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News 10 KXTV Yuba City

June 17, 2009

Plan to close Yuba disabled center has some support

Sierra Vista in Yuba City

Sierra Vista in Yuba City

YUBA CITY, CA - The California Department of Developmental Services is planning to close a Yuba City home for the developmentally disabled.

Sierra Vista, on Stabler Lane, houses 40 adults with developmental disabilities. There are 130 employees.

According to DDS spokeswoman Nancy Lungren, the closure would save the state $4.2 million in fiscal 2010, and $15 million annually after that. California is facing a $24 billion budget deficit.

"We would not be doing this if it weren't for the state's fiscal situation," said Lungren. "But we have to make some very painful cuts."

Lungren said DDS will be working with employees to help them find new jobs and will working with clients and their families to determine a suitable alternative to Sierra Vista.

Despite the obvious upheaval, some advocates for the developmentally disabled see the closure of Sierra Vista as a positive move for the clients.

Joan Schmidt runs Creative Living Options, a non-profit that seeks to find community-based living solutions for the developmentally disabled.

"We just don't think they can thrive in places like Sierra Vista," said Schmidt. "We have seen so many people transformed by the ability to live on their own with the help of services rather than in a closed environment."

Stacy Cole used to live at Sierra Vista and with the help of Creative Living Options now lives in her own condominium and has several jobs at horse stables in the Auburn area.

"It's much better to live in the community," said Cole. "I'm very happy."

Cole's mother abandoned her to an institution at the age of 3 and she never saw her parents or her family again. She lived in 36 different institutions and group homes.

"I did not like living there," Cole said. "Should close it (Sierra Vista) down, let everybody out."

Schmidt first met Cole seven years ago. "She was really thought to be somebody that had the kind of challenges that wouldn't allow her to live in the community," said Schmidt. "Seeing her now it's just such a change. She is thriving."

Schmidt hopes the families of Sierra Vista clients will seek out programs that help the developmentally disabled live in the community.

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