PARCA - Partners & Advocates for Remarkable Children & Adults

09/03/2026

FROM SUE DIGRE:

Dear Commissioners and Community Partners,
As California prepares for a new Governor and Administration, there is an important opportunity to help shape the state’s agenda for aging, disability, and long-term services and supports (LTSS).
A coordinated statewide effort is seeking input directly from older adults, people with disabilities, family caregivers, and community members about what is working, where barriers remain, and where state leadership can make a meaningful difference.
Please take a few minutes to complete the Individual Survey by Friday, September 4, 2026. Here is the link:
Individual Survey
Your perspective will help ensure that the experiences and priorities of San Mateo County residents are represented.
Please also feel free to share the survey with others in your networks who may wish to provide input, including older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, consumers, service providers, and community partners.
A Spanish-language version of the individual survey is also available: Spanish-language version of the individual survey
Thank you for helping elevate the voices of our community and the people we serve.
Sincerely,
Anna


Anna Sawamura MSW (she/her)
Health Services Manager 1
CoA Staff Liaison
San Mateo County Health
Aging and Disability Services
(650) 713-8610
[email protected]
Mailing Address:
PO Box 5892
San Mateo, CA 94402

Office Location:
2000 Alameda de las Pulgas Suite 200
San Mateo, CA 94403

Facebook: www.facebook.com/smchealth
Twitter:

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09/01/2026

FROM SUE DIGRE:


HDFC Releases Draft Regulations

The Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC) today announced the release of the first draft HDFC regulations for public feedback. The draft regulations propose a more coordinated approach to affordable housing funding, designed to make California’s affordable housing finance system simpler, faster, and more transparent.

“These draft regulations are a big step toward modernizing California’s outdated and confusing housing finance system,” said California Housing and Homelessness Secretary Tomiquia Moss. “We look forward to hearing from our partners during our first public feedback period to ensure our regulations create the most effective and efficient system possible for the state of California.”

At its August 12 meeting, HDFC presented a high-level overview of key proposed changes, including a single application, coordinated review process, aligned award timelines, and consistent standards across programs.

“These proposed regulations mark meaningful progress for partners across California,” said HDFC Executive Director Jonathan Klein. “We are building a system that streamlines access to funding, reduces administrative burden, and ultimately will deliver more homes sooner for our communities. It’s a faster, simpler, and more transparent process- one that will serve California well.”

Public Feedback Opens TODAY, August 31, 2026

• HDFC’s draft regulations will be available for public review and feedback from August 31 through September 11, 2026.
• Read Full Draft Regulations on the HDFC website

The public can participate in several ways:

• HDFC invites feedback through the Public Feedback Form to share proposed wording or draft regulatory language, which will allow HDFC to swiftly track feedback to a specific section of the Regulations.

• Mail written feedback to:
Housing Development and Finance Committee
651 Bannon Street, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95811
Attention: HDFC Regulations Public Feedback

Public input will help inform the next stage of the regulations and HDFC’s work to create a more coordinated affordable housing finance system that helps California deliver more affordable homes.

What are HDFC Draft Regulations?
These draft regulations implement the Governor’s Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 2025 (Chapter 28, Statutes of 2026) and AB 179 (Chapter 68, Statutes of 2026), which establish the Housing Development Finance Committee (HDFC) and its Executive Committee and sets the governing framework for their operations. The regulations also streamline and consolidate multiple programs that were previously offered through separate Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs).

Under HDFC’s coordinated award model, HDFC loans and grants may be paired with up to 50 percent of California’s Qualified Residential Rental Project (QRRP) Private Activity Bond allocation, set aside by the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC) and the corresponding 4% federal low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC). This model is designed to simplify the funding process and improve access to coordinated state resources through one application.

What’s Next?
This fall, HDFC will release a second draft of the regulations for the statutorily required 21-day public comment period and host a public hearing before the comment window closes. There will be opportunities to learn more about the regulations, including a webinar which will be held in September. Registration for the HDFC One Door application portal will open in November 2026. HDFC plans to open applications for its first funding round in early 2027.

Learn More or Get in Touch
Visit the Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC) webpage to learn more about HDFC, its Executive Committee, and next steps: https://www.hdfc.ca.gov/

Subscribe for updates here: Contact Us – Housing Development and Finance Committee

Questions? Email us at [email protected]



Copyright © 2026
hcd.ca.gov

The Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC) serves as California’s central body for the state’s multifamily affordable housing finance system. HDFC administers multifamily housing finance programs and coordinates funding resources across multiple state entities.

08/31/2026

FROM SUE DIGRE:

August 2026 Highlights: Building Community, Creating Connections

As August comes to a close, we are celebrating a month of connection, community, and impact. More than 100 individuals and family members attended our Coachella Valley Museum Day, over 600 participated in our Care & Connect Regional Safety Fair, and approximately 900 joined us at The Cove for a day of recreation, inclusion, and fun.

Safety remains a priority for our community. While we were disappointed that AB 308, legislation focused on improving safety training and crisis response for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, did not advance this session, we remain committed to working with community partners, first responders, and policymakers to improve safety and support for our families.

As the new school year begins, we wish students, families, educators, and support professionals a successful year filled with growth, learning, and opportunity. Thank you for being part of the Autism Society Inland Empire community and helping us build a more inclusive world for all.
Two Upcoming FREE Workshops on Regional Center Services

Unlocking Regional Center Services
In-Person - San Bernardino
Sept 18 @ 9:00 AM

Join us for a NEW & FREE in-person workshop designed to empower parents and caregivers. Gain practical tools, insider knowledge, and a clear action plan so you can confidently unlock the services your child deserves and champion their success every step of the way.




Unlocking Regional Center Services
In-Person - Big Bear
Sept 19 @ 9:00 AM

Join us for a NEW & FREE in-person workshop designed to empower parents and caregivers. Gain practical tools, insider knowledge, and a clear action plan so you can confidently unlock the services your child deserves and champion their success every step of the way.

08/28/2026

FROM SUE DIGRE:

https://serr.disabilityrightsca.org/?emci=e318e285-a7a1-f111-9b33-0022482a9f1d&emdi=13ad377d-49a2-f111-9b33-0022482a9bea&ceid=21161874

08/28/2026

FROM SUE DIGRE:

https://rula.disabilityrightsca.org/

08/27/2026

FROM SUE DIGRE:

As the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, including health care, life insurance, or money for school. As the survivor of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compens...

08/25/2026

FFOM SUE DIGRE:

08/25/2026

FROM SUE DIGRE:

08/25/2026

FROM SUE DIGRE:

08/24/2026

FROM SUE DIGRE:

Hi Everyone,
I wanted to share with you all some resources that came up in our conversation during our group last night.
Fellow member Juliet shared her recent experience participating in CarePro, a free online workshop offered by Arizona State University for caregivers of people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities (DS-ID) who are experiencing memory changes. For more information, please visit the CarePro website and see the attached flyer. Thank you, Juliet, for sharing your positive experience and insights from participating in this valuable workshop. Juliet learned of this workshop through her membership at DS-Connect
In addition, the topic of brain donation was discussed. Kim shared her family’s positive experience with UCI MIND and the Down Syndrome Core following the passing of her sister, Jill, last year. The Down Syndrome Core is part of the Alzheimer’s Biomarker Consortium–Down Syndrome (ABC-DS), which works to advance research and understanding of Alzheimer’s disease in individuals with Down syndrome.
For more information, please visit ABC-DS. I have also attached their informational flyers, which include contact information for Sierra Wright, the Brain Donation Coordinator.
As a reminder, there is a wonderful podcast, Aging with Down Syndrome, that covers a variety of important and informative topics. Their most recent episode discussed brain donation and shared a moderator’s personal experience with the process.
If you are considering brain donation as an option for your loved one, I highly recommend listening to this episode. It provides a personal perspective that may be helpful as you learn more and consider whether this is the right choice for your family.
Take care and hope to "see" you next month, in the meantime please reach out if you have any questions or concerns that I might be able to help with.
Warmly,

Marianne Iversen
Director of Aging Support
Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area
101- J Town & Country Dr.
Danville, CA 94526
(925)362-8660 x 103
www.dscba.org
facebook.com/dscba