Join with PHA for 2011

This is the time of year when Parent Hospital Association (PHA) members are asked to renew their memberships and new people are invited to join. The letter below from boardmember Mary O'Riordan was included in the membership packet that was mailed to members, and we reprint it here to remind everyone how important it is to join together in supporting the developmentally disabled community of Northern California and the continuation of services at SDC.

If you would like to join with the PHA for 2011, membership dues are $25 Individual or $30 Family and can be mailed to Membership Chair, Parent Hospital Association, Sonoma Developmental Center, P.O. Box 237, Eldridge, CA 95431. Please include your name, address, phone number and email, along with your family member's name at SDC, the unit where they live and your relationship to them. If you prefer to receive a membership form to mail with your dues or donation, email us at info@parenthospitalassociation.org.

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For many years now, families and those who are advocates for people who live in our developmental centers have been trying to get someone - particularly our community leaders and social services representatives - to understand that the Olmstead Decision and the Lanterman Act - as presented by those with an agenda to push - is a lie. They claim that thousands of residents of our Centers want to leave there, and go on to ridiculously assert that even those Center residents who cannot speak a word have expressed a desire to leave.

Of course, nothing could be further from the truth.

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) knows it, the Regional centers know it, the vendors and lobbyists and those seeking to selfishly promote their own agencies and agendas know it. And still, nothing has been done to stem the tide of center closures around the State.

But I'm writing today because I want to be clear about one thing: If SDC and all the remaining Centers close, we'll have only ourselves to blame.

We'll be at fault for not fighting hard enough, for letting those with an agenda succeed in intimidating and convincing us. We need to value our own rights and options highly enough and take seriously our responsibility to stand up for our developmentally disabled loved ones who usually cannot speak a word.

Every month I hear about another family whose loved one was forced out of SDC against the family's wishes - a result of bullying by case workers and representatives from the regional centers, and sadly, even case workers at SDC who are cooperating with them. So their child, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, etc. is forced out into a community home, even if he or she has lived at SDC for over fifty years. Imagine if someone forced you out of your lifelong home and sent you to live with someone else, away from your friends and caretakers.

So I often feel families are failing at exercising their options and rights in standing up to these agencies. There is a monetary incentive for the regional centers to move people from SDC, so be mindful of that.

This is not to say we haven't tried: We have stressed to the various associations of parents and families that family members (not the State) must have conservatorship over their developmentally disabled loved ones; families have spoken in overwhelming numbers that they want their relatives to remain at SDC; we at PHA have tried to raise money and make resources available to families who are fighting to keep their loved ones at SDC; and we have printed this information in every Eldridge Gazette. You just need to call us and let us know!

But we have to do more. I have served for almost nine years as President of PHA and have been fighting against these agencies and case workers who want to see SDC closed, and if there is one thing I could leave PHA with it is the importance of saying "no." NO. NO. "No, you cannot go against my wishes and move my son/daughter out of SDC. I am his/her legal guardian." That's it. And keep saying it, no matter how many of them gang up on you. Ask us for help and ask us to be there with you. They cannot force you to remove your loved one from their home at SDC. Perios.
The population of SDC is now 610. Typically, when the population reaches 400, the state puts the center in the budget for closure. That is why every family counts.

It's a well-known fact that the level of care for medical and dental care is not readily available in placements other than the developmental centers. Removing older people from SDC is particularly troubling as that is when they need the professional medical services the most.

That said, I want to make sure I stress that your loved one's living situation is entirely your choice. If you don't feel that SDC is the right place for him/her, that is perfectly reasonalbe. I just don't want to continue to hear from and talk with families who wanted to remain at SDC but were, in their words, bullied into changing their minds.

If you want to talk more about these tactics by case workers and learn how the Lanterman Act actually protects families so that you can be prepared, join our teleconference meetings, which will be starting up again the first Monday evening in February at 7:30 p.m. You need to contact me to get the call-in number. Email me at moriordan [at] aol [dot] com. The teleconference call is free and well worth your time.

The services at SDC were not always what they are today. In years past, it was overpopulated and understaffed. What you see today is what parents and other family members have fought so hard for to bring it to this level of care - a state-of-the-art facility. It doesn't do much good for us to work so hard if families aren't willing to fight also when confronted by people with an agenda to move their family member to a group home. Again, keep in mind, there is a financila incentive for the Regional centers to remove people from SDC to homes in the community, so you are sure to get a lot of pressure. Standing up for your family member's rights and preserving SDC and the wonderful services provided there is the only way to continue these services. It all comes down to you.

We have a questionnaire, which I hope everyone will fill out and return to us so we can determine what families really want. In what ways is SDC important to you? Are you interested and willing to fight to keep it open? We need to hear from all families so we can proceed to work for you as best we can, but we need to know what you want. A copy of the questionnaire went out with the yearly membership packets. If you would like a copy but did not receive one, please email Parent Hospital Association at info@parenthospitalassociation.org and we will see that you get a copy.

Thanks again and have a Joyful Holiday and Happy 2011.

Mary C. O'Riordan
Parent Hospital Association
Membership Committee

Save the Date for 'Heroes with Heart' 2011

Plans are well underway for the Parent Hospital Association's next annual fundraiser on behalf of the clients and programs of the Sonoma Developmental Center.

If you are on our mailing list, you should have already received your 'Save the Date' postcard. The date is March 19, 2011 - one week earlier than usual, and we will be celebrating at the same great venue: Cline Cellars Winery in Sonoma Valley.

We look forward to seeing you at our Heroes with Heart fundraising event. It will be another wonderful evening with families and friends of the residents of SDC, and an opportunity to support the efforts of the Parent Hospital Association.

If you'd like to attend, why not book early?! You don't need to wait for our official invitation. If you would like to reserve your place - or if you have an item for our auction - send an email to info@parenthospitalassociation.org and we will follow-up.

More information will be posted soon as arrangements progress. In the meantime, remember to Save the Date: Saturday, March 19, 2011. We'd love to see you there!

Updates: Tree Lighting Ceremony

Final (12/15/10): Due to unforseen circumstances and the expected continuation of the rainy weather, this year's Tree Lighting Ceremony had to be canceled. Fortunately, many people stepped in to make sure a festive air prevailed! Thanks go to all the areas and departments who participated by decorating a tree, with a special thanks to Plant Operations for lighting the big tree and the Peace On Earth sign.

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Latest (12/14/10): The tree lighting ceremony rescheduled for today (after being canceled from its original date of 12/8/10) has been postponed again. We will keep up updated as we learn more.

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Update (12/8/10): The tree lighting ceremony has now been tentatively rescheduled to Tuesday, December 14th, from 3:30 pm to 5:00 p.m. It will be held at Harney Circle - outside the gymnasium/amphitheater.

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The annual tree lighting ceremony previously scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today has been canceled. It may be rescheduled for next week - we will keep you posted.

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Sonoma Developmental Center

Join in the holiday fun at Sonoma Developmental Center at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, this Wednesday, December 8th, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., at Harney Circle on the SDC campus.

This event is always a special highlight. We hope to post pictures later in the week from the festivities, but come celebrate Christmas with us at the Center if you can.