STARTED COMING IN THAT VERY
FIRST YEAR OF OPENING EXPANSION,
WE REALIZED THAT WE WERE GONNA
NEED TO MAKE SOME FURTHER
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, AND
WE NEEDED TO DO IT VERY
METHODICALLY, AND VERY CAREFULLY
TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THAT
FOLKS WHO ARE ALREADY ENROLLED
AS PARTICIPANTS IN SELF
DETERMINATION AND TO NOT CAUSE
THE GROWTH FACTOR TO SLOW DOWN.
WAS OUR PRIMARY FACTOR THAT WE
LOOKED AT WHAT WE WERE MAKING
THESE STRUCTURAL CHANGES. I WILL
SAY. I THINK THAT CHANGES FELL
INTO KIND OF THREE LARGER
BUCKETS. UH, THEY WEREN'T THE
ONLY THREE BUCKETS, BUT THEY
WERE THE THREE LARGEST BUCKETS
THAT WE ADDRESSED WITHIN THE
LAST 19 MONTHS. ONE WAS BUILDING
OUR A FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
SERVICES CAPACITY. THE FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT SERVICES. THIS IS THE
ONLY REQUIRED VENDORED SERVICE
THAT AN INDIVIDUAL IN SELF
DETERMINATION IS REQUIRED TO
HAVE IN 2022 THROUGH A TRAILER
BILL. LANGUAGE SENATE BILL. UH
188. THE FM S¼ FEE WAS REMOVED
FROM THE INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANTS
BUDGET. DOING THIS ALLOWED US TO
BUILD A CAPACITY OF THE FMSS BY
REDESIGNING THE FEE STRUCTURE TO
BETTER ALIGN WITH THE ACTUAL
SERVICE THAT THEY WERE
PROVIDING. WE RECOGNIZE THAT
BECAUSE DATA COMING IN WAS
TELLING US THAT WE REQUIRED
REGIONAL CENTERS TO PROVIDE
WEEKLY PAYMENTS TO FMS'S BECAUSE
WE HEARD FROM BOTH FM S¼ S¼ AND
FROM SELF DE TERMINATION
PARTICIPANTS THAT THAT WAS
CREATING A BURDEN. THAT WEEKLY
PAYMENT REQUIREMENT IS STILL IN
PLACE TODAY. AND FISCAL YEARS,
2122 AND 2220 THREE JUST UNDER
$2 MILLION WERE PROVIDED IN
GRANTS THROUGH SELF, UM THROUGH
SERVICE ACCESS AND EQUITY
FUNDING. GEARED TOWARDS SELF
DETERMINATION AND FOR FUNDING A
REGIONAL CENTER, UH, TRAINING
PROGRAM FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS TO
INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM AND PERSON
CENTERED PLANNING TO BE IN THEIR
OWN NATIVE LANGUAGE. THE
FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR OF 22 23
24. WE FUNDED START UP FOR TWO
NEW FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
SERVICES. WE CONTINUE TO
FACILITATE MEETINGS WITH
REGIONAL CENTERS, LOOKING AT
ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT CAN
IMPROVE THE CORE CUSTOMER
SERVICE. FOR DELIVERY OF FM S¼,
INCLUDING INCREASED BILINGUAL
AND MULTILINGUAL, UH, CAPACITY.
WE'VE DONE THINGS BEHIND THE
SCENE THAT PARTICIPANTS MAY NOT
HAVE SEEN BUT SHOULD HAVE
BENEFITED BY SOME OF THOSE ARE
STREAMLINING OUR I Tð SYSTEM
SIMPLE THINGS LIKE CREATING MORE
STREAMLINED BILLING SO THAT FM
S¼ S¼ COULD SPEND MORE TIME WITH
THE PEOPLE THEY WERE SERVING,
UNLESS TIME HAVING TO PUT IN
INVOICES. THE SECOND BUCKET, I
WOULD SAY ADAMS FELL INTO IS
ABOUT ENROLLMENT. ORIENTATION IS
ONE OF THE REQUIRED STEPS FOR
PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN
BECOMING SELF DETERMINATION.
PARTICIPANTS. THE DEPARTMENT
CONTRACTED WITH THE STATE
COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES TO PROVIDE
STATEWIDE ORIENTATION. THEY
PROVIDED IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES
IN MULTIPLE MODES. AND WHAT WE
THINK IS. THE HIGHLIGHT IS THAT
THEY INCLUDE AND PARTNER WITH
INDIVIDUALS WITH LIVED
EXPERIENCE AS PART OF THE CO
INSTRUCTORS. THIS STATEWIDE
CONTRACT FOR ORIENTATION IS
ADDITION TO THE 21 REGIONAL
CENTERS PROVIDING THEIR OWN
ORIENTATION. WE ALSO RECOGNIZE
THROUGH THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS
THAT MORE SUPPORTS NEEDED TO BE
PROVIDED FOR THAT PRE TRANSITION
PERIOD BETWEEN THE ORIENTATION
AND THE ACTUAL ENROLLMENT. SO WE
ESTABLISHED SERVICES. UH, FOR
THAT ASSISTANCE. WE CREATED FOR
THE FIRST TIME EVER A
STANDARDIZED VENDOR, A PACKET
FOR FOLKS AND ENTITIES THAT WERE
SEEKING VENDOR ORGANIZATION TO
PROVIDE THAT SERVICE. WE ISSUED
GUIDANCE THAT THE SERVICE BE
PROVIDED OR WOULD BE ALLOWED TO
BE PROVIDED REMOTELY, BECAUSE
THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE TOLD US THEY
WANTED. AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO
REFINE AND ENHANCE THOSE PRE
TRANSITION SUPPORTS BECAUSE
THEY'RE VERY VITAL BETWEEN THE
ORIENTATION AND THE ENROLLMENT.
UH, FOR AN INDIVIDUAL. AND
FINALLY WITHIN THE, UH,
ENROLLMENT BUCKET. UM, WE BEGAN,
UH, PROVIDING LOCALIZED DATA TO
EACH OF THE LOCAL VOLUNTEER
ADVISORY COMMITTEES FOR EACH OF
THE 21 REGIONAL CENTERS THAT
COULD BETTER HELP THEM DETERMINE
WHERE THEY WANTED TO USE OR SELF
DETERMINATION. IMPLEMENTATION
FUNDS TO DO MORE TARGETED
OUTREACH TO CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHICS
THAT WEREN'T ALIGNING BETWEEN
THEIR SELF DETERMINATION PROGRAM
AND THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE
SERVED THROUGH THE TRADITIONAL
MODEL. AND FINALLY ONE OF THE,
UH, CHANGES THAT WE MADE IN
ENHANCEMENTS THAT WE MADE IN THE
LAST 19 MONTHS WAS TO INCREASE
COMMUNICATION WITH SELF
DETERMINATION PARTICIPANTS THEIR
FAMILIES TO CREATE REGULAR FOCUS
GROUP MEETINGS WITH OUR
INDEPENDENT FACILITATORS AND THE
FISCAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES. WE
RECONVENE THE DIRECTOR'S
SELF-DETERMINATION ADVISORY
COMMITTEE AND GATHERED INPUT
THAT LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF
STANDARDS SO WE COULD RELEASE
REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS. TO BRING
ABOUT THE PROFESSIONAL NATURE
AND RECOGNIZE THE PROFESSIONAL
NATURE OF INDEPENDENT
FACILITATORS BY ESTABLISHING A
FORMAL CERTIFICATION PROCESS AND
A FORMAL CERTIFICATION PROCESS.
ALSO FOR THE FM S¼ S¼. WHILE
DOING THESE THINGS. BETWEEN THE
TIME PERIOD OF JUNE 30TH 2022 IN
JANUARY 31ST OF THIS YEAR IN
THAT 19 MONTH SPAN. MORE THAN
2000, THREE 180 THREE
INDIVIDUALS. CHOSE TO HAVE THEIR
SERVICES DELIVERED THROUGH SELF
DETERMINATION. THOSE WERE NEW
ENROLLEES AND SELF DETERMINATION
, BRINGING OUR TOTAL TO 3940 54,
WHICH MEANS THAT WE MORE THAN
DOUBLED, UH, WITHIN THAT 19
MONTH PERIOD, WE KNEW THAT WE
WERE MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES
BECAUSE WE DIDN'T LOSE ANYONE
THAT WAS CURRENTLY IN THE
PROGRAM, AND WE KEPT THE GROWTH
RATE CONTINUING TO GO. SO
THROUGH THAT METHODICAL, UH,
DECISION MAKING, WE WERE ABLE TO
DO THAT. THE SECOND QUESTION
THAT YOU HAVE IS WHAT ARE THE
COST IMPLICATIONS OF THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM IN THE
LONG RUN? AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE
EARLY IN THE PROGRAM. AND WHILE
WE'RE EARLY INTO THAT STATEWIDE
AVAILABILITY OF THE
SELF-DETERMINATION, UH, DATA WE
HAVE TO REVIEW COST TRENDS
CAREFULLY. AS WE RECEIVE THOSE
AND REVIEW THE YEAR AFTER YEAR
DATA. BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT AN
INDIVIDUAL'S 12 MONTH PERIOD
WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THOSE
DEMOGRAPHICS AND SERVICE
UTILIZATION FACTORS WILL
CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION
AND UPDATES TO THE LEGISLATIVE
STAFF AND THIS COMMITTEE THROUGH
OUR QUARTERLY, UH, BRIEFINGS.
AND FINALLY, YOUR THIRD QUESTION
. ARE THERE RISKS OF
DISCONTINUING THE PARTICIPANT
CHOICE SPECIALISTS, AS NOTED ON
PAGE 55 OF YOUR AGENDA
PARTICIPANT CHOICE SPECIALISTS
WERE IDENTIFIED TO SUPPORT THE
INITIAL TRANSITION DURING THE
EXPANSION OF THE STATE OF THE
SELF DETERMINATION PROGRAM.
GOING STATEWIDE. WE'VE HEARD
FROM REGIONAL CENTERS AND
ADVOCATES CONCERNS ABOUT NOT
HAVING THE P èC S¼ POSITIONS
AND CONTINUE TO EVALUATE THE
OPTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO
SUPPORT FOR AWARENESS, UH,
TRANSITION AND TIMELY ACCESS TO
SELF DETERMINATION. WE'VE ALSO
AS A DEPARTMENT PUT IN PLACE,
SOME ADDITIONAL METHODS THAT WE
THINK WILL HELP ADDRESS SOME OF
THESE SITUATIONS AND THAT IS
THROUGH THE ORIENTATION CONTRACT
. IT IS. THERE'S A REQUIREMENT
FOR THAT, UH, FUNDING TO
ESTABLISH GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY
BASED ORGANIZATIONS. THE
REGIONAL CENTER PERFORMANCE.
MEASURES THAT ARE BEING
DEVELOPED WILL HAVE FOCUSED
INCENTIVES BASED ON SELF
DETERMINATION. AND THE STATEWIDE
STANDARDIZATION OF THE
INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM PLAN.
TEMPLATE WILL INCLUDE A
REQUIREMENT FOR SERVICE
COORDINATORS TO SHARE
INFORMATION REGARDING SELF
DETERMINATION AND DOCUMENT THAT
IN THE IP P THANK YOU FOR
ALLOWING ME TO PROVIDE THAT
INFORMATION. AND THANK YOU FOR,
UH, TOUCHING BASE ON ALL THOSE
QUESTIONS REALLY APPRECIATED.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. CHRIS
O'NEILL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.
UM AND, UH, JUST FOLLOWING UP ON
, UH, MISS COMMENTS, UH TO, UH,
JUST TO AS A REMINDER AND TO
CLARIFY IN THE PARTICIPANT
CHOICE SPECIALIST THAT WAS THREE
YEAR LIMITED TERM FUNDING THAT
WAS EXPIRING. IT'S EXPIRING THIS
YEAR. AND SO THAT'S WHAT? WHAT
WE'RE CONSIDERING HERE. THANK
YOU. LEGISLATIVE ANALYST. KARINA
HENDRON ALEO NÓ COMMENTS TO ADD
AT THIS TIME. MISS MARK HØI HØI
AGAIN? UM JUDY MARK, UH,
DISABILITY VOICES UNITED. SO IT
WAS OVER 10 YEARS AGO THAT THIS
LAW GOT PASSED S¼ B 468 AND I
REMEMBER THAT DAY VIVIDLY. UM
THE SELF AVO IS A FAMILY MEMBERS
WHO GOT THIS LAW PASSED WERE
LITERALLY DANCING IN THE STREETS
. WE KNEW THAT THIS WAS GONNA
SAVE THE SYSTEM. WE KNEW THAT IT
WAS A LIFE CHANGER FOR PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES AND A GAME
CHANGER FOR THE WHOLE SYSTEM.
AND NOW MY SON IS IN HIS FIFTH
YEAR IN THE PROGRAM. HE'S 27
YEARS OLD, AND HE'S MOVING OUT
ON APRIL 20TH. NOT THAT I'M
COUNTING THE DAYS UM HE'S GONNA
HE REQUIRES 24 7 SUPPORT, BUT WE
ARE CONFIDENT BECAUSE OF THE
FLEXIBILITY AND CONTROL THAT WE
HAVE THROUGH THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM THAT WE
CAN BE INNOVATIVE AND PERSON
CENTERED, AND HE WILL BE
SUCCESSFUL. YOU HEARD A LITTLE
BIT AGO ABOUT HOWARD MCBROOM. UM
UH, FROM VIVIAN. HOWARD WAS ONE
OF MY DEAR FRIENDS AND HE PASSED
AWAY LAST LAST MONTH, AND IT WAS
ONLY BECAUSE HE WAS IN THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM THAT HE
WAS ABLE TO DIE WITH DIGNITY. WE
WERE ABLE TO SUPPORT HIM HIS
FRIENDS HIS NATURAL SUPPORTS HIS
PAID SUPPORTS WERE ABLE TO
ARRANGE FOR, UM, A GROUP OF
PEOPLE TO REALLY HELP HIM, UM AT
IN HIS FINAL DAYS. AND SO SELF
DETERMINATION REALLY HAS ITS
POTENTIAL. AND IT WAS WONDERFUL
HEARING YOU TALKING ABOUT IT
DURING THE EQUITY PANEL. UM BUT
THE PROBLEMS ARE THAT ACTUALLY,
SOME OF WHAT VICKY TALKED ABOUT.
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW SOME OF THE
STUFF. SOME OF THE STUFF HASN'T
BEEN REALIZED IN REAL IN THE
REAL LIFE OF PEOPLE TRYING TO
GET INTO THE SELF DETERMINATION
PROGRAM. SO THESE THE
BUREAUCRATIZATION IS WHAT WE
CALL IT OF THE S¼ Dð P STILL HAS
A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE
DONE. UM SO WE ARE WE WE'RE THE
LARGEST GROUP IN THE STATE WHO
WORKS ON THE SELF DETERMINATION
PROGRAM. WE HAD A MEETING THAT
JUST ENDED 45 MINUTES AGO WHERE
WE GET HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE
GATHERED ONLINE TO TRAIN THEM
AND EDUCATE THEM ON THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM. UM, WE
GET NÓ FUNDING TO DO THIS $0 TO
DO THIS. WE DO THIS OUT OF OUR
GENERAL OPERATING OPERATING
FUNDS. UM AND WE HEAR FROM
PEOPLE OF COLOR IN PARTICULAR
WHO ARE DESPERATE TO GET INTO
THIS PROGRAM, AND THE SYSTEMS
ARE ARE SO COMPLEX AND WE HAVE
TO REDUCE THE BUREAUCRACY.
THAT'S WHY WE WERE SO SHOCKED TO
HEAR THAT THE GOVERNOR BUDGET
PROPOSES TO REMOVE THE
PARTICIPANT CHOICE SPECIALIST.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE CHUMP CHANGE,
YOU KNOW, $7 MILLION CH CHANGE
TO OUR BUDGET RIGHT NOW. I DON'T
SEE THAT IT'S GOING TO MAKE ANY
KIND OF DENT IN THE DEFICIT. AND
YET WHAT IT IS GONNA DO IS
POTENTIALLY GRIND THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM TO A HALT.
IT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NÓ SENSE.
THE THIS AVERAGE SERVICE
COORDINATOR KNOWS ALMOST NOTHING
ABOUT THE SELF DETERMINATION
PROGRAM. SO WHAT THIS IS GOING
TO DO IS TO SHIFT THAT BURDEN TO
THE SERVICE COORDINATOR WHO'S
GONNA SPEND WAY MORE TIME TRYING
TO FIGURE OUT THESE COMPLEX
SYSTEMS, AND IT'S GONNA
BASICALLY MEAN IT'S GONNA COST
MORE MONEY BECAUSE THE SERVICE
COORDINATORS CAN'T GET THEIR
WORK DONE WITHOUT A PARTICIPANT
CHOICE SPECIALIST. SO I IT. IT'S
A LOGICAL TO ME THAT THAT WE ARE
AT THIS POINT, UM YOU KNOW, I
ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT, UM
THAT. THE AND VICKY MENTIONED
THAT THERE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE
BENCHMARKS AND PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS SINCE 2021 IT IT WAS
IN TRAILER BEAR LANGUAGE THAT
THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE
BENCHMARKS AND PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS FOR REGIONAL CENTERS
AROUND THE S¼ Tð P AND WE ARE
STILL WAITING. THEY HAVE NOT
BEEN DEVELOPED. THERE HAVE BEEN
NÓ PROPOSED BENCHMARKS THAT WE
HAVE HEARD ABOUT SO A LOT OF THE
STUFF THAT'S IN THE WORKS. THEY
JUST HAVEN'T BEEN REALIZED. UM
AND THE FINAL THING I WANNA
MENTION IS THAT THERE IS AN
EFFORT IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR
MENJIVAR TO FIX THE BUREAUCRATIC
PROCESSES AND CLARIFY HOW THE
PROGRAM SHOULD WORK. IF THIS
EFFORT IS SUCCESSFUL, WE BELIEVE
THAT THE PROGRAM WILL BE OPENED
TO THOUSANDS OF MORE INDIVIDUALS
, PARTICULARLY PEOPLE OF COLOR.
UM BECAUSE THE BECAUSE JUST THE
WAY TO GET IN AND THE WAY TO
STAY IN IS GONNA BE MUCH MORE
SIMPLE. SO THE BOTTOM LINE FOR
ME IS THAT THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM IS THE
FUTURE OF THE SYSTEM. IT'S VERY
OBVIOUS IT'S MENTIONED BY
REGIONAL CENTER EXECUTIVE
DIRECTORS, UM AND BY FAMILY
MEMBERS AND BY SELF ADVOCATES.
OUR SYSTEM IS OFTEN CALLED
BROKEN, AND I REALLY BELIEVE
THAT THE SELF DETERMINATION IS
THE WAY TO FIX IT. THANK YOU.
UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
EVERYONE UM, WE ARE GOING TO
HOLD THIS ISSUE OPEN, AND, UH,
WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT PRE,
UH, ISSUE. THANK YOU ALL VERY
MUCH. ISSUE NUMBER 10 THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL TO DELAY
PRESCHOOL INCLUSION GRANTS. MHM.
AND YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE
READY. THANK YOU, DOCTOR,
JACKSON, CHRIS O'NEILL WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. UM THIS
PARTICULAR PROPOSAL DELAYS FOR
AN ADDITIONAL TWO YEARS
PRESCHOOL INCLUSION GRANTS THAT
WERE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED AS PART
OF A PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS IN THE
22 BUDGET ACT AIMED AT IMPROVING
CHILDREN'S TRANSITION FROM Dð Dð
S¼ EARLY START SERVICES TO
SPECIAL EDUCATION ARE ALSO KNOWN
AS PART èC SERVICES TO PART B
AS THE PROGRAMS ARE IDENTIFIED
IN THE FEDERAL INDIVIDUALS WITH
DISABILITIES. ACT THE BUDGET
MAINTAINS THE GRANT PROGRAM ON
AN ONGOING BASIS, BEGINNING IN
2627 WHEN INITIALLY DELAYED AS
PART OF THE 20 THREE BUDGET ACT.
THE PROGRAM WAS IDENTIFIED FOR
DELAY PRIMARILY BECAUSE IT HAD
NOT YET BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
HOWEVER THE ADMINISTRATION
MAINTAINS ITS COMMITMENT TO THIS
EFFORT. AND JUST A MINUTE,
FOLKS, CAN WE GET A LITTLE BIT
OF A CAN WE KEEP IT DOWN A
LITTLE BIT, PLEASE? THANK YOU,
UM. SO UH, WHEN INITIALLY
DELAYED AS PART OF THE 20 THREE
BUDGET ACT. THE PROGRAM WAS
IDENTIFIED FOR DELAY, PRIMARILY
BECAUSE IT IS A PROGRAM THAT HAD
NOT GOTTEN OFF THE GROUND YET.
UM HOWEVER, THE ADMINISTRATION
MAINTAINS ITS COMMITMENT TO THIS
EFFORT AND IS THEREFORE PUTTING
ME FOR THE APPROACH BEFORE YOU
KNOW. UM AND FROM HERE, I'LL
PASS IT TO MY COLLEAGUE FROM Dð.
Dð S¼. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING
CHAIR. STEVEN PABLO, DEPUTY
DIRECTOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
I'LL JUST ADD THAT THESE FUNDS
ARE DEDICATED TOWARDS IMPROVING
INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY OF
PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS. WITH THE AIM
OF INCREASING THE KNOWLEDGE AND
ABILITIES OF EARLY CHILDHOOD
SERVICE PROVIDERS TO MEET THE
NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH
DISABILITIES AND TO MODEL AND
INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR
INCLUSION. UH, CHILDREN WITH
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
BENEFIT FROM PARTICIPATING IN
INTEGRATED AND INCLUSIVE
PRESCHOOL SETTINGS. THAT ALLOW
FOR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL
DEVELOPMENT. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. LEGISLATIVE
ANALYST KINA HENDRON L A Ó. WE
WANTED TO NOTE THAT GIVEN THAT
THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROJECTS,
MULTIYEAR DEFICITS, THE PROPOSED
DELAY UNTIL 2026 27 IS BEST
CONSIDERED TO BE A REDUCTION IN
PRACTICE. AND THE LEGISLATURE
MAY WISH TO CONSIDER ELIMINATING
THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE THE PROGRAM
HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED YET AND
SO ELIMINATING IT WOULD NOT
DISRUPT ANY EXISTING OR ONGOING
SERVICES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE WILL HOLD THIS ISSUE OPEN AND
WE'LL MOVE ON TO, UH, THE NEXT,
UH, ISSUE ISSUE NUMBER 11. HOME
AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES.
FEDERAL FINAL RULE COMPLIANCE
OVERSIGHT. YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN
YOU'RE READY. THANK YOU. CHAIR.
THE QUESTION YOU ASKED, PLEASE
EXPLAIN WHERE THE STATE IS IN
TERMS OF COMPLIANCE AND THE PLAN
TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE BY THE
FEDERAL DEADLINE OF DECEMBER.
31ST 2024 THANK YOU FOR THE WELL
LAID OUT, UM, AGENDA STARTING ON
PAGE 61. THE DEPARTMENT IS ON
TRACK TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE BY
THE FEDERAL DEADLINE. UH, FOR
THE DEPARTMENT'S DIRECTIVE,
REGIONAL CENTERS REPORT TO THE
DEPARTMENT EACH 1ST AND 3RD
FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH, THE
NUMBER OF ON-SITE REVIEWS THAT
HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND THE
OUTCOMES OF THOSE REVIEWS SHOULD
REMEDIATION BE NECESSARY. WE
APPRECIATE THE ONGOING AND
CONTINUED OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO
PROVIDE THE MONTHLY UPDATES TO
LEGISLATIVE STAFF, AND WE'LL, UH
THEY'RE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THEM AS
THEY ARE LAID OUT IN THE AGENDA.
UH JUST OH, YEAH. I'M SORRY, UH,
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. CHRIS
O'NEILL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
NOTHING FURTHER TO ADD.
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST. KARINA
HENDRA E A Ó NÓ COMMENTS AT
THIS TIME. I JUST ONE QUESTION
ON THIS, UH, ISSUE. UM HOW HAS
Dð Dð S¼ ENSURED THAT THE
COORDINATE FAMILY SUPPORTS
PROGRAM IS BEING IMPLEMENTED AS
INTENDED. ORDER. MR CHAIR. IF I
MIGHT, I THINK THAT MIGHT BE ON
THE NEXT. THERE'S TWO HÌ èC B
S¼ ITEMS. OH, THIS IS A
DIFFERENT ONE. OK, NEVER MIND.
OK? WELL, THEN WE'RE DONE WITH
THIS ITEM. THEN YOU CAN ANSWER
FIND IN THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE ON
TO ISSUE NUMBER 12. IT'S ALL
GOOD. ALL RIGHT NOW YOU KNOW MY
QUESTION. GOOD EVENING CHAIR.
STEVEN PAVLOV, DEPUTY DIRECTOR
WITH THE DEPARTMENT, SO THE
AGENDA PROVIDES A GREAT SUMMARY
OF CHANGES TO THE DEPARTMENT'S,
UH HÌ èC B S¼ ARPA SPENDING
PLAN. UM OVERALL, THE DEPARTMENT
ESTIMATES NÓ CHANGE TO THE HÌ
èC B S¼ ARPA FUNDING LEVELS.
THAT'S APPROXIMATELY $1 BILLION.
ACROSS THE MULTIYEAR. UH THERE
IS A CHANGE OF ABOUT 37 MILLION
REIMBURSEMENT AUTHORITY DUE TO
INCREASED ACTUAL FEDERAL
FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION IN THE
PAST YEAR. UH, JUST TO GIVE YOU
A SENSE OF ACTUAL EXPENDITURES
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30TH 2020 THREE
APPROXIMATELY 1.4 BILLION OF THE
1.9 BILLION OF THE SPENDING
PLANET HAS BEEN EXPANDED. SO,
WITH THE RATE STUDY BEING THE
KEY DRIVER OF EXPENDITURES Dð Dð
S¼ PROJECTS THAT ALL OF THE HÌ
èC B S¼, UH AND AR B FUNDING
WILL BE EXPANDED BY THE END OF
THE FISCAL YEAR OF 20 THREE 24,
WITH LIQUIDATION CONTINUING
THROUGH DECEMBER, 2024. THE
COMMITTEE ALSO HAD A SUBSEQUENT
QUESTION. I THINK THAT THAT WAS
THE ONE THEY WERE REFERENCING,
UH, WITH REGARDS TO COORDINATE
FAMILY SUPPORTS COORDINATING
FAMILY SUPPORTS, UH, IS ONE OF
THE INITIATIVES THAT'S PARTIALLY
FUNDED, UH BY THE HÌ èC B S¼
ARPA SPENDING PLAN. UH, THERE'S
QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT OCCURS POST
PLOT AS WELL AS HOW IT'LL BE
EVALUATED AND WHETHER OR NOT
THERE IS ANY, UH, ANY
INFORMATION THAT COULD BE GOING
THAT SHEDS LIGHTS, UH, SHEDS
LIGHT ON THE SERVERS,
DISPARITIES OF LATINX CONSUMERS.
SO GDS CONTINUES TO MONITOR
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INITIATIVE
. UH, EXAMINING CASELOAD,
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA AND PROVIDER
LEVELS. OF THE PROGRAM AS IT
CONTINUES WITH THE SPECIFIED
FUNDING THROUGH JUNE 2024. UH,
THE INITIAL DATA IS PROMISING IN
TERMS OF, UH, ETHNICITIES THAT
ARE BEING SERVED 40 3% ARE
HISPANIC. UH, 25% ARE WHITE 15%
ARE AFRICAN AMERICAN AND 7% ARE
ASIAN AMERICAN. AYE AND WE'RE
GETTING SOME INITIAL FAMILY
FEEDBACK, WHICH HAS BEEN
POSITIVE. UH, THIS IS COMING
FROM BOTH THE PROVIDER FEEDBACK
THE REGIONAL CENTERS THAT ARE
REPORTING AND THEN, UH,
INDIVIDUAL FAMILY SATISFACTION
SURVEYS. AND THEN Dð Dð S¼, UH,
INTENDS TO CONTINUE TO ASSESS
THIS INITIATIVE AS PART OF THE A
REVISION PROCESS. UH, NEXT. UH,
THERE'S A QUESTION ON, UH, THE
NUMBER OF PROVIDERS THAT HAVE
BEEN APPROVED FOR COORDINATE
FAMILY SUPPORTS. SO UH, BASED ON
OUR CLAIMS DATA AS OF LAST
CALENDAR YEAR, DECEMBER 31ST WE
HAVE 38 UNIQUE VENDORS, BILLING
COORDINATING FAMILY SUPPORTS AND
15 REGIONAL CENTERS. UH, NEARLY
50% OF THE VENDOR GROWTH
OCCURRED IN THE SECOND QUARTER
OF THE CURRENT YEAR. SO YOU'RE
SEEING A MARKED UPTICK? UH MORE
RECENTLY. AND WE'RE STILL
AWAITING DATA FROM THE REMAINING
REGIONAL CENTERS SO THAT AMOUNT
IS LIKELY TO INCREASE. AND THAT
WE CONTINUE TO TRACK VENDOR
GROWTH AS WE IMPLEMENT THIS
INITIATIVE. THANK YOU. UH, JUST
QUICKLY. I ACTUALLY DID FORGET
SOMETHING ON ISSUE NUMBER 11.
THAT'S JUST THAT WE WANNA, UH,
THANK THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE
GREAT INFORMATION THAT WAS
PROVIDED FOR THIS AGENDA. UM,
WE'RE JUST HOPING THAT, UM, THE
SAME TYPE OF INFORMATION THAT
WAS PROVIDED FOR THIS GENDER
THAT THAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN OUR
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS WITH,
UH, LEGISLATIVE STAFF. WE WOULD
APPRECIATE THAT BUT REALLY
APPRECIATE THE GREAT INFORMATION
FOR THIS AGENDA. UM FOR ISSUE
NUMBER 12. YOU MENTIONED THE,
UH, COORDINATE FAMILY SUPPORT,
UH, IN THE GROUPS FOR THE FAMILY
GROUPS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING,
UM, IN THIS, UM, OUR REGIONAL
CENTERS REQUIRING THAT
COORDINATE FAMILY SUPPORT
SERVICES WE PROVIDED IN THE
GROUPS THAT ARE GOING ON AND
GROUPS OF THE SERVICES ARE BEING
PROVIDED IN THE FAMILY HOME, UH
TO THE INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER. OK?
GOT IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UH,
LET'S SEE HERE. UM AGAIN. WE
WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE
TO DO, UH, PROVIDE THIS ON THE,
UH, QUARTERLY BASIS SO THAT WE
CAN STAY UP TO DATE ON WHAT'S
GOING ON. UM IN ADDITION, WE'RE
ALSO REQUESTING A BRIEFING
BETWEEN Dð Dð S¼ AND LEGISLATIVE
STAFF TO DISCUSS QUESTIONS
RAISED IN THE AGENDA FROM THE L,
A Ó ABOUT COORDINATING FAMILY
SUPPORTS. UM AND SO, UH, WILL
YOU, UH, WORK WITH US TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE, UM, GET THOSE
QUESTIONS ADDRESSED? ABSOLUTELY
ALL RIGHT. APPRECIATE IT. ALL
RIGHT. I WANNA THANK THIS, UH,
PANEL. WE'LL MOVE ON TO ISSUE
NUMBER 13. ALRIGHT UH, ISSUE 13
TRAILER BILL FOR COST
PARTICIPATION IN THE ANNUAL
FAMILY. UH, PROGRAM FEE. UH,
REPEAL. UH SO AGAIN. THE AGENDA
PROVIDES A GOOD OVERVIEW. UM
SPECIFICALLY, UH, THE TRAILER
BILL PROPOSED TO REPEAL THE
FAMILY COST PARTICIPATION
PROGRAM IN THE ANNUAL FAMILY
PROGRAM FEE. UH THE COST
PARTICIPATION PROGRAM REQUIRES
REGIONAL CENTERS TO ASSESS A
COST PARTICIPATION FOR CHILDREN.
EXCUSE ME FOR PARENTS OF ANY
CHILD THROUGH 17 YEARS OF AGE
AUTHORIZED, UH, TO RECEIVE
RESPITE AND DAY CARE OR CAMPING
SERVICES IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL
PROGRAM PLAN. THE ANNUAL FAMILY,
UH, FEE PROGRAM REQUIRES
REGIONAL CENTERS TO ASSESS AN
ANNUAL FEE TO PARENTS OF
CHILDREN THROUGH 17 YEARS OF AGE
THAT ARE ABOVE 100% OF THE
FEDERAL POVERTY LINE AND MEET
SPECIFIED CRITERIA, SO BOTH
PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED
THROUGH. UH, JUNE 30TH 2024
THROUGH THE FISCAL CURRENT YEAR.
IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC. UM
THESE PROGRAMS ARE COMPLEX TO
ADMINISTER, UH, THEIR HARD TO
EXPLAIN TO FAMILIES AND BECAUSE
OF THE COMPLEXITY, UM THE COUGH
COST OFFSETS AND THE REVENUES
ARE LARGELY INDETERMINATE. UH
AND SO THIS REPEAL WOULD ALLOW
REGIONAL CENTERS TO FOCUS ON
THEIR CORE FUNCTIONS OF
CONDUCTING ASSESSMENTS. UH,
SERVICE CO ORDINATION AND
PROVIDING SERVICES. THANK YOU.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. CHRIS
O'NEILL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
NOTHING FOR THEIR DAD.
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST. KINA HENDRA
Ó. WE DID WANT TO NOTE THAT THE
PROPOSAL TO REMOVE A REVENUE
SOURCE WOULD MAKE THE BUDGET
PROBLEM WORSE, BUT WE KNOW THAT
THIS IS LIKELY A SMALL DOLLAR
AMOUNT. ADDITIONALLY KEEPING THE
REVENUE SOURCE SHOULD BE WEIGHED
AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE
BURDEN FACED BY REGIONAL CENTERS
AND THE POTENTIAL ACCESS ISSUES
FOR FAMILIES. DID I EXCLUDE YOU
GUYS FROM ISSUE NUMBER 12. IT'S
OK. YOU COVERED PRETTY MUCH WHAT
WE WERE GONNA SAY SO. I'M SO YOU
KNOW, IT'S STARTING TO BE A
BLUR. I, UM I APOLOGIZE. OK UH,
WE'LL HOLD THIS ISSUE OPEN, AND,
UH, WE'LL MOVE TO THE NEXT ISSUE
ISSUE NUMBER 14. GOVERNOR'S
TRAILER BILL PROPOSAL ON
PROBABILITY, SAMPLING AND
STATISTICAL EXTRAPOLATION. AND
YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MR CHAIR,
P CHAIR AGAIN, CHIEF FOR DATA
ANALYTICS AND STRATEGY AT THE
DEPARTMENT. I KNOW YOU WANT TO
END YOUR DAY TALKING ABOUT
AUDITS. UH, ESSENTIALLY, THIS IS
A CHANCE HERE. UH FOR WE'RE
BASICALLY SEEKING STATUTORY
PERMISSION TO USE EXTRAPOLATION
WHEN MAKING AUDIT FINDINGS.
TYPICALLY WHEN WE DO AN AUDIT,
WE LOOK AT TWO DIFFERENT MONTHS.
AND IF WE IDENTIFY A PROBLEM
THAT IT LOOKS REASONABLY SIMILAR
, UH, THIS AUTHORITY WOULD ALLOW
US TO ASSUME THAT DURING THE
INTERVENING MONTHS. UH, WHEN
IT'S APPROPRIATE TO DO SO WE
COULD ASSUME THAT THAT PRACTICE
CONTINUED THERE. UH, CURRENTLY
WHAT WE DO WHEN WE AUDIT WE GO
IN. WE SPEND THE STAFF TIME AND
WE DOCUMENT EVERY SINGLE PENNY,
UH, THAT THAT WE, UH UH, ASK FOR
AS A REPAYMENT. UM THAT'S A HUGE
TIME SYNC FOR STATE AUDITORS.
IT'S ALSO A HUGE TIME SYNC FOR
PROVIDERS THAT THEN HAVE TO
PROVIDE ALL THAT DOCUMENTATION
TO US. WE THINK IT'S A WAY OF
REDUCING THE BURDEN. THIS WORKS
IN BOTH DIRECTIONS FOR
OVERPAYMENTS AND FOR
UNDERPAYMENTS. IT'S BASICALLY A
GOOD GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY. UH
UH, MEASURE. UH, PAGE 70
INCLUDES A FULL PAGE DESCRIPTION
OF THE BACKGROUND OF HOW WE DO
AUDITS AND THE SITUATIONS IN
WHICH THE THIS LANGUAGE MIGHT BE
USED. UH, IT WOULDN'T BE IN
EVERY SINGLE AUDIT. IT WOULD NOT
BE USED WITH OUR WHAT WE CALL
LIMITED SCOPE. AUDITS Ó ONLY IN
THE FULL AUDITS AND ONLY WHEN IT
WOULD MAKE SENSE TO DO SO. AND
ITS PERMITS OF AUTHORITY.
NOTHING IN THE PROPOSAL WOULD
AFFECT THE DUE PROCESS AVAILABLE
TO PROVIDERS TO RESPOND TO A
DRAFT AUDIT PROVIDE
DOCUMENTATION TO US THEIR APPEAL
PROCESS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE
OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE
HEARINGS IN THE COURTS. THERE'S
NÓ CHANGE THERE. THIS IS SIMPLY
ADDING ONE MORE TOOL TO THE TOOL
KIT FOR OUR AUDITORS. WE
APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION OF
UH, NOTWITHSTANDING THE, UH,
SEXY TOPIC. THANKS THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. YOU'RE TALKING TO A
DOCTOR. HERE. IT IS PRETTY SEXY,
OK? UH, ISSUE DOCTORS WHO LOVE
AUDITS WOULD BE A RARE BREED,
SIR. I BELIEVE IT. DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE. DO YOU CONFIRM THE
SEXINESS? PERSON WITH A
PERMANENT PLAN. NOTHING FURTHER
THAT MR CHAIR THANK YOU.
LEGISLATIVE OFFICE. SAME
QUESTION. CONFIRMED. UH, JUST
ONE. JUST ONE QUESTION HERE. UH,
THEY'RE GONNA THEY'RE NOT GONNA
LET ME CHAIR ANOTHER MEETING.
I'M SORRY, MR SPEAKER. I'M SORRY
. UM DO YOU ANTICIPATE ANY
OPPOSITION TO I MEAN TO ME? I
MEAN, I. I DON'T HAVE ANY
PERSONAL OPPOSITION. BUT DO YOU
SEE ANYONE THAT MIGHT BE
CONCERNED ABOUT THIS I? I THINK
THAT THERE MAY BE SOME PROVIDERS
CONCERNED THAT THIS WOULD
INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE
OVERPAYMENT THAT MIGHT BE
IDENTIFIED. IN SOME
CIRCUMSTANCES. UM AND WHAT DO
YOU THINK YOU WOULD HAVE IN
PLACE TO I? I THINK WE WOULD
WELCOME AS WE DO WITH ANY OTHER
AUDIT FINDING THE RECEIPT OF
DOCUMENTATIONS REBUTTING THAT
FACT. YEAH OK, AND THEN AGAIN,
IT WOULDN'T BE USED IN ALL
CIRCUMSTANCES AND IT DOES CUT
BOTH WAYS. WE DO HAVE SOME
AUDITS WHERE WE'VE IDENTIFIED
UNDERPAYMENTS WHERE THIS
METHODOLOGY MIGHT BE USED AS
WELL. OK THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE'LL HOLD THIS ISSUE OPEN AND
WE'LL MOVE ON TO ARE FINAL.
ISSUE 15. PORTERVILLE CAPITAL
OUTLAY, PROPOSAL AND GOVERNOR'S
LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.
YOU HAVE HUNG IN THERE. I
APPRECIATE YOU. YOU MAY BEGIN
WHEN YOU'RE READY. THANK YOU, MR
CHAIR. UM FOR THE LAST ISSUE, 15
AS NOTED IN THE AGENDA, UM THE
BUDGET DOES INCLUDE A FIVE YEAR
INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN, WHICH
REFLECTS CAPITAL OUT A REQUEST
AS WELL AS CONCEPTS. UH FOR THE
DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE AN OUT YEAR
CONCEPT THAT LOOKS AT
MODERNIZING OF THE RESIDENTIAL
UNITS AT PORTERVILLE. A LITTLE
UNDER HALF OF THE UNITS WERE
UPDATED. THERE WERE NEW UNITS
CREATED IN 2009, AND THE
REMAINDER OF THE UNITS ARE MORE
OF THE OLDER STRUCTURES OF THE
ORIGINAL BUILDINGS. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE. UM HELLO, DOCTOR
JACKSON. RANDY KATZ WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. UH, JUST
REITERATING THIS PLAN IS A
ANNUAL ANNUAL REQUIREMENT THAT
WE SUBMIT JUST FOR ADVANCED
CONCEPTS THAT CAN BE FOR SENT
THE LEGISLATURE FOR
CONSIDERATION. LEGISLATIVE
ANALYST. Kò HENDRY ELIO. UM, AS
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOTED,
THERE IS NÓ B èC P YET ISSUED
FOR THIS. AND SO IF THERE IS A B
èC P ISSUED, WE'LL REVIEW AT
THAT TIME. OK ANY FORESEEABLE
CONCERNS THAT MAY ARISE THAT WE
MIGHT HEAR ABOUT AFTER THIS
HEARING? UH, WE HAVE. THE
DEPARTMENT HAS HEARD OF SOME
CONCERNS, JUST IN GENERAL WITH
SOME OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL
CENTERS. SO UH, WE WOULD IMAGINE
THAT THOSE WOULD BE REFLECTED
EVEN IF THE EARLY STAGE OF THE
CONVERSATIONS VERY, UH, VERY
WELL. UM AS THERE IS NÓ CURRENT
DOLLAR PROPOSAL RELATED TO THIS
ISSUE, THIS ISSUE IS INCLUDED
FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES AND NÓ
ACTION IS NECESSARY AT THIS TIME
, BUT AGAIN IF YOU DO ANTICIPATE
A BUDGET CHANGE, PROPOSALS,
ANYTHING LIKE THAT. PLEASE LET'S
JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE
GREAT COMMUNICATION THROUGHOUT
THIS PROCESS. AND SO WE WILL
CONCLUDE THIS ISSUE SO WE WANT
TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UH, THIS
ENDS THE PANEL PRESENTATIONS
PORTION OF THE HEARING FOR
TODAY. UH, WITH THAT WE WILL
MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT. UM WE
WANT TO THANK VERY MUCH TO ALL
OF OUR PANELISTS. UM, IF THERE
IS NÓ, UM ADDITIONAL. UH, MEMBER
COMMENTS. WE WILL MOVE ON TO
PUBLIC COMMENTS, BUT I NEED
EVERYONE TO LISTEN UP ON THIS,
PLEASE. BYE. LISTEN UP. WE ARE
GOING TO DO SOMETHING A LITTLE
DIFFERENTLY HERE FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT. UM, SO THE FIRST PEOPLE
UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT WE WANT TO
FIRST BRING UP THE FAMILIES AND
CLIENTS FIRST. SO IF YOU'RE IF
YOU'RE PART OF THE FAMILIES OR
CLIENTS PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP
FIRST. AND THEN WE WILL TAKE
EVERYONE ELSE. FAMILIES OUR
CLIENTS FIRST. AND REMEMBER, YOU
HAVE THE YEAH. COUNCIL. 127
EVERYONE. SEE I. YEAH. WE'LL GET
EVERYONE SIT, WAIT FOR EVERYONE
TO GET SITUATED HERE. REMEMBER
FAMILIES AND CLIENTS FIRST,
PLEASE. THIS IS THE IMPORTANT
PART. THE IMPORTANT PART IS YOU
HAVE TWO MINUTES. TWO MINUTES,
TWO MINUTES BECAUSE I KNOW A LOT
OF YOU HAVE FLIGHTS TO CATCH AND
ALL THAT GOOD STUFF. SO WE WANNA
MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GET STRANDED
SOMEWHERE. THE STROMBOLI AT THE
AIRPORT IS FANTASTIC. I'M JUST
SAYING, I FELL IN LOVE. YEAH.
ALL RIGHT, PUBLIC COMMENT.
FAMILY AND CLIENTS. YOU MAY
BEGIN TWO MINUTES. THE PRESSURE
THE PRESSURE. UM FIRST OF ALL, I
WANNA THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE. UM, MY
DAUGHTER HAYLEY. BEHIND ME, IS A
RECIPIENT OF SERVICES PROVIDED
THROUGH THE REGIONAL CENTER. SHE
IS 29 AND HAS HAD 29 SURGERIES
TO DATE. WE NEVER THOUGHT IT
WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR HER TO
LIVE ON HER OWN. BUT THANKS TO
THESE SERVICES IT HAD HAS BEEN
MADE POSSIBLE. ONE OF THE MANY
SERVICES FUNDED BY THE REGIONAL
CENTER IS èC B S¼ COMMUNITY
VOCATIONAL SERVICES. IT IS MEANT
IT HAS BEEN LIFE CHANGING FOR US
. IT HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN
HALEY'S INDEPENDENCE. THIS
PROGRAM ACTUALLY GIVES HER A
SENSE OF PURPOSE, A REASON TO
GET OUT OF BED EVERY MORNING. IT
HELPS HER TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE
OUT THERE OTHER THAN FAMILY
ACTUALLY CARES. IT GETS HAY OUT
IN THE COMMUNITY LEARNING LIFE
SKILLS, LEARNING JOB SKILLS,
VOLUNTEERING AND DOING LIFE LIKE
THE REST OF US. IT HELPS ME AS
HER CAREGIVER TO KNOW THAT
SOMEONE OTHER THAN ME REACHES
OUT TO HER EACH AND EVERY DAY.
IF IT WEREN'T FOR THIS PROGRAM,
I'M SURE SHE WOULD HAVE
SUCCUMBED TO DEPRESSION DUE TO
ISOLATION. SO MANY OF OUR
DISABLED POPULATION ARE IGNORED
AND ISOLATED. THEY DIDN'T ASK TO
BE BORN THAT WAY. THEY DESERVE
THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE
ABLE BODIED POPULATION DOES.
THEY DESERVE TO FEEL VALUED IN
OUR COMMUNITY. CVS MAKES THEM
FEEL VALUED GIVES THEM A PURPOSE
. TREATS THEM WITH THE DIGNITY
AND RESPECT THAT WE ALL DESERVE,
AND SHOWS THEM THAT THEY ARE
WORTHY. JUST LAST WEEK. HALEY
ALONG WITH THE GROUP FROM èC, B
S¼, WAS FEEDING THE HOMELESS.
THEY HAVE AN IMPACT. THEY HAVE
BEEN MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE
COMMUNITY. PLEASE DO NOT HOLD
BACK. THE FUNDS NEEDED TO
CONTINUE THESE PROGRAMS. THEY'RE
DETRIMENTAL FOR THE DISABLED
COMMUNITY AND THEIR FAMILY
MEMBERS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
MIXED UP. AND PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME A LITTLE BIT. HØI UM
HAILEY. UM. I WANTED TO SAY THAT
I ABSOLUTELY APPRECIATE HAVING
THE CVS COMMUNITY VOCATIONAL
SERVICES PROGRAM, AND I KNOW A
LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE DO TOO. THIS
PROGRAM BRINGS SO MANY PEOPLE,
INDEPENDENTS AND A SENSE OF
PURPOSE AND BELONGING IN THE
COMMUNITY. IT GETS PEOPLE OUT OF
THE HOUSE AND IT'S GOOD FOR OUR
MENTAL HEALTH. THE CVS PROGRAM
IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT TEACHES
US JOB SKILLS AND LIFE SKILLS. I
DON'T KNOW IF MANY OF US WOULD
BE DOING MUCH WITH OUR TIME
WITHOUT THIS PROGRAM. WE HAVE
MORE FULFILLMENT BEING A PART OF
SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I REALLY
ENJOY BEING SO INVOLVED IN THIS
PROGRAM AND I LOVE THAT. I'M OUT
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY ENGAGED IN
THE COMMUNITY. I'M WITH PEOPLE
WHO ARE SIMILAR TO ME AND I GET
TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS. I HAVE
LEARNED A LOT IN THIS PROGRAM
EVERY EVERYTHING FROM
STRENGTHENING MATH SKILLS TO
LEARNING MORE SOCIAL SKILLS. I
ALSO LOVE THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
WE'RE ENGAGED IN THE COMMUNITY
EVERY DAY, SO WE GET AROUND A
LOT. WE EXPERIENCE SO MUCH, TOO.
I'VE ENJOYED LEARNING NEW SKILLS
AND GAINING FURTHER INDEPENDENCE
. MY CONFIDENCE HAS GROWN A LOT
BEING IN THIS PROGRAM. I KNOW
THIS GOES FOR A LOT OF THE
OTHERS, TOO. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. NEXT. UH PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME. GOOD EVENING. DOCTOR
JOHNSON IS AND ALSO THE REST OF
THE COMMITTEE AND STAFF. I'M
KATHLEEN O'CONNOR. I'M A
GRANDMOTHER AND CAREGIVER FOR
OUR GRANDSON, WHO IS SERVICED BY
ALTA, CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CENTER
, YUBA CITY BRANCH. AND I WANT
YOU TO KNOW THAT OUR REGIONAL
CENTER HAS MADE A POSITIVE
IMPACT ON OUR LIVES AND THE LIFE
OF OUR GRANDSON. WE HAVE VERY
DEDICATED, UH, SERVICE
COORDINATOR AND SHE HAS HAD HE
HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
ENGAGE IN MANY PROGRAMS THAT SHE
HAS LOCATED FOR HIM THAT WE
WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIND
OURSELVES. AND SO WE REALLY
APPRECIATE THAT. AND MOST
RECENTLY OUR SERVICE COORDINATOR
HAS HELPED US, UH, TO LOCATE
COLLEGES. UH HE'S 17 AND A
JUNIOR, BUT COLLEGE IS JUST
AROUND THE CORNER. UH, AND
COLLEGES THEN THAT ARE, UH,
AMENABLE TO HIDDEN DISABILITIES.
UM AS WE ARE AGED IN OUR LATE
SEVENTIES, WE DO WORRY ABOUT OUR
GRANDSON'S FUTURE. HOWEVER WE
ARE COMFORTED BY KNOWING THAT
ALTA CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CENTER
WILL BE A GUIDING LIGHT FOR HIM
AFTER WE ARE NOT HERE. I WOULD
URGE YOU IN MAKING THE, UH,
CONSIDERATIONS OF YOUR BUDGETARY
ALLOCATIONS FOR THOSE IN YOUR
THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE THE MOST
VULNERABLE AND THE MOST IN NEED
OF HELP THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA
REGIONAL CENTER THAT YOU NOT
STOP THE BUDGET, BUT MAYBE MAKE
IT A LITTLE BIT MORE FOR THEM.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND NEXT UP, PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME VIANA PEREZ. UM MAY I POINT
OUT THAT THERE IS NÓ SPANISH
TRANSLATOR. I THOUGHT I THINK
THAT IS AN IMPORTANT. JUST
COMMENT TO BRING UP BEFORE I
START. UM JUST BECAUSE I FEEL
LIKE IT WOULD BE NICE. I SEE A
LOT OF HISPANIC PEOPLE, ME BEING
HISPANIC MYSELF. IT WOULD BE
NICE FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT'S
GOING ON. EXACTLY YOU KNOW, I
UNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING. I'M
BILINGUAL, BUT I DO COME FROM A
RURAL AREA. I DROVE SEVEN HOURS
AND MY DAUGHTER IS 10 YEARS OLD,
MODERATE TO SEVERE AUTISTIC. SHE
WAS THE WORST OF LIKE THE WORST.
LIKE SHE DID NÓ EYE CONTACT NÓ.
NOTHING. SERVICES CAME TO MY
THEY CHANGED OUR LIVES. THEY GO
TO OUR IE MEETINGS. THEY
EVERYTHING. WHAT I WROTE IS
REGIONAL CENTER FOR 10 YEARS AND
COUNTING HEALTH PROVIDED TOP
NOTCH SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FOR
US. THEY PROVIDED PSYCH EVAL, A
B A THERAPIES IN THE HOME. UM,
SPEECH THERAPY Ó Tð ME MEDICAL
AND DENTAL PROFESSIONALS THAT
CAN ACCEPT MY CHILD BECAUSE THEY
LIVE SO FAR AWAY. I MEAN, WE
LIVE SO FAR AWAY THAT DENTAL AND
MEDICAL IS NOT REALLY ACCESSIBLE
. SO WE HAVE TO DRIVE FAR
SOMETIMES, AND THEY ACTUALLY
BRING DENTAL TO US OR CERTAIN
MEDICAL, UH AND OR ZOOM OR
WHATEVER SO THAT WE CAN GET INTO
A SPECIALIST. UM. THEY ATTEND
OUR MEETINGS AND BECAUSE OF THEM
, MY CHILD IS MAINSTREAM, LIVING
AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE THEY
CREATED PARENT TRAININGS PARENT
SUPPORT GROUPS FOR SPED FAMILIES
THAT WE ATTEND A LOT OF PEOPLE
WHERE WE LIVE. THERE'S FARM
WORKERS. THERE'S HISPANIC PEOPLE
. AND I TELL YOU WHAT A LOT OF
THESE PEOPLE I TELL THEM. HEY,
YOU KNOW WHAT? THERE'S THESE
PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS AND STUFF
AND WE HAVE A HUGE COMMUNITY AND
WE HAVE ALL BEEN TREATED FAIRLY
AND WELL. UM. WE ALWAYS GET OUR
PHONE CALLS. EMAILS ANSWERED IN
A TIMELY MANNER. THEY TAKE IT
UPON THEMSELVES TO MAKE LIFE
STRESS FREE FOR ME AND MY CHILD.
I COULDN'T FATHOM LIFE WITHOUT
THE MIRROR OR ROCK OR FOUNDATION
AND DEL NORTE COUNTY IN HUMBOLDT
WORK TOGETHER AS A TIGHT UNIT TO
GIVE OUR COMMUNITIES THE BEST
REGIONAL SEAT CENTER EXPERIENCE,
AND THEY'VE DONE EXACTLY THAT. I
MEAN, MY DAUGHTER WOULD NOT BE
MAINSTREAMED RIGHT NOW IN A GEN
ED SCHOOL WHERE THERE IS NOT A
LOT OF HISPANIC KIDS THERE
GOMARA IS MAYBE THE ONLY
ARTISTIC CHILD THAT I KNOW THAT
IS HISPANIC AT THAT SCHOOL THAT
IS THRIVING AND THAT THERE'S I
MEAN OVER THERE. THERE IS NÓ
OTHER HISPANIC KIDS REALLY OVER
THERE THAT ARE SPECIAL NEEDS,
AND SHE HER TREATMENT IS AMAZING
. THERE WE HAVE NEVER FELT
DIFFERENT OR SUPPORTED. AND
THAT'S THANKS TO OUR R èC R èC
RAB A THERAPIES OUR DISTRICT. I
MEAN, IT TAKES A TEAM TO REALLY,
REALLY, REALLY, UH, MAKE A CHILD
GROW AND I JUST WANT TO STATE
THAT FOR US R èC R èC HAS BEEN
EVERYTHING WITHOUT THEM. I WOULD
HAVE BEEN LOST WITHOUT THEM. ME
AND MY CHILD WOULD NOT BE WHERE
WE ARE. SHE'S NONVERBAL. AND
THANKS TO THEM, I COULD SIT
HERE. YOU GUYS FOR ALL THESE ALL
THESE TALKS FOR ALL THESE HOURS,
I COULD HAVE NEVER DONE THAT. IN
THE BEGINNING. I WELCOME THEM
INTO MY HOME AND THEY TRAINED
ME. THEY'RE THERE TO TRAIN YOU.
THEY'RE NOT THERE TO DO THE WORK
FOR YOU YOUR TIME. IF YOU CAN
WRAP UP, THAT'S IT. I JUST WANT
TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS SO
THAT YOU I JUST WANNA LET PEOPLE
KNOW THAT A B A COMES TO YOUR
HOME NOT TO HURT YOU OR ANYTHING
. THEY COME IN HERE AND THEY
REALLY JUST WANT TO HELP AND IT
AND THEY COME HERE TO TRAIN YOU.
THEY GIVE YOU THE TOOLS AND THEN
YOU USE THEM WITH YOUR CHILD,
AND THAT'S HOW YOU FLOURISH.
IT'S UPON YOU AS A PARENT, GUYS.
THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU, UH,
NEXT UP. HØI AIN'T YOUR NAME.
I'M KELLY PENNINGTON. AND YOU'VE
HEARD A LOT ABOUT SELF
DETERMINATION TODAY. AND I'D
LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHY
TRADITIONAL SERVICES WORK FOR ME
. I WAS 25 WHEN I HAD MY FIRST
SON, BRADLEY WAS EIGHT WEEKS
PREMATURE. WE WERE TOLD THAT HE
WOULD NOT LEAVE THE HOSPITAL. HE
DID. THEN WE WERE TOLD HE WOULD
NOT WALK OR TALK. I WAS YOUNG,
TERRIFIED AND A FIRST TIME MOM.
I BROUGHT MY BABY HOME WITH A
TACH ON A VENTILATOR, OXYGEN 21
MEDS AND CONTINUOUS G TUBE FEEDS
MEETING DEVELOPMENTAL GOALS WAS
NOT EVEN ON MY RADAR. I SPENT MY
DAYS FIGHTING FOR MY SON'S LIFE.
THANKFULLY WE WERE REFERRED TO
ALL TO CALIFORNIA REGIONAL
CENTER AND I GOT AN AMAZING
SERVICE COORDINATOR. SHE CAME
INTO OUR LIVES SHE PROVIDED.
PHYSICAL THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY, TEACHERS SPEECH
SERVICES ALL IN MY HOME SO THAT
I DIDN'T HAVE TO L MY INFANT, A
NEBULIZER, A SUCTION MACHINE, A
BREATHING TREATMENT MACHINE AND
MANY OTHER APPARATUS THAT I
CAN'T EVEN THINK OF RIGHT NOW.
BECAUSE OF THESE EARLY
INTERVENTION SERVICES THAT WERE
PROVIDED THROUGH THE REGIONAL
CENTER AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE
REGIONAL CENTER. I WOULD LIKE TO
INTRODUCE YOU TO MY WALKING,
TALKING THRIVING SO WHAT'S UP,
MAN? I REMEMBER YOU. IT'S GOOD
TO SEE YOU, DOCTOR. HOW ARE YOU?
GOOD HOW ARE YOU? I DIDN'T KNOW
YOU WERE GONNA BE HERE. I'VE
BEEN SITTING THERE. I'VE BEEN
SITTING BACK TO HER THIS WHOLE
TIME. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT,
DOCTOR. LET'S GET THIS OVER WITH
BECAUSE ABOUT APPLE TIRED. HØI
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO
SPEAK. I AM BRADLEY. I AM A 30
YEAR OLD SOAP ADVOCATE WITH
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES. I GOT. I GOT TO GO
TO AN AMAZING DAY PROGRAM WHERE
WE LEARN THINGS LIKE SHOPPING,
BUDGETING JOB SKILLS. AND EVEN
PUBLIC SPEAKING. WE WORK IN THE
COMMUNITY AT MEALS ON WHEELS,
CHICKS IN CRISIS AND PROJECT,
RIGHT? WHICH IS A THERAPEUTIC
WRITING PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE LIKE
ME WITH I Dð Dð. AT MY DAY
PROGRAM. THIS IS EMOTIONS. WE
ARE PART OF. WE ARE PART OF OUR
COMMUNITY AND THAT REALLY WHAT
ME AND MY FRIEND WANT. WE WANT
JOBS, FRIENDS AND OUR OWN
APARTMENT SO THAT WE CAN LIVE.
THE WAY WE WANT TO MUCH LIKE THE
GREAT FOLKS HERE TONIGHT. THE
REGIONAL CENTERS. MAKE THAT MAKE
SURE NOW I CAN LIVE THE WAY I
WANT TO. JUST LIKE ALL YOU GET
TO LIVE EVERY DAY. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. IT WAS
GOOD TO SEE YOU. NEXT, PLEASE
STATE YOUR NAME. HELLO. MY NAME
IS JOHN. UH, I DON'T SPEAK
ENGLISH, BUT I WANNA TRY TO
SPEAK ENGLISH. UH THE I LISTEN
TO THE TWO HISTORIES FROM OF ME.
THAT'S BEAUTIFUL. THAT IS THE
VERY, VERY INCREDIBLE FOR ME.
UH, I KNOW MANY PEOPLE, UH, IN
IN LIKE THAT SITUATION PER THEY
DON'T HAVE NOTHING. THEY DON'T
HAVE THE COORDINATIONS NÓ NÓ
HAVE PROBLEM DON'T HAVE, LIKE A,
UH, SOMETHING LIKE A
CHIROPRACTIC SOMETHING FOR THE
HEALTH FOR SOMETHING PHYSIC
THERAPY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT,
AND THAT'S ONE POINT AND THE
NEXT TIME I WANT TO THEY THAT
PEOPLE I DON'T KNOW WHERE GOT
THAT BENEFITS PER WITHIN. WE
NEED THE NUMBER FOR CALL. I
DON'T KNOW WHO HELPED, YOU KNOW
IN THE NEXT POINT IS LIKE, UM
UH, ABOUT THE MEETING ON THE
ONLINE AND THE INTERNET IS THE
FIRST TIME WHEN THE PEOPLE COME
IN WHEN, UH WE HAVE THE IP P
WITH MY SISTER AND THE PEOPLE
SAYING, UH, THE COORDINATOR SAY
OH, I KNOW. I AGREE. I'M GONNA
COME IN WITH MY SUPERVISOR. OK
WE ARE. WE ARE OK. YOU CAN COME
IN. WHERE'S YOUR SUPERVISOR?
BECAUSE WE ARE NOT UGLY. AND THE
NEXT TIME YOU SAY, OH, THE BEST
OF THE BEST OCEAN IS GONNA BE BY
INTERNET LIKE, UH, WHAT IS THE
ZOO? THE ZOO IN THE ZOO AND WE
CALL THE ZOO AND EVERYBODY. UM.
THE PEOPLE. UH, MY ANOTHER
PARENT IS WORKING. HE SAID. OH I
WANT TO GET THE TIME FOR THAT
SOON, SO I CAN STAY IN THAT HOME
AND THAT MOMENT BECAUSE I HAVE
EVERYBODY HAVE, UM CUPPED WAR OR
SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS BUSY. A
IS THAT A GOOD AUCTION? THAT ONE
IS FOR ME. WE ARE TO 2024. WE
ARE THE TONGUE. THE TECHNOLOGY
ADVANCED. SO MAYBE IN THE FUTURE
ARE A NO. I SEE THE GLASSES.
SOMETHING FOR LOOKING IN THE
FUTURE WHEN YOU CALLING. MAYBE
THAT'S WHO EVERYBODY STAY IN THE
HOME, BUT WE CAN DO IN THE
MEETING IN THE MIDDLE. THAT IS
THE FUTURE. NO, I DON'T
UNDERSTAND WHY THEY HAVE A
SCARED WHY DON'T DO THAT IN THE
MEETING. IN THE INTERNET.
BECAUSE. IDEAS OF FOR ME IS MORE
SPENDING MONEY FOR THEM COMING
TO MY HOME. I DON'T KNOW WHERE
IT'S FROM COMING. IS THE MIRROR
IS NOT TOO MUCH PAY FOR THAT
MINUTE IS ONLY SPECIFIC. OUR
GIFT TODAY IF YOU PASS THE HOUR
THIS AH, NO. WE COULD CONTINUE
THE MINUTES ONLY ONE YEARS. ONLY
ONE YEAR, ONE TIME IN THE YEAR.
IN THE IN THE IS NOT TOO MUCH. I
DON'T KNOW. 11 TIME IS CALLING.
AND ANOTHER POINT. UH, SORRY
THAT LAST ONE IS THAT
RECREATIONAL? COMING FROM STOCK
TOÀN. AND THEY HAVE ONLY ONE
BANDEL, THE SAY THE CENTER
RECOGNIZED VALLEY MOUNTAIN
CENTER RETINAL CENTER. YEAH ONLY
ONE RECREATIONALLY FOR THE
PEOPLES. ALL THE PEOPLE ON THE
LIST. YOU NEED TO WAIT ONE YEAR
FOR YOU WANT THE LEAST YOU DON'T
COME IN IS THE LEAST YOU NEVER
GO IN AND THAT, YEAH. SO THAT'S
ANOTHER POINT TO THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR THE PEOPLE FOR
FERNANDO FOR YOUR REMARKS. I
DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH, BUT THANK
YOU FOR THOSE GUYS COMING LISTS.
I UNDERSTAND. I WANT TO THE
BETTER LIFE FOR MY SISTER IS THE
HOW IS THE I CAN DO EVERYTHING
BUT I WANT TO MY SISTER IMPROVED
IN EVERYTHING LIKE LIKE ME LIKE
YOU LIKE EVERYBODY. EVERYBODY
CUP. THE DREAMS. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
HERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BLESS
YOU. ABSOLUTELY YOU TOO. NEXT
UP. SPACE STATE. YOUR NAME? I AM
CAMERON NEWTON AND I AM 29 YEARS
OLD ORIGINAL CLIENT SINCE I WAS
TWO YEARS OLD. UM, PRACTICING
WITH MY FRIENDS LAST NIGHT,
ESPECIALLY OLYMPICS. BASKETBALL
IT DAWNED ON ME. THEY WILL ALL
BE AFFECTED BY THIS $1 BILLION
CUT. THIS CUT WILL CAUSE RISK TO
LOSING KEY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
. YOU MAY NOT UNDERSTAND BECAUSE
YOU MAY NOT BE AFFECTED BY A
DISABILITY. THIS WILL CAUSE
MORE. HARDSHIP. MY LAST WORDS
IS, PLEASE DO NOT CUT AND. I AM
VERY INVOLVED WITH MY COMMUNITY.
I AM A FOUNDER OF UNIVERSITY
ASSESSABLE PLAYGROUND IN
ROSEVILLE. AND I AM ON THE BOARD
WITH THE MINE INSTITUTE. AND THE
DOCTORS TOLD MY MOM THAT WOULD
NEVER WALK, TALK, SING OR DANCE.
BUT I SING AND I DANCE AND I
BOWL HIM. I PLAY BASKETBALL.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE. APPRECIATE YOU NEXT UP.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. GOOD
EVENING. I'M JAN BROWN. I HAVE A
SON. THAT'S 41 YEARS OLD, AND HE
SUFFERS FROM AUTISM, LIFE
THREATENING FORM OF EPILEPSY,
AND HE HAS VERY SEVERE
BEHAVIORS. WE UM BASICALLY
STARTED OUR JOURNEY ABOUT
BASICALLY 10 YEARS AGO TO TRY TO
GET HIM AND SUPPORTED LIVING
BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IF WE
DIDN'T DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT HE
WOULD END UP IN A D. C CENTER.
SO UM, IT TOOK US 10 YEARS WE
WERE PUT OFF A LOT. AND THEN
FINALLY WHEN I WALKED THROUGH
THE DOOR AT OUR REGIONAL CENTER
WITH AN ATTORNEY, WE GOT THAT
SERVICE, BUT IT DIDN'T GO VERY
SMOOTHLY BECAUSE IT TOOK OVER A
YEAR AND A HALF. FOR SOMEBODY TO
FINALLY STEP UP TO THE PLATE
BECAUSE THEY FELT OUR SON WAS
GOING TO COST TOO MUCH MONEY TO
SUPPORT IN SUPPORT, LIVING WITH
ALL OF HIS MEDICAL ISSUES, AND
IT'S BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES, SO
WE FINALLY DID HAVE ONE SUPPORT
LIVING, UM, COMPANY THAT DID
SUPPORT HIM, BUT IT DIDN'T GO
WELL. SO LONG STORY SHORT, WE
ASKED THEM TO PLEASE GIVE US A
LITTLE BIT OF INSIGHT ON IT
BECAUSE MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE
NEVER RUN A BUSINESS. SO WE CAME
UP WITH OUR OWN AGENCY AND
BASICALLY WE WERE REALLY, REALLY
STRUGGLING FOR OVER TWO YEARS,
BECAUSE WHEN WE STARTED, WE GOT
$17 AN HOUR TO HAVE STAFF COME
IN. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT
SUPPORTING A PERSON THAT NEEDS
TO STAFF. FOR EVERY SHIFT. AND
HAS HIGH LEVELS OF BEHAVIOR. WE
HAD TO COMPETE WITH A FAST FOOD
CHAIN THAT HAD SIGNS IN FRONT OF
THEIR ESTABLISHMENT THAT THEY
WOULD HIRE YOU IN TRAINING AT
$23 AN HOUR. SO OBVIOUSLY I MEAN
, WE CAN COMPETE WITH THAT AND
WE ALMOST SHUT DOWN LATER ON WE
WERE ABLE TO AFTER WE RAN THE
BUSINESS AND WE RUN A VERY TIGHT
SHIP. WE WERE ABLE TO PAY $19 AN
HOUR, WHICH IS STILL WAY TOO LOW
FOR SOMEBODY WITH ALL THE
CHALLENGES OUR SON HAS, AND
BASICALLY WE OFFERED MEDICAL
INSURANCE. I THOUGHT, OH, GOOD.
THIS WILL BE A REAL GOOD GOOD
THING TO DO SO WE COULD KEEP AND
RETAIN STAFF. WE STILL HAD A
REVOLVING DOOR. SO FINALLY,
ANOTHER TWO YEARS WENT BY, AND I
TOLD MY CASEWORKER, WE CAN'T
KEEP GOING LIKE THIS. IT'S TOO
MUCH. MY HUSBAND ALWAYS HAS TO
FILL IN SHIFTS. MY MANAGER
ALWAYS HAS TO FILL IN SHIFTS,
AND I WAS TOLD BY SOMEBODY,
MAYBE YOU SHOULD TRY TO DO A
HEALTH AND SAFETY WAIVER. WHEN I
TALKED TO OTHER AGENCIES, UM
THEY SAID, OH, YOU'LL PROBABLY
NEED TO GET AN ATTORNEY, SO I
DUG INTO IT. MY HUSBAND DUG INTO
IT AND THANK GOD WE DID IT AND
WE GOT THE HIGHER RATE TO MAKE
US COMPETITIVE. ESPECIALLY MORE
COMPETITIVE THAN THE FOOD AND
THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AROUND
US. SO RIGHT NOW WE'VE GONE FOR
SIX MONTHS WITHOUT A REVOLVING
DOOR. IT'S BEEN A BLESSING. YOU
HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THE COST
IS TO HIRE PEOPLE TO PUT IT OUT
THERE THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
APPLICANTS AND THE STRAIN IS
ENORMOUS. SO I HOPE THAT THEY'RE
ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, NOT CUT THE
BUDGET. IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING,
ESPECIALLY FOR CLIENTS THAT HAVE
HIGHER NEEDS LIKE OUR SON. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I REALLY
APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU NEXT.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. REMEMBER
PLEASE TRY TO KEEP YOUR COMMENTS
TO 1 TO 2 MINUTES, PLEASE TO
MINUTES MY NAME IS PAT HORN.
BECKER I AM PRESIDENT OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ARC OF
CALIFORNIA AND I'M A MOM. I'M
JOSEPH'S MOM. SHE IS 43 YEARS
OLD HAS ANGEL MINTS IN THE ROOM
AND LIVES 20 WITH 24 7 SUPPORT
IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES ME
PROUD TO BE A CALIFORNIAN. IS
THE LANDERMAN ACT. THIS IS MY
COPY OF THE LANTERN NECK, WELL
WORN WHERE WE USED OFTEN, AND
THIS IS MY SON'S COPY OF THE
LANDERMAN ACT, ALSO USED BY MANY
OF THE CLIENTS THAT YOU SEE IN
THE FAMILIES THAT ARE STANDING
BEHIND ME. I WANT YOU TO
REMEMBER THAT IT'S A PROMISE.
THE PROMISE FROM THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA TO ALL PEOPLE WITH I
D D. THAT THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO
RECEIVE THE SUPPORTS AND
SERVICES NECESSARY TO HELP THEM
LIVE A LIFE TO THEIR FULLEST
POTENTIAL IN THE COMMUNITIES OF
THEIR CHOOSING OVER THE LAST 55
YEARS, WE, THE DISABILITY
COMMUNITY WHO ARE STANDING
BEHIND ME AND STOOD HERE FOR THE
LAST 67 HOURS. HAVE SURVIVED
RECESSIONS AND DROUGHTS AND A
WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC WITH CUT
AFTER CUT AFTER CUT NEVER BEING
FULLY FUNDED. THAT IS DEDICATION
FROM OUR FAMILIES. BUT NOW WE
HAVE THIS BIGGEST HIT OF ALL OF
OVER $1 BILLION COUCHED AS A
DELAY. AFTER WE IN GOOD FAITH.
ENDURED A RATE STUDY SURVEY,
WHICH IS NOW NINE YEARS OLD. AND
WAS BASED ON BAD DATA FROM D. D
S AND REGIONAL CENTERS VERSUS
THE FRONT LINE SERVICE PROVIDERS
AND SMALL BUSINESSES THAT
ACTUALLY DELIVER THE SERVICES
AND SPORTS IN CALIFORNIA. EVEN
THE DEPARTMENT FINALLY AGREED
THAT THE DATA WAS DATED AND
INACCURATE. AND STILL. THE STUDY
PROVED A $2.2 BILLION GAP IN
FUNDING. WE RELUCTANTLY AGREED
TO A SLOW IMPLEMENTATION PLAN,
WHICH IS NOW BEING DELAYED. MAKE
NO MISTAKE ABOUT THIS. THE DELAY
TACTIC BY THE GOVERNOR IS A CUT.
AND TO OUR SYSTEM TO THE SMALL
BUSINESSES THAT DRIVE THE SYSTEM
AND TO THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH
I DID IN CALIFORNIA PROGRAM
PROMISE AND WHY US? WHY WHY HAVE
YOU DONE THIS TO US? YOU MADE A
PROMISE IN 1969 NOT TO DO THIS
AND RECOGNIZED THAT PEOPLE WITH
I D D DESERVE THE RESPECT AND
DIGNITY OF A LIFE EQUAL TO EVERY
OTHER CITIZEN IN CALIFORNIA.
THANK YOU TELL MY SON WHAT AM I
GONNA TELL MY SON THAT THOUSANDS
OF SERVICE PROVIDERS AND SMALL
BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE I'VE
BEEN SITTING HERE SINCE 11. SO
I'M JUST GOING TO TELL YOU THAT
WHAT AM I GOING TO TELL MYSELF
WHEN I GO HOME TONIGHT THAT
THESE SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE
GOING TO CLOSE THAT HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS OF DSPS, WHO WORK FOR
PENNIES ON THE DOLLARS ARE NO
LONGER GOING TO BE THERE. AND
NOW WE'VE GOT A MASTER PLAN. YOU
KNOW WHAT? THIS IS THE MASTER
PLAN. WE HAVE A PLAN, AND
THERE'S PROBABLY SOME MASTER
PLAN WRITTEN ON SOMEBODY'S DESK
ALREADY, BUT IT TOOK 10 IT TOOK.
IT'LL TAKE YEARS TO WRITE, AND
THE ONE THEY DID FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGING HAS A 10
YEAR. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. 10
YEARS. SO EVEN IF YOU DO A
MASTER PLAN IT'S GONNA BE 10
YEARS BEFORE IT GETS IMPLEMENTED
. THAT'S EVEN WORSE THAN A ONE
YEAR DELAY ON THE RATE STUDY.
THANK YOU IS A HUMANITARIAN
CRISIS AND USING THE GOVERNOR'S
WORDS, SO LISTEN UP. THANK YOU.
NEXT UP. OKAY?
YOU MAY BEGIN. JUST STATE. YOUR
NAME JON BAUTISTA. UM. KIND OF
FORGOT TO TAKE YOUR TIME. YOU'RE
FINE. UM WHAT WAS IT WILL GO
FIRST. MY NAME IS ALICIA CONLEY,
AND I'M A PERSON CENTERED
ADVOCATE WITH THE ARK FRESNO
MADERA COUNTIES. I'M HERE TO, UM
SPEAK TOWARD NOT DELAYING THE
DSP BUDGET. BECAUSE I AM A DSP
AND THE INDIVIDUALS THAT RECEIVE
SERVICES LIVES AND GOALS DEPEND
ON THE SERVICES THEY RECEIVE. UM
DELAYING THAT BUDGET WE WAITED
AND WE WERE PROMISED WOULD
AFFECT THEM. WE HAVE A HIGH
TURNOVER BECAUSE OF IT, AND IT
AFFECTS THE INDIVIDUALS WE
SERVE. AYE. I CANNOT ADVISE YOU
ENOUGH. ENCOURAGE YOU ENOUGH TO
STICK TO WHAT DSPS HAVE BEEN
PROMISED, BECAUSE IT'S THE
EXPECTATION THEY HAVE. AND IF
IT'S NOT MET, I'M SURE THERE
WILL BE A MASS EXODUS. THANK
YOU. ALL RIGHT. READY. UH YEAH,
WE'RE READY FOR YOU TO YEP. I'M
A FATHER OF A DISABLED. CHILD
AND I'M BLIND AND I GOT TO
DIALYSIS. AND I LIVE IN MY OWN
PLACE. UM I GET THE SUPPORT FROM
CENTRAL RED. NATURAL. VALLEY
REGIONAL CENTER. UM, THAT'S IT.
NO. AND WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE US
TO DO? KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
UNDERSTAND THE BUDGET.
ABSOLUTELY AGAIN. AS YOU KNOW,
THIS COMMITTEE IS OPPOSED TO THE
GOVERNOR'S DELAY. AND SO WE'LL
BE. WE'LL BE TRYING TO WORK AND
DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN WE
APPRECIATE YOU FOR COMING. THANK
YOU. YES. THANK YOU. MR CHAIRMAN
, ALL BOARD MEMBERS. MY NAME IS
JUSTIN ROY. I'M HERE TO
REPRESENT THE ARK AND ALL ALL
THE STANDS FOR IT'S A GOOD
PROGRAM. IT'S BASICALLY TWO AND
ONE BASICALLY TODAY PROGRAM AND
WORK PROGRAM IF YOU'RE LOOKING
FOR A GOOD DAY PROGRAM, IT'S
GOOD. YOU WANT TO GET INTO
WORKFORCE. IT ALSO PUT YOU OUT
THERE IN THE WORK WORK FILLED
FOR YOU. AND I'M ALSO A PART OF
SELF DETERMINATION. I HAVE MY
OWN HOUSE. I HAVE MY OWN, UH,
STAFF. MY OWN CREW. I HAVE A I
HAVE TWO ROOMMATES THAT I SHARE
WITH AND ALL THAT ONE COOKS I
CLEAN AND ALL THAT STUFF. GOOD
STUFF. SO WHO DOESN'T LOVE THAT
SO AH! UH THE BUDGET CURD. I
FROWNED UPON IT. WE'VE BEEN
PROMISED THAT FOR A LONG TIME IS
THE FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD OF IT.
BUT IF YOU'RE GONNA GO COUNTRY
ON Y'ALL, SO I HOPE YOU
UNDERSTAND. SO YOU ALL NEED TO
BE EITHER FACE FACTS OR OR OR DO
WHAT? YOU DO WHAT YOU PROMISED,
AND ALL THAT. I'M GOING TO QUOTE
A SAYING THAT MY ONE OF MY
FATHER TELL TOLD TOLD ME EITHER
BE A BOY. BOYS MAKE EXCUSES, BUT
MEN MAKE PLANS. LET'S BE A MAN
AND MAKE A PLAN. LET'S STEP UP
TO THE PLATE AND ACTUALLY MAKE
THIS HAPPEN. THAT'S ALL I GOT TO
SAY. RIGHT NOW. WHAT STATE ARE
YOU FROM? CALIFORNIA ORDINARIES?
WHERE YOU GET THAT ACCENT? BRIAN
NO CLUE, PERCY, YOU'RE TALKING
COUNTRY AND YOU'RE FROM
CALIFORNIA. YES SIR. THANK YOU
FOR BEING HERE. I APPRECIATE YOU
MIXED UP. PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME. HI MY NAME'S ISHMAEL GAMES
. I REPRESENT THE ART PRESIDENT
MADERA COUNTIES, AND I'M HERE.
ON BEHALF OF CENTRAL VALLEY
REGIONAL CENTER. IF IT WASN'T
FOR THEM, I WON'T BE ABLE TO
PERFORM TO SACRAMENTO AND
TESTIFY IN FRONT OF ALL OF YOU.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP DOING
THAT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP
COMING AND MEETING ONE OF FOUR
LEGISLATORS. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU FOR BEING HERE. NEXT UP,
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. MY NAME
IS ERIC HIRAOKA. MY STORY WITH
THE REGIONAL CENTER STARTED IN
2016. WHEN MY FIRST SON WAS
DIAGNOSED WITH ASD. I WAS JUST
SCARED. MOMMY DIDN'T KNOW
ANYTHING ABOUT THE DISORDER, LET
ALONE HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING MY
BOY TO HELP YOU SO DESPERATELY
NEEDED. HE COULDN'T SPEAK. HE
WOULD RECTAL DIGGINS SMEAR, PULL
OUT HIS OWN HAIR AND BITE
HIMSELF. I CONTACTED ALL THE
REGIONAL CENTER IN SACRAMENTO. I
WAS EDUCATED ON WHAT? IT WAS
THOROUGHLY. I WAS GIVEN A PLAN,
WHICH MIGHT SEEM LIKE A REALLY
SIMPLE WORD. BUT TO SOMEONE
COMPLETELY LOST THAT WORD MEANT
HOPE. RELIEF AND HAPPINESS TO MY
FAMILY. FROM THERE, MY FAMILY
MADE A MOVE TO CRESCENT CITY,
CALIFORNIA AND TO MY ABSOLUTE
AMAZEMENT THE REDWOOD REGIONAL
CENTER WAS RIGHT THERE. THE
COORDINATED GETTING MY SON SET
UP WITH ALL THE SERVICES AND
CONTINUED THERAPIES THAT HE
STILL DOES TODAY. IN 2021. I
ADOPTED MY SECOND SON THROUGH A
FAMILY ADOPTION. HE WAS BORN TOX
SCREEN POSITIVE AND WITH
TRACHEA, MALAYSIA. WHO DO YOU
THINK WAS RIGHT THERE TO GUIDE
ME EXACTLY THROUGH WHAT TO DO.
WHO DO YOU THINK? HELP TO
MONITOR MY BOYS GROW THE
REGIONAL CENTERS. THEY'RE MORE
THAN JUST ANOTHER EXPENSE THERE
ARE GUIDING LIGHT TO ECHO WHAT
OTHERS HAVE SAID A REFUGE AND A
LITERAL LIFESAVER BECAUSE MENTAL
HEALTH IS OFFICE ALSO A CRISIS
AND A MOM DEALING WITH ALL OF
THOSE THINGS DEFINITELY SUFFERS
A MOM AND FAMILY. GRANDMOTHER'S
HIS THERE OTHER SIBLINGS. I
FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS MEETING ON
MONDAY, IMPACT ALL FOUR OF MY
KIDS IN THE VAN AND DROVE OVER
400 MILES AND SEVEN HOURS TO BE
HERE. I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE NOON.
THAT'S HOW IMPORTANT HOW
ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL THIS IS TO
ME AND MY BABIES. AND SPEAKING
ON THAT MATTER, THIS IS JUST
ANOTHER REASON WHY TELEHEALTH
AND THE ABILITY TO ZOOM. THESE
KIND OF THINGS IS SO IMPORTANT
IN THIS COMMUNITY. PLEASE THINK
ABOUT THIS THE WAY THAT YOU
WOULD IF YOU HAD SOMEBODY WITH
SPECIAL NEEDS IN YOUR FAMILY,
YOU GUYS TALK ABOUT HOW IT'S NOT
NUMBER THAT'S INDIVIDUALS. THESE
ARE THE INDIVIDUALS. RIGHT HERE.
RIGHT HERE. OKAY? STOP FOR DAILY
BUT WITH THE ADDED HELP AND THE
RESOURCES AND JUST THE SUPPORT
THAT WE GET FROM OUR COORDINATOR
, THE ENTIRE THING, AND EVEN
WHEN THE PANDEMIC HAPPENED, THEY
WERE JUST ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? LIKE HOW
MANY THINGS? HOW MANY THINGS CAN
YOU SAY ABOUT THAT? THROUGH THE
PANDEMIC. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.
IT CANNOT BE IGNORED, AND THIS
KIND OF THINGS ARE THE TIPPING
POINTS OF WHERE THESE KIND OF
THINGS START TO JUST GO AWAY.
THROUGH THE YEARS. IT'S JUST
WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. SO LET'S
NOT LET THAT START. LET'S NOT
START THAT SLIPPERY SLIDE THAT
SLIPPERY SLOPE. I REALLY
APPRECIATE THAT. YOU POINTED OUT
THAT YOU REALLY SEEMS LIKE YOU
REALLY HAVE A BIGGER TO WANT TO
CREATE THAT MASTER PLAN AND TO
GET IN THERE AND DIVE DEEP AND
REALLY PINPOINT SOME KEY THINGS
THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED. I
REALLY HOPE THAT YOU FOLLOW
THROUGH WITH THAT. GENUINELY
WE'RE ALL HUMAN. WE ALL HAVE A
LOT ON OUR PLATES OR ALL DOING
THE BEST THAT WE CAN. BUT I KNOW
STATISTICALLY ONE OF YOU UP
HERE, HAVE SOMEBODY WITH AUTISM
IN YOUR FAMILY. I KNOW IT OR YOU
KNOW SOMEBODY, A FAMILY FRIEND.
SOMEONE. PLEASE. DO EVERYTHING
THAT YOU CAN BECAUSE IT'S NOT A
WHOLE YEAR AFFECTING YOUR
AFFECTING INDIVIDUALS. AND YOU
HAVE NO IDEA THE DETRIMENT THAT
YOU CAN CAUSE. IN PEOPLE'S
LIVES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. NEXT
UP. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. MY
NAME IS ALICIA SANCHEZ. I'VE
BEEN PART OF CBRC FOR ABOUT EVER
SINCE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD.
I'VE BEEN PART OF THE ARK
PRODUCTION CENTERS, AND FOR NINE
YEARS I AM A CLIENT OF CENTRAL
VALLEY REGIONAL CENTER. I AM
PLAN OF THE ART. I HAVE THREE
SUPPORTED JOBS, AND I WOULD
DETRIMENTALLY HURT ME IF YOU GOT
IF YOU GUYS STOP THIS BUDGET.
WHEN IT HURT ME. IT HURT MY
COWORKERS THAT WOULD HURT
EVERYBODY WHO IS PART OF THE
CLIENT. SO PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP
THIS BUDGET GOING. I APPRECIATE
IT. YOU GUYS. THANK YOU. WE
APPRECIATE YOU PROBLEM. PLEASE
COME ON UP, PLEASE. STATE YOUR
NAME MEMORIES. I'VE BEEN A
CLIENT FROM CVR SEASONS. THAT
WAS 33 YEARS OLD. I LIVE
INDEPENDENT AND I MONTH I HAVE
TWO JOBS WORKING THEIR BRAND H
CBS PERCENTER. AND FOR IT WASN'T
FOR THEM. THEY ALWAYS HELP. I
WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY. THE
FIRST THING IN SACRAMENTO. AND
WITH THEM. THEY ALWAYS HELPED ME
SINCE I STARTED THE PROGRAM AND
FROM THE ART, TOO. PLEASE PASS
THE BUDGET, PLEASE. SO WE HAVE
NOT AFFECT THIS. PLEASE THANK
YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE. NEXT UP, PLEASE
STATE YOUR NAME. MY NAME IS DORA
CONTRERAS SAID BY NOW, DR
JACKSON, YOU KNOW ME AND YOU
KNOW MY GRANDSON. HE'S 31 YEARS
OLD AND, YEAH, PERVASIVE
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, AND HE
MUST HAVE HUGGED YOU 50 TIMES
BELIEVABLE HERE TODAY. I THINK
HE HUGGED. WELL, THAT'S WHY I
THINK WITH ALL OVER EVERYBODY,
HERE'S AN EXTREME SOCIAL SO
THANK YOU FOR PAYING ATTENTION
TO TELL HIM I MISS HIM. SURE
TODAY, I'M BRINGING SOME MOMS
FROM OUR AREA. AND SINCE I'VE
SPOKEN TO YOU BEFORE, I KNOW
YOU'RE TIRED, AND SO I WOULD
LIKE THEM TO COME UP FIRST. I
HAVE ALSO HAVE A DAD THAT'S
COMING FROM REDWOOD COAST, WHICH
IS PRETTY FAR. PLEASE COME ON UP
STATE YOUR NAME. HI EVERYONE. MY
NAME IS VALERIE OF VODKA, AND I
HAVE TWO CHILDREN WHO ARE SERVED
BY REDWOOD COAST ORIGINAL
CENTER. UNLIKE THE REST OF THE
FOLKS, WE I HAVE HAD NOT THE
SAME EXPERIENCE WE HAVE. AH! I
HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE PROBLEMS
GETTING SERVICES. UH, IT'S ONLY
SINCE WE FOUND, UH DISABILITY
VOICES UNITED WHICH I'M, A BOARD
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND ALSO FOUND I C C INTEGRATED
COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE, AND
THEY ARE BEING HELPING US.
ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN'S
SERVICES, AND IT'S ONLY THEN.
THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET
SOME OF THE SERVICES. NOT ALL.
AH! MR WINFIELD MENTIONED THAT
ALL OF THE REGIONAL CENTER SUR
OR PROVIDE AND I LIKE ARRAY OF
SERVICES. WE HAVE FIND OUT
OTHERWISE. NOT ALL OF THE
REGIONAL CENTERS SERVE THIS THIS
OR PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICES TO
THEIR CLIENTS AND WE ARE
THINKING THAT IS BECAUSE THERE
IS NO STIGMATIZATION. OF THE
SERVICES AND, UH OR OR THE OF
THE PROCESS. ALSO FOR THE UH,
MRS BARTMAN MENTIONED THAT THEY
REMOVED ALL OR DDS REMOVED THE
CAP FOR THE RESPITE. WE HAVE NOT
SEEN THAT BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL
CENTER SAYS THIS IS THE AMOUNT
OF HOURS YOU GET, AND THAT'S IT.
YOU DON'T GET ANY MORE. IN FACT,
THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, ONE OF MY
KIDS GOT AN INCREASE OF 10 HOURS
OF RESPITE. AND THEY JUST REMOVE
IT ON THE LAST TYPE BECAUSE THEY
SAID THAT YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS.
THIS IS THE AMOUNT YOU GET, AND
THAT'S THAT'S ALL. THAT'S ALL
THERE IS. ALSO FOR THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM THAT. THE
BUREAUCRACY HAS MADE IT SO SLOW.
WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A YEAR
AND A HALF JUST TO GET AND
INDEPENDENT FACILITATOR, AND
THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE IT
ALREADY. WE STILL ARE WAITING
FOR IT. AND WHEN WE GET IT, WE
ARE GOING TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER
YEAR AND A HALF OR TWO. THE
TRANSITION. THEY SHOULDN'T BE. I
MEAN, MY EVERYDAY MY KIDS LOSE
IS A DAY THAT THEY DON'T GET
BACK. AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE
BUREAUCRACY DON'T REALLY CARE
ABOUT THAT. ONE MORE THING. UH,
DON'T DELAY THE BUDGET BECAUSE
OTHERWISE WE'RE GOING TO BE IN A
WORLD OF HEART. BECAUSE WE ARE
NOT GOING TO GET THE SERVICES.
AND I CAN OR LOVED ONES. AND WE
ARE OR COMMUNITY ARE NOT GONNA
ARE NOT GOING TO THRIVE. UH MR
JACKSON, YOU YOU MENTIONED AT
THE BEGINNING OF THE HEARING.
THAT THE COMMUNITY IS BARELY
SURVIVING. AND YOU SAID THAT'S
NOT ENOUGH. OR LOVED ONES. THE I
D D COMMUNITY ALSO HAVE DREAMS.
AND ALSO HAVE GOALS. MY KIDS
WANT TO BE FAMOUS. AND IF AND IF
WE DON'T GET THIS PROCESS GOING
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GET THERE.
BECAUSE THERE IS THERE IS NO
THERE IS NO MONEY. I CAN'T
AFFORD IT, SO SOMEONE HAS GOT TO
PAY FOR IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU
. I DID FORGET TO SAY THAT I'M
FROM THE INTEGRATED COMMUNITY
COLLABORATIVE AND WE ARE
EMPOWERING OUR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE
TO COME TO THESE SESSIONS AND BE
ABLE TO TELL WHAT'S REALLY GOING
ON. I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU
SO MUCH NEXT UP. PLEASE STATE
YOUR NAME AND LOACH'S UNANIMOUS
UNTIL THEY WORK AND CASTLE
LATINA ALMOST DEALING WITH YES,
87. I DON'T KNOW FOR THEM. ROMA.
OVERHAND. HERE. SERVICIOS
RECORDS RECREATIONAL VEHICLE FOR
HIM, MY MOTHER, DON'T NINOS.
THIS TROPHY, A MUSCULAR HAVE ANY
CLASSIC BENEFITS THEORY AND
MACHO SERVICE YOU. SHE IS MOM TO
TWO CHILDREN HAVE THIS TO THIS
KILLER MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY. AND
SHE'S ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE FACT
THAT REALLY, THESE MEETINGS
SHOULD BE TRANSLATED AS WE COME
MORE AND MORE NUMBERS TO TELL
OUR CONCERNS AND WE'RE ABLE TO
EXPRESS ALL THE NEEDS IN THE
COMMUNITY. JUST JUST WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE KNOW, UM
WE CAN. WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO
EVEN ORDER TRANSLATORS. UNLESS
WE GET A REQUEST THEY HAD OF
TIME. AND UNFORTUNATELY WE
DIDN'T GET A REQUEST IN A TIMELY
KIND OF TIME THAT WE NEEDED
BECAUSE AS YOU SEE, WE HAD A SL
TRANSLATOR HERE BECAUSE SOMEONE
REQUESTED IT LIKE A WEEK AGO, SO
WE COULD HAVE DONE THE SAME
THING. SO IT'S NOT THAT WE
DIDN'T WANT TO. BUT WHERE, UM WE
WERE PROHIBITED TO UNLESS THE
PUBLIC ASKED FOR SOMEONE REQUEST
, IS IT? YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. SEE
WHEN I SAW THIS. I'M. ESPANOL IN
ENGLISH IN ENGLISH QUARTO
ENGLISH TOÀN SPANISH, BUT YOU'RE
SPEAK. OKAY IT'S UP TO YOU
SINGLE MOTHER FOR THE THREE
DISABLED SKIT DOWN SYNDROME. UM
MALFORMATION. ASUS CEREBRAL? MM
HMM. ANOTHER ONE AUTISM. YES, I
NEED TO MAKE, UM PART OF THE LAW
, LANDERMAN MM HMM. AND THEN THE
OTHER IS, UM PLEASE LEAVE THE I
PS BY SOON IS BANG FORM FOR MY
FAMILY. PLEASE LEAVE IT BECAUSE
THEY NOT WORK. SO PLEASE LEAVE
IT. I'M ASKING, UH, ANOTHER PART
IS, UM PLEASE MAKE A SHORTER
THAN FOR THEM IN GREECE FOR THE,
UM, UH OUT OF DETERMINATION
BECAUSE I'M WEARING LIST FOR
ALMOST ONE YEAR AND I GET ALMOST
ON THE LINE FOR FORGET THE
THERAPIST. MHM. ANOTHER, UM,
PLEASE. LEAVE, UM. MORE ACCESS
FOR THE OCCASIONAL SERVICES IS
VERY IMPORTANT FOR MY FAMILY,
PLEASE. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU SO
MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE. NEXT UP, PLEASE
STATE YOUR NAME. HALLOWEEN IS
NOT JUST HI. GOOD. GOOD EVENING,
EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS KRYSTLE
ESTRADA PEREZ, MOM. UM. I DON'T
KNOW REALLY GOOD. MY ENGLISH. I
TRIED. WAIT THERE. OKAY WHATEVER
YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH, OKAY?
KEY POINTS, ONE THAT THEY GIVE
US THE ABILITY OR OPTION TO HAVE
I PP MEETINGS THROUGH A DIGITAL
PLATFORM. TO BE INCLUDED IN THE
MASTER PLAN WE WANT AND NEED TO
BE PART OF THE EFFORTS. I HEARD
THAT SPECIALISTS CAREGIVERS,
TRANSPORTATION SHOULD BE
INCLUDED, BUT I DID NOT HEAR
THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL BE
INCLUDED IN THAT MASTER PLAN
ONLY VENDORS AND SPECIALISTS.
THREE SELF DETERMINATION IT
TAKES A LONG TIME TO ENTER SELF
DETERMINATION. I MEAN, HOW DID
YOU DO THAT? I NEED NEED ONE OF
THEM THINGS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU
RECALL GETTING SAILED OUT, SHE
BROUGHT HER SON AND HE USED THE
ASSISTANT DEVICE, SO IT LOOKS
LIKE SHE'S LEARNED A LOT TO AH,
TO TURN IT OFF. SO YOU WOULD
HAPPENS? YEAH AH, UM. NUMBER
THREE DETERMINATION. IT TAKES A
LONG TIME. ENTER SELF
DETERMINATION, THE PROCESS WITH
THE ORIGINAL CENTER THEY WASTE
FOR THE MEETING DAYS ARE VERY
LONG, UM, A LEAST SIX MONTHS OR
MORE. APPROVALS ETCETERA AND
THOSE WHO ARE READY ALREADY
INSIDE FACE DIFFICULT. WE'RE
PLAYING WORKER FOR PAYING
WORKERS AND VENDORS ON TIME
NUMBER FOUR EQUITY. WE CONTINUE
TO FIND FAMILIES, WHICH ZERO POS
IN OUR CENTER. WE HAVE REALIZED
THAT THE FUTURE THE FAMILY LIST
FROM THE REGIONAL CENTER, THE
FEVER SERVICE THEY HAVE OR NOT.
SERVICE THAT IS WHY IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT THAT THEY DO NOT
REMOVE THE OR DIGITAL PLANNING
FORM. UM, FIGHT. OKAY, CHECKING.
FIVE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE WE
INTERPRET THE GOVERNOR CAVING
NEWTON, BUT THE DDS LEFT THE
REVIEW TO THE DISCRETION OF THE
REGIONAL CENTER. OUR ORIGINAL
CENTER ONLY IMPLEMENT
RECREATIONAL SERVICE WHERE
FAMILIES WE ARE WAITING FOR MORE
THAN ONE YEAR. ON A WAITING
LIST. NUMBER SIX THE YEAR IN
EARLY YEAR. TODAY I HEAR THE
WORD PROBLEMS IS ALL TALK. WE
HAVE ALREADY BEEN ASSIGNMENT AND
SERVICE GORDON AERIAL WHO IS
BELIEVED WAS BUT ABOUT HER.
THERE IS A MANAGER AND PROGRAM
DIRECTOR AND A POS COMMUNITY
THAT IS BECAUSE I AM MISTER
DORITA, CONSIDERING CONSISTENCY
CONSISTENT IN BY PERSONAL WHO
HAVE ALREADY BEEN THERE FOR MORE
THAN 20 OR 30 YEARS WHO GREW
GROWING UP. IN THE SYSTEM FOR 50
YEARS AGO, OUR COMMUNITY DOES
GROW MULTICULTURAL AND EACH
NUMBER ONE ENEMY IS THE
INSTITUTIONAL RUSHES MINT AT
RESISTANCE PRESS. YOU SAID X
EXIST IN OUR CENTER. AND THEY
RECOGNIZE CENTER SHOULD BE THE
SPEAKER OF THE MOTHER, WHO CARES
, PROTECTS, DEFEND AND HELP HER
HER CHILDREN THE PARLIAMENT AND
BE INTEGRATED INTO THE COMMUNITY
AND SOURCE. SO THEORY. SOCIETY
SOCIETY, BUT WHAT HE FACED DAILY
MARIE REARS. BUREAUCRACY PROCEED
ORDERS AND INSURANCE POLICIES 20
YEARS AGO, A LOUD INTERPRETER IN
FAVOR OF INTERPRETER IN FAVOR OF
THE CENTER AND THE FOR ME. WHEN
THE CUNNING AND COORDINATOR
CORONARY TO NOT PROVIDE SERVICE
AND NOT RECOGNIZE THE NEEDS OF.
OF OUR CHILDREN. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MY THANK
YOU. OH, NO, DON'T APOLOGIZE. WE
APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. COME
ON UP, PLEASE. STATE YOUR NAME,
NOT JUST ME. NUMBERS COUNSELOR.
CARDONA'S HAVE THIS CAPACITY TO
RODEO MAKE COMMENTARY. OH IS
SOLLECITO CONTINUE TO FORMALLY
JOIN ME LATINA BENEFITS UNIONS,
CONTINUOUS. HOSPITAL AND THERE'S
THE CASA CONNECTOR. PLATAFORMA
BEETLE, KARMANN YOUR SUPPORT
SERVICES. THIS ONE GOES TO
CALIFORNIA. THANK YOU. BASICALLY
SHE WANTS TO KEEP THE DIGITAL
PLA PLATFORM OPEN SO THAT SHE
CAN INVOLVE MORE PEOPLE. THANK
YOU. PLEASE COME ON UP, PLEASE.
STATE YOUR NAME. WHEN AH, I
OKAY? UH MY ENGLISH I'M GONNA DO
MY BETTER IN MY ENGLISH SO OKAY.
OKAY SO WHAT AFTERNOON AND THANK
YOU FOR HAVING US. UM, I HAVE A
SON. AH, WHO IS ORIGINAL CENTER
CLIENTS? HE'S 25 YEARS OLD. AND.
UNFORTUNATELY HE HASN'T RECEIVED
THE SERVICES SINCE HE WAS WHEN
HE WAS DIAGNOSED. HE DIDN'T
RECEIVE ORLY SERVICES. SO NOW IS
WHEN WE SEE THE, UM THE WE CAN
SEE THE EFFECTS THE EFFECTS. SO
MORE. FROM THE DOCTOR. SO AS AN
ADULT. SO NOW, UM OKAY? SO. SO
I'M GONNA SPEAK FOR, UM. FOR THE
PLATFORM. THE TWO MORE DIGITAL
PLATFORM, SO FOR MY SON IS
EASIER TO ATTEND THE MEETING
THROUGH A DIGITAL PLATFORM FROM
HOME. WHERE HE FEELS MORE
COMFORTABLE, AND THAT'S NOT HAVE
TO FIGHT AGAINST HIS SENSORY
DIFFICULTIES. SO THAT'S WHY
WE'RE CHOOSING THAT AND I
BELIEVE WE OUR OUR KIDS. OUR I D
D COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE THAT
OPTION AS WELL. I FEEL THAT'S
VERY IMPORTANT IN THE LAST POINT
I'M GONNA MAKE IS, UM SO MY SON
RIGHT NOW IS IN THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM. UM SO AS
OF NOW, THE REGIONAL CENTER, I
PP TEAM DOES NOT WANT TO
RECOGNIZE MY SONS. UNIQUE NEEDS.
AND THAT'S NOT WANT TO ALLOCATE
FUNDS. TO COVER THOSE NEEDS SO
THAT THE SELF DETERMINATION
PROGRAM SO THAT SELF
DETERMINATION PROBLEM PROGRAM
WILL NOT CONTINUE TO WORK FOR MY
SON. MY BOY IS 25 YEARS OLD. SO
I JUST WANTED TO, UM SAY THAT,
UM, SELL THAT TO PROVE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM IS A
WONDERFUL PROGRAM. BUT I'M
CONCERNED THAT HE IS GOING TO BE
LEFT BEHIND IN IN IN THIS PARTY.
KI¾M. AND THAT'S A CONCERN.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
ABSOLUTELY PLEASE COME ON UP.
PLEASE TEACH YOUR NAME. ALL I
WANNA SERVES FALCON. SO MY
MOTHER, UM, TOÀN THE TERMINATION
PROCESS, SO WHEN WE WHEN WE LEFT
THE CIRCUS. IF IT'S A WINDOW
EMPHASES STORY COMMENTS Ó
PROCESSES ASSASSIN IN CENTRAL
FAMOUS. SHE'S IN YEAR THREE OF
THE SELF DETERMINATION PROGRAM
AND THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF VERY
TOUGH BECAUSE SHE WAS, OF
COURSE, LEARNING EVERYTHING. AND
NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THE
TRANSITION. TO SELF
DETERMINATION IS VERY LONG. UM
PROGRAM AMERICA BENEFICIAL. ALSO
FORGET THE MIDDLE. YEAH. CARLOS
AND LOCUS ON SOON, NECESSARILY
WHETHER, UM, ABSOLUTELY NO
MUSLIM FORMATION TO RENDER MASS.
SELF DETERMINATION PROGRAM HAS
REALLY BEEN A KEY TO HER
DAUGHTER'S DEVELOPMENT AS FAR AS
BEING ABLE TO ACCEPT THINGS
CHANGES AND BEING ABLE TO PRINT
THIS DEBATE IN A LOT OF
ACTIVITIES THAT SHE ENJOYS. I'M
SO LUCKY CØNG PROCESSES CENTRAL
E CAME. SISTEMA. PLATAFORMA IS.
YES, IT REALLY THAT DIFFERENT
CANNOT CIRCLE INTEGRATED THE I C
C. AND THAT THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM IS MORE
EFFECTIVE IF PEOPLE CAN ACCESS
THE SELF DISCRIMINATION EARLIER
AND THAT THE ZOOM DIGITAL
PLATFORM DOES NOT GO AWAY SO
THAT HER FAMILY CAN ALL BE
INVOLVED. THE MORE LATINOS IN
GENERAL IDIOMA DOCTOR NOISES TO
MENTAL INTERPRETER. AND ALSO
BECAUSE THERE'S ALSO TRANSLATORS
THAT DO NOT TRANSFER TRANSLATE
CORRECTLY AND THEN HER NEEDS.
SHE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO
STATE HER NEEDS IN OUR NATIVE
LANGUAGE. YEAH HE DIDN'T LAST
PLATAFORMA SYRIA, THEN WE DO
THAT IS WITH GRACIAS, CHARMING.
THANK YOU. COME ON UP, PLEASE.
STATE YOUR NAME NOTCHES.
CAROLINA SALSA. MY MOTHER IS MÐI
REGULAR ARCHE. BUT SOLICITOR
CASE CIGAR CYBER OR LA
PLATAFORMA. NÓ CEJUDO UNDERSTAND
THEIR FACILITY TO CONTACT GROUP
POLIO TAMBIÉN. MHM A. I AM AS
ACTIVELY THAT LOST A LOT OF
THINGS. HE WAS ACTIVE CREATIVE
LEADER IS THANK YOU. ALSO
SPEAKING ABOUT THIS VIRTUAL
PLATFORM TO CONTINUE AS WELL AS
THEY WILL BE MORE SERVICES UNDER
SOCIAL RICK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
. PLEASE COME ON UP, PLEASE.
STATE YOUR NAME. OH, SURE. I
WANT TO GET I HAD A LONG
SOMETHING LONG TO SAY, BUT I
WANT TO KEEP IT TO THE KEY
POINT. I WAS SELECTED TO BE ON
THE MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE TO
PLAN FOR THESE FAMILIES. THESE
FAMILIES CANNOT BE LEFT OUT OF
THAT MASTER PLAN. THESE FAMILIES
NEED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
SPEAK TO THEIR NEEDS AND THAT
THE MASTER PLAN ADDRESSES
EVERYTHING THAT THEY'VE TALKED
ABOUT TODAY. AND I'M ON THAT
COMMITTEE AND I WILL MAKE SURE
THAT WE ARE GOING INTO THOSE
COMMUNITIES. AND MAKING SURE
THAT THEIR VOICES HEARD THANK
YOU. THANK YOU. PLEASE STATE
YOUR NAME. HI. MY NAME IS IVY
GRAHAM. AND UM, I JUST KIND OF
WANTED TO MENTION I DON'T KNOW
IF YOU GUYS KNOW, BUT BOTH OF
THESE ROOMS WERE PACKED AT 130
TODAY. THIS HALLWAY YOU WERE
BUMPING ELBOWS WITH PEOPLE THERE
ARE PEOPLE OUTSIDE WAITING TO BE
HERE. UM I'M HERE WITH MY
HUSBAND AND MY TWO CHILDREN, AND
WE DROVE SEVEN HOURS TO BE HERE
AND WAITED ANOTHER, YOU KNOW,
SIX TO THEY ARE A PART, BUT I
JUST I DIDN'T WANT THAT TO GO
UNNOTICED. THERE WERE A LOT OF
PEOPLE HERE THAT JUST COULDN'T
WAIT OUT. THE LONG? ABSOLUTELY
SO THERE WERE PLENTY MORE THAT
DID HAVE SOME THINGS TO SAY.
THAT JUST COULDN'T STAY, BUT UM
SO I TRAVELED A REALLY LONG WAY
TO BE HERE TODAY. AND I HOPE
THAT I'M BEING HEARD WHEN I TELL
YOU HOW GRATEFUL I AM FROM THE
BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR REDWOOD
COAST REGIONAL CENTER. UM AND A
MINUTE OR TWO JUST SIMPLY ISN'T
LONG ENOUGH TO EXPRESS THAT, UM
I LIVE IN SUCH A SMALL RURAL
AREA IN THE MOST NORTHERN PART
OF CALIFORNIA. YOU CAN GET
CRESCENT CITY. AND THERE REALLY
ARE NOT A LOT OF RESOURCES FOR
US THERE. UM SO WHEN MY SON
SKYLER WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED WITH
AUTISM AT H THREE, I FELT
HOPELESS AND ALONE. REDWOOD
COAST REGIONAL CENTER GAVE ME
HOPE ALONG WITH THAT HOPE THEY
GAVE US THE TOOLS TO HELP MY
AUTISTIC NONVERBAL SON. BE A
SUCCESSFUL AS HE COULD POSSIBLY
BE. IF IT WASN'T FOR THEIR
CONTINUED SUPPORT, THEIR
KNOWLEDGE, THE GUIDANCE AND
EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES THAT
HELPED US ESTABLISH MY SON
WOULDN'T BE WHERE HE IS TODAY.
BECAUSE OF THEIR SOCIAL REC
PROGRAMS. MY SON IS LEARNING HOW
TO SWIM, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY A
LIFESAVING SKILL THAT I NEVER
THOUGHT WOULD BE POSSIBLE. AND
ALONG WITH THAT HE'S BEING
INCLUDED IN THE COMMUNITY AND
JUST SEEING EVERYBODY THERE JUST
KNOW HIM AND RUNNING INTO THEM
IN OUR TINY WALMART AND THEN
JUST KNOWING WHO HE IS BY NAME
AND SAYING HI TO HIM. IT REALLY
JUST MEANS SO MUCH TO ME THAT
WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT. AND
WITHOUT THE REGIONAL CENTERS
SUPPORT IN THEIR FUNDING, WE
WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO DO
THAT. UM I WOULDN'T HAVE THE
STRENGTH OR KNOWLEDGE TO
ADVOCATE FOR MY SON AS WELL AS I
DO IF IT WASN'T FOR REDWOOD
COAST REGIONAL CENTER, MY FAMILY
WOULD BE LOST WITHOUT THEM, AND
I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL THAT
THEM THE PROGRAMS AND THE
FUNDING THAT THEY HAVE EXIST FOR
US. AND IF WE, YOU KNOW, DELAY
AND CUT THAT BUDGET WE'RE
ALREADY SO LIMITED ON. SERVICE
COORDINATORS AND SERVICE
PROVIDERS IN OUR AREA. I DON'T
KNOW IF YOU KNOW, BUT WE HAVE TO
TRAVEL MULTIPLE HOURS ONE WAY
JUST FOR DENTAL CARE, MULTIPLE
HOURS ANOTHER WAY, JUST FOR
BASIC MEDICAL CARE. AND IF YOU
GUYS DELAY THAT THE VERY SMALL
AMOUNT OF COORDINATORS AND
SERVICES THAT WE HAVE I DON'T
KNOW THAT THOSE WOULD BE AN
OPTION TO US AND THAT WOULD BE
DETRIMENTAL TO OUR COMMUNITY.
YEAH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
HELLO PLEASE STAY TUNED. MY NAME
IS ARACELI GARCIA AND I'M COMING
FOR OUR LIVES BY CHEEK BY BIÂU
COUNTY BY CHICO. AND I COME TO
TALK TO YOU GUYS. SO THE BOARD
MEMBERS IN THE STATE SENATOR TO
LET THEM KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IS
FINAL JOURNAL REGIONAL CENTER
AND OUR LIFE. I HAVE MY SON.
HE'S REALLY OUT THE STICK.
SOMETHING BETTER BALL IS SO HARD
TO FIND SERVICES. THE WE CANNOT
PAY FOR IT, AND I WANT WE WANT
EVERYTHING FROM HIM, BUT WE CAN
AFFORD IT WITHOUT THE FINAL
THEIR OWN STEERING EURO CENTER
TO HELP US AND, UM THEY HELP US
A LOT. I KNOW THAT HE'S HE'S
UNBEARABLE, BUT HE'S REALLY
SOCIAL. BUT UM, THE FINANCIAL
REGIONAL CENTER THAT'S ALSO
WORKERS. THEY TALLER THAT HE
WILL BE FINE. WE TRY TO FIND A
LOT OF SUPPORT FOR HIS SERVICES
WITH ALL HIS SPECIAL NEEDS, AND
I THAT'S ALSO WORKING THROUGH
FINANCIAL REGIONAL ETCETERA
HELPED ME TO LEARN HOW TO DEFEND
MY SON TO BE FAMILY ADVOCATE FOR
MY FAMILY AND FOR MY JOSE AND,
UM FROM NORTHERN EIGHT. SHOW ME
HOW TO HELP MORE MY SON AND FEEL
SAFE AND THAT AREA. I MEAN, HE'S
IN THAT CENTER NOW SO HE CAN GO
THERE EVERY DAY SO I CAN GO TO
WORK SO I CAN GET MORE SERVICES
FOR MY WHOLE FAMILY. SO I WANT I
CAME HERE TO SAY HOW IMPORTANT
IT IS TO HAVE BY NORTHERN
REGIONAL CENTER FOR ALL THEIR
PARENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND
GRACIAS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COME ON UP, PLEASE. STATE YOUR
NAME. MEET UP. I'LL BE
INTERPRETING FOR HER AND SELENA
WOULD PREFER THAT SHE READ A
LITTLE BIT AT A TIME. AND THEN
WE TRANSLATED AS WE GO, OKAY?
WHEN I STARTED, THE NUMBER IS
MERCADO. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME
IS SELENA MERCADO. MY MOTHER AND
CENTER OF THEM, AND I AM THE
MOTHER OF A CHILD WHO IS A FAR
NORTHERN REGIONAL CENTER CLIENT.
12 MINUTES EMOTIONAL PROGRAM
CRIMINALS. THOMAS CENTER
REGIONAL FAMILIAR. WE ARE
CURRENTLY IN THE SELF
DETERMINATION PROGRAM AND WE SET
AND I SAY WE ARE IN THE PROGRAM
BECAUSE FOR NORTHERN REGIONAL
CENTER INCLUDES ALL OF US. GRAND
ESCAMBIA, SCHEMAS THE NEEDLE AND
SIDDLE. ONE OF THE BIGGEST
CHANGES THAT WE'VE HAD IS
UNLIMITED RESTAURANT. HÌ
ESTABLISHING CUIDADO IS
PROBLEMAS MEDICOS STANDING
SCHOOL. I COULD GO ON TO THE
COMMUNITY KNOWING FULL WELL THAT
MY SON IS TAKEN CARE OF, AND HIS
MEDICAL NEEDS ARE BEING CARED
FOR. GRACIAS REGIONAL. GAY THAN
BE IMPACT VIA THE ABLA PRIVADO.
ALSO THANKS TO FAR NORTHERN
REGIONAL CENTER WHO WAS ABLE TO
FUND FOR PRIVATE SPEECH THERAPY.
IT IS THE COVID ME WHO GIVE ME
THE UP WHETHER ABDULLAH THIS WAS
DURING, UM, COVID. AND NOW MY
SON COULD, UM HIS VERBAL
COMMUNICATION HAS INCREASED. IT
CAN BE O L MEDICAL AREA VERY
CHOICE. WHERE MEDICAL HAD DENIED
FUNDING FOR THIS SERVICE.
IMPORTANT CENTRAL ANALYSTS
GRACIAS PROGRAMMER'S. THAT'S WHY
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE
REGIONAL CENTER SERVICES. UM,
AND THE SELF DETERMINATION
PROGRAM. YES. YES. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. I'M ALSO HERE. GO
AHEAD. YOU YOUR NAME? OKAY. I
WROTE SOMETHING. UM MY NAME IS
VERONICA VELASQUEZ AND I HAVE A
20 YEAR OLD SON, WHO WAS
DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM WHEN HE
WAS FOUR. I REMEMBER WALKING OUT
OF THE MIND INSTITUTE, HOLDING
HIS HAND AND LOOKING AT HIS
LITTLE FACE KNOWING FULL WELL,
HE WAS GOING TO NEED MY SUPPORT.
UM IN ORDER FOR HIM TO LIVE A
SUCCESSFUL LIFE AT THE TIME. I
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT AUTISM WAS. SO
I REACHED OUT TO HIS
PEDIATRICIAN AND HER WORDS
EXACTLY WHERE I DON'T KNOW MUCH
ABOUT AUTISM, BUT I COULD
PRESCRIBE ANYTHING YOU ASKED
FOR. FROM THERE FAR NORTHERN
REGIONAL CENTER BECAME MY SAFE
SPACE. UM, WITH THE SUPPORT OF
THE SERVICE COORDINATOR, I WAS
ABLE TO CONNECT WITH OTHER
SERVICE AGENCIES SUCH AS ROYAL
FAMILY EMPOWERMENT WHO PROVIDED
I P TRAINING ADVOCACY. THEY
HELPED EMPOWER ME TO BE ABLE TO,
UM ADVOCATE FOR MY SON DURING I
E. P S. I E P MEETINGS. UM.
SCHOOL SERVICES AND SERVICES
PROVIDED BY FAR NORTHERN
REGIONAL CENTER. HAVE HELPED MY
SON BECOME THE INDEPENDENT
ADULT. HE IS NOW. UM HE'S ALWAYS
LOVED BALLOONS, AND HIS
OBSESSION ABOUT BALLOONS GREW SO
MUCH THAT WE DECIDED TO OPEN A
SMALL BUSINESS BALLOON STORE. IN
THE SMALL TOWN WERE FROM
NORTHERN IN GRIDLEY. UM. THIS
WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE
WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF FAR
NORTHERN REGIONAL CENTER AND HIS
PERSONAL ASSISTANT, WHO IS BY
HIS SIDE, HELPING INCREASE THE
SOCIAL SKILLS, HELPING THEM
LEARN HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS.
TAKE ORDERS COMMUNICATE WITH
CUSTOMERS. UM AND MAKE BEAUTIFUL
BALLOON ARRANGEMENTS. HE'S ALSO
ATTENDING COLLEGE, TAKING TWO
CLASSES AT A TIME, UM, AND IS
SET TO GRADUATE IN MAY WITH AN
ASSOCIATE DEGREE. THIS IS ALL
THINGS TO HIM, HIS FAMILY AND
THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY FAR
NORTHERN REGIONAL CENTER. THANK
YOU. THANK YOU. HOW LONG NOW
PLEASE. STATE YOUR NAME? UM GOOD
EVENING. COMMITTEE CHAIR JACKSON
AND THE ASSEMBLY. THANK YOU FOR
WAITING ALL THIS LONG. MY NAME
IS JAMES GONZALES. I'M THE PROUD
PARENTS OF SANTIAGO. UM WE HAVE
ACTUALLY CALLED HIM AGO. UM I
HAVE SHARED A PHOTO WITH HIM
WITH YOU GUYS AS WELL AS SOME OF
HIS ARTWORK. UM, AS YOU CAN SEE,
HE'S VERY TALENTED. UM AND YES,
IT'S VERY MOVIES, CARS. UM MY
SON SANTIAGO. HE'S 19 YEARS OLD
HAS BEEN A REGIONAL CENTER
CLIENT. SAN DIEGO WEEKS ON SARAH
CLIENT ALL HIS LIFE. UM I'M ALSO
PRESIDENT OF AUTISM SUPPORT
IMPERIAL COUNTY. YOU CAN SEE I'M
WEARING THE PATCH ON MY ON MY
CHEST HERE. UM WE PROVIDE
SERVICES. UM, WE PROVIDE
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND
PROFESSIONALS. ABOUT AUTISM. AS
YOU CAN SEE, I'M A LITTLE
NERVOUS. I'M BREAKING UP A
LITTLE BIT POLITICS YOUR TIME.
YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT EVERY DAY YOU
TALK TO THE ASSEMBLY. AH, UM I'M
HERE TODAY TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
BRIEF TESTIMONIAL ABOUT, UM,
WHAT SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CENTER
HAS MEANT TO. I GO AND OUR
FAMILY UH, I'M NOT ABLE TO THINK
OF A WORLD WITHOUT SENDING REAL
CENTER OR ANY OF THE REGIONAL
CENTERS. UM THEY PROVIDE
SERVICES THAT IMPROVE THE
QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MY SON,
NAGO. UM AND SO MANY OTHER
FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. UM I
STARTED RECEIVING 15 HOURS OF
APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS
THERAPY A B A FOR SHORT UM PER
WEEK, UM, AND WAS RECEIVING ALSO
RESPITE SERVICES AND OTHER
SUPPORT FROM 10 ORIGINAL CENTER.
THESE INVALUABLE SERVICES HAVE
IMPROVED HIS LIFE THAT NO METRIC
CAN QUANTIFY. JUST LIKE GOGGLE.
THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF
INDIVIDUALS. UM WITH AUTISM AND
OTHER DISABILITIES THAT REQUIRE
A B, A SERVICES, RESPITE
SERVICES AND ALL THE OTHER
SERVICES THAT SAN DIEGO REGIONAL
CENTER AND ALL THE REGIONAL
CENTERS PROVIDE. MAYBE THERAPY
IS ONE EXAMPLE OF THE MANY
SERVICES THAT SANTIAGO RENO
CENTER AND ALL THE REGIONAL
CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE
PROVIDE TO THEIR CLIENTS THROUGH
THE LATTER MAN ACT. COMMITTEE
CHAIR JACKSON. I DON'T MIND AS A
PARENT SITTING DOWN WITH YOU AND
DISCUSSING ALL THESE SERVICES
WITH YOU ANYTIME. UM ON BEHALF
OF MY FAMILY. AUTISM SUPPORTED
CARROLL COUNTY FOR SHORT AGAIN.
WE WANT TO EXPRESS THE
APPRECIATION THAT SAN DIEGO
REGIONAL CENTER HAS DONE FOR MY
SON AND FOR THE COMMUNITY, UM,
THE PERSON SUPPORT AND THE
SPONSORSHIP. AND IF YOU'RE
INTERESTED MY GROUP IS HAVING AN
AUTISM PAIR. IN THE CITY OF
IMPERIAL ON APRIL 6TH. YOU'RE
MORE THAN WELCOME TO COME. FROM
12 TO 5. AND MEET FAMILIES IN
OUR COMMUNITY. GET TO KNOW THEM
SEE ALL THE SERVICE PROVIDERS
THAT WE BRING OUT THERE FOR THEM
TO MEET TO GET TO KNOW TO SEE
WHAT SERVICES THEY CAN APPLY FOR
AND WHAT THEY CAN GET FROM THE
SERVICE PROVIDERS THROUGH
STANDARD ORIGINAL CENTER. SEE
IT. SEE WHAT SEE WHAT OUR
PARENTS CAN GET AND THEIR
FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN. AND
YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS. I CAME
FROM. ALL CENTRAL CALIFORNIA.
FARTHER SOUTH, YOU CAN GET
WITHOUT GOING INTO MEXICO.
OUTSIDE OF NO SAN DIEGO UM I
MISSED MY FLIGHT TODAY HOME.
BECAUSE THAT'S HOW IMPORTANT
THIS IS. I JUST DON'T KNOW S¼.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU
FOR BEING HERE. NEXT STEP,
PLEASE. STATE YOUR NAME? WHITNEY
PETRIE. I'M A MOM. I'M KIND OF.
I THINK I'M THE END OF THE
CLIENT FAMILY BREAK. SO WE'RE
GETTING THERE WHICH IS GOOD
NEWS. I HEAR SCREAMING, HUNGRY
CHILDREN. I'M THERE, TOO. I
LIVED IN WASHINGTON STATE WITH
MY KIDDOS AND MY ELDEST KIDDO
WAS GETTING KICKED OUT OF
CHILDCARE IS PRESCHOOLS. AND I
COULDN'T EVEN GET A REFERRAL FOR
A DIAGNOSIS. GOT A JOB IN
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CENTER SET
HIM UP. WE GOT A DIAGNOSIS. IT
WAS AMAZING. UNFORTUNATELY WE
WERE IN A RURAL COUNTY HERE IN
CALIFORNIA, AND THE SCHOOL WAS
TRYING TO KICK MY SON OUT. THEY
HAD THE POLICE COMING AND
PUTTING HIM IN CUFFS. HE WAS
COMING HOME BRUISED. THEY TOOK
HIM TO THE HOSPITAL AND SEDATED
HIM WITHOUT LETTING ME KNOW I
HAD NOBODY IN THE COMMUNITY AND
I MEAN NOBODY TO ADVOCATE FOR
US, EXCEPT FOR REGIONAL CENTER.
AYE. IF I CAN'T. WHEN THE WHOLE
COMMUNITY IS AGAINST YOUR CHILD,
AND THERE'S NOBODY WE WERE
FORTUNATE WE MOVED AWAY FROM
THERE TO A DIFFERENT PART OF
CALIFORNIA. MY SON IS NOW
TRANSITIONING THE HIGH SCHOOL.
UM A NEW SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST
TIME IN SIX YEARS. HE'S BEEN
EXCELLING. HE'S DOING REALLY
GOOD. BUT WHEN YOU MOVE TO HIGH
SCHOOL YOU'RE I E P TEAM, THE
PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOUR SON DON'T
COME WITH YOU. YOU KNOW WHO
COMES WITH YOU, YOUR REGIONAL
CENTER ADVOCATE. I I'M SCARED.
I'M SCARED OF HIGH SCHOOL. I'M
SCARED OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN
AGAIN BECAUSE OF WHAT I'VE
EXPERIENCED AND RURAL COUNTIES
HERE IN CALIFORNIA, AND I NEED
MY REGIONAL CENTER PEOPLE AND
YOU KNOW, REGIONAL CENTER. THEY
PROVIDE THE CONSISTENCY,
RESOURCES AND ADVOCACY WHEN NO
ONE ELSE DOES. UM I DO WANT TO
ECHO WHAT OTHER PARENTS SAID
THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE
HALL. THERE WAS AT LEAST A DOZEN
WITH VISIBLE DISABILITIES,
INCLUDING WHEELCHAIRS. WE GOTTA
DO BETTER. I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE
HELPING US. AND WORKING WITH,
YOU KNOW, NOT HAVE THE GOVERNOR
DELAY THIS, BUT WE NEED
WHEELCHAIRS TO BE ABLE TO GET IN
HERE SO THEY CAN SELF ADVOCATE
THE PEOPLE. YOU'RE HEARING FROM
OUR PARENTS WITH ENDLESS
PATIENTS. WE GOTTA DO BETTER,
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. I AGREE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. ARE THERE ANY
OTHER FAMILY OR CLIENTS AT THIS
TIME. F NOT EVERYONE ELSE. COME
ON UP, PLEASE. STATE YOUR NAME.
AFFILIATION. HI I'M NANCY SEGAR
AND I'M FROM THE INFANT
DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION. SO IDA
INFANT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION,
UM, STRONGLY URGES REJECTION OF
THE DELAY IN THE INCREASE FOR
EARLY INTERVENTION PROVIDERS AND
ASKED THE STATE TO FULFILL THE
RATE INCREASES PROMISED WE ARE
COMPELLED TO ADVOCATE FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RAPE
MODEL. SO THAT MANY STAFF
MEMBERS ARE PROPERLY TRAINED AND
COMPENSATED FOR THEIR WORK, SO
THAT QUALITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
OF SERVICES STRENGTHENED AND SO
THAT WE CAN SUPPORT THE HEALTH
AND WELL BEING OF CHILDREN.
THANK YOU. NEXT UP. NAME AND
AFFILIATION, PLEASE. ROBERT
HARRIS ON BEHALF CI YOU
CALIFORNIA AND I'LL TELL YOU A
SMALL PERSONAL STORY. I HAD TWO
COUSINS. WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN IN
THE SYSTEM, BUT THEY WERE BORN.
BEFORE THERE WAS A LANDERMAN
SYSTEM. AND SO THE STRUGGLES
THEY HAD, AND THEY DIED EARLY.
WELL, THEY'RE REALLY LIKE AT 65.
YES, ONE OF THEM. MAY MAKES ME
PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
THERE'S THREE THINGS I WANT TO
TALK ABOUT ON THE AGENDA NUMBER
EIGHT. IT DEEPLY. CONCERNS ARE
OUR SERVICE COORDINATORS. AND WE
WOULD WE WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART
OF DISCUSSION. WE'RE REALLY
CONCERNED ABOUT HOW CARE CANCER
BUILT HOW THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES
EVEN GOT DEVELOPED AT THE LAST
MINUTE. CAN'T SEBELIUS WAS IN
OFFICE TO LIGHT THE VERY LAST
MINUTE JUST TO MAKE? CAN WE
CLOSE THAT DOOR? I WANTED TO
MAKE SURE I'M HEARING YOU, CAN
YOU? YEAH OKAY. HOW THE FEDERAL
GUIDELINES GOT DEVELOPED WERE
WITH NO INPUT? NO IT WAS JUST A
LAST MINUTE THING WHEN SHE WAS
ON HER WAY OUT OF OFFICE AS A
SUCKER HERE, SO WE THINK THERE'S
GOT TO BE A MIDDLE WORLD. LIKE
YOU SAID. OUR SERVICE
COORDINATOR IS WOULD LIKE TO BE
PART OF THE DISCUSSION. THE
SECOND THING IS. WE'D LIKE THE
IDEA OF A MASTER PLAN. BUT BUT
AND HERE'S THE CAVEAT. THAT
RIGHT NOW, THIS SYSTEM IS LIKE
MY HOUSE DOWNTOWN. IT'S ON A
BRICK FOUNDATION. AND THE BRICK
FOUNDATIONS. 150 YEARS OLD.
WELL, IT'S STARTING TO CRUMBLE.
NOW AM I GOING TO BUILD
SOMETHING? ON TOP OF THAT? WITH
THE SYSTEM, CRUMLEY. I KNOW
WHERE I'M GOING TO FIX THE
FOUNDATION FIRST, AND THAT'S
STRAIGHT CUT. WE JUST I MEAN,
IT'S UNCONSCIONABLE. AND IT
DOESN'T MAKE ANY KIND OF SENSE.
THAT WE'RE GOING TO BUILD
SOMETHING BIG AND GOOD ON TOP OF
SOMETHING THAT ALREADY DOESN'T
WORK, SO THAT'S WHAT S E I U
THINKS ABOUT THIS. WE APPRECIATE
EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE, AND
MOSTLY, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE
FACT YOU MADE ME WAIT AND LISTEN
TO ALL THE STORIES BECAUSE I
REALIZED THAT WAS MORE IMPACTFUL
THAN ALL THE TESTIMONY BEFORE.
SO, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NAME
AFFILIATION, PLEASE. HI GOOD
EVENING. MY NAME IS STACY
MARTINEZ. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
ARK SOLANO ARE SMALL AGENCY
PROVIDES SUPPORT TO ADULTS WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN
SOLANO COUNTY. I WOULD LIKE TO
URGE THE SUBCOMMITTEE TO NOT
DELAY THE RATE IMPLEMENTATION TO
THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. I BELIEVE
A LARGE PART OF MY JOB IS TO
ENSURE OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
HAVE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AT
ACHIEVING A DESIRABLE QUALITY OF
LIFE. JUST AS YOU AND I HAVE BUT
TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY, OUR
CONSUMERS NEED THE SUPPORT THAT
WE AS PROVIDERS PROVIDE. GOOD
QUALITY GOOD SERVICE PROVIDERS
CAN HELP PROVIDE EQUITY IN THE
COMMUNITY FOR OUR CONSUMERS.
PROVIDING POOR SUPPORTS IS
EASILY DONE WITH OUR SUB
STANDARD RATES. TO ATTRACT
DESIRABLE EMPLOYEES. WE NEED TO
OFFER ADEQUATE PAY GOOD BENEFITS
, HIGH QUALITY TRAINING AND
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AS
WELL AS SUFFICIENT
INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT OUR
DSPS. IN ADDITION TO THE LACK OF
QUALIFIED STAFF, COMMUNITY
INTEGRATION IS NOT FREE. IT IS
NOT CHEAP. HOWEVER IT IS
EXPECTED OF ALL SERVICE
PROVIDERS. WE GET AUDITED ON IT
ARE RATES DON'T JUST PAY FOR OUR
DSPS. THEY ALSO PAY FOR WHAT WE
DO DURING PROGRAM. I DON'T WANT
MY PROGRAMS. TO JUST PRINT OUT
COLORING SHEETS OR WALK AROUND
COSTCO AND MEAT FREE SAMPLES.
AND EVEN THAT IS NOT FREE
BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE TO PRAY
FOR THE PRINTER, THE PAPER THE
MARKERS AND THE TRANSPORTATION
TO AND FROM COSTCO. INSTEAD I
WANT TO TAKE ALL OF MY DAY
PROGRAM. TO OAKLAND'S HISTORY OF
THE BLACK PANTHER PARTY MUSEUM
TOMORROW AS OUR FINAL
CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY
MONTH HOWEVER, I CAN ONLY TAKE A
HANDFUL BECAUSE OF ADMISSION AND
TRANSPORTATION FEES, AT LEAST A
VARIETY OF CURRICULA FOR MY
STAFF TO USE SO THEY CAN TEACH
MEANINGFUL CONCEPTS LIKE
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS,
PLUS ACADEMIC SUBJECTS AND LIFE
SKILLS TRAINING, BUT THESE
YEARLY LEASE FEES CAN GET
OVERWHELMING AND WE'VE HAD TO
CANCEL SOME QUALITY OF LIFE IS
NOT JUST AN ISSUE FOR OUR
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS BUT ALSO
FOR MY STAFF. THE MAJORITY OF MY
STAFF, INCLUDING HALF OF MY
MANAGEMENT TEAM, WHO MAKE HIGHER
THAN MINIMUM WAGE, HAVE SECOND
JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET. THEY ARE
EXHAUSTED AND WE'RE ALL
EXHAUSTED. BUT WE DO OUR BEST TO
PROVIDE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE ARE
PARTICIPANTS DESERVE. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THANK
YOU. NAME AND AFFILIATION,
PLEASE. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING,
RACHEL LIEBERT LEWIS ON BEHALF
OF EASTER SEALS NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA I PROMISE TO BE BRIEF
BECAUSE YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD A
LOT OF REALLY POWERFUL TESTIMONY
TONIGHT, AND I KNOW EVERYONE IS
TIRED. NEVERTHELESS EASTER SEALS
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WANTS TO
EXPRESS OUR DEEP CONCERN ABOUT
THE PROPOSED BUDGET DELAY. WE
THINK THAT IT'S GOING TO
EXACERBATE THE EXISTING
WORKFORCE SHORTAGE. AN ACCESS
CRISIS THAT YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT
SO MUCH OVER THE COURSE OF THE
LAST SIX HOURS. WE'RE ALSO VERY
CONCERNED ABOUT THE SIGNAL THAT
COMES FROM THE STATE CONTINUING
TO DELAY FUNDING AND UNDER FUND
THESE PROGRAMS. THE I D D
COMMUNITY IS ALREADY EXTREMELY
MARGINALIZED, AND WE'RE AFRAID
THAT THIS SIGNAL INDICATES THAT
THAT'S OK WITH THE STATE AND WE
CAN'T STAND WITH THAT. THANK
YOU. THANK YOU. NAME AND
AFFILIATION, PLEASE. VERITY,
REPRESENTING ABILITY PATH. THANK
YOU FOR THE HEARING TODAY CHAIR
JACKSON AND STAFF. ABILITY PATH
IS A 104 YEAR OLD ORGANIZATION,
PROVIDING A LIFESPAN OF SERVICES
FROM INFANCY TO SENIOR HOOD IN
SAN MATEO AND SANTA CLARA
COUNTIES. UM COST OF LIVING IS
HIGH. MY ORGANIZATION HAS 50
OPEN POSITIONS RIGHT NOW. AND IF
WE FILLED THOSE POSITIONS, WE'D
BE PROVIDING SERVICES TO
HUNDREDS MORE CALIFORNIANS WITH
I D D. WE'RE NOT ALONE 95% OF
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE MINE REPORT
BEING SEVERELY UNDERSTAFFED.
APPROXIMATELY 70% OF THOSE
ORGANIZATIONS ARE CLOSING OR
DISCONTINUING PROGRAMS AND ARE
WAITING LIST CONTINUE TO GROW. I
ASK THAT YOU REJECT THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL TO DELAY THE
RIGHT MODEL IMPLEMENTATION.
CALIFORNIANS WITH I D D CAN'T
WAIT UNTIL 2025 AND WITH THEIR
ENTITLEMENT THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE
TO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NAME
AND AFFILIATION, PLEASE. THANK
YOU. PAM SCARANO COMMUNITY
VOCATIONAL SERVICES, AND I'M
FROM THE PRESIDENT COUNTY AREA.
UM I JUST WANTED TO SHARE A
COUPLE OF THINGS. I WANT TO ECHO
THE STATEMENTS THAT I'M VERY
GIARDINI STATED EARLIER FROM CVS
, SAYING HE PRETTY MUCH STATES
THE POINTS THAT NEED TO BE
BROUGHT TO LIGHT AS FAR AS WHY
WE NEED THIS TO GO THROUGH THIS
JULY. AND WE CAN'T COMPETE, AND
WE'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO
RETAIN STAFF WITH THE FAST FOOD
CHAINS ONCE AGAIN GOING TO 20
BUCKS AN HOUR. HOW ARE WE GOING
TO HAVE A WORKFORCE WERE ALREADY
HURTING. IT'S GOING TO HURT SO
MUCH WORSE, SO WE CAN'T DELAY.
UM A COUPLE OTHER THINGS THAT
WERE BROUGHT UP TODAY, AND I
JUST WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ON
THE SELF DETERMINATION MODEL IS
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE
THAT LIKE THAT OPTION, BUT IT'S
NOT THE ONLY OPTION. WHAT'S
WORKED IN OUR SYSTEM IS THE
COLLABORATION. COLLABORATION AND
THAT GETS DONE THROUGH US AND
WORKING WITH OUR REGIONAL CENTER
AND WORKING AROUND AN INDIVIDUAL
GIVING CHOICES AND
OPPORTUNITIES. SOMETIMES SELF
DETERMINATION IS THE BEST
OPTION, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S NOT.
UM SO I JUST WANTED TO ECHO THAT
THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT WAYS TO
RESOURCE. THE FLEXIBILITY IS
WHAT I WAS HEARING FROM YOU ALL
EARLIER. MAYBE REALLY HAPPY
BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT.
FLEXIBILITY FIND THE RIGHT ROUTE
TO GO FOR THE INDIVIDUALS THAT
WE SERVE AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES
TO GET THE SUPPORT THAT THEY
NEED. WE ALSO FEEL THAT ON THE
DDS SIDE, THEY'RE FULLY INVOLVED
, FULLY ENGAGED. THEY PUT
TOGETHER GROUPS AND BRING
EVERYONE IN TO HEAR OUR VOICES
AND THEY NOT ONLY HEAR VOICES,
BUT THEY'RE MAKING CHANGES FOR
THE BETTER. SO I WANT TO JUST
GIVE A LEAP OF FAITH AND JUST
SAY, YOU KNOW, GREAT THINGS ARE
HAPPENING, BUT IT TAKES TIME AND
IT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.
THEY WORK DILIGENTLY NIGHT AND
DAY FIGHTING FOR THE SYSTEM TO
GIVE THOSE SUPPORTS. I JUST
DON'T WANT THAT TO BE IGNORED. I
WANTED TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND
CELEBRATED BECAUSE A LOT OF
GREAT WORKS BEING DONE EVEN WITH
ALL THE THINGS WE HAVE TO DEAL
WITH THEIR SALMON FISH. WE SWIM
UPSTREAM IN THE SYSTEM. SO
THANKS FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE
DOING, AND THANKS FOR THE TIME.
THANK YOU AND AFFILIATION,
PLEASE. HI. MY NAME IS EDDIE.
ASK EVA'S AND I REPRESENT MANOS
HOME CARE. WE PROVIDE A RESPITE
A NIHILIST SERVICES TO
APPROXIMATELY 2000 INDIVIDUALS.
AND THIS PROPOSAL A WITH THE
STABILIZED CALIFORNIA'S
CALIFORNIANS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILIES AND
THE SERVICES. SERVICE SYSTEMS
THAT SUPPORTS THEM. IT WILL
DECREASE THE SERVICE THAT THEY
NEED WITH STEP TURNOVERS. AND
MORE VENTURES WILL BE FORCED TO
ULTIMATE CLOSE THE DOORS AS WE
SAW WITH THE LATE I LS RATE
FIXED WITH A B 1568. CURRENTLY
ORGANIZATION HAS 150 DIFFERENT
INDIVIDUALS WAITING TO BE ON A
WAIT LIST, UNABLE BECAUSE WE'RE
UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE
STAFFING DEMANDS. THEY REMAIN ON
OUR WAY LIST BECAUSE OTHER
VENDORS ARE ALSO AT CAPACITY. UM
BUT NOW RECEIVING ACCESS TO
THESE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED
NOW IT WILL LEAD THEM TO REQUIRE
MORE INTENSIVE AND EXPENSIVE
SERVICES LATER IN LIFE. IT IS
LESS EXPENSIVE TO CONTINUE TO
INVEST NOW, RATHER THAN TO ADD
ADDITIONAL FUNDING LATER TO
REBUILD TO REBUILD THE SYSTEM AT
30 ROADS. CALIFORNIA'S WITH WITH
DISABILITIES ARE COUNTING ON THE
LEGISLATOR TO DELIVER ON THE
PROMISE AND THEIR LETTERMAN ACT.
PLEASE REJECT THE PROPOSAL TO
RELATE TO DELAY THE RATE MODEL
IMPLEMENTATION. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. EVEN AFFILIATION,
PLEASE. YES HELLO. MY NAME IS
ALEX MONTFORD AND REPRESENTING
RESPITE SERVICES AS THE
PRESIDENT OF THE CALIFORNIA
RESPITE ASSOCIATION. THE REST OF
THE ASSOCIATION AGREES WITH THE
WITH THE WITH THE MOTIONS TO
CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT THE RATE
STUDY AND ALSO ENSURE THAT THEIR
QUALITY MEASURES TO ENSURE
SERVICES ARE DOING WHAT THEY'RE
SUPPOSED TO IN THE INDIVIDUALS
THAT WE SERVE ARE GETTING THE
QUALITY SUPPORTS. THEY NEED. TO
LIVE, FRUITFUL LIFE AND LIVES IN
THE COMMUNITIES, UM, AS BARRY
GIARDINI MENTIONED EARLIER, TOO.
THERE ARE SERVICES THAT ARE
BEING RECOMMENDED TO BE FUNDED
AT WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT
THEIR PAY RATES FOR DSPS ARE
BELOW THE ESTABLISHED CALIFORNIA
MINIMUM WAGE. RESPITE IS, OF
COURSE, SERVICE WHERE THAT IS
THE FACT TO AND IN MANY FOR MANY
REGIONAL CENTERS. THE RATE STUDY
ASSUMES THAT PROVIDERS ARE
PAYING INDIVIDUAL PAYING DSPS
1533. THAT'S 67. CENTS BELOW THE
MINIMUM WAGE IS A CRITICAL ISSUE
TO ENSURING THE SUSTAINABILITY
OF RESPITE SERVICES, WHICH WE'VE
HEARD THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF
FOLKS USE AND GREATLY BENEFIT
FROM CALIFORNIA RESPITE
ASSOCIATIONS HAPPY TO PROVIDE
ANY SUPPORTS NEEDED TO ADDRESS
THIS ISSUE AS IT'S A CRITICAL
COMPONENT OF IMPLEMENTING THE
READ, STUDY AND FOLLOWING ITS
INTENTION. LASTLY I'D LIKE TO
VOICE MY SUPPORT IN REPEALING
THE FAMILY COST PARTICIPATION
PROGRAM AS WE'VE HEARD FROM MANY
PEOPLE TO THE BARRIERS IN THE
DISTRUST THAT THAT THINGS LIKE
THIS CAN CAUSE WITH THE REGIONAL
CENTER IS DETRIMENTAL IN
ENSURING THAT THE CALIFORNIANS
THAT WE ATTEMPT TO SERVE AND
SUPPORT IN THE BEST WAY
POSSIBLE, NO LONGER TRUST THE
SERVICE SYSTEM THAT'S THERE TO
DO THAT INTENTION. I THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. NAME AND AFFILIATION,
PLEASE TONY ANDERSON OF THE
ASSOCIATION, REGIONAL AGENCIES
AND THANK YOU, CHAIR. JACKSON
AND ALL THE STAFF WERE STAYING
UP LATE WITH US TONIGHT. UM I'M
NOT GOING TO COVER ALL THE
THINGS THAT YOU HEARD FROM. THE
REGIONAL CENTERS ALREADY
APPRECIATE OUR TIME ALREADY. BUT
THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS WE
MISSED. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE
THAT I TOUCH ON THEM ONE YOU
JUST HEARD ABOUT THE FAMILY COST
PARTICIPATION PROGRAM AND THE
ANNUAL FAMILY FEE PROGRAM FEE.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT REGIONAL
CENTERS HAVE BEEN PUSHING ON FOR
QUITE A LONG TIME. TO START TO
GET RID OF. IT'S BEEN ON PAUSE
FOR A WHILE DURING COVID, AND
NOW THE ADMINISTRATION IS COMING
FORWARD TO STOP IT TO ELIMINATED
, SO WE'RE VERY THANKFUL TO THE
ADMINISTRATION FOR THAT PROPOSAL
, AND SO WE WANT TO GIVE THE
KUDOS THERE. AND ALSO, WE WOULD
URGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THAT
MEASURE AS WELL. THE OTHER ITEM
WAS THE SELF DETERMINATION
PROGRAM. THE PARTICIPANT CHOICE
SPECIALIST. VERY NICE, THOROUGH
ANALYSIS OF THAT IN THE IN THE
REPORT. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT
PIECE FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD
WITH SELF DETERMINATION. I KNOW
IT WAS TEMPORARY. IN THE
BEGINNING. WE WANT TO SEE HOW
THAT WOULD WORK AND THEN MOVE ON
, MOVE FORWARD, BUT WE THIS
PROGRAM IS VERY COMPLEX. IT
DOESN'T NEED TO BE THIS COMPLEX.
BUT FOR A VARIETY OF OTHER
REASONS, WE HAVE ALL WORKED VERY
HARD. WE HAVE FOUND PROBLEMS
ALONG THE WAY HAVE MADE THE
FIXES. BUT THESE ARE THE PEOPLE
INSIDE THE REGIONAL CENTERS THAT
REALLY HELP US PROMOTE SELF
DETERMINATION. AMONGST OTHER
CASE MANAGERS AND ALSO AMONGST
OUR COMMUNITY, SO WE REALLY NEED
THEM. AND SO, UM OUR ABILITY TO
RUN THAT PROGRAM AND MOVE
FORWARD WITH IT IN ADVANCE.
DEPENDS ON THEM BEING THERE. AND
THEN FINALLY, THERE WAS A
DISCUSSION TODAY ABOUT ON THE
EQUITY ISSUE, AND I FOUND THAT
FASCINATING. I REALLY
APPRECIATED YOUR COMMENTS AND
THE DIALOGUE. I THOUGHT THAT WAS
GREAT. THE ONE THING THAT I
DIDN'T MISS, AND THAT WAS THAT
THE REGIONAL CENTERS HAVE THIS
WONDERFUL. PROGRAM THE
DEPARTMENT PUT THAT THIS FORWARD
CALL IS ENHANCED CASELOADS AND
THIS THESE ARE THE SMALL TEAMS.
UH THE REGIONAL CENTER. I WAS
RUNNING WE HAD SIX PEOPLE AND
THEY WERE SERVICE COORDINATORS.
BUT THEY ARE REALLY SMALL
CASELOADS, AND THIS IS
THROUGHOUT THE STATE SO VERY
SMALL CASELOADS, MONOLINGUAL,
SPANISH SPEAKING FAMILIES. AND
PART OF THAT WHOLE PROGRAM IS TO
TELL THEM ABOUT WHAT ALL THE
SERVICES ARE, WHY THEY MIGHT BE
BENEFICIAL AND BUT TO HAVE THAT
DIALOGUE WITH THEM, SO IT IS
LEANING IN TO THE HISPANIC
COMMUNITY THAT IS NOT RECEIVING
ANY SERVICES AT ALL. SO WE EVEN
PULL PULL THAT OUT, AND WE
REALLY FOCUSED ON WHAT WOULD IT
TAKE TO SUPPORT THESE FAMILIES?
AND SO THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT
PROGRAM THAT STARTED IN EAST LOS
ANGELES, AND IT SPREAD THROUGH
ALL THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA. ALL
THE REGIONAL CENTERS DO IT, SO I
COULDN'T LEAVE WITHOUT LETTING
YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT THAT. THANK
YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MIXED
UP NAMING AFFILIATION, PLEASE.
HI UM, GOOD AFTER WELL, IT'S NOT
THE AFTERNOON TO EVENING. GOOD
EVENING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS
TAMIKA. HELL I'M THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR FOR THE ARC OF FRESNO
AND MADERA COUNTIES. SEVERAL OF
THE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE SPOKEN
TONIGHT HAVE RECEIVED RECEIVED
SERVICES WITH US. BUT ARE ALSO
COMPETITIVELY EMPLOYED WITH THE
ARC AS WELL. THEY HAVE SHARED
HOW IMPACTFUL THEIR SERVICES
HAVE BEEN FOR THEM AS THEY REACH
THEIR GOALS. THEIR STORIES ARE
THE STORIES OF HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS OF CALIFORNIANS. THE
PROPOSED DELAY TO THE REMAINING
RATE STUDY IMPLEMENTATION PLACES
THE FUTURE OF CALIFORNIANS
LIVING WITH INTELLECTUAL
DISABILITIES IN JEOPARDY.
UNFORTUNATELY THE SYSTEM HAS
PHASED. DECADES OF UNDERFUNDING
ACCOMPANY THAT WITH COVID. OUR
WORKFORCE HAS BEEN AFFECTIVE
GREATLY. MANY AGENCIES LIKE THE
ARK FIND IT DIFFICULT TO HIRE
AND RETAIN STAFF. UM, DUE TO THE
LOW WAGES. THIS CAUSES HUGE WAIT
LIST. WE HAVE A WAIT LIST OF
OVER 100 INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT
THE CENTRAL VALLEY. UM, AND
THERE ARE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT
HAVE EVEN LARGER NUMBERS THAN
OURS. AND THAT'S REALLY
CONCERNING ONE OF THE MAIN
REASONS AGAIN GOES BACK TO THE
STAFFING. IF THERE ARE WAIT LIST
, THEN THAT MEANS THAT THERE ARE
FOLKS AT HOME THAT ARE NOT
GETTING THE SERVICES AND CARE
THAT THEY NEED. I GET CALLS FROM
PARENTS ON A DAILY BASIS, SAYING
WHERE IT CAN WIN CAN THEIR LOVED
ONES START? AND SO IT REALLY
GOES TO THE HIRING CRISIS THAT
PROGRAMS LIKE THE ARK ARE
FACING? SO. AGAIN. IT'S REALLY
CONCERNING THAT THEY'RE AT HOME
AND NOT GETTING THE SERVICES AND
THIS IS WHILE OTHER INDUSTRIES
SUCH AS FAST FOOD RECEIVE
INCREASES AGAIN. VERY CONCERNING
TO US. WE ARE WORKING WITH SOME
OF THE MOST VULNERABLE, UM,
CITIZENS IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND
IT'S VERY HARD TO COMPREHEND.
HOW ARE STAFF THAT ARE WORKING
WITH THESE VULNERABLE
INDIVIDUALS ARE GETTING PAID
LESS DUE TO THE WAGES. THEY'RE
GETTING PAID LESS THAN FOLKS
THAT ARE WORKING AT FAST FOOD. I
AM HERE TODAY. LIKE MANY OTHERS
TO LET YOU KNOW THAT RATE REFORM
IS A MUST. AND I THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NAME AND AFFILIATION, PLEASE. MR
CHAIR AND STAFF. UH MY NAME IS
JORDAN LINDSEY, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE ARC OF
CALIFORNIA AND THE ARK AND
UNITED STATES POLICY. CALIFORNIA
COLLABORATION AS TONY MENTIONED.
THANK YOU FOR WEATHERING THROUGH
THIS LONG EVENING WITH ALL OF
US. AS YOU KNOW, THERE HAVE BEEN
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HERE TODAY
AND THOUSANDS MORE WATCHING AT
HOME, AND I BELIEVE THE REASON
WHY IS BECAUSE THERE IS SHOCK
AND DISMAY. THAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM
WANTS TO CUT $1 BILLION FROM
CALIFORNIANS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILIES AND
THEIR WORKFORCE. THERE ARE
ALREADY THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS
ON WAIT LISTS AS YOU JUST HEARD
NOT RECEIVING THE SERVICES OR
ANY SERVICES THAT THEY NEED.
THIS CUT. WOULD CAUSE IMMEDIATE
AND DIRECT PAIN TO PEOPLE WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. SO
WHY WOULD GOVERNOR GOVERNOR
NEWSOM AND HIS ADMINISTRATION
AIMED THEIR LARGEST SINGLE
PROPOSED CUT IN HIS ENTIRE
JANUARY BUDGET? AT THIS
COMMUNITY THAT CALIFORNIANS WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. MR
CHAIR. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL THAT
YOU AND THE MEMBERS OF THE
COMMITTEE HAVE ALREADY STATED
THAT YOU ARE OPPOSED THIS
PROPOSAL TO CUT UM AND I
UNDERSTAND YOUR DESIRE FOR
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS. AH! WE
BELIEVE, HOWEVER, THAT OUR
COMMUNITY HAS SUFFERED ENOUGH
CUT AFTER CUT AND ON BEHALF OF
THE ARK AND UNITED SUPER POLICY
CALIFORNIA COLLABORATION. WE ARE
NOT WILLING TO NEGOTIATE ON ANY
OTHER CUTS. AND INTER ANY
SOLUTIONS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT
SOLUTIONS THAT INVOLVE ANY CUT.
ADDITIONALLY I JUST WANT TO
DISCUSS TWO ITEMS THAT WAS
HANDED OUT TO YOU. ONE IS WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS
AROUND RATE MODEL IMPLEMENTATION
. JUST IN CASE YOU MAY NOT HAVE
SEEN WHAT AN ACTUAL RATE MODEL
IS PRESENT ONE TO YOU, AND IT
JUST HAPPENS TO BE RESPITE
AGENCY RESPITE, WHICH WAS JUST
TALKED ABOUT FROM THE MEMBERS OF
CALIFORNIA RESPITE ASSOCIATION.
I HIGHLIGHTED FOR YOU THAT IT'S
JANUARY 24 AND I HIGHLIGHTED FOR
YOU THAT THE DIRECT CARE STAFF
HOURLY WAGE IN PUT IT ON THE
RIGHT MODEL IS $15.33 BELOW
CALIFORNIA MINIMUM WAGE. SO YOU
CAN UNDERSTAND WHY RAPE MODEL
IMPLEMENTATION IS SO CRITICAL
BECAUSE WE ARE ALREADY FAR
BEHIND. FINALLY MY LAST COMMENTS
ON BEHALF OF THE LETTERMAN
COALITION AS A CO CHAIR OF THE
LATINO COALITION YOU'VE HEARD
FROM EITHER COACH YEARS EARLIER
TODAY, YOU'VE ALSO RECEIVED ON
BEHALF OF THE ITEM DISCUSSION ON
THE MASTER PLAN OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES. A LETTER FROM THE
LETTERMAN COALITION, WHICH IS A
STATEWIDE COALITION OF
ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS,
AND I WILL ONLY READ THE
HIGHLIGHTED PORTION OF IT, WHICH
IS ALL EFFORTS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS OUT OF THE
MASTER PLAN AND DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES MUST BE PREDICATED ON
AN ADEQUATELY FUNDED SYSTEM OF
SERVICES AND SUPPORTS, WHICH
INCLUDES FULL IMPLEMENTATION AND
REGULAR UPDATING OF THE DDS RATE
MODELS. THE MASTER PLAN PROCESS
SHOULD IN NO WAY DELAY. OR
REALLOCATE THAT'S IMPORTANT OR
REALLOCATE THESE PROMISED
INVESTMENTS AND THEIR INTENDED
PURPOSE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NAME AND
AFFILIATION, PLEASE. HELLO MY
NAME IS RICHARDSON DAVIS WITH
THE CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF
COMMUNITY. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
AGENCIES JUST CAME HERE IN
SUPPORT OF ALL THE FAMILIES THAT
ARE HERE TODAY AND ALSO IN
SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERSHIP WHO
HAS BEEN IMPACTED BUT WHO WILL
BE IMPACTED BY THE BUDGET? UM BY
THE DELAY IN THE BUDGET, UM SO
WE STAND IN SUPPORT WITH OUR
MEMBERSHIP WHO WILL BE AFFECTED
BY THEM AND ALSO JUST WANTED TO
THANK YOU FOR THE CONVENING
TODAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. NAME AND AFFILIATION,
PLEASE. HELLO. MY NAME IS
STEPHEN JACKSON ON THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR FOR NEWTON SUPPORT
SERVICES BASED ON THE REMOTE
COAST REGIONAL CENTER CATCHMENT
AREA. UM ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH
MAS LOVES HIERARCHY OF NEEDS.
OKAY SO THAT'S GONNA KIND OF BE
MY BASELINE FOR THE REST OF MY
TALK HERE, ALL RIGHT? BEFORE I
WAS ABLE TO COME INSIDE THE ROOM
. I WAS WALKING AROUND THE HOLE
AND TALKING WITH DIFFERENT
FAMILIES AND DIFFERENT PROVIDERS
AND STUFF, AND I WAS MET BY THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE
REGIONAL CENTER FOR COAST
REGIONAL CENTER, AND EVEN GIVEN
THE SERIOUS TONE OF WHAT TODAY'S
MEETING IS ABOUT SHE WAS OUT
THERE, NETWORKING AND
COLLABORATING WITH DIFFERENT
PROVIDERS AND DIFFERENT FAMILIES
TO FIND OUT HOW TO BE ABLE TO
BRING MORE SERVICES SPECIFICALLY
TO BE ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF
OUR MINORITY POPULATIONS IN THE
REDWOOD COAST. SO I WON'T SAY
I'VE BEEN HEARING THESE
UNDERTONES THAT THERE'S NOT
COLLABORATION AND THINGS AREN'T
WORKING WITHIN THE REGIONAL
CENTER SYSTEMS. BUT THAT'S HERE
TODAY THAT THAT IS GROWTH AND
THAT IS CONNECTION. AND THOSE
ARE THINGS THAT HAPPEN ON A
DAILY BASIS FOR WHAT I'M USED TO
WITH WORKING WITHIN THE REGIONAL
CENTER SYSTEM. UH NOW THE HARD
PART ABOUT THIS IS JUST LIKE YOU
WANT MUSLIMS. ARQUIMEDES AS I'M
TALKING TO HER ABOUT BRINGING IN
, UH, POTENTIAL SERVICES FOR
LIKE A AN ASSESSMENT VAN TO BE
ABLE TO GO INTO MINORITY
COMMUNITIES AND TO BRING THE
PSYCHOLOGIST TO THE FAMILIES AND
STUFF. I HAVE TO HESITATE, AND
THAT'S NOT IN MY NATURE TO
HESITATE. BUT I HAVE TO WONDER.
AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD
TO PUT THIS PROGRAM INTO PLACE
BECAUSE THERE WAS A PROMISE THAT
THERE WAS GOING TO BE THIS
FUNDING AVAILABLE? AND CAN I
BELIEVE THAT THAT FUNDING IS
GOING TO BE THERE? YOU KNOW WHEN
I ACTUALLY GO TO PUT THESE
PROGRAMS INTO PLACE, UM IT. I
HAVE BEEN IN THIS SERVICE
INDUSTRY FOR 19 YEARS NOW I'VE
WORKED EVERYTHING FROM THE DSP
LEVEL UP THROUGH DIFFERENT
MANAGERIAL POSITIONS. ALWAYS MY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SPOT THAT I
HAVE TODAY AND I'M NOT GOING TO
QUIT ANYTIME SOON. BUT WHAT I
HAVE SEEN DURING THAT TIME IS I
SURVIVED THE RECESSION, WHICH
SAW RATE CUTS FOR VENDORS AND I
WATCHED THIS CHAMPIONS LEFT THE
FIELD DURING THAT TIME. I
SURVIVED MEDIAN RATE, UM,
IMPLEMENTATION BECAUSE AT THAT
POINT IN TIME WE WANTED TO MAKE
OUR ORGANIZATION MORE PERSON
CENTER. SO WE MADE SURE IT WAS
WRITTEN INTO ALL THE LANGUAGES,
OUR MISSION AND OUR VISION. BUT
AT THAT TIME WE HAD TO RE VENDOR
RISE. BUT THAT MEANT CATCH YOUR
CATCH YOUR RATES. UH, I BELIEVE
SO STRONGLY AND WHAT IT IS THAT
WE'RE DOING WITH OUR MISSION
THAT WE WENT AHEAD AND WENT
FORWARD WITH THAT AS WELL. UM
BUT AGAIN, THAT MEANT CHAMPIONS
WERE LEAVING BECAUSE I COULDN'T
AFFORD TO PAY PEOPLE AT THE
RATES THAT THEY NEED TO BE PAID.
SO NOW I'M LOOKING AT THIS.
RATES STAY WHATEVER YOU WANNA
CALL IT PUSH OUT UNTIL NEXT YEAR
, AND I'M WONDERING HOW MANY
MORE CHAMPIONS ARE WE GOING TO
LOSE? AND I LOOK AT THE PEOPLE
THAT WERE SUPPORTING AND I'M
WONDERING. HELL THEY'RE FEELING
AT THIS POINT, BECAUSE IF I'M
HESITANT AND KNOWING THAT MY
FOUNDATION IS FIRM, I HAVE TO
WONDER IF THEY'RE LOOKING AT
THEIR CHAMPIONS WALKING OUT THE
DOOR CHAMPION. I MEAN THAT THE
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS
THAT DO 99% OF THE HEAVY LIFTING
IN THIS STATE AND BEING AS
UNDERSTAFFED AS WE ARE YOU HAVE,
YOU KNOW WHAT WERE WE AT 60% OF
THE WORKFORCE FOR WHAT'S GOING
ON RIGHT NOW, AND THEY'RE
CARRYING 120% OF THE WORKLOAD
AND THEIR KEEP ON WALKING OUT
THE DOOR AND DROVE BECAUSE WE
CAN'T TRUST THE SYSTEM. AND WHEN
WE TALK ABOUT YOU CAN'T TRUST
THE REGIONAL CENTERS. YOU CAN'T
TRUST THIS EPISODE. WE CAN'T
TRUST THE PROMISES MADE THAT
FUNDING IS GOING TO BE IN PLACE
TO BE ABLE TO PUT THESE PROGRAMS
FORWARD TO MEET THE NEEDS
THROUGH THE LANDERMAN ACT. THE
PROMISES THREW THE LANTERN ACT.
UM, BUT THAT COMES FROM A STATE
LEVEL. AND WHEN WE FEEL LIKE WE
HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHAT IT IS
THAT'S GOING ON. EVEN THOUGH
THERE'S VERBAL PROMISES. THERE'S
WRITTEN PROMISES. WHEN IT COMES
TO OUR CONTRACTS. THERE'S ALL
THESE THINGS, BUT WE DON'T KNOW
WE CAN'T TRUST THAT. THAT'S
ACTUALLY GOING TO BE THERE
TOMORROW WHEN, WHEN WE ACTUALLY
NEED IT WHEN WE NEED TO MAKE OUR
PAYROLL WHEN WE NEED TO, TO, UM,
CONTRACT THAT WHEN WE NEED TO DO
WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO. I DON'T
KNOW IF THE FUNDING IS GOING TO
BE THERE. IN SIX MONTHS. SO
THAT'S WHERE AGAIN I APPRECIATE
THAT YOU GUYS ARE AGAINST THE
PUSH OUT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION.
UM, BUT I JUST SAY UM, MAINLY, I
GUESS MY POINT WAS I WANT TO
SPEAK TO THE BEHALF OF THERE
ISN'T CONFLICT. AS FAR AS I'M
CONCERNED. I'VE WORKED REALLY
WELL WITH THE REGIONAL CENTERS
DURING COVID. I WAS THE CHAIR
FOR THE VENDOR ADVISORY
COMMITTEE AND WE HAD DURING
COVID 140 VENDORS ON A CALL ONCE
A WEEK TO BE ABLE TO GET THE
INFORMATION IS COMING IN.
REGIONAL CENTER PUT IN, UM 1520
STEPS EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE
MEETINGS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT
EVERYBODY WAS EDUCATED.
EVERYBODY WAS INFORMED. WE'RE
ALL ON THE SAME PAGE. THAT'S
COLLABORATION. THAT'S DEDICATION
. THAT IS NOT A BROKEN SYSTEM
FOR WHERE I'M AT THAT THAT NEEDS
TO BE INVESTED IN AND IT NEEDS
TO BE FOSTERED BECAUSE THAT'S
HOW YOU GET TRUST. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOU. NEXT
UP NAME, AFFILIATION AND MARTIN
WITH ENVY EM STRATEGY GROUP HERE
ON BEHALF OF VIANA HEALTHCARE,
EXCUSE ME, A VIANA PROVIDES
SERVICES TO ABOUT 25,000 CLIENTS
AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE
SERVICES THAT RANGE FROM RESPITE
TO TRANSPORTATION TO PERSONAL
ASSISTANCE AND MANY OTHERS.
VIANA IS REALLY ON THE FRONT
LINES OF WHAT THIS GENTLEMAN WAS
JUST DESCRIBING IN TERMS OF
BEING ABLE TO ATTRACT AND KEEP
STAFF. IT'S A REAL STRUGGLE.
THAT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE TWO POINTS
THAT I DON'T THINK HAVE BEEN
STRESSED STRONGLY ENOUGH. TODAY
NUMBER ONE, THERE ARE A NUMBER
OF PROVIDERS, ESPECIALLY SMALL
PROVIDERS WHO HAVE BEEN PLANNING
ON THIS JULY 1. FINAL
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RATE RATE
STUDY WHO HAVE ALREADY SPENT
MONEY SO THAT THEY'D BE READY TO
RAMP UP WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY
PRESENTED ITSELF. THEY HAVE TO
BE CONSIDERED IN THIS DECISION
RELATIVE TO, UH TO THE RIGHT
DEFERRAL, AND THE OTHER THING IS
SOMEBODY WHO'S BEEN AROUND FOR A
REALLY LONG TIME. I RECALL THE
DARK BUDGET DAYS OF THE GREAT
RECESSION. UM PROMISES TO DO
SOMETHING IN THE NEXT FISCAL
YEAR AS THE GOVERNOR HAS
PROPOSED, WITH THIS RATE
DEFERRAL ONLY MEANS THAT IT'S
GOING TO GET POTENTIALLY PUSHED
OFF UNTIL A SUBSEQUENT YEAR
BEYOND 2526. WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN
? BUT THERE'S NO GUARANTEE IT
WILL HAPPEN NEXT YEAR OR THE
FOLLOWING YEAR AND CAN ONLY GET
WORSE AS WE COMPOUND ONE BAD
YEAR ON TOP OF ANOTHER. URGED TO
REJECT THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS
REFER DIFFERENT THE RIGHT SIDE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH AND AFFILIATION,
PLEASE. MY NAME IS JIM FRAZIER
ON THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY
FOR THE ARC OF CALIFORNIA UNITED
CEREBRAL POLICY COLLABORATIVE.
DR JACKSON. I CAN'T THANK YOU
ENOUGH FOR HOLDING THIS VERY
IMPORTANT HEARING AND YOUR
STATEMENT TODAY ABOUT THAT YOU
WILL REJECT THE GOVERNOR'S
PROPOSAL. YOU ARE A CHAMPION FOR
THIS COMMUNITY, AND I THANK YOU
AS THE FORMER CHAIR OF THE
SELECT COMMITTEE FOR THE
DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED IN
CALIFORNIA IN THIS HOUSE. YOUR
CONSULTANT DIRECTOR BARGMANN AND
I WORKED VERY HARD TO GET THAT
RATE STUDY IMPLEMENTED. VERY
HARD. AND NOW WE HAVE A BROKEN
PROMISE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION
WANTS TO DO. PROMISES MADE
PROMISES KEPT. AS HAS BEEN
STATED. PEOPLE HAVE MADE
COMMITMENTS TO THEIR STAFF. TWO
PROGRAMS TO CONSUMERS. AND NOW
WE'VE GOT A REALLY BIG WHERE'S
THAT YOU TALK ABOUT TRUST? THIS
IS WHY THE SYSTEM IS
MISTRUSTFUL. ALL THE RATE
FREEZES FROM 1998 THE CUTS,
NEVER RESTORING. AND THEN WE HAD
HOPED WE HAD HOPE OF THE RATE
STUDY. BUT IF YOU TAKE IT AND
THINK ABOUT IT THE RACE STUDIES
DELAYED FROM THE TIME THAT WE
DECIDED THAT WE NEEDED IT. THERE
ARE SEVERAL BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
THAT DIDN'T GO INTO THE SYSTEM
BECAUSE WE WERE STUDYING. WHAT
WAS NEEDED, BUT WE KNEW WHAT WAS
NEEDED. DOCTOR JACKSON. YOU EVER
SEE THE GREEN MILE? I'M TIRED,
BOSS. I'M TIRED OF THE UGLY I'M
TIRED OF HAVING TO FIGHT FOR
THIS COMMUNITY. I NEED YOU TO BE
THE WARRIOR. I'M GOING TO HAND
YOU THE TORCH. IN THE ASSEMBLY
FOR THIS COMMUNITY THAT I
CARRIED I NEED YOU TO BE THAT
WARRIOR. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
WE HAVEN'T IGNORED LIGE SER IS
WE HAVEN'T LOOKED AT WHAT WOULD
BE AN ADDITIONAL OR SUBSEQUENT
SUBSTANTIAL REVENUE
AUGMENTATION. WE'VE ALWAYS
LOOKED ON COBBLING THINGS
TOGETHER OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND
BUDGET. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS
THIS DOES. AS WE OVERSTEPPED THE
FEDERAL MATCH OF OVER ALMOST
HALF A BILLION DOLLARS. NO
BUSINESS IN THE WORLD WOULD EVER
GIVE UP A MATCH. IT'S LUDICROUS
TO THINK THAT YOU WOULD GIVE UP
HALF A BILLION DOLLARS. THAT'S
STEPPING OVER DOLLARS TO PICK UP
A DIME. NOW WHEN WE TALK ABOUT.
ADDITIONAL REVENUE SOURCES. WE
CAN TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT KINDS
OF, UM LIKE WOULD HAVE BEEN
REALLY GREAT TO BE INCLUDED IN
PROP. ONE BUT AGAIN, OUR
COMMUNITY WAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT.
WE'RE ALWAYS FORGOTTEN ABOUT. M
C. 02.0. MAYBE. UM TALKING ABOUT
MAYBE SOME KIND OF REVENUE
SHARING KIND OF AGREEMENT SALES
TAX. EVEN A BALLOT MEASURE. DID
YOU CALIFORNIA PUBLIC IF THEY
KNEW HOW OUR POPULATION WAS
TREATED. WOULD JUMP ON THE BAG
WAGON TO BE PART OF HELPING US.
WE CAN'T KEEP DOING THIS CYCLE.
THIS ROLLER COASTER OF GOING
OVER AND THEN CUT. WELL, WE'LL
GIVE YOU A LITTLE MORE THAN
WE'RE GONNA CUT AGAIN. WE NEED A
SUSTAINED FUNDING SOURCE.
SOMETHING LIKE. AND I'M NOT
USING IT AS IT THE EXAMPLE TO
FOLLOW, BUT PROBABLY 98 FOR
EDUCATION. IS A BASELINE. WE
NEED A BASELINE. WE HAVE NEVER
FACTORED IN INFLATION AND THE
RATES WE HAVE NEVER FACTORED IN
POPULATION GROWTH. I THINK IT
SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO BE
A 31. PERCENT GROWTH FACTOR. I
LOOKED IN THE WELFARE AND
INSTITUTIONS CODE. IN 2022, THE
DEPARTMENT DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES SAID. THAT THEY NEEDED
TO ADD 33,000. DSPS AND 5500
SERVICE COORDINATORS BY 2025.
HOW'S THAT GOING TO HAPPEN WITH
THE DELAY OR A CUT? CAN'T DO IT.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN EXODUS OF
THIS WORKFORCE. WHICH WE ALREADY
HAVE RELEGATED THIS WORKFORCE
INTO A POVERTY SITUATION AT
MINIMUM WAGE. SOME ARE WORKING
TWO JOBS JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET
SOME ARE ON STATE AID BECAUSE
THEY CAN'T MAKE ENDS MEET AT
THIS. A WAGE. DR JACKSON. I NEED
YOU TO STAND UP FOR THESE
PEOPLE. BE THE CHAMPION. AND
LET'S MAKE CHANGE. THANK YOU SO
MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH REALLY
APPRECIATE IT. I'M SAYING NO
OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT. I WANT TO
THANK EVERYONE FOR HANGING IN
THERE WHEN I THINK OUR PANELISTS
WANT TO THANK ADMINISTRATION.
COMMITTEE STAFF. SERGEANTS L A.
OH EVERYBODY WHO HAVE
PARTICIPATED IN THIS. THIS IS
CERTAINLY GOING TO BE A REF
YEAR, BUT I KNOW WE'LL GET
THROUGH THIS TOGETHER. THANK
YOU. EVERYONE WHO SHARED THEIR
STORIES. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU
YOUR STORY, YEAR LIVED
EXPERIENCE IS ABSOLUTELY
IMPORTANT. MM. VITAL. AS WE TALK
ABOUT THE VARIOUS ISSUES THAT
THE I D D COMMUNITY IS FACING,
SO JUST KNOW THAT YOUR TESTIMONY
AND YOUR TIME HERE WAS NOT IN
VAIN AND WE'RE GONNA MAKE SURE
THAT IT WAS NOT IN VAIN AS WELL.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE WE
ARE NOW ADJOURNED.