MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Between Inland Regional Center and Menifee Police Department Regarding the Deployment of Blue Envelope Program Materials and Training This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into by and between Inland Regional Center (IRC), located at 1365 South Waterman Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92408, and City of Menifee on behalf of
Menifee Police Department, located at 29714 Haun
Rd Menifee, CA 92586, collectively referred to as "the Parties," for the purpose of collaborating on the implementation of the Blue Envelope Program within the Riverside County region.
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this MOU is to establish mutual responsibilities related to the distribution, training, and use of Blue Envelope Program materials (hereafter "Blue Envelope swag"), which are intended to enhance communication and safety during interactions between fi
rst responders and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including
those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Note: Under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act in California, an Intellectual or Developmental Disability (I/DD) is defined as:
• Intellectual disability (formerly "mental retardation" IQ Below 70) • Cerebral palsy
• Epilepsy
• Autism
Deaf Plus refers to individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and also have one or more additional disabilities, such as an intellectual or developmental disability.
The Blue Envelope Coalition is composed of local law enforcement and public safety agencies that participated in the pilot project and contributed to the development of the Blue Envelope training curriculum and the "Emerging Best Practices." Coalition members include:
1. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
2. Fontana Police Department
3. Ontario Police Department
4. Chino Police Department
5. Menifee Police Department
6. San Bernardino County Fire Department – Office of the Fire Marshal
7. San Bernardino City Police Department
8. American Medical Response (AMR)
9. REACH Air Medical Services
10. Upland Police Department
II. BACKGROUND
The Blue Envelope Program was developed through a two-year collaboration between Inland Regional Center (IRC), the Autism Society Inland Empire (ASIE), and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (SBCSD). It is funded through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) under the Language Access and Cultural Competency (LACC) initiative. The program includes training for parents, clients, and caregivers, and the distribution of standardized materials such as blue envelopes, seatbelt covers, keychains, wristbands, lanyards, and vehicle decals to support individuals during law enforcement interactions.
The Blue Envelope Program is designed to enhance the experience of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities—such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (IQ below 70), cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or communication barriers— as well as their families. It promotes equitable access to information and services for multilingual, Deaf/Deaf Plus, non-verbal, monolingual, and culturally diverse communities, with a focus on ensuring safety during emergencies, law enforcement encounters, and crises. The program is intended to complement, not replace, an officer's professional judgment or established safety protocols.
III. RESPONSIBILITIES OF INLAND REGIONAL CENTER
IRC agrees to:
1. Provision of Materials
IRC will provide the Menifee Police Department with Blue Envelope Program– branded materials, including lanyards, car decals, bracelets, keychains, pins, and seatbelt covers, at no cost, as outlined in this MOU and subject to availability.
Note: The Blue Envelope itself is not included.
2. Translation Services
IRC will provide professional translation services to the Menifee Police Department at no cost, contingent upon the availability of LACC funding. a. Spanish will be provided at a minimum, with additional languages offered based on agency needs and community demographics.
3. Training and Education
Upon request, IRC will provide training to officers/staff on the Blue Envelope Program and IRC 101 for Law Enforcement Officers – Characteristics of Developmental Disabilities.
a. This training may also include emerging best practices; trauma-informed strategic communication for individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and epilepsy; current research findings; and person- centered response techniques.
4. Curriculum Updates
IRC will offer updated training curricula that reflect community feedback, current research, relevant case studies, and stakeholder input.
5. Logo Usage Authorization
IRC permits the use of its logo on Blue Envelope distributed marketing materials, provided the use complies with IRC branding guidelines. It is solely for program- related purposes under this agreement.
6. Scenario-Based Training Events
IRC, in collaboration with the ASIE, will host one to two large-scale, scenario-based Blue Envelope training events each year for parents, clients, and caregivers. The Menifee Police Department will be invited to participate as a key partner in these education and outreach efforts and will be recognized as a Blue Envelope Coalition partner in all related marketing materials, blogs, and press releases.
7. Community Awareness
IRC will maintain and promote public awareness of the Blue Envelope Program and Coalition through community outreach, social media campaigns, press releases, and blog publications.
IV. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MENIFEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Menifee Police Department agrees to:
1. Branding Requirements
All marketing materials, including flyers and any distributed Blue Envelope items, must feature the logos of IRC, ASIE, and DDS. These materials are to be used solely for the Blue Envelope Program. The Blue Envelope itself is not required to display these logos.
o The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is not a partner in the Blue Envelope Coalition, and the IRC and DDS logos are not permitted to appear in conjunction with their logo.
o All Blue Envelope "swag" must display only the official Blue Envelope logo.
No department logos or additional branding may be added, in alignment with the potential statewide model to prevent confusion.
2. Distribution Guidelines
Materials should be distributed only after an awareness conversation to individuals who may benefit from the program, including those with I/DD, individuals who are DHH, or those with other qualifying conditions.
3. Accessibility
Upon request, all training materials and public outreach under this MOU will be provided in accessible formats, including but not limited to American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, captioning, plain language, and translations, to ensure equitable access for all participants.
Note: IRC may provide interpretation if the individual is an IRC client and IRC receives at least 14 days' notice.
4. Community Education / Public Input Meetings
The Menifee Police Department agrees to invite IRC and ASIE to any public input meetings or trainings related to the Blue Envelope Program.
5. Training Requirements
All participating officers and office staff must complete the 15-minute Blue Envelope training provided by IRC, ASIE, or an approved Menifee Police Department designee before participating in public education or material distribution.
6. Curriculum Standards
Training must follow the Blue Envelope Coalition-approved curriculum and incorporate best practices developed with community stakeholders, as well as the lived experiences of those most impacted.
7. Privacy Protection
No personal identifying information may be collected from individuals receiving Blue Envelope materials.
8. Event Participation – ASIE/IRC
Partners are expected to participate in ASIE and IRC-hosted safety fairs within their catchment area and host an information booth to engage with the I/DD and DHH community.
V. DURATION
This MOU is effective upon signature by both parties and shall remain in effect for two (2) years from the date of signing. It may be renewed or amended upon mutual written agreement.
VI. TERMINATION
Either party may terminate this MOU with thirty (30) days' written notice. In the event of termination, any unused Blue Envelope materials shall be returned to IRC within ten (10) business days.
VII. GENERAL PROVISIONS
This MOU does not constitute a legal partnership or agency relationship between the Parties. Neither party shall have the authority to bind the other to any obligations outside of the scope of this agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have executed this MOU as of the date written below:
INLAND REGIONAL CENTER
Signature: ______________________
Name: Dr. CJ Cook, DBA, MBA
Title: Program Administrator
Date: ___________________________
City of Menifee on behalf of
Menifee Police Department
Signature: _____________________
Name: ________________________
Title: __________________________
Date: __________________________
[email protected]
909-382-4848 Desk
909-522-1243 On Call Cell
8-14-2025