Protecting the people

The Future of SDC

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April 6, 2015:

A flurry of articles pertaining to the Sonoma Developmental Center and the ‘Transform SDC’ Project workshop have immersed the Sonoma Valley media in the past weeks. All of which have encapsulated our desired outcomes from this event, as well as a variety of opinions pertaining to the importance of maintaining the Center.

Click on the link below for another outstanding article on the Sonoma Developmental Center.

Sonoma Developmental Center: A future in the balance

Provided courtesy of the Sonoma Valley Sun website, by Will Shonbrun.

Hope, Despite Developmental Centers Legislative Struggle

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April 2, 2015:

Capturing the legislative struggles developmental centers have and continue to deal with pertaining to the care of this fragile population, Jay Gamel’s article explains how data shortages are creating problems when attempting to analyze expense claims; heightening the State’s desire to close the Centers. Therefore, through the help of the Sonoma Developmental Center Coalition there is hope that the May 2nd workshop at the Vintage House in Sonoma will be a successful community starting point in charting a course away from closure at the Sonoma Developmental Center and towards a transformed and revitalized Center.

Legislative battles looming for Developmental Centers 

Provide courtesy of the Kenwood Press website, by Jay Gamel.

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

An Example, An Oasis of Care for the Disabled

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April 1, 2015:

The following poignant article speaks to the issues that have been described and demonstrated at numerous SDC meetings. Such topics as what would happen to this fragile population if services were not provided at Sonoma Developmental Center. By retaining the medical and dental clinic at SDC, the state is saving at least $4.7 million, which is what it cost to build the following Kentucky facility.

In Louisville, An Oasis of Care for the Disabled

Provided courtesy of The New York Times website, by Dan Barry.

Give Local Planning for the Future of SDC a Chance

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March 23, 2015:

The future of the Sonoma Developmental Center is being considered by state officials and legislator, where some seem to have made up their minds already. Through the LAO report, posted earlier here on the blog, as well as the introduction of a bill, SB 639, both are calling for the closure of the Sonoma Center as well as a similar facility in Costa Mesa with the reasoning in both cases being money.

The SDC Coalition is hoping to find a more sensible outcome, one that could promise cost savings for the state and preserve an important community service and critical corridor for wildlife. The coalition is inviting the community to participate in a planning workshop at the Vintage House in Sonoma on May 2nd.

Click on the link below to connect to this great editorial highlighting the efforts being made to preserve the Sonoma Developmental Center.

PD Editorial: Give local plan for Sonoma Developmental Center a chance

Provided courtesy of the Press Democrat website, PD Editorial.

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

A Sonoma County Coalition Committed to Preserving SDC

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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.

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.

SDC Legislative Meeting

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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.

SDC Legislative Meeting

Subcommittee No.1 on Health and Human Services Agenda

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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.