COVID Vaccine Information for the Inland Empire Autism Community

Direct Service Providers Currently Eligible for Vaccine

California’s regional centers serve people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Regional centers utilize contracted providers to care for their clients. The purpose of this letter is to clarify that these providers’ employees who provide direct care, in-home-support and other health and developmental services are “health care workers” pursuant to the State of California’s Vaccination Plan (https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/#When-can-I-getvaccinated), and thus are prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination within Phase 1A.

These contracted service providers include, but are not limited to:

• Intermediate care facilities for persons who need non-continuous nursing supervision and supportive care

• Other licensed adult residential facilities

• Congregate living health facilities

• Home health care and in-home supportive services

• Community health workers, including promotoras

• Supported living and independent living services providers

• Family home agencies and their subcontractors

• Other in-home service providers, including individuals such as respite workers, clinical staff, applied behavioral analysis providers, staff providing independent living skills training, and staff providing Early Start services

The eligibility of these employees can be ascertained by a letter from their employer, as defined above, verifying their employment as listed above.

Kid receiving vaccine

Family Members Eligible for Vaccine as of Jan 13, 2021

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.

Updated Vaccine Information as of Jan 13, 2021

LINKS TO THE UPDATED FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND LETTERS CLARIFYING COVID-19 VACCINATION ELIGIBILITY FOR PHASE 1A

Thank you to Marty Omoto and CDCAN for compiling the following information. These are the links to the UPDATED (as of January 13, 2021)

Frequently Asked Questions from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), and the three letters released this afternoon (January 13, 2021) clarifying COVID-19 vaccination eligibility for Phase 1A. People impacted should print out the letter that applies to them and give it to their health care provider or others dispensing the vaccines for them:

UPDATED JAN 13, 2021 – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON COVID-19 VACCINATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES – PDF Document (5 pages):

https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Vaccine_FAQ_01132021.pdf

NEW JAN 13, 2021 – FOR DIRECT SERVICE EMPLOYEES – Letter (“To Whom It May Concern” signed by Nancy Bargmann, director of the Department of Developmental Services) for health care providers and others dispensing the vaccines, clarifying that regional center direct service employees are “health care workers” under the State of California’s Vaccination Plan, and are prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination eligibility for Phase 1A – PDF Document (1 page): https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/COVID-19VaccinePhase1ALetter_DirectServiceEmployees_01132021.pdf

NEW JAN 13, 2021 – FOR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO PROVIDE SUPPORTS AND SERVICES – Letter (“To Whom It May Concern” signed by Nancy Bargmann, director of the Department of Developmental Services) to health care providers and others dispensing vaccines, clarifying that family members of certain people are “health care workers” under the State of California’s Vaccination Plan, and are prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination within Phase 1A – PDF Document (1 page): https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/COVID-19VaccinePhase1ALetter_FamilyMembers_01132021.pdf

NEW JAN 13, 2021 – FOR REGIONAL CENTER EMPLOYEES – Letter (“To Whom It May Concern” signed by Nancy Bargmann, director of the Department of Developmental Services) to health care providers and others dispensing vaccines, clarifying that employees of California’s regional centers serving people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, who conduct certain activities to ensure the welfare of those individuals, are “health care workers” under the State of California’s Vaccination Plan (https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/#When-can-I-get-vaccinated), and are prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination within Phase 1A – PDF Document (1 page):

https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/COVID-19VaccinePhase1ALetter_RCEmployees_01132021.pdf

Autism Society Options Policy

This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to autism in the Inland Empire in one place.

All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.