40th History Brochure-r2 - Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center

T H E E R A O F S E L F - D E T E R M I N A T I O N2006 –“Resolved by the Senate of the state ofCalifornia, the Assembly thereof concurring,That the Legislature hereby proclaims theyear of 2006 as the ‘Year of the Community’and the beginning of a decade of renewedcommitment to the vision of the LantermanAct and investment in the community servicesystem; and be it furtherResolved, That the Legislature will activelypromote the rights of people with developmentaldisabilities and their full inclusion intocommunity life in California.”Senate Concurrent ResolutionNo. 115 – Relative to “Year of the Community,” 2006As this decade begins, the California Legislature marksa renewal of its commitment to the community servicesystem through unanimous passage of a Senate concurrentresolution. The Legislature also provides a small andlong-awaited increase in rates for service providers, withadditional financial incentives for day programs andworkshops that agree to move to community-based dayservices and supported employment, respectively. Regionalcenters, however, face their 16th year without a cost-oflivingincrease. Expansion of the self-determinationmodel brings increasing demand for services thatare individualized and integrated.The two pilot regional centers, Frank D. LantermanRegional Center in Los Angeles and Golden Gate RegionalCenter in San Francisco, celebrate 40 years as partners inlifelong support for people with developmental disabilities.The maturity of the service system is reflected in significantmilestones for several major parent-run organizations thatwere early community partners for regional centers. VillaEsperanza in Pasadena celebrates its 45th anniversary, TheARC of San Francisco (previously San Francisco Associationfor Retarded Children) marks its 55th anniversary, ECFof Los Angeles (previously the Exceptional Children’sFoundation) celebrates its 60th year of service to peoplewith developmental disabilities, as did UCP (UnitedCerebral Palsy) the previous year.Progress in including people with developmentaldisabilities in community life is reflected in the use byclients and families of community-based organizations usedby the general public. These includeorganizations such as typical daycare programs, the YMCA/YWCAand community technology centers.To facilitate clients and families inthe purchase of services from theseorganizations, regional centers makeincreased use of parent vouchersand stipends.The state’s Community PlacementPlan continues its success inproviding opportunities for peoplewith developmental disabilities toleave developmental centers andmove into the community. At thesame time, the California Associationof State Hospital Parent Councils forthe Retarded (CASH PCR) advocates30