CALIFORNIA STATE COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 1998-2000 STATE PLAN -- Executive Summary

[As submitted to, and approved by, the federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD). Non-substantive technical amendments to objectives EM2, MH5, CJ2, SC3, and SC4 were adopted by the Council on July 17, 1998, submitted to ADD, and incorporated into this document. The Monitoring and Systems Review (MSR) Committee referred to in this document has been renamed "Monitoring and System Coordination."]

About the Council and its 1998-2000 State Plan

The State Council on Developmental Disabilities is a federally-funded independent state agency established to assist in planning, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Federal law requires the 19-Member Council to identify ways to improve and increase services for individuals and their families, and to submit these ideas to the federal government every three years in the form of a State Plan.

The 1998-2000 State Plan addresses specific information required by the federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities, and includes the Council's determination of priority issues and resulting goals and objectives for the next three years. Based on a needs analysis and other forms of information gathering, the Council has chosen to focus on residential options, employment, healthcare, mental health needs, criminal justice, and system coordination and community education. These focus areas are all within the federal priority areas of employment, community living, and system coordination and community education. All programs and projects of the Council, regardless of priority area, are to be conducted in a manner that respects individual differences and cultural diversity.

What are the factors that impact the way services are delivered in California?

One cannot discuss factors impacting the California service delivery system without acknowledging those posed by the enormity and diversity of the state in which the system operates. It is not enough to realize that the July 1, 1996 U.S. Census estimates indicate that California's population is equal to the combined populations of: Minnesota, Mississippi, Kansas, Arkansas, Utah, West Virginia, New Mexico, Nebraska, Nevada, Maine, Idaho, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Montana, North Dakota, Alaska, Vermont, and Wyoming. To fully understand the challenges confronting California's service delivery system, it is important to look beyond total numbers to the various components they contain.

California is not one, uniformly urban, homogenous population. It is made up of 58 distinct and diverse counties: from Los Angeles County, with a population only slightly smaller than the state of Michigan and a public school system whose student count is more than the entire population of the state of Nevada -- to Alpine County who, with only one-third as many residents per square mile as in the nation's least populated state, Wyoming, and a county-wide student population of just 195 students. Clearly, one service-delivery model, no matter how impressive, cannot be applied uniformly throughout California.

The huge size of the state translates into a need for separate departments for each component of the state-level service delivery system. While this may allow each department to focus its expertise on one particular area of need, it also poses increased challenges for system coordination. Added to this is the move to de-centralize much of the state's authority to the county level, especially in the human services segment of government. While this offers opportunities for improved service system capabilities by creating programs whose size is more manageable and better suited to respond to localized needs, it also poses special system coordination challenges when implementation consists of working with 58 separate county governance structures, each with its own unique approach.

In addition to geographic and cultural diversity, a new type of diversity has emerged in the developmental disabilities population. A combination of a larger base population (the baby boomer generation), and an increasing average life expectancy for individuals with developmental disabilities, has resulted in an expanding age spectrum not previously experienced within the developmental services system. Planning for future services will require venturing into previously "uncharted waters" including such later-life issues as retirement planning, Alzheimer's Disease, and an array of other physical and mental health concerns related to the aging process. It is important that services, including State Council activities and programs, address the full lifespan of individuals with developmental disabilities.

What are the most urgent needs for Californians with developmental disabilities and their families?

In preparing for the 1998-2000 State Plan, the Council took a multi-faceted approach to determining areas of unmet needs leading to the selection of priority areas. The most exhaustive of these efforts was a series of surveys, accomplished through working collaboratively with UCLA-UAP. The surveys were developed in accordance with the analysis and review provisions of the Federal Developmental Disabilities Act. The majority of the individuals who responded were consumers and their families who generously offered the Council a window into their lives by sharing their experiences, personal concerns and suggestions for how to improve the system.

In addition to the statewide surveys, all 13 Area Boards were asked to submit information on identification of unmet needs and issues involved in the Area Boards' advocacy on behalf of individuals in their respective catchment areas. Most of the Area Boards identified systemic resource deficiencies based on information obtained through daily contacts with consumers, families, providers, and other community organizations.

Aside from the Council's Statewide plan surveys and Area Boards' analyses, the Council serves an important ongoing role as a "sounding board" for individuals, agencies and organizations who choose to bring issues to the attention of the Council. This occurs through meetings of the Council and its two standing committees, Monitoring and Systems Review (MSR) and Program and Policy Development (PPD), and through the specific work of the Council's Subcommittees and Task Forces.

What are the priorities of the Council, and why?

After review and analysis, the Council determined that there were five major focus areas most in need of, and appropriate for, Council action over the next three years. These focus areas are: Residential Options; Employment; Healthcare; Mental Health Needs; and Criminal Justice. The objectives and activities that will address these needs fall within the Council-selected federal priority areas of: 1) Employment; 2) Community Living; and 3) System Coordination and Community Education. After reviewing the public comments on the Draft Plan, the Council determined that System Coordination and Community Education should be viewed as both a focus area and a priority area. While not named as a specific focus area, the Council intends that projects and activities undertaken to achieve the goals and objectives of the 1998-2000 State Plan keep in mind the diverse spectrum of Californians with developmental disabilities, including those with the most severe and challenging disabilities.

About the Council Goals and Objectives

All Council objectives for the 1998-2000 State Plan fall within the federal priority areas of Employment, Community Living, and System Coordination and Community Education. In the 1998-2000 Plan Cycle, the Council has chosen to focus on areas within these priorities that it has determined are most in need of systemic change, capacity building, and advocacy in California. These focus areas are: Employment; Residential Options; Healthcare; Mental Health Needs; Criminal Justice; and System Coordination and Community Education. All programs, projects and activities of the Council, including those designed to achieve the 1998-2000 State Plan objectives, are to respect individual differences and cultural diversity.

FOCUS ON RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS
THAT RESPECT INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Within the federal priority areas of:	1) Community Living; and
	2) System Coordination and Community Education

Goal for the Residential Options Focus Area
It is the goal of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities that Californians with developmental disabilities and their families will be informed about, have available to them, and be the primary decision makers regarding a broad array of residential options and supports.

Resources to Achieve Objectives
Objectives will be accomplished through State Council on Developmental Disabilities activities. The phrase "State Council on Developmental Disabilities" encompasses all programs funded under the Council's Basic State Grant, including Area Boards and Program Development Fund or other Council Grants.

Residential Options Objective #1 (RO1)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will seek to ensure that consumers and family members in all regional center catchment areas will be provided with meaningful information and appropriate strategies about available residential options, generic community supports, and strategies for accessing each. (Federal Priority area: Community Living)

Residential Options Objective #2 (RO2)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will increase the capacity of the residential services system to recruit, train, evaluate and retain quality staff. (Federal Priority area: System Coordination and Community Education)

Residential Options Objective #3 (RO3)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will seek to ensure that Californians with developmental disabilities and/or their families have their choice of an enhanced selection of residential options, encompassing the full-range of support levels from those of developmental centers to fully independent living. (Federal Priority area: Community Living)

Residential Options Objective #4 (RO4)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will seek to increase the health and safety of consumers through improved planning, monitoring and services, including short term/transitional housing, designed to maintain the individual's preferred living arrangements. (Federal Priority areas: Community Living and System Coordination and Community Education)

Residential Options Objective #5 (RO5)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will seek to ensure that consumers living in licensed residential settings, and their families, will experience enhanced service delivery as a result of improved collaboration among area boards, regional centers, local education agencies, offices of Community Care Licensing and Licensing and Certification, and other agencies as appropriate. (Federal Priority area: System Coordination and Community Education)

Residential Options Objective #6 (RO6)
By September 30, 1999, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will seek to ensure that Californians with developmental disabilities will have increased access to affordable housing as a result of the improved capacity of individuals, families, service agencies, local government, and housing development corporations to access funds through a variety of funding and financing, including Consolidated Plans/Redevelopment set-asides. (Federal Priority area: Community Living)

FOCUS ON EMPLOYMENT THAT
RESPECTS INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Within the federal priority areas of:	1) Employment; and
	2) System Coordination and Community Education

Goal for the Employment Focus Area
The goal of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities is to expand the range of career options, and increase employment opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities, to enhance independence, productivity and inclusion in the community.

Resources to Achieve Objectives
Objectives will be accomplished through State Council on Developmental Disabilities activities. The phrase "State Council on Developmental Disabilities" encompasses all programs funded under the Council's Basic State Grant, including Area Boards and Program Development Fund or other Council Grants.

Employment Objective #1-A (EM1-A)
By September 30, 1998, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will identify and promote successful models of school-to-work transition programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. (Federal Priority Areas: Employment and System Coordination and Community Education)

Employment Objective #1-B (EM1-B)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will increase by 20 percent the number of students with developmental disabilities who successfully transition to employment. (Federal Priority Area: Employment)

Employment Objective #2 (EM2)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will increase the public awareness of employment abilities of persons with developmental disabilities. (Federal Priority Areas: Employment and System Coordination and Community Education)

Employment Objective #3 (EM3)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will conduct activities to reduce barriers to employment of persons with developmental disabilities. (Federal Priority Areas: Employment and System Coordination and Community Education)

Employment Objective #4 (EM4)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will increase access to a diverse range of employment opportunities, including those in emerging industries, for individuals with developmental disabilities. (Federal Priority Areas: Employment and System Coordination and Community Education)

FOCUS ON HEALTHCARE THAT
RESPECTS INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Within the federal priority areas of:	1) Community Living; and
	2) System Coordination and Community Education

Goal for the Healthcare Focus Area
It is the goal of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities that Californians with developmental disabilities and their families will be informed about, and have available to them, appropriate medical, dental and health services.

Resources to Achieve Objectives
Objectives will be accomplished through State Council on Developmental Disabilities activities. The phrase "State Council on Developmental Disabilities" encompasses all programs funded under the Council's Basic State Grant, including Area Boards and Program Development Fund or other Council Grants.

Healthcare Objective #1 (HC1)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will enable medical and dental care professionals/providers to receive training on the special medical and dental care needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. (Federal Priority areas: Community Living and System Coordination and Community Education)

Healthcare Objective #2 (HC2)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will seek to ensure the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities are met by the Managed Health Care System as it evolves. (Federal Priority Areas: Community Living and System Coordination and Community Education)

Healthcare Objective #3 (HC3)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will seek to ensure access to health care professionals, including specialty resources and experts, for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. (Federal Priority Areas: Community Living and System Coordination and Community Education)

Healthcare Objective #4 (HC4)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will promote the inclusion of a health care component, including identification of how needs will be met, in the Individualized Program Plan (IPP)/Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) of every regional center/Early Start client. (Federal Priority areas: Community Living and System Coordination and Community Education)

Healthcare Objective #5 (HC5)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will work collaboratively with federal, state and local entities to prevent the occurrence and/or lessen the impact or severity of developmental disabilities wherever possible. (Federal Priority Area: System Coordination and Community Education)

FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS RESPECTING INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Within the federal priority areas of:	1) Community Living; and
	2) System Coordination and Community Education

Goal for the Mental Health Needs Focus Area
It is the goal of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities that individuals with developmental disabilities will have access to appropriate mental health services, including crisis intervention.

Resources to Achieve Objectives
Objectives will be accomplished through State Council on Developmental Disabilities activities. The phrase "State Council on Developmental Disabilities" encompasses all programs funded under the Council's Basic State Grant, including Area Boards and Program Development Fund or other Council Grants.

Mental Health Needs Objective #1 (MH1)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will seek to ensure that consumers with developmental disabilities and mental health needs have mental health components included in their appropriate Individual Plans, including necessary psychotherapy/ psychopharmacology services. (Federal Priority areas: Community Living and System Coordination and Community Education)

Mental Health Needs Objective #2 (MH2)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will increase the number of individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health needs who have access to a variety of appropriate mental health services. (Federal Priority Areas: Community Living and System Coordination and Community Education)

Mental Health Needs Objective #3 (MH3)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will enable physicians throughout California to receive training to effectively diagnose, treat, and monitor the need for, and use of, psychotropic medications for individuals with developmental disabilities. (Federal Priority Areas: Community Living and System Coordination and Community Education)

Mental Health Needs Objective #4 (MH4)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will enable mental health professionals/providers to receive training on the special mental health care needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. (Federal Priority areas: Community Living and System Coordination and Community Education)

Mental Health Needs Objective #5 (MH5)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will promote partnerships between Regional Centers, Area Boards, mental health and other appropriate agencies to develop effective intervention services to decrease inappropriate institutionalization of individuals with developmental disabilities. (Federal Priority areas: System Coordination and Community Education)

FOCUS ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE
THAT RESPECTS INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Within the federal priority areas of:	1) Community Living; and
	2) System Coordination and Community Education

Goal for the Criminal Justice Focus Area
The goal of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities is to expand the ability of California's criminal justice system to respond appropriately to individuals with developmental disabilities who are victims, witnesses, accused or convicted.

Resources to Achieve Objectives
Objectives will be accomplished through State Council on Developmental Disabilities activities. The phrase "State Council on Developmental Disabilities" encompasses all programs funded under the Council's Basic State Grant, including Area Boards and Program Development Fund or other Council Grants.

Criminal Justice Objective #1 (CJ1)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will enable lawyers and judges, and other appropriate personnel/volunteers to receive training regarding appropriate interactions and determinations involving individuals with developmental disabilities in legal and judicial proceedings. (Federal Priority Areas: Community Living and System Coordination and Community Education)

Criminal Justice Objective #2 (CJ2)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will promote partnerships between Regional Centers, Area Boards, mental health, law enforcement, and other appropriate agencies to develop effective intervention strategies to decrease victimization and inappropriate criminalization/institutionalization of individuals with developmental disabilities. (Federal Priority areas: System Coordination and Community Education)

Criminal Justice Objective #3 (CJ3)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will develop and implement strategies to effectively address the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities who, for their own protection and/or that of the public, are incarcerated or require diversion programs, including locked treatment facilities. (Priority Areas: Community Living and System Coordination & Community Education)

Criminal Justice Objective #4 (CJ4)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will encourage and promote the establishment of police/mental health teams throughout the State and the required training of law enforcement personnel in appropriate ways to deal with individuals with developmental disabilities and/or mental health issues. (Federal Priority areas: System Coordination and Community Education)

FOCUS ON SYSTEM COORDINATION AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION
THAT RESPECTS INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Within the federal priority areas of:	1) System Coordination and Community Education
	2) Community Living; and
	3) Employment

Goal in System Coordination and Community Education Focus Area
The goal of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities is to achieve a consumer and family-centered coordinated comprehensive system of services and supports that meets the needs of the individual and his or her family in a respectful, competent manner.

Resources to Achieve Objectives
Objectives will be accomplished through State Council on Developmental Disabilities activities. The phrase "State Council on Developmental Disabilities" encompasses all programs funded under the Council's Basic State Grant, including Area Boards and Program Development Fund or other Council Grants.

System Coordination and Community Education Objective #1 (SC1)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will increase the ability of individuals with developmental disabilities to travel to work, appointments, and social/recreational activities through improved local coordination of transportation services. (Federal Priority Areas: Community Living and System Coordination and Community Education)

System Coordination and Community Education Objective #2 (SC2)
By September 30, 2000, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will actively pursue methods to: eliminate barriers to access and eligibility; enhance systems design; enhance participation; and develop and support coalitions and individuals through advocacy and leadership skills development. (Federal Priority Area: System Coordination and Community Education)

System Coordination and Community Education Objective #3 (SC3)
By September 30, 1999, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will convene a series of roundtable discussions to identify ways to improve collaboration among California's numerous state agencies involved in employment-related services, including (but not limited to): Department of Developmental Services; Employment Development Department; Department of Rehabilitation; Job Training Partnership Authority; Governor's Committee for the Employment of Disabled Persons; Business, Transportation and Housing Agency; and Trade and Commerce Agency. (Federal Priority Areas: Employment, Community Living, and System Coordination and Community Education)

System Coordination and Community Education Objective #4 (SC4)
By September 30, 1999, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will invite the Department of Developmental Services, Association of Regional Center Agencies, Department of Education, and Special Education Local Planning Area Administrators to develop and implement collaborative agreements between Regional Centers and Local Education Agencies that delineate areas of responsibility regarding services to students with exceptional needs who are also eligible for regional center services. (Federal Priority Areas: Community Living and System Coordination and Community Education)

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