Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Set for Dec. 11 at SDC

Rain, snow, sleet or shine, the annual tree lighting celebration is set for Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Come join in -- and vote for your favorite tree!

2012 Holiday Craft Fair at SDC -- Coming Dec. 5th and 6th

The ever-popular annual holiday craft fair is back at Sonoma Developmental Center again this year -- and it's just a week away.

Always a fun and festive time to kick-start your holiday shopping, the Fair is happening next Wednesday and Thursday, both days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come early -- stay for lunch -- and shop 'til you drop!

Mark Your Calendars Now for 2013 PHA Events

The holidays are a busy time and the new year will be here before we know it -- so mark your calendars now for these important dates coming up in 2013.

Saturday, January 12, 2013
PHA General Meeting
10 a.m. - Noon
McDougall Hall at SDC

On the Agenda:

1. A representative for the North Bay Regional Center will speak about changes in the IPP process with the addition of new trailer bill language in the Lanterman act. This new language states that every resident of a developmental center must be assessed for community placement. Find out how exactly this will be implemented by the regional centers.
2. Pat Walter will present on the same issue from the perspective of a family member. She will review the IPP process and how families can best protect the interests of resident family members.
3. Kathleen Miller will talk about easy practical steps that can be taken by each of us best prepare us for the IPP road ahead. 

Saturday, March 9, 2013
Annual Legislative Meeting
10 a.m.
McDougall Hall at SDC

This is our big yearly legislative meeting and everyone should plan to attend! The format will be slightly changed this year to allow for more access to those who wish to speak.
Stay tuned for further details.

Saturday, April 13, 2013
An Evening in Wine Country
at the Vintners Inn

This elegant and exciting event is our only fundraiser for the entire year and it funds all the activities of the PHA. We would truly love to see you all there to welcome you and join you in celebration for what PHA has and continues to achieve. PHA is one of very few organizations that receives no public funds or support and exists only to further the interests of California’s individuals with developmental disabilities. Your support for this effort is honored and appreciated!

Local Paper Reports on New Appointment at SDC

This week the Sonoma Index-Tribune picked up the story of the continuing management changes at Sonoma Developmental Center. The article ran on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, but is not available in the online edition of the paper. We repeat it below for those of you who don't have access to the newspaper.

Leadership shuffles continue at SDC

By John Capone
Index-Tribune Staff Writer

The state Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has named Patricia Flannery new interim director of the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC), replacing previous interim Director Karen Clark. Flannery is also the sitting deputy director for developmental centers at DDS in Sacramento, a position from whick she is not believed to be stepping down.

Clark took the reighns as interim director of the SDC in August after Jim Rogers resigned.
Rogers' resignation came in the wake of a string of reports of staff abuses and an investigation into incidences of stun guns being used on patients in which the FBI became involved. No charges were filed following that investigation, though a suspect, an SDC employee hamed Archie Millora who had a Taser and a loaded handgun concealed in his car, was arrested and charged with have a concealed weapon, a misdemeanor.

Initial comments from DDS Director Terri Delgadillo indicated Rogers had been fired, though Rogers' departure was later characterized as "retirement."

Clark had previously been the administrative services director at SDC, and had worked within the DDS for more than 30 years, mostly at Agnews Developmental Center, before coming to SDC in 2009. Sources within SDC said that little information about Clark's departure has been shared by DDS administration, but that the feeling among staff is Clark was "asked to step down."

The clinical director position at SDC has been a similar revolving door. In June Glenda Penny, a DDS administrator from sacramento, replaced long time SDC staffer Dawn Percy. Penny, in turn, was replaced last month by Terri Sievers.

Officials at the DDS could not be reached for comment about the staff changes.

Patricia Flannery Now Acting Director of Sonoma Developmental Center

Message from PHA President Kathleen Miller:

Following another successful and fun Halloween parade it appears that Karen Clark was asked to step down as interim Executive Director of Sonoma Developmental Center. No reason for the action was given. On behalf of PHA I would like to express our thanks to her for her hard work as Executive Director. We are particularly grateful for her efforts during the difficult licensing survey. I understand that she will be returning to Sonoma in her previous position.

Patricia Flannery will be taking over as Executive Director but she has made clear that this is only temporary and she will also be continuing in her position as Deputy Director at DDS. We welcome Patricia Flannery to the Sonoma team but have concerns over what have been frequent disruptions to the leadership team at Sonoma. Further it is unfortunate that at this particularly challenging time-licensing has still not completed its survey- there is no consistent and committed team over seeing the care of our family members.

Ms Flannery will be attending the November 10th PHA meeting and will be giving an update at that time.

Harvest Day at the SDC Farm - Nov. 10th

Come enjoy the farm, the SDC community, the season, and the beautiful Sonoma Developmental Center campus Saturday, November 10, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon -- music, crafts, animals and fun for all!

For more information, call REACH x6246.