Sonoma Developmental Center

Description

Sonoma Developmental Center Sonoma located in Northern California is one of several developmental centers operated by the California Department of Developmental Services

Sonomas primary customers are the people who reside at the center their families advocates employees and other developmental services providers Approximately one thousand acres of land lakes and various structures encompass the Sonoma campus including a residential campground storecafeteria post office petting farm sports fields swimming pool plant nursery and picnic areas

Sonoma is committed to a culture of respect highquality services active treatment teamwork continuous improvement and positive outcomes VisionValues Statements

Sonoma has proven to be a leader in meeting the needs of people with developmental disabilities by providing an extensive array of services that promote ongoing health learning selfadvocacy and increased independence Innovative social recreational educational vocational and other programs are continuously offered This is accomplished through the knowledge innovation creativity and enthusiasm of our highly experienced staff Client Activity Pictures

In 2008 Sonoma Developmental Center proudly celebrated the grand opening of its Advocacy Rights and Opportunities ARO program The program created a partnership that provides advocacy and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities Future expansion of the ARO program is on the horizon

VISION

Advancing Rights and Independence
In concert with the California Department of Developmental Services Sonoma Developmental Center will

Be a nucleus of best practices that will provide people with developmental disabilities people the tools and experiences necessary to positively influence their future

Forge partnerships and effectively utilize all available human and physical resources to develop and implement winning programs services and initiatives that meet the lifeamp8208evolving needs of people

Innovatively develop advance and deploy eminent models of service distinction

Be continually accountable through the use of mechanisms that measure and monitor outcomes

VALUES

We

Have a philosophy of serving others that is dedicated to clients staff and stakeholders through timely considerate competent and committed actions

Are an organization that is built on respectful relationships that honors choice rights trust and communication

Responsibly manage resources fiscal physical and human through planning and preservation

Promote leadership at all levels because we are responsible innovative dynamic and inclusive

History

Sonoma Developmental Center SDC is the oldest facility in California established specifically for serving the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities The facility opened its doors to 148 residents on November 24 1891 culminating a tenyear project on the part of two prominent Northern California women who had children with developmental disabilities

In 1883 Julia Judah and Frances Bentley were responsible for forming the California Association for the Care and Training of Feeble Minded Children Its aim was quotto provide and maintain a school and asylum for the feebleminded in which they may be trained to usefulnessquot

The first facility was opened in May 1884 at White Sulphur Springs near Vallejo Beset by problems the association petitioned the California legislature for assistance and a bill was passed calling for the creation of the California Home for the Care and Training of the Feeble Minded The new board chose a 51acre site in the town of Santa Clara to handle twenty residents

When the Santa Clara home became inadequate a few years later the legislature appointed a commission and appropriated 170000 to purchase land construct facilities and handle commission expenses The commission included Captain Oliver Eldridge after whom the community of Eldridge is named Following lengthy legislative battles over the proposed funding the commission selected the present site a 1640acre parcel which featured an ample water supply drainage and two railroad lines that passed through the property

The facility at Eldridge has undergone many significant changes including four name changes In 1909 the name was changed from the California Home for the Care and Training of the Feeble Minded to the Sonoma State Home In 1953 Sonoma State Home became Sonoma State Hospital and in 1986 the name was changed to Sonoma Developmental Center Over the years the facility has expanded several times including two major expansions A thirteen million dollar expansion program was initiated in 1948 and another five million dollars was appropriated in 1956 The most recent renovation took place between 1979 and 1982 during which all the living units were renovated at a cost of about one million dollars per building primarily to improve safety privacy and individualized care

Many changes over the last 110 years include attitudes philosophies values and beliefs in regard to the treatment of developmentally disabled people There is one constant that ties the present and the future to every epoch of the Centers history As societys understanding of developmental disabilities has improved SDC has consistently responded by improving services Sonoma Developmental Center has always been and will always be committed to continuous improvement of its comprehensive array of therapeutic services