California: Future of the Developmental Centers Task Force
Fairview Family and Friends Newsletter * September 2013 * by Terry Debell
For the last several months, every Sacramento legislative hearing that involved the Department of Developmental Services was marked by the very strong call to “Close the Developmental Centers” (DCs). This call came from community activists, from lobbyists, from consumers, from service providers, and from some legislators. Outside of the committee hearings, rallies have been held calling for closure of the DCs. Several organizations representing community services are working to find a legislative sponsor to close the DCs.
Diana Dooley is the Secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency, which is responsible for the Department of Developmental Services and other Departments such as Rehabilitation, Aging, Social Services, Managed Health Care and others that are important to individuals with disabilities. Secretary Dooley has responded to the clamor to close the DCs by convening a Future of the Developmental Centers Task Force.
Surprisingly, the Task Force so far has not precisely discussed closing Developmental Centers. The agenda has been designed to focus instead on the current DC residents, what are their needs and those of others like them in the community who may or may not be receiving appropriate services; what services are available; what services need to be developed.
The Task Force report and recommendations will be submitted to the Legislature in November. You can follow the work of the Task Force at the Health and Human Services website.
