Coronavirus Information and Resources

The safety of all Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities is our highest priority. We are facing changes in almost every part of our lives. To help limit the spread of COVID-19, regional centers and service providers are dedicated and working with consumers and their communities to identify different ways to help.

This page provides links to general information about COVID-19 and resources. If you still have questions after reading this information and talking with your local regional center and/or your local county public health office, you can email DDSC19@dds.ca.gov. We will check this email daily and route questions to the correct DDS staff for response(s).



As we navigate the new challenges due to COVID-19, DDS will continue working to find new ways to support our consumers, families, providers, staff and communities. All regional centers are open for business, although some regional center staff may be working remotely and not holding face-to-face meetings in their offices. Use the phone number or e-mail address you normally use to contact your service coordinator if you have questions about your services.

DDS has learned that some families received calls from people pretending to be regional center employees. Regional center staff will never ask for banking information, social security information, or credit card information over the phone and you should not provide it to anyone who calls you. If you are unsure if the call is real, hang up and contact your local regional center directly.

Our days look very different because of the changes we are making to keep people safe. We will keep you informed of changes and updates. Please stay safe, stay healthy, and help take care of each other.

Safety Information

Health Passport

If you get sick, you might need to see a doctor by yourself. Your family or your caregiver can help you fill out a Health Passport to take with you. A Health Passport is a piece of paper that tells doctors about you, your medical needs, and how to keep you safe.

Videos

Websites

Assistance and Resources

Mental Health Resources

Information on Receiving Regional Center Services

Information from other State Departments

Disclaimer

The resources provided on this website are only intended to assist individuals, families, caregivers, regional centers and vendors during the COVID-19 crisis. Unless specified in a waiver or directive issued by the Director of the Department of Developmental Services and/or the Department of Public Health in response to COVID-19, the use of resources on this website does not replace applicable law and regulations regarding information given to hospitals or emergency care, and does not otherwise guarantee the use of these resources.

The inclusion of external website links to resources does not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation of material at the linked sites, their content or the services provided. The Department of Developmental Services accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of external websites or external documents linked to on this website.

When you select a link to an external website, you are leaving the Department of Developmental Services’ domain and are subject to the privacy policies of the external website.

DDS has approved changes to increase flexibility for providers, and regional centers to provide the services and supports people need. The specific changes DDS has approved are listed on the Department Directives tab.

We will keep working together to find options to meet existing and new service needs. Your continued partnership is essential during this critical time to support our community. Please stay safe and stay healthy. Thank you for your tireless work.

If you would like to share additional resource recommendations, please email ResourcesC19@dds.ca.gov.

Safety Information

Health Passport

If someone you care for needs medical attention, you may be limited or unable to assist them if they require care in a hospital or treatment center. The Health Passport can be used to share important information with other health care professionals about the individual you serve and how to keep them safe. Below are a examples of communication to doctors and hospitals adapted from various local and nationwide sources.

Information and Resources

Videos

Additional Guidance Documents

Disclaimer

The resources provided on this website are only intended to assist individuals, families, caregivers, regional centers and vendors during the COVID-19 crisis. Unless specified in a waiver or directive issued by the Director of the Department of Developmental Services and/or the Department of Public Health in response to COVID-19, the use of resources on this website does not replace applicable law and regulations regarding information given to hospitals or emergency care, and does not otherwise guarantee the use of these resources.

The inclusion of external website links to resources does not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation of material at the linked sites, their content or the services provided. The Department of Developmental Services accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of external websites or external documents linked to on this website.

When you select a link to an external website, you are leaving the Department of Developmental Services’ domain and are subject to the privacy policies of the external website.

Information for Individuals and Families

Request for Proposals (RFP)

STATEWIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING AGENT
SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CENTER
PROJECT FY 20/21-1

San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) have identified the need to create a Statewide Technical Assistance and Training Agent (Agent) to coordinate a variety of supports to service providers to implement the Alternative Nonresidential Services model (Alternative Services). SDRC may elect to fund all, part or none of the project, depending on funding availability as approved by the DDS, and the quality of proposals received. SDRC reserves the right to withdraw this RFP and/or disqualify any proposal that does not adhere to the RFP guidelines. Proposals submitted after the indicated timelines will not be considered.

The Request for Proposal is available on the SDRC website at: http://sdrc.org/index.php/request-for-proposals/

Alternative Nonresidential Services Town Hall Series

DDS held a series of Zoom “Town Hall” presentations to provide information on the alternative nonresidential services option. DDS provided an overview and answered technical questions, concerns and recommendations for operationalizing the new model. The same presentation was given at all four dates to accommodate as many schedules as possible.

DDS Directive

August 31, 2020: Policies and Procedures for Utilizing Alternative Nonresidential Services During the COVID-19 State of Emergency

DDS has prepared the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to assist our community with answers about the State of Emergency related to the COVID-19 outbreak and services and supports for the individuals we serve.

The questions come from the emails received through the DDSC19@dds.ca.gov email. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please email us so we can update our documents and get you the answers you need. The answers are based on DDS Directives and the Governor’s Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 State of Emergency.  For more information about COVID-19, please:

  • Contact your regional center service coordinator. The regional center contact information can be found here.
  • Contact your local county department of public health. You can find contact information here.
  • Visit The Centers for Disease Control website.

DDS FAQs

DDS Directive FAQs

These FAQs will continue to be updated as needed.

Information from other Departments

COVID-19 has shown us all unique challenges allowing people to step up and think of new ways to do what is important to them. From daytime activities to visits with family and friends, we are seeing people be creative and make things work. We’re excited to showcase these stories. Thank you all for sharing your talents and stories with us.

Do you have a creative program or a story to feature on this page? Please download the submission form and send the completed form with your video links, photos (with appropriate photo release forms) and any other details to DDSC19@dds.ca.gov.

Stephanie and Community Employment Links (CEL)

Stephanie is staying at home, but is continuing to receive day/employment services from CEL. CEL has continued to provide direct services, including helping Stephanie sew masks to help keep people safe from COVID-19.

Stephani

PathPoint

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) team at PathPoint developed a series of online cooking classes for the people they support. These videos show step-by-step instructions for making different meals while at home. Below are the videos:

PathPoint has created an entire series of remote learning including art, music, science and job skills on their website.

Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN)

Due to the Shelter-In-Place order, many of the 300+ children/adults FCSN serves on a daily basis are not able to maintain their pre-COVID-19 daily routines. So FCSN is providing remote services to promote learning, staying connected and remaining healthy both physically and mentally. In this video, you will see what FCSN is doing for their community.

Options for All

In addition to day services, employment, and independent living, Options for All offers an innovative Film & Media Program that’s adjusted how people work together since they can’t be together in person. Here is a video clip of how self-advocates can learn from each other through Zoom about film production, grahpic desing and more.

Avenues Supported Living Services

Avenues Supported Living Services is providing consumers innovative with creative supports during the pandemic. At quarterly zoom meetings, each consumer shares slides of what they are doing, since they are unable to meet face-to-face. This includes writing letters, painting, reading the newspaper online, being an essential worker at Target and much more. Check out their slides below.

La Familia

La Familia from East Bay Regional Center (RCEB) have been giving back by distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to more than 250 consumers and their families in multiple counties in the area. Check out the pictures and their Facebook Live video from the event.

State and Federal COVID-19 Updates

Executive Orders

For additional Press Releases, Executive Orders, Media Advisories and other updates, please visit the Governor’s Newsroom.

Training Resources for Staff in Residential & Other Settings

To support regional centers, as well as residential providers, this page is meant to serve as an easy access point to training resources to ensure that individuals continue receiving quality services and supports in their home settings. If you have feedback related to the content you would like to submit, you can email DDSC19@dds.ca.gov.

General Information about COVID-19 for Community-Based Care Providers

Prevention

Treatment and Management if Caring for Suspected or Confirmed Individuals

Information in ASL

Información en Español

COVID-19 Online Training by the World Health Organization (WHO)

The courses are free. Just register for an account on OpenWHO. The trainings are also available in multiple languages.

COVID-19 Toolkit for DSPs by the National Association of DSPs (NADSP)

Free videos, DSP webinars, and resources to help DSPs take care of themselves during the crisis.

Information and tools related to health and safety for self-advocates, direct support professionals, and vendors or providers.

Adult Residential Facilities for Persons with Specialized Health Needs (ARFPSHN)

Community Crisis Homes (CCH) & Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes (EBSH)

Family Home Agency (FHA)

Independent Living Skills (ILS) & Supported Living Services (SLS)

Health Passport

If someone you care for needs medical attention, you may be limited or unable to assist them if they require care in a hospital or treatment center. The Health Passport can be used to share important information with other health care professionals about the individual you serve and how to keep them safe. Below are examples of communication to doctors and hospitals adapted from various local and nationwide sources.

General Information

Respiratory Illness

Choking

Urinary Tract Infections

Diabetes

Seizures

Falls

Oral Health

Burns

Drownings

Association of Regional Center Agencies Learning Center

To access these learning modules, you may register to create a new account and login. You may also use login credentials from an existing Regional Center Learning Center account. Further instructions are provided here. VIDEO

Disclaimer

The training resources provided on this website are only intended to assist regional centers and vendors with the training of staff during the COVID-19 crisis.  Unless specified in a waiver or directive issued by the Director of the Department of Developmental Services and/or the Department of Public Health in response to COVID-19, the use of training resources on this website does not replace applicable law and regulations regarding staff training and competency, and does not otherwise guarantee staff competency.

The inclusion of external website links to training resources does not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation of material at the linked sites, their content or the services provided.  The Department of Developmental Services accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of external websites or external documents linked to on this website.

When you select a link to an external website, you are leaving the Department of Developmental Services’ domain and are subject to the privacy policies of the external website.

 


Last modified: September 30, 2020