Financial, Federal Pressure Prompting Quick Closure of Sonoma Developmental Center, Calif. Official Says
On Wednesday, California Health and Human Services Secretary Diana Dooley defended the state's plan to close the Sonoma Developmental Center by 2018, noting that the "short time frame" is being spurred by financial pressures and federal mandates related to providing care for individuals with disabilities outside of institutionalized settings. Family members and disability advocates have raised concerns about the planned closure and the continuance of care for its more than 400 patients.
- "California Health Secretary Defends Closure Plan for Sonoma Development Center" (Moore, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 10/28).