A publication from the Inland Regional Center Board of Trustees.
A Message from our President
  
For more than 18 months an idea of the Board blossomed into an ad hoc committee. From there, with the help of staff, many volunteers, various vendors and community members the idea of "Microenterprise" is now a reality. Last year's Harvest Festival was the testing ground for our first 5 consumers. This year we more than doubled that number. Now we are pleased to announce and invite you to the Inaugural Microenterprise Marketplace at IRC on February 3, 2016. IRC will be hosting 25 different booths with a variety of handmade items from budding businesses. Items will be for sale and cash will be the preferred method of payment.
 
As a reminder we will not have a Board of Trustees meeting during the month of December, but will return on January 11, 2016  beginning at 6 p.m. at the IRC Conference Building located at 1425 South Waterman Avenue, San Bernardino.  Everyone is welcome to attend. All Board meetings are viewable the next day via YouTube, and a link is available on our web site.
 
We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and enjoy your time with your families. Safe travels to you all as we give thanks for this year's harvest. 
 
Thank You

Marybeth Feild
IRC Board of Trustees President
 

A word from Our Executive Director

Consumer Totals: As of November 1, 2015, we have approximately 30,841 active cases which is a net increase from last month of 148 cases. We are obviously continuing to grow at a very fast pace.

STAFFING: We continue to interview and hire in an effort to fill vacant positions. Due to the budget situation we are refraining from hiring for any new positions. During the past month we hired four new employees and there were six separations.  We currently have a total of 634 employees at IRC. This includes 409 Consumer Service Coordinators (CSCs, ISCs, and DCPWs) and 12 Case Management Trainees (CMTs).

MEDICAID WAIVER: The most recent review of our Medicaid Waiver unit (11/1/15) reveals that we currently have 10,979 open cases. We were informed in an October 26, 2015 letter from the DDS Community Services Division that the State's expectation is that we should be adding 346 new cases by December 31, 2015, for an anticipated total of 11,325.  This is a very tall order but we are confident that we will be able to accomplish this goal. IRC also recently completed a Medicaid Waiver audit by the state for the purpose of assessing compliance with Federal regulations. The audit began on October 5 and concluded on October 16. The first week consisted of consumer record reviews, interviews with Quality Assurance, Clinical Team and Consumer Services Coordinators. The second week focused on making sure the process works for everyone, with field visits and consumer interviews. Although it will be some time before we receive a formal report of their findings, the verbal exit interview with the audit team leaders indicated that we did very well.

DIRECTOR OF ADULT SERVICES: We are very pleased to announce that Don Meza has been selected as the new Director of Adult Services. Don comes to the position with approximately 25 years of IRC experience. Most recently he served as Program Manager of the San Bernardino Upper Desert Transition Unit. Congratulations Don!
 
DIRECTOR OF INTAKE, EARLY START AND CLINICAL SERVICES:  We are very pleased to announce that Treva Webster has been reassigned from the position of Director of Community Services to the position of Director of Intake, Early Start and Clinical Services
 

Thank you, 
Lavinia Johnson
IRC Executive Director    
Microenterprise Update
Limited Edition t-shirts at the 2015 IRC Harvest Festival
 
Happy Holiday Season from the Microenterprise Committee.  We are in exciting times having just completed an extremely successfully Harvest Festival featuring consumer business persons selling their products and services.

This is our second year hosting the Microenterprise booths but it was the first year we had consumers selling directly to the public.  It was a huge success with both seeing artwork, jewelry, t-shirts, custom clocks, housewares, picture frames, stain glass art and computer services.  I was so proud to see our consumers actively engaged in promoting their businesses and conducting commerce. Again I find reason for confidence in our consumers that given the means they can accomplish anything.
  
Soon we will be selling our consumers owned business products in our coffee shop at the Inland Regional Center Conference Center.  Based on the reception at the Harvest Festival, I am confident in their continued success.
  
Next we are excited to announce our Microenterprise Marketplace at the IRC Conference Center for our consumers' businesses.  It will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Everyone is invited to attend and we would love you to help spread the word. For more information, please contact CJ Cook at  Ccook@inlandrc.org or by telephone, 909-382-4848.
  
Remember starting a Microenterprise is not only a career choice, it can be a lifestyle choice.  Live your dreams.
 


Thank you,
Keith Nelson
IRC Board of Trustees Vice President
Chair of Microenterprise Committee

Extra Extra Read All About It - Special Note from Keith Nelson:
  
Special Olympics Southern California and the Ontario Reign are proud to
announce Athlete Appreciation Night- sponsored by the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

On Wednesday, January 20, 2016 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Citizens Business Bank Arena, join the Southern California Special Olympics as the Ontario Reign take on the Manitoba Moose.  Other fun benefits will be Chuck-A-Puck, a player tunnel, Ice Flag and a game day raffle with all proceeds going to the Southern California Special Olympics - Inland
Empire region.

Click here for more information about this event and prices.

 
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