March 21,2015:
Constructed in 1908, the brick building seen through the brush against the Sonoma Mountain served as the Main Administration Building from 1908 to 1957. It was then used as the Professional Education Center from 1957 to 1980. It was finally placed on the National Register of Historical Places by the Glen Ellen Historical Society on August 25th, 2001.
Photo courtesy of Paolo Vescia Photography.
March 16, 2015:
Distributed at the start of the SDC Legislative Meeting on Saturday was the following flyer attached below. This handout, created courtesy of the Parent Hospital Association, provides a brief overview of a few of the SDC Coalition’s key partners. As described in the flyer, these partners have pledged their support in ensuring the Coalition’s vision of preserving critical health services, protecting the environmental resources, and opening the land to the public is achieved.
A Sonoma County Coalition Is Committing Its Resources to Preserving Sonoma Developmental Center
Provided courtesy of the Parent Hospital Association via the SDC Legislative Meeting.
March 16, 2015:
As the Parent Hospital Association (PHA’s) annual legislative meeting convened last Saturday, the overwhelming message to save the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) from closure was heard from a patient crowd lined up all the way out the back door of Wagner Hall on the SDC Campus. Some speakers have loved ones who are clients at SDC, some spent their career caring for the developmentally disabled at the site, and some were just concerned citizens. With an audience of more than 200 people, as well as elected officials and representatives from Sonoma County and state, the support for saving the Sonoma Developmental Center was heard loud and clear. State Senator Mike McGuire, Assemblyman Bill Dodd, Supervisor Susan Gorin and representatives from Congressman Thompson, State Senator Lois Wolk and Assemblyman Mark Levine all expressed their support for creating working partnerships for a successful outcome, as well a unified message that the focus should be on those who still call SDC their home.
As many expressed, one of numerous concerns was that SDC could be the last resort for the type of care needed for those with severe physical or mental health challenges. Therefore, the importance that SDC remain open is critical, although many know that “change is on its way.”
It was also announced that the first ‘Transform SDC’ Project workshop is now set for May 2nd at the Vintage House in Sonoma from 9am to 12pm. Additional information will be provided in the following weeks to come.
For further information on how the SDC Legislative Meeting progressed please follow the link below.
Passionate Pleas to Save Sonoma Developmental Center
Provided courtesy of the Press Democrat website, by Robert Digitale.
March 14, 2015:
John McCaull, pictured here is just one of the many speakers that day presenting to an audience of more than 200 people, as well as elected officials and representatives from Sonoma County and state, where the support for saving the Sonoma Developmental Center was heard loud and clear.
Photo courtesy of Sonoma Land Trust.
March 5, 2015:
In lieu of the budget hearings yesterday at the State Capitol, attached is the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No.1 on Health and Human Services Agenda. This document outlines the program and budget review, state developmental centers, rates and wages for regional centers, and other community services issues. As there were additional issues raised by advocates, budget funding is still uncertain for controversial projects such as “Transform SDC”; therefore, the staff recommendations are to hold the issues open until the next budget hearing.
Click on the link below to view the agenda.
Subcommittee No.1 on Health and Human Services Agenda
Provided courtesy of California State Assembly.
February 26, 2015:
With the release of the LAO Report recently, concerns for the Sonoma Developmental Center have only increased with the addition of Sonoma County and the Sonoma County Legislative Delegation Response attached below. Advocating for continuing services at the Sonoma Developmental Center, the SDC Coalition looks forward to working with the state and federal governments to ensure that residents continue to receive the best care possible.
Sonoma County and the Sonoma County Legislative Delegation Respond to the LAO’s Report on SDC
Provided courtesy of the California Legislature.
February 26, 2015:
The Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) has proposed closing SDC and Fairview via their budget analysis on Health and Human Services released earlier this month. The specific recommendations from LAO pertaining to the developmental centers are provided on page 37 of their report attached below.
The 2015-16 Budget: Analysis of the Human Services Budget
Provided courtesy of Legislative Analyst’s Office website.
February 26, 2015:
As the Sonoma Developmental Center, along with other developmental center facilities maintain an essential role in caring for the hardest-to-treat cases, providing a large amount of employment for the area, as Kathleen Miller, President of the Parent Hospital Association in Sonoma puts it,
Click the link below to read the rest of this article.
Legislative analyst office: Close Sonoma Developmental Center within a decade
Provided courtesy of the Press Democrat website, by Derek Moore.
February 5, 2015:
The following article displays the support Susan Gorin, representing the 1st District on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has for the ‘Transform SDC’ Project.
Click the link below to view this article on the efforts being put forth and the future goals the SDC Coalition has going forward.
Closer to Home: Agreeing on a vision for the Future of Sonoma Developmental Center
Provided courtesy of the Press Democrat website, by Susan Gorin, 1st District Supervisor of Sonoma County.
February 5, 2015:
Through this PowerPoint presentation from the Board of Supervisors last May, the following topics and concerns are discussed: the history of SDC, the unity of the community, current services, natural land benefits, outdoor recreational assets, the task force on the future of DCs, the community stakeholders, putting a face to SDC, and the County’s priorities.
Transform SDC 