Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Information & Resources
Information & Updates
for the WRC Community
COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Helpline
Do you or a family member require assistance in scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine appointment? Contact our “COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Helpline” at (213) 459-3435 or via email at Covid-Vaccinations@WestsideRC.org. Please make sure to provide us with your name, phone number, and the best time to reach you. Our staff speaks English and Spanish for your convenience.
Memos from Executive Staff at WRC
Every week there are new updates from the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) that the regional center uses as guidelines on how to run the agency and how to keep the public safe. Please view the table below to read any updates or changes to how we run our agency.
- 3/12/2020
Memo to Everyone - 3/14/2020
Memo to Everyone - 3/17/2020
Memo to Everyone - 3/30/2020
Memo to Service Providers - 5/4/2020
Memo to Everyone - 1/14/2021
Memo to Everyone - 3/10/2021
Memo to Individuals and Family Members
- 3/12/2020
Memo to Service Providers - 3/16/2020
Memo to Everyone - 3/20/2020
Memo to Everyone - 4/15/2020
Memo to Everyone - 6/1/2020
Memo to Everyone - 2/3/2021
Memo to Everyone - 4/6/2021
Memo to Everyone
- 3/13/2020
Memo to Everyone - 3/17/2020
Memo to Everyone - 3/30/2020
Memo to Everyone - 4/30/2020
Memo to Service Providers - 1/11/2021
Memo to WRC Staff and Service Providers - 2/12/2021
Memo to Everyone - 3/10/2021
Memo to Individuals and Family Members
Disability Thrive Initiative
Established in 2020, the Disability Thrive Initiative provides statewide training, support, and resources on how to deliver and access alternative services for Californians with developmental disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Initiative will develop and share resources to help the disability community navigate the challenges of the current public health crisis. Through free webinars, peer-to-peer consultations and trainings, and a resource library, the Initiative will provide innovative, real-world examples of how to safely address the needs of individuals with IDD. Together, we can thrive!
Website: scdd.ca.gov/iddthrive
Email: info@disabilitythriveinitiative.org
Phone: 916-238-8811
COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination Information
in the Community
Symptoms of COVID-19
People who have COVID-19 and do have symptoms have reported a range of illness from mild symptoms to severe illness which may require admission to the hospital or even lead to death. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and may include:
- Fever (100.4)
- Cough
- Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Congestion or runny nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- New loss of taste or smell
COVID-19 TESTING
Finding a testing site
Free, confidential COVID-19 testing is available to every Californian that needs it.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE COVID-19 VACCINE
Authorized and Recommended Vaccines
Currently, three vaccines are authorized and recommended in the United States to prevent COVID-19. Click on the links below to learn more about each type of vaccine.
INFORMATION SHEETS
Pfizer Vaccine FAQ for Recipients (English, Spanish)
Moderna Vaccine FAQ for Recipients (English, Spanish)
Janssen Vaccine FAQ for Recipients (English, Spanish)
Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (English, Spanish)
After You Get the Vaccine (English, Spanish)
After you are fully vaccinated (English, Spanish)
Vaccine Misinformation (English, Spanish)
Vaccination Day for People with Disabilities – Tips for Family Advocates (English, Spanish)
Vaccination Day for People with Disabilities – Tips for Medical Staff (English, Spanish)
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE?
Every Californian can sign up at myturn.ca.gov or call (833) 422-4255 to see if it’s their turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re not currently eligible or if there are no open appointments, you can sign up to be notified when it’s your turn.
You are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine if you are 12 years of age or older.
COVID-19 vaccines are free regardless of insurance or immigration status. You will not be asked about your immigration status when you get a COVID vaccine.
HOW TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Find a walk-in clinic. Hundreds of COVID-19 vaccine clinics now accept walk-ins. And the list is growing every day. Or book an appointment online. There are thousands of My Turn clinics. Simply answer a few quick questions, choose your location, then select a date & time.
BY PHONE
- DPH Vaccine Call Center: Call 833-540-0473 between 8:00 am and 8:30 pm, seven days a week for assistance with making an appointment, transportation to a vaccination site, are homebound and need to get vaccinated at home.
- Disability Community Resource Center: Call Jay Aquino at 310-390-3611 or email Jay@dcrc.co to sign up for shots available to people eligible in the current phase the week of March 8th or the new phase available to people with disabilities launching March 15th.
ONLINE
Use the following websites to schedule your appointment:
For additional help, please read the document below:
Mobile Outreach for Vaccine Equity (MOVE) program
The Mayor’s Office is working alongside City Council districts and trusted community organizations to help Angelenos in communities hard-hit by COVID-19 access vaccinations, secure transportation, and develop trust and confidence in the vaccine.
Mobile vaccination sites are currently available in the City Council Districts listed below. If you are eligible, you can contact your local Council Office to learn more about how to get vaccinated at a local mobile site.
Please call your district office for more information. To find out which Council District you live in, go to EmpowerLA.org/Council-Districts-Map and enter your address.
Website: corona-virus.la/MobileVax
TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE
Access Los Angeles, (626) 532-1616 Option 2
Access riders can book next-day trips to COVID-19 vaccination appointments to the following drive-thru vaccination sites:
- California State University, Los Angeles
- Pomona Fairplex
- The Forum
- Magic Mountain
- Los Angeles County Office of Education
- California State University, Northridge
- Dodger Stadium
- Long Beach Convention Center
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE
Disability Rights California Can Help You If You Are Having:
- Issues getting information from another organization’s website due to accessibility.
- Issues at vaccine site locations due to accessibility.
- Issues calling into phone lines about the vaccine due to accessibility.
They can talk to you about your questions, determine how we can help, and get you the information that you need. For assistance, please contact the Disability Rights California confidential intake line at 1-800-776-5746, or TTY: 1-800-719-5798, available 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
HELPFUL WEBSITES
- The Center
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- The COVID Racial Data Trackerexternal icon
- COVID-19 Health Equity Interactive Dashboardexternal icon
- Greater Than COVID
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-RIM)
- Vaccinate All 58
- Welcoming America
EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS
COVID-19 Educational Resources
in the Community
The following are websites, publications, and videos that offer information for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as their family members and caregivers.
The Arc
The Arc has made COVID-19 resources for disability advocates.
Autism Little Learners
For additional short stories, please click here
- Coronavirus Test (story)
- Getting A Haircut During COVID (story)
- Schools Staying Closed (story)
- What Is Social Distancing (story)
- When Can I Stop Wearing A Mask (story)
- Why Does My Doctor Look Different? (story)
- Why Does My Therapist Look Different? (show)
Autism Society
- COVID-19 TOOLKIT – The autism community faces extraordinary challenges during the COVID-19 crisis. They are proud to launch a comprehensive toolkit on their website, which provides COVID-19 information and resources by topic, including Mental Health & Respite, Modifying Routines, Lifestyle Supports, and much more.
California Parent & Youth Helpline
Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Disability Rights California
Easterseals
Green Mountain Self-Advocates
- Plain Language Information By and For People with Disabilities
- Información de COVID-19 por y para Personas con Discapacidades
The Learning Community for Person-Centered Practices
Resources provided in this section were shared by individuals for public use
Listos California
- COVID-19 Tips for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- COVID-19 Tips for Caregivers of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Health Profile Form for People with Disabilities
National Down Syndrome Society
- COVID-19 Resources for Caregivers
- View upcoming and past NDSS COVID-19 webinars here.
North Star Services
OCALI
State Council on Developmental Disabilities
For additional resources and in several languages, click here to visit their website.
- 10 Tips to Support Someone During Times of Change, 10 Consejos para Apoyar a Alguien en Tiempos de Cambio
- Create a COVID-19 Health Passport
- Fighting Isolation Among People with Disabilities (ENGLISH) (SPANISH)
- How to Stay Healthy from COVID-19, Cómo Mantenerse Saludable de COVID-19
- Safety Tip Videos from Self-Advocates – Video Series:
- Top Questions from Family Advocates, Preguntas Frecuentes que SCDD recibió de Padres y Miembros de Familia
- Top Questions from Self-Advocates, Preguntas Frecuentes que SCDD recibió de Personas con Discapacidades
- Virtual Meetings: Getting Started, Reunión Virtuales: Empensando
- Virtual Meeting Tips, Reunión Virtuales Consejos