Disability Thrive Initiative
Flu Season 2021/2022
DDS Directive – Vaccination Mandate
Below please find the latest directive from the Department of Developmental Services which summarizes the 9/28/21 California Department of Public Health Order. Please pay particular attention to letter (e) below which mandates that all regional center and service provider employees must become vaccinated by November 30, 2021.
DDSDirective_PublicHealthOfficer_COVID-19Order_09282021
The new Public Health Order (PHO) requires full vaccination of the following individuals by November 30, 2021:
- All workers that work in Adult and Senior Care Facilities licensed by the California Department of Social Services (Community Care Licensing)
- All in-home direct services workers, including registered home care aides and certified home health aides
- All wavier personal care services providers and In Home Support Services (IHSS) providers
- All hospice workers who are providing services in home or in a licensed setting
- All regional center employees as well as service provider workers, who provide services to a consumer through the regional center to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, except for those workers who only provide services to a consumer with whom they live or who are a family member of the consumer for whom they are providing services.
The PHO states that all workers who are eligible for the live-in and family member exceptions outlined in sections b, c and e above must only provide services to a single household.
Exemptions and Record Keeping
The PHO allows for specified exemptions for religious beliefs or qualified medical reasons. If a worker is exempted they must be tested weekly for COVID-19 and wear a surgical mask. If a worker is exempted the employer must retain a record of the exemption and the workers weekly COVID-19 test results.
Employers must retain a record of vaccination for each employee. Per the PHO record keeping includes: (1) full name and date of birth; (2) vaccine manufacturer; and (3) date of vaccine administration (for first dose and, if applicable, second dose)
Full Vaccination Defined
One does of a one dose vaccine such as Johnson and Johnson or both doses of a two does vaccine such as Pfizer or Moderna
COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 1A Letter for Family Members
COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 1A Letter for Family Members
To Whom It May Concern:
California has a large population of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Recent COVID-19 studies have identified several groups within this population as being at high risk of COVID-19 complications and related fatalities. The purpose of this letter is to clarify that family members of certain people are “health care workers” pursuant to the State of California’s Vaccination Plan (https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/#When-can-I-get-vaccinated), and thus are prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination within Phase 1A.
These family members include those who care for people with any of the following conditions. This list is not necessarily exhaustive:
• Cerebral palsy • Down Syndrome • Epilepsy • Specialized health care needs, including dependence upon ventilators, oxygen, and other technology
The eligibility of these family members can be ascertained by documentation from their California regional center, verifying the qualifying condition of the member of their household who has an intellectual or developmental disability. A list of regional centers is available here: https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/listings/. Alternatively, a family member may choose to present medical documentation of the qualifying condition of the member of their household who has an intellectual or developmental disability.
We hope this letter clarifies the eligibility of certain family members for the COVID-19 vaccine pursuant to Phase 1A of the State’s Plan, and thereby assists in protecting the health of Californians most at risk from COVID-19 impacts.
Sincerely,
NANCY BARGMANN
Director
Please reach out to your NBRC Service Coordinator for more information.
Additional Guidance on Payments for Nonresidential Services
This correspondence provides clarification to the Department of Developmental Services’ (Department) May 7, 2020, guidance regarding offsetting nonresidential service reimbursement during the State of Emergency declared due to COVID-19 with other received COVID-19 relief funds.
Please see complete notice here: Additional Guidance on Payments for Nonresidential Services During the State of Emergency 6-18-20
“No” to COVID-19 Discrimination against People with Disabilities – Joint Bulletin
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