2023-02-22 SGPRC Board Meeting (Full Video)
Channel: Aligra, Inc.
Date: 20/03/2023

We have been advised by the First Amendment Coalition (www.FirstAmendmentCoalition.org) that this video recording may be posted for public review in accordance with the Bagley-Keene Act.

During public comments, Carl Argila said San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center Executive Director Jason Weller’s long-awaited letter to Argila regarding recent and longstanding inquiries fell short of expectations after hoping the new director may be “an agent for change.”

Weller “incorrectly” cites Title 17 [Section 50540], a state regulation protecting due-process rights, and fails to acknowledge the lawsuit on behalf of deaf clients against the SGPRC, Argila said.

“Sadly, the only thing I can do is bring about violations of the Lanterman Act, but it does not compensate for the lack of leadership,” he said.

During his executive report, Weller expressed optimism toward several items, including the prospect of assembly bills awaiting the state legislature’s vote.

AB 649 removes generic service and resource mandates Weller cites as barriers to best utilizing resources. Regional centers are prohibited from purchasing services already made available through Medi-Cal, Medicare and private insurance. Current law limits dental services for individuals three years or older unless there it is determined by appeal process that the request has merit. 

“This is an exciting one for our system if this passes,” Weller said.

The purpose of AB 1147, the Disability Equity and Accountability Act, is to eliminate disparities and increase transparency statewide.  If passed, the Department of Developmental Services will evaluate regional centers and establish metrics by 2024.

"We are really focused on eliminating disparities,” Weller said before adding that the Association of Regional Center Awareness has yet to take a position on the bill.

Regional centers may apply for grant funding through the Mental Health Services Act that aims to better serve individuals with, and at risk of, serious mental health issues, and their families, Weller said. Applications are due March 17.

“Hortencia [Tafoya] and her team are reviewing our needs, and seeing if this is something we can pursue, and if we have resources to pursue,” Weller said. “Other regional centers are collaborating with each other to see if there can be some joint projects with this funding.”

Weller said he is excited about the Coordinated Family Support pilot program, a new service for adults who choose to live with families. He also encouraged promotion and attendance of upcoming “critical” Purchase of Service Expenditure Meetings, public meetings that highlight expenditures relative to age, ethnicity, age, disabilities and areas of residence.

The SGPRC received 299 new referrals for Early Start Admissions in January, 167 of whom were found eligible for Early Start Services. Weller credited the clinical team for eligibility and the admissions department for helping increase the numbers.

“It’s a great sign,” Weller said. “It means we’re connecting with people. We’re serving individuals.”

Starting in March, meetings with vendors will take place monthly instead of weekly.  Feedback from vendors showed that the frequency of meetings should be reduced.  They were originally increased in frequency because of the pandemic, Weller said. These meetings are in addition to Vendor Advisory Committee meetings.

Albert Feliciano, advocate for the State Council of Developmental Disabilities and Westside Regional Center said SCDD’s office offers Self Determination orientations in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, and participants receive certificates upon completion. The LA office is also hosting a monthly roundtable for independent facilitators to share and discuss information. Feliciano said he is currently creating a list of IFs, expanding the list from solely LA County names to include IFs throughout the state.

February’s Board of Directors meeting featured mental-health focused training presented by Dr. Stephen Mouton, clinical psychologist for the SGPRC and policy liaison for Los Angeles County’s seven regional centers.

Directions were provided on steps and procedures for handling potential crises, as well as the differences between common hospitals and health facilities designated for mental health crises through the DDS. It is recommended clients visit designated locations, such as the Las Encinas Psychiatric Hospital in Pasadena, or Charter Oak in Covina.