Assembly Member Jim Beall, Jr., Chair of the Assembly Committee on Human Services, has made the delivery of services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families a central priority for his tenure in the Legislature.  Mr. Beall, who has a stepson with a developmental disability, will be working to ensure that the 40 year-old Lanterman Act continues to provide a sound foundation for the future delivery of services.   To that end, Mr. Beall is reaching out to consumers, their families, service providers and program administrators to help him identify how to "take the Lanterman Act into the future."

Roundtables

On August 28, 2007, Mr. Beall held the first Roundtable discussion in the Capitol at which, after short presentations on the current state of the program and future needs, he solicited opinions on how the Act may need to be updated to expand choices and opportunities for consumers and their families.  Mr. Beall also wants to strengthen the Act to improve protections and equality in the service delivery system.  A second Roundtable held on October 3rd focused on ways to strengthen the IPP process, better serve consumers and families of color, and the use of outcome and performance measure for assuring quality in the delivery of developmental services.  Both Roundtables provided Mr. Beall the opportunity to informally hear from program stakeholders on ways to improve the delivery of services.

Human Services Committee Hearings

The Human Services Committee has held two hearings on "Taking the Lanterman Act into the Future".  The first was on October 24, 2007, from 1:30 to 5:00 at the State Capitol, Room 447.  The Committee heard testimony on the Findings and Recommendations from the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism and from panels of consumers, agencies, providers, and experts on the "Direct Support Worker Staffing Crisis in the Delivery of Developmental Disabilities Services."  The hearing included panels on the perspectives of consumers and direct service providers, the impact of the direct support worker staffing crisis on the quality and availability of person-centered services, and strategies for improving the competencies and stability of direct support workers in the developmental disabilities field. 

The second hearing was held on November 16, 2007, from 1:30 to 5:00 at the Campbell Community Center, 1 W. Campbell Avenue, in San Jose.  The Committee heard testimony on the recommendations contained in the report of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities on SB 1270 and examined ways to expand opportunities for employment, postsecondary education, and community participation for individuals with developmental disabilities. 

Photos from the Hearing

Click Here to Watch Video from this Hearing

Hearing Agenda (PDF)

Byron McDonald Testimony (PDF)

Dale Dutton Testimony (PDF)

Employment Data (PPT)