California State Council on Developmental Disabilities

SCDD has been involved with advocacy statewide to increase access to appropriate oral health for people with developmental disabilities on Medi-Cal. Two years ago, the Department of Health Care Services created a new billing code, D9920, to reimburse dentists for some of the extra time it might take to treat individuals with developmental disabilities. This code has now been used to treat 101,000 children and adults in 2 years. Thank you to the many dental providers who have ...stepped up to provide treatment to those with special needs who might have required a little extra time, creativity, and patience in their dental clinics. And thank you to all the oral health collaboratives, advocates, self-advocates, family members, and agencies who continue to advocate for improved oral health access. There are still MANY oral health access challenges we continue to advocate to overcome. Let's take a moment to celebrate a small win! See more

This holiday season looks and feels different than any other year, and we understand how hard it can be for many of us. As a community, let's keep up this fight against COVID-19 by keeping good habits: Wearing masks, washing hands, and staying six feet apart. You can still find the COVID-19 resources in plain language at scdd.ca.gov. More information about staying safe during this holiday season is available at https://conta.cc/2KtObU3.

A California first!

Way to go SAC6’ers!! You guys have ROCKED is again!

And it’s a wrap! Last PPE Distribution today for December 2020 in Tracy! Thank you Kendall Center- Therapeutic Pathways in Tracy for hosting us!! Happy staff, students, parents/families and service providers were able to drive thru and walk thru to get PPE! The collaboration between VMRC, SAC6 and SCDD has been busy.... this was our 25th PPE event in our 5 counties! SHOUT OUT- Tony Anderson, Doug Bonnet, EJ Edmerson, Christine Couch, Olivia Held and Gabriela Lopez from VMRC have been a part of our PPE team since the beginning! Team Work with SAC6 and SCDD North Valley Hills has helped folks stay safe!

Way to go Self Advocacy Council 6 (SAC6) 26th Friday Zoom CHATS SCDD North Valley Hills is a proud supporter of the SAC6

Disability Benefits 101 is a great resource for understanding what benefits are available to people with disabilities as well as how work and benefits work together.

Once again, Wrightslaw has put together excellent advice for parents navigating special education during the pandemic. Here are tips for tracking your child's progress.

Pj Swan from the Let’s Work! CA initiative (sponsored by the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities and spearheaded by CA Transition Alliance) h...elps youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) transition from school to Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) work with self-advocacy and storytelling. Catch PJ TONIGHT on the NDEAM show at 7 pm ET AND 7 pm PT. Watch one - watch it again! You will love it! Lead On PJ -- #LetsWorkCA #NDEAM #ADALeadOn See more

Great job to Walton Special Center- Stockton Unified School District- Truck and Treat drive through event today! SCDD North Valley Hills was thrilled to collaborate with Family Resource Network( thank you Lisa, Nicki and Brandon) to provide PPE to students, parents, teachers and staff! Over 150 packets were given out!! People could even get a flu shot! The Trunks were decorated to put a smile on everyone’s faces!!

The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) is a powerful voice for neurodiverse people. Their publication, Impact, amplifies the voices of people with all types of disabilities. This issue focuses on self-advocacy offering historical perspectives, personal stories and a vision for the future of self-advocacy.

Speak UP conducted a survey of special education families served by LA Unified School District to ascertain how virtual learning has impacted them and their children. Though this focuses on one district, you may find their recommendations useful to share with your own school districts.

Celebrate work stories! A panel of transition aged youth & adults with developmental disabilities, parents, and job coaches from several supported employment agencies share about their experiences working before and during COVID-19. What supports did they receive that helped them prepare for and get a job, what challenges did they face, what have they learned on the job, how was their job affected during Covid, what new jobs have they found since Covid? What advice do they have for others seeking employment? Register to join this event Tuesday, October 27th from 10-11:30am. We especially encourage self-advocates and family advocates to join us.

Cal State Northridge is conducting a survey of caregivers with children who have extensive support needs and are engaged in distance learning. The purpose of this survey is to gain an understanding of the unique needs and desires of parents of children with extensive support needs during distance learning in the time of COVID-19. With the looming possibility of extended periods of distance learning, it is essential that the educators, school administrators, and those involved in teacher preparation understand parent needs and desires for the facilitation of successful distance learning. This information will help develop professional development for teachers, and prepare future teachers to design accessible distance learning opportunities for families and students with extensive support needs.

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Robert Levy of the UC Davis MIND Institute shares what he enjoys about his job and tips for job seekers. Finding jobs during the current public health crisis can be difficult, but we are encouraged by the positive outcomes we hear from self-advocates who never give up! If you've found any good resources for people with disabilities who are searching for a job opportunity, please share by commenting on this video. We've found some excellent resources from the Campaign for Disability Employment's website at https://www.whatcanyoudocampaign.org/. You can find in-depth information and a blog which features a wide range of perspectives from leaders on disability and employment issues. #NDEAM2020 #WorkItCA #NDEAM

The California Department of Rehabilitation is a great resource for people with disabilities who are interested in learning about how to get employment with the State of California through the Limited Examination and Appointment Period (LEAP). Check out the playlist of 4 videos from the DOR on LEAP. Do you think that LEAP is something that might help you? Share your thoughts with us. #NDEAM2020 #WorkItCA https://bit.ly/3kcHT7S

In the newest Voting Basics video that we've created with San Jose Public Library, we discuss how to understand what is on the ballot. If you've had questions like, "Where can I find what's on the ballot?" or "Do I have to vote for each item on the ballot?" watch this video to get all the answers. P.S. Do not forget to register to vote if you have not yet. Today (10/19) is the deadline to register if you wish to be eligible for this year's election.

Tonight, SCDD is proud to announce the premier of its documentary Let’s Work! SCDD is the executive producers of stories to inspire people with IDD, families, and employers