Save the Sonoma Developmental Center

Editor: What if you knew the lives and future of 430 people in Sonoma were in jeopardy? What if you knew 900 acres of public land and property between Sonoma and Glen Ellen were endangered? Would you act?

A Coalition to Save the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) is acting, Members want everyone to know the possibility that SDC might close. At stake is the future of 430 clients and 900 acres of parkland and structures. The California Department of Developmentally Disabled (DDS) that administers the SDC has been closing and/or reducing services at developmental centers statewide for several years. Clients are relocated into “homes” where agencies called Regional Centers monitor their well-being. Of the 11 developmental centers in California, the State has closed three: Camarillo, Agnews/Sacramento, and Lanterman. As a result the number of clients served has been severely reduced. For example, in 1994 Sonoma cared for nearly 1,200 clients. As of September, 2014, there were 430 on site.

Parents of SDC clients formed the Parent Hospital Association (PHA) to protect their children. President Kathleen Miller, a Santa Rosa resident, says if change is coming the parents want to have a voice and impact on the decisions. PHA sponsored November’s Coalition meeting. In attendance were parents, former employees, psych techs, environmentalists, and interested citizens. People who attended the meeting left committed to protecting the SDC. Already ministries in Sonoma have been enlisted for support.

PHA President Miller stresses the need for new protective legislation. To that end she asks community members to mark their calendars for a meeting the second Saturday of March. Three bills supporting SDC were introduced last year by Sen. Noreen Evans and Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada. They died in committee.

People have many ideas how to utilize the SDC in the future. However, there is a need to clarify the status of the property though legislation. PHA President Miller envisions the creation of a model community center as a standard to which other agencies might aspire. She recommends making SDC a showcase for providing disabled people medical services and education.

At the recent meeting, committee participants presented a variety of ideas for utilizing the SDC property and land. Among them were suggestions that the SDC might be transformed into a mental health center like that proposed for the San Francisco presidio for arts and nonprofits. Another person commented that the facilities might serve as a foundation for the study of mental illness, and diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Possibilities abound. Outcomes favorable to SDC clients and the community at large require the involvement of the citizens of Sonoma. Watch for meeting announcements. Join the coalition. See you there!

Tom Martin
The Springs