Disability Thrive Initiative

Just 11 people will decide, and only you can convince them to make the right choice!
The Senate and Assembly have each approved different State Budgets that – if passed – will have drastically different effects on our system. As a community, you have done amazing work. They heard your calls, saw your tweets and FaceBook posts, and read your faxes. They know the Lanterman Coalition’s position matters to you!

Start making calls to each person on this short list to Keep The Promise!

LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether California illegally denied voting rights to people with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and other intellectual or developmental disabilities, officials said Wednesday. Read more.

Are you working as a caregiver for someone 65 or older? Providing care for a physically or intellectually challenged adult? You could be committing a crime if you work as a caregiver in Napa County without a permit.
In July 2011, Napa became the first county in California to require that caregivers for elder and dependent adults have a permit. Read more.

LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether California illegally denied voting rights to people with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and other intellectual or developmental disabilities, officials said Wednesday.

The agency disclosed the probe in a May 15 letter to Secretary of State Alex Padilla and the California Supreme Court, in which investigators sought detailed records on how certain voters with disabilities are disqualified, an explanation of the rationale behind it and an account of how frequently it is happening. Read More.

Officers settle charges dating back to 2010

The case against two former Porterville Developmental Center police officers has come to an end after more than five years.

Scott Gardner and Jeff Bradley, the two Porterville Developmental Center officers arrested in February 2010 for their roles in allegedly embezzling $121,500 in overtime pay, both entered no contest pleas on May 8 in a plea agreement. Read More.

In a letter to Governor Brown, Senators McGuire and Wolk, and Assembly Members Dodd and Wood, ask Governor not to haste with the closure of Sonoma Developmental Center, citing the 5 and 6 year timelines needed for Lanterman and Agnews DC closures and the needs for expanded community resources. Read more,

Gov. Jerry Brown’s revised budget would boost spending on health and social services by about $1.7 billion over the current year, but it left advocates screaming for more to restore cuts made during the Great Recession.

The state’s tattered social safety net will be front and center in Brown’s negotiations with Democratic lawmakers from now through the June 15 constitutional deadline for enacting next year’s budget, wrangling over how to spend about $2 billion in better-than-expected tax revenues that aren’t already earmarked for other purposes.

Read more.