WELLNESS PROJECT: Davis Grants $1 Million To Programs
Gov. Gray Davis (D) yesterday awarded 14 health care centers a total of $1 million in grants for special projects that "improve health care services for thousands of Californians with developmental disabilities," Davis said. The funding is provided for projects that target aging, health education, medication, mental health and substance abuse, and use advanced health care technologies such as telemedicine, electronic communications and digital imagery. The 14 projects are part of the state Wellness Initiative, a plan that aims to promote partnerships between professionals and to develop local resources to improve health services and outcomes. Programs receiving funding include:
- Center Valley Regional Center, Fresno: The "Development of a Healthy Lifestyle" project received $98,000 to implement a comprehensive, monitored fitness program for Central Valley residents with developmental disabilities.
- Far Northern Regional Center, Redding: The "Telemedicine Access Project" received $95,460 to expand specialty care and mental health services to Northern Californians with developmental disabilities through telemedicine.
- Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center, Los Angeles: The "RN Train the Trainer (Head to Toe Assessment)" project received $80,000 to provide a course for RNs from 21 regional centers to teach caregivers how to use health assessment tools.
- Inland Regional Center, San Bernardino: "Training Psychiatrists in Mental Health Care for Persons with Developmental Disabilities" received $24,222 to educate and train psychiatrists to treat individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health needs.
- Kern Regional Center, Bakersfield: The "Telemedicine with Native Americans and Others in Inyo and Mono Counties" project received $69,095 to establish a telemedicine clinic and provide continuous delivery of clinical services to persons with developmental disabilities.
- North Bay Regional Center, Napa: The "Family Support" project received $89,167 to help parents with developmental disabilities and their children who are at risk of being referred to Child Protective Services.
- Redwood Coast Regional Center, Eureka: The "Family Maintenance, Support, Intervention, and Reunification" project received $71,191 to develop best practice guidelines for resources and support for parents with developmental disabilities.
- Regional Center of the East Bay, Oakland: The "Health Education and Support for Adults Living Independently" project received $53,353 for a health education and support group model for East Bay adults with developmental disabilities who have chronic health conditions.
- Regional Center of Orange County, Orange: "Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer's disease in Down Syndrome: A Telemedicine Feasibility Model" received $100,000 to determine the feasibility and efficacy of early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease in Down syndrome by comparing two telemedicine clinics with a "classical, 'hands on' university clinic."
- San Andreas Regional Center, Campbell: The "Medication/Pharmacy Review" project received $18,268 to promote specialized excellence in the area of medication and pharmacy review.
- San Diego Regional Center, San Diego: "A Step In" project received $25,300 to enhance and increase the delivery of appropriate treatment and recovery options to persons with developmental disabilities with substance abuse problems.
- San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center, Pomona: "Photographic Screening Tool for Developmental Delay" received $52,085 to develop and implement a digital photographic screening protocol to assist in the early diagnosis and management of genetic syndromes related to developmental delay.
- Tri-Counties Regional Center, Santa Barbara: The "Train the Trainer Courses on Aging with a Developmental Disability" project received $37,349 to provide clinical assessment training to Tri-Counties Regional Center staff and other local aging and developmental disability agencies to develop expertise.
- Valley Mountain Regional Center, Stockton: "The Northern California Autism Collaborative" project received $186,510 to promote clinical excellence in the delivery of interdisciplinary clinical services for autistic children.