Lanterman Developmental Center on Long Path to Closure

The Lanterman Developmental Center in Pomona is slated to be closed, but not until every resident has found a new care facility that best fits their individual needs.

“A specific closure date for Lanterman has not been set," Nancy W. Lungren, assistant director for communications at the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), said. “Closure will occur only when necessary services and supports are in place and each resident has transitioned.”

The 83-year-old facility sits on 302 acres, and offers 24-hour residential care for individuals with developmental disabilities, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Down Syndrome, autism and other lifelong conditions.

More than 3,000 residents once lived at Lanterman, but only 398 were at the facility in January of 2010. By the end of 2010, an additional 32 had transitioned to other community facilities, leaving 359 residents at Lanterman at the beginning of 2011, according to an update of the facility's closure plan drafted in January of this year. 

During the same time period, 118 employees left Lanterman — 51 percent of which were direct care nursing staff and 40 percent of which were administrative support staff — "through transfer, retirement, resignation, dismissal or other cause," according to the January report. 

According to the DDS, the diminishing population and aging infrastructure made it "no longer economical to operate this facility," according to a press release on the planned closure, which was announced on Jan. 29, 2010.

Lungren said that DDS has identified the policies and strategies "to achieve a safe and successful transition of individuals with developmental disabilities from Lanterman" in the Plan for Closure of Lanterman Developmental Center.

“The foundation of the plan is to identify each resident’s needs and choices through the individualized planning process and ensure community resource development to meet those identified needs," Lungren said. "The Department is committed to the tenets of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act, and working with stakeholders to achieve a smooth and successful closure of Lanterman.”

Officials are closely following the successful closure plan that was used for Agnews Developmental Center in San Jose; that center was closed in March 2010 after several years of planning.

Officials have also set up three advisory groups  — the Resident Transition Advisory Group, the Quality Management Advisory Group, and the Staff Support Advisory Group — to help residents and staff deal with the closure.

“We are supporting employees with future employment options by generating or identifying job opportunities, providing assistance, counseling and information, and working closely with the affected bargaining units,” Lungren said. 

Lundgren said that there are still no plans for the property after the developmental center is closed.

“After the closure occurs, the Department of General Services takes the lead in determining the future use of the property and arranges for its sale, transfer or disposition in accordance with surplus state property laws,” Lungren said.

According to the January report, a business management team was formed in February of 2011 to help develop plans for the administrative and physical details of the closure. 

The DDS is updating a website often with the latest news on the closure as well.

Anyone looking for more information can contact Cindy Coppage at cindy.coppage@dds.ca.gov.