Mayacamas

Governor Proposes Multi-Year Goal for Closure of All Three Developmental Centers

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May 14, 2015:

The following information is provided via CDCAN (CA Disability-Senior Community Action Network):

BREAKING NEWS:
GOVERNOR PROPOSES MULTI-YEAR GOAL FOR CLOSURE OF ALL THREE DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS  
Target Date for Sonoma Developmental Center Closure 2018 With Closure of Fairview and Porterville Approximately 2021 – Closure Plan And Transition Will Be Based On Recommendations and Work of Developmental Centers Task Force; Includes Recognition of Need of Some Type of State Operated Facility or Crisis Center – Negotiations With Federal Government on Compliance Issues in Sonoma and Other DCs Will Continue Toward A Settlement

SACRAMENTO, CA [CDCAN LAST UPDATED 05/14/2015 – 10:10 AM] – In a stunning move, Governor Brown, in his budget revisions released this morning, includes a major proposal for a plan to close all three of the remaining state owned and operated developmental centers where currently 1,108 adults with developmental disabilities reside, based on the transition and process as recommended by the Developmental Centers Task Force last year.  The closure process would cover several years, with the focus first on Sonoma.

Under the Governor’s proposal, Sonoma Developmental Center in Eldridge, where 408 persons with developmental disabilities reside, would be targeted for closure by 2018, with the other two centers – Fairview Developmental Center in Pomona and Porterville Developmental Center near Bakersfield, slated for closure around 2021.

The Brown Administration made it clear that the closure process and transition would be different from the previous closures of developmental centers, including most recently the closures of Lanterman Developmental Center and Agnews Developmental Center, and be based on the new transition ideas as developed over a two year process by stakeholders who made up the Developmental Centers Task Force last year headed by California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Diana Dooley.

Those recommendations included looking at different ways the land, once closure of the facilities are completed, can be used and developed possibly for other uses by the Department of Developmental Services. The task force recommendations also recognize the need of some type of state operated facility or crisis center, which would be developed as part of the larger transition of closure of the developmental centers.

The Brown Administration said that negotiations with the federal government will continue on the compliance issues related to Sonoma Developmental Center and the other facilities with the goal of reaching an agreement, and continued support through the closure process.

While the Legislature will likely make adjustments and additions to the Governor’s closure plan, it appears all but certain both houses will approve it.

CDCAN will release a report later today with more details about this proposal and other proposals in the Governor’s budget revisions.

Provided courtesy of CDCAN website, by Marty Omoto.

Sonoma Developmental Center, Draft Resource Assessment

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May 4, 2015:

The SDC Draft Resource Assessment is here, providing a great compilation of a lot of data about the existing conditions on the SDC property!

The Resource Assessment was prepared based on a review of previous studies completed on the property, local and regional reports and monitoring efforts, GIS mapping and analysis, outreach and interviews with individuals familiar with SDC and its regional significance, and assessments of cultural resources, wildlife permeability, and habitat connectivity completed for SLT.  It summarizes the following:

  • existing natural resource conditions, prepared by Prunuske Chatham, Inc.
  • wildlife permeability and habitat connectivity, prepared by UC Berkeley
  • cultural and historical resources, prepared by Tom Origer & Associates
  • water resources, prepared by Sonoma County Water Agency
  • existing recreational resources, prepared by Sonoma County Regional Parks
  • preliminary results of a hazardous materials assessment for areas outside the Core Campus, prepared by ECON/West Yost
  • additional data and input provided by Sonoma Ecology Center

You can also view the Resource Assessment on the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District’s website here.

Transform SDC Project Workshop Flyer for May 2

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April 2, 2015:

Join us for the first community workshop to Transform SDC, the Project Introduction and Community Visioning Launching on May 2, 9am to 1pm at the Vintage House in Sonoma. As the State is pushing to close SDC and other developmental centers, we invite you to learn more about this unique community resource and help us chart a course away from closure and towards a transformed and revitalized Center.

Please RSVP by April 25th to Samantha at Samantha@sonomalandtrust.org or by phone at (707) 526-6930 ext. 123 so we can adequately prepare.

Hope to see you there!

Transform SDC Project Workshop – Flyer for May 2

The Main Building Against the Sonoma Mountain

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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.

Sonoma Developmental Center's Main Building

SDC Legislative Meeting: Pleas to Save the Center

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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.

Agreeing on a Vision for the Future of the Sonoma Developmental Center

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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.

Presentation on the Sonoma Developmental Center

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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.

Presentation on the Sonoma Developmental Center

Q & A on the Sonoma Developmental Center

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January 29, 2015:

Q: How long has the Sonoma Developmental Center been established in Eldridge, California?

A: Opening at its current location on November 24, 1891, the center has been established for 123 years now. The center has also existed at previous locations in Vallejo and Santa Clara since 1884.

Q: How many people live at the Sonoma Developmental Center?

A: As of December 31, 2014, four-hundred and seventeen individuals live at the Sonoma Developmental Center.

Q: What is at risk if the Sonoma Developmental Center were to close?

A: The loss of the SDC facilities and open space to development would have consequences affecting hundreds of patients and their families, over 1,000 employees, support services in the local community, critical habitat for fish and wildlife, and the potential for recreation and public access. 

Q: Are there plans for the Sonoma Developmental Center to close?

A: There has not been a stated plan to close the Sonoma Developmental Center, but there is no perfect solution for the future of the center as change is inevitable and understandably, the scope of the degree of change is very difficult for those directly affected. According to the California’s Department of Developmental Services website on the History of the Sonoma Developmental Center, ” (it) has always been and will always be committed to continuous improvement of its comprehensive array of therapeutic service.” Although the California Department of Health announced its notice to terminate federal funding for the center, DHCS along with DDS emphasized that patient care will not change as a result of the termination notice. 

Q: Are people allowed to access the property for recreational uses?

A: Individuals have frequented the property for decades now, whether it be for hiking, birding, or horse back riding. It is encouraged that one stays to the out skirts of the property though away from the buildings as the residents of SDC do reside and use the facilities.

Q: What are some special status species that reside on or near the Sonoma Developmental Center?

A: A few special status species that reside on or near the Sonoma Developmental Center are the Northern Spotted Owl, the Red-Legged Frog, the California Tiger Salamander, and the Western Pond Turtle. Pictures of most of these special status species are available to view in the Photos box of this blog.

Q: Where do I go to report a siting of a special status species on or near SDC, or report a safety hazard present on the property?

A: To report a siting of a special status species on or near SDC, go to the California Natural Diversity Database and fill out the form titled Submitting Data to CNDDB. With reporting a safety hazard present on the property, one can email the Department of Developmental Services Chief Deputy Director John Doyle at john.doyle@dds.ca.gov.

Q: When and where is the next public meeting for the ‘Transform SDC’ Project?

A: The next public meeting, the Parent Hospital Association Legislative Meeting, will be held on March 25th from 10am to 12pm at SDC in the Wagner Building. 

Q:Where can I go to retrieve more information on the efforts being put forth for the project?

A: The ‘Transform SDC’ Blog is made to be a one stop shop for all the information you may need to stay up to date on the efforts of the project. Other websites that may provide additional information and are part of the SDC Coalition are the Parent Hospital Association, the Sonoma Ecology Center, and the County of Sonoma website with connection to Supervisor Susan Gorin.

Q: How can I help with the ‘Transform SDC’ Project?

A: We will be establishing a Tags Committee where those who would like to be involved in the process can come and express their interests and ideas. There will also be public workshops held soon as part of the planning process for the project.

Spread the word and encourage people to follow our ‘Transform SDC’ blog to receive the latest information and be a part of this amazing project!