Summary of Stakeholder Meeting Held on Thursday, May 11, 2023

Santa Maria Facility Update:

VTC received funding from the City of Santa Maria’s Community Development Block Grant program to replace walkways and ramps and construct a weatherproof patio along Dick Wick's Way for individuals to use while waiting for transportation. Work on this project is tentatively scheduled to begin in the fall.

Legislative Update:

Our focus in Sacramento this year is advocating for long-term funding solutions for individuals with disabilities. Specifically, we are working with the Department of Developmental Services to create mechanisms to update rates. The current proposal would trigger rate updates whenever the minimum wage increases. We also want to include an inflationary trigger in this long-term funding solution.

Staffing Update:

VTC has added eight employees since the beginning of 2023. We are close to filling all our open positions but still have a few remaining. If you know of someone who might be interested in working at VTC, please encourage them to apply at: https://vtcsm.hiringthing.com/

Mask Update:

VTC no longer requires face masks for employees, volunteers, visitors, or persons served, regardless of vaccination status. Anyone may continue wearing masks if they choose to, but it is no longer required. VTC will continue with all other cleaning, sanitation, social distancing, and other Covid safety measures to provide for the safety of our employees and individuals. 

Fundraising Update:

We are once again participating in the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Queen contest. We still have a few fundraisers planned over the next several weeks. We have a Golf Tournament on Friday, May 19, starting at 9:00 AM at the Rancho Maria Golf Club. And our final Opportunity Drawing is on Monday, May 29, beginning at 4:00 PM at the Radisson Hotel. For more information and to order tickets, visit VTC Rodeo Queen. Saddle up, and we will see you there!

Services Updates:

Our CARF (The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) survey concluded on Wednesday, March 22. The surveyors were very impressed with VTC's services and recommended that we receive a three-year accreditation (the highest level possible) from the Commission. In addition, special commendations were received for our Performance Management and Improvement Systems, Accounting Systems, and Community Engagement Efforts. VTC has been successful re-accredited by CARF since we first petitioned for CARF accreditation in 1980.

Services Surveys: 

Please be sure to complete your services surveys at your annual meetings. We use the information received from these surveys to adjust and improve our services, and your responses are critical to the process. Thank you. 

 If you have questions about anything covered during this meeting, don't hesitate to get in touch with Jason Telander, CEO jtelander@vtc-sm.org (805) 695-2293, Lori Lee, Community Engagement Manager llee@vtc-sm.org (805) 722-1043, Crystal Smith, Lifelong Learning Manager QLS csmith@vtc-sm.org (805) 695-2706.