UPDATE: Based on new Budget Language being considered by the California Legislature, SG/PRC will now observe Friday, July 3rd 2009 as the Independence Day Holiday. SG/PRC will fund for authorized services, including transportation, that are in operation on Monday July 6th.
Notice to Vendors: Proposed changes to closure days and program categories affected by the closure days. Trailer bill language being considered by the California legislature with a start date of 8/1/09”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OPEN LETTER TO:
SAN GABRIEL/POMONA REGIONAL CENTER COMMUNITY
February 5, 2009
On January 28, 2009, San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center (SG/PRC) held a Special Open Community Meeting to discuss the current economic and budget situation facing our state and our community. Four hundred individuals attended this meeting representing persons with developmental disabilities, family members, service providers and advocates for the Regional Center system. The information presented to those in attendance is available on SG/PRC’s website at www.sgprc.org.
The message from that meeting was to acknowledge that the Regional Center system budget will be greatly reduced and there is a need for all of those invested in our system to pull together to manage this reduction. We must take steps to responsibly utilize the funds allocated by the State of California and maintain the spirit of the Lanterman Act. Our system is facing an enormous financial change. The State of California has not provided the Regional Centers with sufficient funds to continue to provide the current level of services. California Legislators and government officials have made it very clear that Regional Centers must continue to operate within the current reduced budget allocation. The following is a quote from the Governor’s Budget Proposal: “The DDS (Department of Developmental Services) Regional Centers continue to experience significant and unsustainable expenditure growth. The DDS will work closely with the Regional Centers to manage program expenditures, while meeting consumer service needs within the existing 2008-09 appropriation authority”.
SG/PRC is dedicated to continuing to serve our entire community and honor our contractual obligation to our clients despite the severe shortage of funds. The Governor’s budget proposals include a reduction to our “business” or operations allocation which is a separate budget from the funds that are used to purchase services for our clients. Internally, steps have been taken to reduce these expenditures as well.
Our service provider community, after years of serving with rate freezes, is also facing a proposal which will reduce payment for their services by an additional 3%. However, all these measures do not ensure that we can maintain the existing level of services within the amount of funds that we have been given by the State of California.
Page 2
2/5/09
Continuing to provide the level of supports and services to our community without adjustment to service levels will cause SG/PRC to completely run out of money and close our doors by mid-May. This is a possibility we must avoid by working together.
To that end, SG/PRC staff will review all current authorizations for services which are reimbursed by an hourly or unit rate, and make reductions to the frequency beginning March 1, 2009. It is not our intent to terminate a specific service, only to reduce the amount of service. Prior to March 1, 2009, contact will be made to members of our community that will be affected by this action.
As Executive Director of this Regional Center, I am aware of the potential challenges this action will bring to our clients, families and service providers. However, we must take this position to ensure that our services can continue in the future.
Sincerely,
R. Keith Penman
Executive Director
San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center
Providing Services to People with
Developmental Disabilities
The Board and Staff of the San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center welcomes you to our web site. Providing information to our clients, families, vendors, volunteers and other community members is a high priority. This site is an important addition to the information network and will enhance our partnership. We include links to other developmental disability sites. The regional center's goal is to provide you with information and to carry out our mission. If you have any suggestions or questions, please feel free to contact staff members.
Vision Statement “Service, support, and advocacy for individuals
with developmental disabilities and their families”
Mission Statement San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center works in partnership with individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and the community, to promote choice, empowerment, independence, and full integration into community life. The Regional Center represents the community in supporting and advancing the intent and entitlement of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act through services such as assessment, advocacy, service coordination, education, training, communication, resource development and prevention services.
Site is best viewed in Internet Explorer, Netscape and
Firefox
at a resolution of 800 by 600 or higher
Copyright 2007 San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center.
All rights reserved.
Last Update: January 2008
