Good things are happening inside and outside of the regional center. We want to share those with you. We also want to hear from you. When you see, hear or participate in things happening in our communities, you can share stories and photos with us at info@rceb.org. Then keep an eye out for it to appear in a future edition or on RCEB’s social media feeds – Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).

During my time at RCEB, it has been my privilege to watch our regional center grow in the number of people and families we serve, in the volume, and types of services provided. I’m proud of the work RCEB staff have done to support and keep up with the many changes and challenges we have confronted over the years. We have weathered the pressures of unsustainable rates, shifting workforce challenges, unfunded regulations and directives and change after change in some of our service delivery. We have carried on together, united in the goal of ensuring that people with developmental disabilities have a good life.

Most recently, we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful for our service provider community that adapted to the rapidly changing environment, conditions, rules and regulations as we all worked to keep people healthy, safe and cared for during these very trying times.

Now, we are ready for the next chapter of our agency’s future as we boldly move forward embracing NEW – new leaders, new technology, new service delivery models. We will share those in more detail throughout this and future newsletters.

Speaking of new leaders, I’m proud to see new faces in leadership roles in our service provider and service delivery system. There are many of us who have worked in developmental services for our entire careers. I am personally pleased to have spent the past 30 years at RCEB both on the clinical team and in these past 7 years as your Executive Director. It is in this spirit of new beginnings that I shared with the Board this past spring my intent to retire from RCEB in February 2025.

Over the next few months, the Board will meet to carefully select the next person who will fill this position. Their recruiting efforts will be shared more during our Board meetings, and you can contact them directly if you have questions regarding the selection process.

I want to thank the Board, RCEB staff, persons served, families, and our incredible community for your support during my time here. It has been an honor and the experience of a lifetime. I look forward to seeing you all again in my role as a private citizen and grandmother.

On Saturday, June 22, the Governor and legislative leaders in the State Senate and Assembly announced a budget agreement that would provide a rate increase for regional center service providers to move forward. While this compromise allows the rate adjustment to occur in the upcoming fiscal year, it will not go into effect until January 1, 2025. This final installment of promised relief that came as a result of the 2019 rate study will help to ensure our service providers can continue serving people with developmental disabilities by retaining their incredible teams of direct support professionals. Details around the budget agreement are still forthcoming and we will continue to provide updates as they become available.

RCEB would like to thank our community for your advocacy to help make this goal a reality. Our regional center system could not have done this without the voices of our parents, families, people we serve, and service providers.

Being outdoors, and breathing in fresh air is one of Ronnie Kang’s favorite things. Native to the Bay Area, 18-year-old Ronnie is a kind and gentle, yet adventurous outdoorsman, who loves spending time in nature.

One of Ronnie’s favorite things to do is go fishing with his family, particularly with his father. They enjoy spending time together on the shoreline, bonding, and always have high hopes of catching a fish to bring home. He became aware that as a Regional Center client, he would be entitled to a free fishing license, to which he gladly took up the offer. He spent some time completing the application, worked with his RCEB Service Coordinator, Sean, and received his California fishing license in the mail shortly after.

Ronnie was really excited and was looking forward to going on many fishing adventures this summer.

This past spring, Ronnie went fishing and caught a huge trout at the Lafayette Reservoir. After coming back home with his prize of the day, Ronnie’s family spent the evening together and shared a homemade meal of the fish he caught.

Fishing gives Ronnie a fun recreational activity to do with family as well as providing a sense of accomplishment. This summer Ronnie has been fishing and practicing casting lures once a week.

Hats off to Ronnie’s accomplishments and dedication to the sport of fishing!

If you are interested in fishing, outdoor activities, and other social recreation opportunities, please contact your RCEB service coordinator.

CAMPS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

If you know about a camp or other recreational activities that your child or family member is interested in, please reach out to your case manager. They can help you make arrangements for registration, payment, and participation.

The Consumer Advisory Committee members represent the people receiving services from the Regional Center of the East Bay. Our members share information about what’s happening in our community, discuss laws and policies that affect our lives, and work to support each other in our community.

We invite you to attend our meetings to hear about what we’re working on and to provide us with your input on RCEB and the community. We’re always looking for new members and guests to join us.

The committee meets on the 2nd Monday of each month virtually, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming meeting!

If you would like more information about joining the CAC, please visit the CAC page.

Join the CAC

 

MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Did you know RCEB is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors? These board members from Alameda and Contra Costa Counties serve seven-year terms, attend regularly scheduled meetings, and participate in a variety of board committees. If you’re interested in seeing how the board works and attending one of the meetings, please visit the Board page of our website for more information.

Calendar of Events

 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

RCEB is a great place to work! If you’re interested in working with people with developmental disabilities or know someone who would be a great fit for an amazing team of people, please visit our Careers page to learn more about current opportunities. RCEB is an EOE.

View RCEB Career Opportunities

 

The Self Determination Program (SDP) provides individuals and their families with more freedom, control, and responsibility in choosing services and supports to help them meet objectives in their Individual Program Plan. For more information on how to get started, let your Case Manager know and sign up for an Orientation.

RCEB also hosts a Self Determination Local Advisory Committee that meets monthly to discuss the program, its policies and how our center can best support program participants. The Committee is made up of volunteer members who are appointed by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and RCEB. If you would like to join the committee, we are seeking self-advocates from Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. You can find more information about SDP and the SDLAC on RCEB’s Self Determination Program page.

If you look closely at recent email messages sent from RCEB staff, you’ll notice a difference in the signature box. In addition to finding the staff person’s name, title, and contact information, you will also find the name and contact information of their supervisor.

At RCEB, we are committed to prompt communication and response times for the people we serve and their families. If your case manager or another staff has not responded to you within 3 business days, please email oncallcasemanager@rceb.org.

We are excited to be providing you with another way to stay in touch with RCEB and look forward to popping into your inbox again this fall!

If you know someone who would benefit from this information, please have them sign up for our newsletter at www.rceb.org.