ADVOCATES APPLAUD

SCHWARZENEGGER PLAN TO

CLOSE AGNEWS DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER

The Schwarzenegger Administration briefed stakeholders on January 7, 2005 on its long-anticipated plan to close the 120 year old Agnews Developmental Center in San Jose. 

Agnews is a large state institution housing nearly 350 people with developmental disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and epilepsy. Developmental Centers are the least integrated residential option in the state and also the most expensive, at an average of $210,000 per resident per year. 

Important new initiatives for improving community services for people with the most severe disabilities are part of the closure plan.  The closure is an important first step towards ending the segregation and isolation of people with developmental disabilities so that they can live quality lives with dignity and independence in our communities.

For Agnews residents who have been segregated from society for many years, the closure is an opportunity to return to homes in regular neighborhoods and partake in the diversity and opportunity of community life. 

Closure Plan Breaks New Ground

Moving people who do not need institutionalization to community homes is consistent with the mandates of the state Lanterman Act and federal ADA Olmstead decision. Across the country, states have been closing institutions for people with developmental disabilities for thirty five years, as they transition to offering more modern and humane services in community settings.  Nine states have eliminated public institutions altogether. However, the Agnews closure plan breaks new ground for California. The plan is based on recommendations from an eight-month planning process that involved Agnews residents and their family members, Agnews employees, community advocates, regional centers and service providers.  These recommendations will result in building a new generation of community services for people with the most severe disabilities.  

Our Work Is Not Over

In addition to the 350 people at Agnews, there are still almost 3,000 people with developmental disabilities living in other California developmental centers, and over 4,000 more living in nursing facilities and other large public and private institutions.

The Agnews Closure can serve as a model for developing a comprehensive statewide plan to help these people who are still confined in institutions and don’t have to be. People with disabilities should not be forced into segregated institutional care because there is no alternative, when community alternatives are both feasible and cost-effective.

FIND OUT MORE!

The Community Imperative Strategy Group created the following documents for use in press materials and legislators:

Fact Sheet on Closure of Agnews

Basic Information on Community Living

for People with Developmental Disabilities

You can find the Agnews closure plan on the DDS Website.