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Whistleblower

NBRC Whistleblower Policy

Please be aware that making a report of abuse to NBRC in no way replaces a mandated reporter’s responsibility to report abuse to Child or Adult Protective Services or other required regulatory entities. 

WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY

North Bay Regional Center (NBRC) encourages individuals to report suspected or actual illegal or improper activity, financial or otherwise. NBRC will not condone any activity that is illegal or improper, whether done by an employee, board member, vendor, or contractor.

Definition of Regional Center or Vendor/Contractor Whistleblower Complaints

Regional Center or Vendor/Contractor Whistleblower complaints are defined as the reporting of an “improper Regional Center or Vendor/Contractor activity.”

  • An “improper Regional Center activity” means an activity by a Regional Center, or an employee, officer, or board member of a Regional Center, in the conduct of Regional Center business, that is a violation of a state or federal law or regulation; violation of contract provisions; fraud or fiscal malfeasance; misuse of government property; or constitutes gross misconduct, incompetency, or inefficiency.
  • An “improper Vendor/Contractor activity” means an activity by a Vendor/Contractor, or an employee, officer, or board member of a Vendor/Contractor, in the provision of DDS-funded services, that is a violation of a state or federal law or regulation; violation of contract provisions; fraud or fiscal malfeasance; misuse of government property; or constitutes gross misconduct, incompetency, or inefficiency.
Confidentiality

North Bay Regional Center will do everything possible to maintain the confidentiality of a complainant making a whistleblower complaint if the complainant requests confidentiality. However, in the circumstance where NBRC is unable to maintain confidentiality due to its statutory responsibilities (including ensuring the health and safety of consumers and Regional Center contract compliance), NBRC will attempt to inform the complainant of its need to disclose certain information prior to releasing identifying information. Additionally, the identity of the complainant may be revealed to appropriate law enforcement agencies conducting a criminal investigation. 

Filing a Complaint

NBRC will need a clear and concise written statement of the improper activity and any evidence the complainant has to support the allegation.

If a complainant does not provide their name or other information (witnesses or documents) that clearly identifies the person he/she is alleging has acted improperly, and the Regional Center or Vendor/Contractor where that person works, NBRC may not have sufficient information to investigate. Copies of documents, rather than originals, should be submitted, as they cannot be returned.

Although complaints may be filed anonymously, if insufficient information is provided and NBRC has no means to contact the complainant, NBRC may not be able to investigate the allegations.

Written complaints will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted by the investigation.

It is NBRC’s intent to adhere to all laws and regulations that apply to the Agency. The underlying purpose of this policy is to support the Agency’s goal of legal compliance.

NBRC will not retaliate against any individual who has made a protest or raised a complaint against some practice of NBRC, or of another individual or entity with whom NBRC has a business relationship, on the basis of a reasonable belief that the practice is an improper Regional Center or Vendor/Contractor activity as previously defined.

NBRC will not retaliate against an individual who discloses or threatens to disclose to a supervisor or a public body any activity, policy or practice of NBRC that the individual reasonably believes is an improper Regional Center or Vendor/Contractor activity as previously defined.  If an individual believes he/she has been the target of retaliation due to making a complaint under this policy he/she should immediately report the retaliation to the NBRC Director of Administrative Services and/or the NBRC Board of Directors.  NBRC will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation and take appropriate action into any reports of retaliation as related to this policy.

An individual is protected from retaliation if he/she brings the alleged unlawful activity, policy or practice to the attention of NBRC and provides NBRC with a reasonable opportunity to investigate and correct the alleged unlawful activity as previously defined.

Notification Requirements

North Bay Regional Center’s Whistleblower Policy along with the Department of Developmental Services Whistleblower Complaint Process is posted on the regional center’s website. Notification of both the regional center and the State’s Whistleblower policy will be provided annually to employees, board members, consumers/families and the vendor community.

How to File a Whistleblower Complaint

A complaint may be filed by contacting:

  • Phone
    Director of Administrative Services/Compliance Officer 707-256-1100
  • Fax
    Director of Administrative Services/Compliance Officer 707-256-1229
  • US Postal Mail – Primary Address
    Whistleblower Complaint
    North Bay Regional Center
    Attention: Human Resources Department OR Executive Director
    610 Airpark Rd.
    Napa, CA 94558
  • US Postal Mail – Alternate Address
    Whistleblower Complaint
    North Bay Regional Center
    Attention: Board of Directors
    P.O. Box 3360
    Napa, CA 94558
  • Email the Board of Directors
    NBRCBoard@yahoo.com

1,400 Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Workers to Strike

November 8, 2015 by

The National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents 1,400 psychologists, therapists and social workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities in Northern California, is asking them to strike starting Nov. 16.

The Emeryville-based union, led by longtime Kaiser foe Sal Rosselli, cited inadequate staffing and alleged “retaliation against whistle blowers” as reasons for the proposed strike. Read more.

Filed Under: In The News

Public Information

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Community Resource Development Plan

Conflict of Interest

HCBS Final Rule

HCBS Waiver Program Review

POS Policies

Request for Proposal Policy

Respite Tools

Social Recreation, Camp and Non-Medical Therapies Policy

Transparency and Public Information

Whistleblower Policy

Zero Tolerance Policy

Transparency & Accountability

300_transparency

North Bay Regional Center strives for transparency in our business operations.  The following documents are posted in accordance with The Welfare and Institutions Code section 4629.5. For more information, visit the DDS Transparency Site.

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) monitors the actions and efforts of Regional Centers to ensure they meet statutory, regulatory and contractual obligations, and uphold the values of the Lanterman Act, the legislation guiding the developmental services system in California. For information, visit  North Bay Regional Center Dashboard or for all Regional Center data:  Regional Center Oversight Dashboard.

APPEAL, COMPLAINTS, COMMENTS

click here for information re: Consumer Rights and Complaints Process (section 4731 of Welfare and Institution Code)

AUDITS & FINANCES

CPA/INDEPENDENT AUDITS

HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES AUDITS

DDS FISCAL AUDITS

CONTRACT AWARDS

Community Placement Plan (CPP) / Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP)

Non Community Placement Plan (CPP)

SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES

NBRC VENDORS

PERFORMANCE PLANS

NBRC strives to meet or exceed our performance goals each year. Click below to see how we are doing:

 

 BOARD POLICIES

SERVICE POLICIES

  1. Behavior Analysis Services                        
  2.  Clinical and Medical  Services
  3. Day Care Services                                        
  4.  Durable Medical Equipment and Construction Services
  5. Employment First
  6. Incontinence Supplies
  7.  Independent Living Services Policy
  8. Intake and Assessment Services                 
  9.  Legal and Confidentiality
  10. Living Arrangement Services    
  11. Respite Services                   
  12.  Supported Living Services
  13. Transportation Services
  14. Limited Conservatorships
  15. Resource Development
  16.  Requests for Proposals

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ASSESSMENT TOOLS

Transportation Request Form

Hourly Template for Monthly Supportive Living Services

Hourly Template for Monthly Supportive Living Services- exception

Respite Worksheet

Respite Worksheet SPANISH

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NBRC OPERATIONS POLICIES

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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST NOTICE

Joanne Giardello – NBRC Board of Director Conflict of Interest & Mitigation Plan 2023

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SALARY & BENEFITS REPORT

Administrative Expenditures Survey FY22

Report on Personnel Classifications FY22

Report on Personnel Classifications FY21

NBRC Benefits Summary 2022

Administrative Expenditures Survey FY21

Administrative Expenditures Survey FY20

Administrative Expenditures Survey FY 18-19

 

ETHNIC DIVERSITY & EXPENDITURES REPORTS

Per recent amendment to the Lanterman Act (Section 4519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code), all regional centers are required to provide a report of our expenditures across identified demographic groups (e.g., by disability, by age, by race or ethnicity, or by language) and to hold a public meeting with stakeholders regarding the data.

NBRC collaborates with the Department of Developmental Services to prepare this report. We encourage you to keep limitations to this report in mind when reviewing the data.

For example:
• Due to limitations in the statewide Uniform Fiscal System, not all expenditures can be reflected in this report. For example services that we purchase under a contract, such as some supported employment services, transportation, etc are not counted in this data.
• It also does not include authorized expenditures for services which have been provided but have not yet been billed to the regional center by service providers.
• This report does not reflect services in Individual/Family Service Plans that are funded by MediCal, Supplemental Security Income, health plans, etc

For more information, see links below.

NBRC FY 22-23 Expenditure Report

NBRC FY 22-23 Expenditure Report (Spanish)

NBRC Annual Disparity Report FY 21-22

NBRC Disparity Report FY21-22 ENGLISH-REVISED

NBRC Disparity Report FY21-22 SPANISH-REVISED

NBRC Disparity Report FY21-22 ENGLISH

NBRC Disparity Report FY21-22 SPANISH

NBRC Language Access & Culture Plan FY 21-22

NBRC Disparity Annual Report FY 2020- 2021

NBRC 2021 Expenditure Report

NBRC 2021 Expenditure Report Spanish

NBRC 2020 Expenditure Report

NBRC 2020 Expenditure Report – Spanish

NBRC 2019 Disparity Presentation

Disparity Annual Report FY 2019-2020

2019-2020 NBRC Feedback & Action Plan

Disparity Feedback Form

NBRC 2019 Expenditures Report

Disparity Funds Program Presentation 19.20

Disparity Proposal comment form         Disparity Proposal comment form_Spanish

Disparity Annual Report FY 18.19

Feedback and Action Plan Cover Letter 2019

NBRC-Feedback-and-Action-Plan-for-2018-2019

NBRC 2018 Expenditures Report Presentation- Final English

NBRC 2018 Expenditures Report Presentation – Final Spanish

NBRC 2018 Expenditures Report

NBRC Expenditures by Ethnicity Report 2017

NBRC Expenditures by Ethnicity Report 2016

NBRC 2015 Expenditures by Ethnicity Data Report
NBRC 2014 Ethnicity and Expenditures Data Report
ServByDiagnosisExp  NoneByDiagnosisLeg
NoneByDiagnosisExp NoneByDiagnosisSum
ServByResidence  NoneByEthnicity
ServByLanguageOvr  InsByResidence
ServByLanguage NoneByDiagnosisExp
ServByEthnicity  InsByLanguage
 ServByDiagnosisSum  InsByLanguageOvr
 ServByDiagnosisLeg  InsByDiagnosisSum
 ServByDiagnosisExp  InsByDiagnosisLeg
 NoneByResidence InsByDiagnosisExp
 NoneByLanguage Insurance by Ethnicity

NATIONAL CORE INDICATORS

Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 4571 mandates the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to identify and implement a nationally validated quality assessment tool that enables DDS to monitor the performance of California’s developmental disabilities service system and assess quality and performance among regional centers. The National Core Indicator (NCI) survey instrument was chosen as the quality assessment tool in 2009. NCI is a multi-state collaboration; Developmental disability agencies in forty-one states and the District of Columbia voluntarily participate in the NCI program. To read more about NCI and see NBRC’s survey results, CLICK HERE for the DDS page.

Please click below to view NBRC’s annual presentation of NCI data in 2020

Report of NBRC’s presentation of NCI  2020

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HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES (HCBS) FINAL RULE COMPLIANCE

In accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code section 4519.2(b), each regional center shall post Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule compliance information on its website, and shall update the information no less frequently than every six months.

The HCBS self-assessment was designed to be used statewide to measure providers’ current level of compliance with Final Rule regulations, and provide a framework for assisting providers with the necessary steps to align their services with these federal rules. At this time it is acceptable for providers to not be in compliance with all of the requirements; there is still time to develop transition plans to bring providers into compliance by March 17, 2023.

The below compliance information is based on provider self-assessment data pulled on September 1st, 2020. More information on HCBS Final Rule can be found here.

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