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 19, 2015:
The following is a rather interesting article about the impact of “low-impact” activities such as hiking on wildlife. There were contributions made to the article by the editor at Outside magazine, who has quite the experience writing about the outdoors and environment.
Check this link out if you enjoy a great educational read.
Leaving Only Footsteps? Think Again
Provided courtesy of The New York Times website, by Christopher Solomon.
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.
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.
January 20, 2015:
The Department of General Services (DGS) Real Estate Services Asset Enhancement Section
The following describes the step-by-step process of how State-owned land is determined to be surplus and then dispensed:
By looking up SDC on the Statewide Property Inventory, it can be determined that the agency controlling the Center is the Department of Developmental Services, a division of Health and Human Services that deals with people living with developmental disabilities. They would be the ones letting DGS know each year how “utilized” the property is.
Private individuals may contact the controlling agencies to see if any property may one day be listed as “excess.”
Governing Law: Government Code Sections 54220-54232.
Announcement courtesy of Bob McKinnon, Assistant Chief.
January 13, 2015:
Governor Proposes Continued Funding for SDC in 2015-2016 State Budget to Cover Program Improvements
On January 9th, Governor Brown released his Draft 2015-2016 State Budget. In a published Budget Summary, the following information is provided about what we can expect for funding allocations for developmental centers in general, and for SDC in particular:
Department of Developmental Services
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) provides consumers with developmental disabilities a variety of services and supports that allow them to live and work independently or in supported environments. California is the only state providing developmental services as an individual entitlement. DDS serves approximately 288,000 individuals with developmental disabilities in the community and 1,100 individuals in state‑operated developmental centers (DCs). For 2015‑16, the Budget includes $5.7 billion ($3.3 billion General Fund) for support of the Department.
Certification Issues
For more detailed information, see the January 2015 Department of Developmental Services Governor’s Budget Highlights.
January 13, 2015:
The Eldridge Press is generated by the Sonoma Developmental Center, whose audience includes clients and their families, service providers, and other stakeholders.
Click the link below to enjoy the most current issue of the Eldridge Press.
Eldridge Press Issue: January 2015
Provided courtesy of the Department of Developmental Services website, by Karen Faria.
January 1, 2015:
A coalition of organizations urges your support for the Sonoma Developmental Center. As the Sonoma Developmental Center is at the heart of Sonoma Valley and the core of the valley’s wildlife corridor, a lot is at risk.
Transform SDC 