New California Budget Includes Lanterman Closure Plan

Last Friday, on October 8, 2010, California legislators finally passed this year's long overdue budget.

The California Association of Psychiatric Technicians (CAPT) are reporting that the new budget includes provisions for the closure of Lanterman Developmental Center.

According to information on the group's web site, the budget language, which was not made public until last Thursday includes the following:

• Extend many of the arrangements and provisions used in the closure of Agnews Developmental Center toward closure of Lanterman Developmental Center.
• Provide that the use of department state employees is in effect for up to 2 years following the transfer of the last resident of Lanterman Developmental Center.
• Require the Department of Developmental Services to prepare a report on the use of the department’s state employees in providing services in the community to assist in the orderly closures of Agnews and Lanterman Developmental Centers.
• Require the report to be submitted with the governor’s proposed state budget for the 2012–2013 fiscal year to the budget committees of both houses of the Legislature and annually thereafter.

CAPT Lanterman Chapter President Brad Whitehead noted in the report that, while the budget includes items called for by families and concerned staff to improve continuity of care, opposition remains to the closure of this vital and irreplaceable center.

:: To find out more about the closure of Lanterman Developmental Center, visit the Save Lanterman coalition’s website at www.saveldc.org.

:: You can read the full CAPT report at Just-passed budget includes Lanterman closure plan on www.psychtechs.net