Lanterman E-bulletin: Yes, We're Open plus Coronavirus Updates, Giving Tuesday Now Donations Towards Food, COVID-19 Needs Assessment Survey and more

05.05.20 Lanterman Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Yes, we're open for business...so please contact us if you need assistance.

Dear Lanterman Community,

While we are beginning to hear of the Governor’s plan to slowly and thoughtfully re-open California, it will take some time to fully understand it and what it means to our Lanterman Community.

The plan has four stages, the first of which we are in right now – staying at home, unless an essential activity requires otherwise. The second stage, which the Governor says is still weeks away, includes opening lower risk businesses with certain limitations. We will learn more as the plan develops. The third stage includes re-opening higher risk businesses such as salons and gyms, where workers have closer contact with customers, and the fourth and final stage will be a complete lift of the stay-at-home order.

We look forward to working with the Lanterman Community as we begin to plan both the operations of the Regional Center, as well as the return to community-based services. While back in March the closure of the Center was done quickly, please note that the re-opening of the Center will be slower; the health of all our partners remains our first priority.

Until then, while the Center is closed to the public, we are open for business and all regional center staff have full access to their work phone and e-mail. In addition, management staff are also available at their regular work number and e-mail.

Service coordinators continue to reach out to clients and families, both to determine how we can assist during the State of Emergency, as well as to coordinate services and complete Individual Program Planning meetings. Other regional center staff are reaching out to service providers and our business partners as well. We continue to use technology to complete meetings, as well as Koch-Young Resource Center activities such as support group meetings and new family orientation.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Center if you need assistance. Our regular business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to calling someone directly, you can also reach Lanterman Regional Center at our main number – 213.383.1300. This number also serves as our after-hours number. Additionally, you can send an e-mail inquiry to kyrc@lanterman.org and the appropriate staff person will respond to your inquiry. And be sure to visit our Web site for information and resources at www.lanterman.org.

Most sincerely,

Melinda Sullivan
Executive Director

05.05.20 Actualización del Coronavirus (COVID-19) de Lanterman

Sí, estamos abiertos para los negocios...así que contáctenos si necesita ayuda.

Estimada Comunidad de Lanterman,

Si bien estamos comenzando a escuchar sobre el plan del Gobernador para reabrir California lenta y cuidadosamente, tomará algún tiempo entenderlo completamente y lo que significa para nuestra Comunidad Lanterman.

El plan tiene cuatro etapas, la primera de las cuales estamos en ahora – permanecer en casa, a menos que una actividad esencial requiera lo contrario. La segunda etapa, que el Gobernador dice que aún faltan semanas, incluye abrir negocios de bajo riesgo con ciertas limitaciones. Aprenderemos más a medida que se desarrolle el plan. La tercera etapa incluye la reabrir de negocios de mayor riesgo, como salones y gimnasios, donde los trabajadores tienen un contacto más cercano con los clientes, y la cuarta y última etapa será un levantamiento completo de la orden de quedarse en casa.

Esperamos con interés trabajar con la Comunidad de Lanterman a medida que comenzamos a planificar tanto las operaciones del Centro Regional así como el regreso a los servicios basados en la comunidad. Si bien en marzo el cierre del Centro se realizó rápidamente, tenga en cuenta que el reabrir del Centro será más lenta; la salud de todos nuestros socios sigue siendo nuestra primera prioridad.

Hasta entonces, mientras el Centro está cerrado al público, estamos abiertos para los negocios y todo el personal del centro regional tiene acceso completo a su teléfono y correo electrónico del trabajo. Además, el personal administrativo también está disponible en su número de trabajo regular y correo electrónico.

Los coordinadores de servicios continúan comunicándose con clientes y familias, tanto para determinar cómo podemos ayudar durante el estado de emergencia, así como coordinar servicios y completar reuniones de Planificación de Programas Individuales. Otro personal del centro regional se está comunicando con los proveedores de servicios y nuestros socios comerciales también. Continuamos utilizando la tecnología para completar reuniones, así como actividades del Centro de Recursos Koch-Young, como reuniones de grupos de apoyo y la orientación para nuevas familias.

No dude en ponerse en contacto con el Centro si necesita ayuda. Nuestro horario comercial habitual es de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. Además de llamar a alguien directamente, también puede comunicarse con el Centro Regional de Lanterman en nuestro número principal – 213.383.1300. Este número también sirve como nuestro número fuera de horario. Además, puede enviar una pregunta por correo electrónico a kyrc@lanterman.org y el empleado apropiado responderá a su correo. Y asegúrese de visitar nuestro sitio de Internet para obtener información y recursos en www.lanterman.org.

Sinceramente,

Melinda Sullivan
Directora Ejecutiva

On This #GivingTuesdayNow, Donate to Help Lanterman Families Experiencing Food Insecurity Due to COVID-19

Today, May 5, 2020 we come together as a global community...To give. To help. To thank. To heal.

So please, if you are able, consider giving on this #GivingTuesdayNow to help Lanterman families experiencing food insecurity due to COVID-19, so when they ask for help, we will have the funds to say YES: https://lanterman.org/donate

#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of generosity and unity, a day to come together and give back in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19, no matter who or where we are.

And thank you to everyone who has donated towards our food campaign so far. As of the end of last week, we have been able to provide food gift cards to 75 families and 60 adults living independently through your support.

Make a Donation on #GivingTuesdayNow

Lanterman COVID-19 Needs Assessment Survey

Lanterman COVID-19 Encuesta de Evaluación de Necesidades

We would like to gather information from our clients and families to learn how you are doing, and whether you have access to necessary services and support. We also want to make sure that you know you can contact us for information, resources and support. Please help us to better help you by responding to this brief survey.

Take the Survey in English

Nos gustaría recopilar información de nuestros clientes y familias para saber cómo le está yendo y si tiene acceso a los servicios y apoyo necesarios. También queremos asegurarnos de que sepa que puede contactarnos para obtener información, recursos y apoyo. Ayúdenos a ayudarlo mejor respondiendo a esta breve encuesta.

Tomar la Encuesta en Español

AbilityFirst Supports Clients Working on Front Lines

Excerpted from the Pasadena Outlook (Thursday, April 23, 2020 edition)

In recent weeks, grocery store employees have been working harder than ever to accommodate the increased demand triggered by “Safer at Home” policies to slow the spread of coronavirus.

One such employee, Rafael Vera, is a client with AbilityFirst who began his new job at Smart & Final the week the pandemic broke in California and local officials announced measures to encourage residents to stay at home.

Vera, 30, said he is proud to be working on the front lines as a sales clerk and happy to be helping the public during this trying time.

“We’re super busy, it’s hard to determine when exactly it will get very, very busy, but it’s always hectic on the weekends,” said Vera, who’s grown accustomed to wearing a mask and a double layer of gloves to work at the front-end of the store, restocking items and and cleaning carts and door handles.

Files

Information and Resources for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

To everyone, please beware of misinformation which may be shared, and be sure to turn to reliable and official sources of information.

Following are links to local, state and federal resources you should visit for reliable information about Coronavirus (COVID-19):

Stay in Touch with Lanterman

Find Lanterman’s Instagram Account

If you have an Instagram account, search for us @frankdlantermanrc and follow our page from your phone app.

You can also view our Instagram page on your computer.

Have you heard?

You now have another great way to keep up to date with what's going on at Lanterman - our Facebook page. Like and follow our page to find out about the latest trainings, meetings, events and other information related to Lanterman and our community. It's also a great way to find out what's going on in the general news with regards to developmental disabilities.

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Be the First to Know...Subscribe to Lanterman's E-mail Bulletins

It’s easy to subscribe to Lanterman’s e-mail bulletins. Simply visit lanterman.org and click on “Subscribe” to provide us with your e-mail address. You will automatically be signed up to receive e-mail bulletins about information related to Lanterman Regional Center’s general activities and events.

Board Welcomes Your Attendance At Its Meetings

PLEASE NOTE, THE MAY BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD ONLINE

Anyone in the community is welcome to attend Lanterman’s board of directors meeting. The monthly meeting is conducted on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. Meetings are held at Lanterman Regional Center. Contact Frank Lara in advance at 213.252.4902 or flara@lanterman.org so you can be placed on the list of attendees.

Learn more about Lanterman's Board of Directors