Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule

March 17, 2023 was the day the Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule took effect. HCBS are types of person-centered care delivered in the home and community. HCBS are often designed to enable people to stay in their homes, rather than moving to a facility for care. To celebrate the Final Rule and rights defined for individuals who receive services, we are excited to share this 10-part animation series to support understanding of the HCBS Final Rule (link below). A big thank you to Tri-Counties Regional Center who envisioned this project, with the support of all 21 regional centers. Please visit the following link to access the series: https://bit.ly/hcbsday

DSP Training Stipend Available – Two $625 Payments

Beginning September 1, 2023, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) may receive up to two $625 (before taxes) stipends when they complete online training courses approved by the Department of Developmental Services available in the ARCA Learning Center.  The DSP Training Stipend Program runs through June 30, 2024, and all courses must be completed by that date.

Below please find NBRC’s process for vendors and DSP staff to access this new program, including information on who qualifies for this program.

NBRC DSP Stipend Program

Additional information can be found at www.dds.ca.gov/initiatives/workforce-initiatives/ select DSP Training Stipend.

For questions regarding this program, please  reach out to dspworkforce@nbrc.net

 

Social Recreational Services are Back!

We are excited to announce that Social Recreational services for regional center participants have been restored!

Servicios Sociales Recreationales estan de regreso!

Nagbalik na ang mga Serbisyong Panlipunan at Panlibangan (Social Recreational Services)!

Self-Determination Program

The Self-Determination Program in California is exciting because it provides individuals and families receiving Regional Center services the opportunity to spend their budget in alternate ways, including on services not available through the traditional service delivery system, with providers who may not be “vendored,” or have a contract with the Regional Center, and in the amounts they choose.

If you are interested in learning more about Self-Determination, or have any questions or concerns, we invite you to be part of our community! You can:

1) Request your Service Coordinator refer you for free Self-Determination coaching services available through Education Spectrum, courtesy of funding through NBRC’s Local Advisory Committee (SDAC). You can also self-refer here.
2) Contact NBRC’s bilingual Self-Determination team at sdp@nbrc.net or 707-200-8123
3) Attend an online orientation, which is required before transitioning to the program. These orientations are available at https://scdd.ca.gov/sdp-orientation/ in multiple languages.
4) Attend an upcoming family training session via Zoom (please see flyer)
5) Attend the bi-monthly Local Volunteer Advisory Committee meetings (please see flyer)
6) Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/CA.SDP.Forum to join a Statewide Self-Determination Program Forum hosted by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD).
7) Visit https://www.thecasdpnetwork.org to find providers.

 

 

 

 

 

Partners in Policymaking Project-Application Deadline is Sunday March 17th

Attention self-advocates and family advocates of the developmentally disabled community!

The Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) is seeking to create policymakers for the developmental services system by offering you a free training opportunity!

North Bay Regional Center needs 4 volunteers who desire to gain more in-depth knowledge of the California developmental services system and are interested in becoming an effective policymaking partner in society!

Application deadline is Sunday March 17th!

Partners in Policymaking Project

The Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) and its member agencies have an opportunity to bring together self-advocates and family advocates to break down barriers to full participation in their community and ensure people served by regional centers can become leaders in society.

DDS will be hosting several important conversations that will culminate in a Master Plan for the future of developmental services in California.

Each regional center will identify 6 volunteers to join either an English-Speaking Cohort or a Spanish Speaking Cohort of advocates to learn the foundations of the developmental community system using the Minnesota Governor’s Council online training program based on Partners in Policymaking.

Orientation for the program begins on March 18th, the first class will be held on April 1st, with the final session ending on June 16th.

Please note that the dates on the application and agreement are incorrect as ARCA has decided to keep the registration process open.

Coursework for the program includes online self-directed course work, Zoom meetings with breakout discussions focused on the coursework, and a conference style in-person session.

This training program leverages the extensive content of Partners. The conference style final session includes content experts and thought leaders from developmental services across the country. In the end the participants will:

  • Gain in-depth knowledge of developmental services.
  • Attain confidence to speak independently on matters important to them to policymakers and other systems decision-makers.
  • Increase empathy for others with different perspectives.
  • Develop lifelong friendships and allies; and
  • Gain a new understanding of the potential of all people with disabilities.

What’s the Commitment of Time for the Partners?

  1. There are 5 self-paced courses and each one takes an average of 4 hours to complete. Total course work study will be about 20 hours.
  2. The team will conduct a 90-minute Zoom meeting with breakout discussions in follow-up to review the learning from each module. Total course work in virtual format will be 7.5 hours.
  3. By mid-June 2024 the group will have a culminating session with participants arriving at around 3 pm on Friday and leaving at 3 pm on Sunday. Total course work study in a conference style format will be about 24 hours.

 

To apply, please complete the Policy Making Application and Agreement (below) and send the documents to the following contacts:

Application-English

Application-Spanish

Agreement-English

Agreement-Spanish

Online Applications

English: https://forms.office.com/r/SRpGE3jBAM

Spanish: https://forms.office.com/r/ja09e6EZCH

Coordinator Contacts

English Applicants:

Patty Moore pjmooreconsultingsb@gmail.com

Spanish Applicants:

Gaby Lopez gablop0527@gmail.com

 

Our Santa Rosa Office is Opening on July 10th!

We are excited to announce that our new Santa Rosa office will open to the community on July 10, 2023! Stay tuned for our Open House date when we will officially celebrate our new office location!

 

The Parent Reunion

Registration is now LIVE! We will be hosting our first parent conference in partnership with Parents Can on Saturday, August 26, 2023. The Parent Reunion is a conference for parents and guardians of children with special needs where we will host various workshops, a community and vendor resource fair and much more! We are looking forward to seeing you there.