Closure of Agnews Developmental Center Postponed Until July 2006
DDS Cites Decision Based on "Best Interests of Agnews Residents"

SACRAMENTO -  The Department of Developmental Services announced today that the closure of Agnews Developmental Center will be postponed by one year, until July 2006.  The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) indicated that the reason for the delay was based on "stakeholder input" and the Department's own analysis that the original closure date of July 2005 "was not in the best interest of Agnews' residents".  The decision to postpone was strongly criticized by some advocates who believed that delay is more harmful to people in both Agnews and in the community.

Last year, former Governor Gray Davis proposed in his budget for 2004-2005 the closure of Agnews Developmental Center in Santa Clara County.  The Legislature subsequently approved the initial steps toward closure - though reserved final approval of any actual closure plan that was to be released on April 1 this year.

Cliff Allenby, director of the Department of Developmental Services, said in a letter to the Legislature that "the decision to postpone the closure is based on our assessment of the existing capacity of the Bay Area community to provide the range and types of services needed by 2005. It is also based on the recognition that up to 100 Agnews residents would need to be transferred to Lanterman Developmental Center, potentially putting their health and safety at risk and jeopardizing their continuing family contact."

Allenby said that "In order to promote the development of the community capacity necessary to ensure the health
and safety and the success of Agnews’ residents in the community, a decision has been made to delay closure of Agnews until July 2006. Therefore, the closure plan developed pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 4474.1 will be modified
and submitted as soon as completed, but no later than April 1, 2005, as statutorily required."

Allenby indicated that "...to ensure the health, safety, and proper care of residents of Agnews as they transition to less restrictive, more integrated community placements, the State must ensure the essential building blocks are in place, including development of necessary housing, alternative models of service delivery, and appropriate, quality services. These building
blocks raise a number of policy and fiscal issues that require further development and consideration."

The Department of Developmental Services indicated that the following issues need to be addressed prior to closure:
• The stability of living arrangements must be assured.
• An appropriate array of service options designed to meet the special needs of Agnews’ residents must be available.
• Systems must be in place to ensure continuity of services between the institution and the community.
• On-going quality of care must be assured.

NEXT STEPS
* The Department of Developmental Services reported that they will  "shortly" bring specific budget and legislative proposals, as well as a timeline for moving forward.
* Budget hearings on developmental services - including a report on the status of the closure of Agnews, are scheduled for April 19th (Monday afternoon at 1:30 PM) by the Senate Budget Subcommittee and April 26th (Monday afternoon at 4:00 PM) by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee.
* In theory the Legislature can override the decision of the Department of Developmental Services - but that action doesn't seem likely at this point.

URGENT - CONTRIBUTIONS NEEDED TO CONTINUE EFFORT
As  of 4/8/04, many many, thanks again,  to the friends, people with disabilities and their families, community organizations and others who have sent in generous and needed contributions and donations.  As mentioned before, individual thank you letters are now being sent out (due to workload have been delayed!). However, until grant funding is finalized, contributions from people and organizations is still very urgently needed to keep the advocacy efforts going for the next several months. Please make check or money order  to:  California Disability Community Action Network  (or abbreviate CDCAN). CDCAN is not yet a non-profit organization (work on this will have this happen in within the next few months) Send contributions to: California Disability Community Action Network,  1225 8th Street Suite #480, Sacramento, CA  95814.  A method to contribute by credit card (through Paypal) is NOW set up on our website, at www.cdcan.org.