Dear SEEK Family,

We bid you a wonderful start to the new year.

The COVID-19 vaccines currently available represent a real and tangible way for us to overcome the pandemic. The vaccines work to protect against severe symptoms associated with COVID-19. At the time of this writing, the known severe symptoms have played a key role in the loss of more than 400,000 Americans. We can start turning the page on this pandemic by protecting ourselves and helping each other.

The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) recently announced that family member(s) who are caretakers of Regional Center consumers are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the Phase1A. This qualification means that the parents and guardians can schedule and sign up for the vaccine now.

The LA County website for vaccine sign up is found below:

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/vaccine/hcwsignup/

The vaccine distribution is extremely fluid, with phases, websites, and locations continuously changing from ongoing announcements. The website will take you links to schedule and location, which will then direct you to the signup portal (they are different, depending on the vaccine provider).

The portal will ask a set of questions, including your eligibility for Phase1A. The caretaker(s) of consumers can identify as a Healthcare worker.

On the date of your appointment, please bring the following to the site:

1) Print a paper copy of the DDS letter. The link is: http://www.elarc.org/home/showpublisheddocument?id=14318
2) Print a paper copy of the consumer’s Individual Program Plan (IPP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
3) Identification
4) Copy of your appointment registration (usually through your email, but depending on the scheduling website)

You may have already received a notice from your regional center. If you have any questions, we direct you to contact your regional center service coordinator for assistance.

Our goal is to bring to your attention on taking steps to access an important protection against COVID-19. We are also actively working with the regional centers and DDS to advocate for early vaccine access for our clients and consumers, and please look forward to more updates as we receive guidance.

Please stay safe and healthy,

SEEK Education, Inc.