SDC appeals funding loss

Faced with a loss of $2.5 million per month in federal funding for the Sonoma Developmental Center, state officials have appealed the July 25 decision to decertify the SDC’s intermediate care facility.

The appeal gives the center about seven months to bring the facilities into compliance with a performance plan agreed to last January.

“Sonoma Developmental Center has made improvements under the (performance plan),” according to a health department press release. “However, these have been insufficient to achieve the required level of compliance.

Complaints center on an overworked and under-trained staff, incidents going unreported to law enforcement, and the undue restriction of client movement around the facilities.

The SDC has addressed many of the concerns, said Executive Director Karen Faria. “We will continue to work closely with (oversight agencies) in making improvements in areas as needed.”