Impactful Community Initiatives by Aaron Carruthers, Executive Director - June & July 2020
Proactively identifying community needs, advocating for policy changes, and distributing PPE, SCDD under the leadership of Aaron Carruthers made significant strides in supporting individuals with IDD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their efforts led to enhanced access to PPE, reducing isolation, and improving communication with healthcare providers, showcasing a dedication to serving vulnerable populations effectively.
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Presentation Transcript
SCDD Activities June 2020 July 2020 Aaron Carruthers, Executive Director
Proactive reaching into communities to identify need In-Reach Provide the information people need (or create it) Inform Took what we learned and advocated Advocate
Look for opportunities based on community in-reach and state advocacy Opportunity Actions in the community Policy changes Action Outcome Actions lead to results
Opportunity People with IDD, families, and providers could get PPE if there was a positive COVID test result. But need PPE for prevention May 2020: Submitted letter asking for PPE for policy allowing PPE as prevention Letter joined by over 350 organizations Action May 2020: IHSS issued All Counties Letter stating PPE be available to providers upon request June 2020: DDS issued guidance that PPE available, when requested Outcome
Opportunity Governor's Office of Emergency Services access to State supply of PPE Through partnership with CalOES, SCDD distributed PPE Placed orders for paper masks, cloth masks, face shields, sanitizer, gloves Action 27.5 million pieces of PPE ordered or distributed To people with IDD, families, and providers Joined with 250 community partners on distribution Outcome
People with IDD express loneliness from physical isolation, reports of increased gaps in service, possible increase in abuse Opportunity Action Public tips for creating community and reducing isolation during COVID Partnership with the Governor s Office of Cal Volunteers led to Neighbors Public Awareness Campaign Outcome
Opportunity People need an easy way to communicate with health care professionals Action Partnered with the Governor s Listos Office to create Health Profile Fillable, strengths-based social/medical health form launched with Governor and DSS Can be used for communicating with law enforcement Outcome
Opportunity People with IDD s pre-existing conditions mean harder hit by COVID Action Urge Governor and CA Dpt of Public Health to collect data on people with IDD June 2020: CDPH includes disability in State s COVID surveillance Will use for crossmatching and retrospective analyses Outcome
Opportunity The paid internship program for people with IDD who want to be a State employee set to expire Action Advocated an extension of the sunset Outcome Included in the SB 1265 (Senate Human Services) Omnibus Bill
Opportunity Housing bond funds effectively cut out developing housing for people with IDD Organized grassroots comments for an open regulations period SCDD advocates provided over 100 individual comments out of 300 total received. Action Triggered the Dpt of Housing and Community Development to hold community listening sessions Revised scoring criteria to be announced Outcome
Opportunity State building standards are out of compliance with ADA Joined DRC effort by signing letter to bring CA building codes into compliance with ADA, and ensure accessibility for people with disabilities Action State Architect agreed to changes to increase affordable accessible housing development across the state Outcome
Opportunity LA Unified announced distance learning, other districts likely Joint letter with DRC to Governor & Superintendent on principles for reopening Covers distance learning accountability, data tracking, universal design for learning for all students, and compensatory education Action Outcome Pending LA Unified announced distance learning, other districts likely
Opportunity Transition from Early Intervention to Special Education is difficult, especially during COVID Action Joined the CA Dpt of Education Part C and Part B Workgroup Pending June 2020: DDS waived requirements to transition out of early intervention services at 3rdbirthday during COVID Outcome
560,407 Californians received information, technical assistance, trainings* State Plan Activity April May 2020 *Does not reflect all numbers
Governor and Legislature agreed to a budget that funds IDD services Council urged to prioritize safety, preserve essential in-person services, promote person-empowered service models & HCBS compliant services, reduce disparities in services State Budget July 2020 June 2021 *Does not reflect all numbers
SCDD budget remains strong Recruiting for Deputy Director Said goodbye to Legal Counsel Completed project to increase bandwidth in each regional office Looked at ways to save on leases at 4 sites QA exceeded collection of survey responses for Adult Family and Family Guardian surveys Admin Update June July 2020
All of this happened while the entire team continued on a telework schedule, managed their own anxiety, and responded to health scares for themselves or in their family. I m proud of how SCDD functions as a team, nimble and strategic, with compassion and drive.
