Tag: Covid-19

Next week ACR 41 will be heard during the Assembly Floor Session. We are so grateful to Assembly Member Holden for recognizing the heroic work of all the DSPs in California who have gone above and beyond to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families, throughout the pandemic. We are asking everyone to call your local Assembly Member and ask them to rise on the floor and speak in support of this important Resolution. You can find your Assembly Member’s contact information here: https://thearcca.org/advocacy/find-your-legislator/

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 41 – COVID-19 Direct Support Professionals

ACR 41, as introduced, Holden. COVID-19 direct support professionals appreciation.

This measure would recognize the skills and dedication of direct support professionals, and show appreciation for the direct support professionals who have faithfully served Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting stay-at-home orders and other safety measures began one year ago; and

WHEREAS, March is recognized nationwide as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, More than 350,000 Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) receive regional center services; and

WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has a disproportionate impact on people with IDD, who are especially vulnerable to complications and mortality due to the coronavirus; and

WHEREAS, During this pandemic, direct support professionals throughout the state prioritized the health and safety of people with IDD, often placing the needs of people in their care over their own personal interests; and

WHEREAS, Direct support professionals showed flexibility, consistently responding to changing public health conditions and state guidelines for health and safety, while also addressing the changing needs of the people they serve; and

WHEREAS, Direct support professionals were guided by person-centered philosophy to meet the support needs of people with IDD during a historic pandemic that changed every aspect of their life; and

WHEREAS, Direct support professionals demonstrated innovation in creating new programs to safely support individuals with IDD during the pandemic and mitigate the isolating impact of health and safety measures; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature values the heroism and commitment of direct support professionals in the service of Californians with IDD; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislature, having acknowledged the rights of Californians with IDD and the state’s responsibility to them through the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, finds that direct support professionals are essential to carrying out this responsibility; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislature recognizes the skills and dedication of direct support professionals; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislature appreciates all direct support professionals who have faithfully served Californians with IDD during the COVID-19 public health crisis; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

Mental health experts are cautioning people that as COVID fatigue meets holiday stress it could be harder and harder to fight depression and anxiety, or for those already experiencing it, it could intensify significantly. Many people are feeling the pressure to be “okay” even though they are not really feeling okay. There are so many additional daily stressors this year that contribute to just simply wearing people down – parents working from home and dealing with remote learning or day program services, finding safe support if you can’t work from home, struggling to hold on to businesses, isolation, holiday expectations, money, fear, loss, anxiety about getting COVID, anxiety or fear of someone you love getting COVID, and so much more – and make it harder to maintain emotional or mental well-being. Mental health professionals urge people to take the time to recognize that this is a very stressful time, and it is okay to feel that stress, but the challenge comes with how you deal with the stress. Research shows that increased, and compounding, daily stress (chronic stress) increases the risk of developing serious depression or anxiety if the chronic stress goes unaddressed or unhealthy coping mechanisms are used to deal with the stress.

Many people have holiday traditions, expectations, or special things that they do every year to celebrate. Mental health professionals suggest that even though it will be a non-traditional celebration this year people should still do something meaningful to help keep spirits up. Some of the strategies that have been suggested are DSP (we all know how important DSPs are)

Decorate – whether a little or a lot, have something festive in your space

Social Connections – maintain your social connections even if it is just a 5-minute phone call it is important to stay connected to family and friends

Plan – make plans for what you want your holidays to look like next year.

Above all, talk to someone! If you are struggling know that you are not alone. Project Connect, a telehealth support line for individuals with disabilities, their families, direct support professionals, and others who support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, is available free of charge and it is here for you. I wish everyone a healthy, safe, and peaceful holiday season!

Last Friday the Developmental Services Taskforce met to provide an update for stakeholders throughout the state. The Department shared their concern that there is an alarming increase in the number of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the state that are testing positive for COVID-19, an increase in hospital admissions, and an increase in deaths. The Department is tracking the number of new cases, and hospital admission so they can work with individuals, families, and providers to continue to identify trends and develop strategies to slow the spread of COVID, provide care for people who have tested positive, and plan accordingly for surge capacity. Complicating the issue is the increase number of direct support professionals and family members that are testing positive. Accurate data is essential to developing interventions, so the Department is requesting that if someone in the household – clients, family members, direct support person – tests positive they contact their service coordinator to let them know.

Dr. Ron Chapman, California Department of Public Health, spoke to the DS Task Force about the COVID-19 Vaccine and the work that is being done at the state level to address issues of priority and distribution. The California Department of Health and Human Services Agency, CA Department of Public Health, had created a Community Vaccine Advisory Committee to address issues specific to equitable vaccine implementation and decision-making. The disability community is well represented on the Advisory Committee as the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability Rights CA, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, are among the members of the Advisory Committee.  The Advisory Committee will meet 6 more times between now and February 17, 2021. If you are interested in learning more about the work of the Advisory Committee visit: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Community-Vaccine-Advisory-Committee.aspx.

The first round of doses of the vaccine are expected to arrive in CA early this week and be prioritized for frontline workers in hospitals and health care. The CDPH is projecting that there will be approximately 2 million doses in California by the end of December.  The CDPH has published recommended guidelines based on a phased approach to vaccine distribution which can be found here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/CDPH-Allocation-Guidelines-for-COVID-19-Vaccine-During-Phase-1A-Recommendations.aspx.

Last week the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced membership in the Community Vaccine Advisory Committee with broad representation from organizations throughout California to provide input into the distribution and allocation of the COVID-19 vaccine. The committee will help guide the state’s decision making and build equity into decisions about vaccine distribution and allocation. California’s planning process for the eventual distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines continues to be guided by three overarching principles. They include ensuring the COVID-19 vaccine meets safety requirements, ensuring the vaccine is distributed and administered equitably, at first to those with the highest risk of becoming infected and spreading COVID-19, and making transparency a top priority by bringing in community stakeholders from the beginning.

Equity in distribution of vaccines is particularly important to Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities – who may be at higher risk of becoming infected or having serious illness due to COVID-19 – their families, and the essential workforce that provide critical supports and services.

The disability community has a long, complicated, and at times tragic past with vaccines and medical trials. The Arc of California will work with partner organizations to ensure the needs and concerns of the disability community are represented in discussions and ultimately decisions made related to vaccine distribution and priorities.

To learn more about the Community Vaccine Advisory Committee and California’s vaccination plan go to https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR20-311.aspx

The Arc has received concerning reports that people with disabilities on SSI who lost their SSI benefits because they received unemployment insurance payments are also receiving a termination notice from Medicaid. This shouldn’t happen and there is clear CMS guidance (see #33) on the issue. We have a fact sheet on this issue available here and attached. In short, unemployment benefits are counted differently than wages and so people may lose their SSI benefits (although the benefits should be suspended for 12 months and not terminated so once the UI benefits run out, SSI should be restarted without the need to reapply), but should not lose Medicaid because of protections from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Late last week we began to get word from our contacts on the Hill that the House of Representatives has been in communication with the White House and talks have resumed on a possible 4^th COVID relief package before Congress’ election recess. Speaker Pelosi has indicated that the House will vote on a compromise COVID relief bill sometime this week, we are hearing that the bill will be around $2.4 trillion ($1 trillion LESS than the HEROES Act that the House passed in May). The White House has also raised their bottom line, something that they had not done all summer, up from $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion, so there is movement. We are still unsure of the true viability of the package, but we need to push hard right now.

Take action by going to www.thearcca.org/WeAreEssential and taking a few minutes to call, tweet, and/or email your member of Congress.