Roundup of News on SDC Licensing Woes

There has been a flurry of news coverage surrounding Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) over the past few weeks beginning with a new report from California Watch on client safety at the state developental centers. PHA President Kathleen Miller responed to the Cal Watch report with an op-ed piece in the Sonoma Index-Tribune. (See: A broader perspective on abuse at SDC.)

These articles were followed by the announcement that federal licensing has given notice that they will go forward with proceedings to terminate certification of the Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) side of SDC, and that the California Department of Public Health will go forward with proceedings to terminate the license for SDC's ICF. (The ICF is the behavioral units at SDC.)

News outlets around the Bay Area picked up the stories. Below is a selection:

State seeks to close care unit in Sonoma Developmental Center over abuse
KTVU San Francisco
The California Department of Public Health said Wednesday it is taking enforcement action against the Sonoma Developmental Center where there were allegations of physical abuse of 12 patients last year. The CDPH said it is moving to revoke the license ...

Abuse reports spark overhaul at Sonoma Developmental Center
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
California public health officials on Wednesday announced that they have decertified an intermediate care facility at the Sonoma Developmental Center in Eldridge in the Sonoma Valley in response to patients being harmed. The agency said it was taking ...

State Threatens to Shut Down Disability Center Amid Patient Abuse ...
KQED News Staff and Wires
State regulators cited the Sonoma Developmental Center, which houses more than 500 patients, for dozens of caseswhere patients were put at risk of injury or death. In issuing the citations, the state moved to shut down a major portion of the ...

CDPH Takes Enforcement Action Against Sonoma Developmental ...
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today took enforcement action against Sonoma Developmental Center's Intermediate Care Facility. Date: 12/12/2012.

Sonoma Developmental Center - Disability Rights California
Disability Rights California troubled by Sonoma Developmental Center's loss of federal funds for care of 290 residents; urges support for their move to ...

Assemblymember Marc Levine Comments on Today's Enforcement ...
... today's significant action by the California Department of Public Health to protect the health and safety of residents at the Sonoma Developmental Center.

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For continuing updates on developments at Sonoma Developmental Center, check the PHA website and blog, watch for the next edition of The Eldridge Gazette, or consider attending the next general membership meeting on January 12th.