California’s Sonoma Developmental Center Loses Medicaid Certification

On December 12, 2012 the California Department of Public Health (DPH) announced it was initiating actions to decertify the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) and revoke the facility’s license as an Intermediate Care Facility. DPH took this action in response to problems jeopardizing resident health and safety found a July 2012 review of the center remained uncorrected. The center has 290 residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is permitted to appeal the DPH action and under DPH oversight SDC can continue operating—and is eligible for federal Medicaid support—during the appeal. In . . .