SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California entered into an Agreement on June 30, 2015, with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to continue federal financial participation for Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) for up to two years.
The settlement constitutes a “stay” of termination from the Medicaid Program that resulted from the decertification of several Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) residential units at SDC which were found in violation of federal requirements late last year. Reflected in the Agreement and consistent with the 2015-16 State Budget, California has initiated closure planning for the three remaining state developmental centers, including Sonoma Developmental Center. The Department of Developmental Services (Department) is committing substantial effort and resources to develop appropriate infrastructure for the transition and support of the residents of SDC.
“We are working in collaboration with our federal partners to ensure quality care and services continue at Sonoma while the person-centered planning process drives the careful and thoughtful transition for the men and women who are living there now,” said Diana S. Dooley, Secretary of the Health and Human Services Agency. “Continued federal funding will help us meet our commitment to transforming the developmental centers as envisioned in the Plan produced by the Task Force on the Future of Developmental Centers.”
Continued federal funding is contingent upon SDC’s compliance with the Agreement. The Agreement requires the establishment of an independent consultant to monitor compliance with the Agreement, for the oversight of transition and post-transition care, and to provide regular reports to CMS and the California Department of Public Health.
