Inventory of the Records of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities

Processed by Kim Mitchell

California State Archives

1020 "O" Street

Sacramento, California 95814

Phone: (916) 653-2246

Fax: (916) 653-7363

Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov

URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/

Inventory of the Records of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities

Collection number: R144

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California

Processed by:: Kim Mitchell
Date Completed:: June 2011
Encoded by:: Lisa DeHope

Descriptive Summary

Title: Records of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities

Dates: 1986-1991

Collection number: R144

Creator: State Council on Developmental Disabilities

Collection Size: 6 cubic feet of textual records

Repository: California State Archives

Sacramento, California

Abstract: In 1970, the Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act (PL 91-517) was amended to require every state to establish a council on developmental disabilities. In California, Assembly Member Frank Lanterman had already authored legislation toward the goal of improving services for the developmentally disabled. The California legislation has been amended several times over the last three decades, but continues to be a guiding force behind services and legislation for the developmentally disabled as well as the Council itself. The records of the State Council in Developmental Disabilities document the efforts of the Council to create, develop, and evaluate new and existing programs and services for the developmentally disabled.

Physical location: California State Archives

Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives' collections.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], State Council on Developmental Disabilities Records, R144.[series number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Acquisition and Custodial History

The California State Archives acquired the Records of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities according to state law.

Administrative History

In 1970, the Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act (PL 91-517) was amended to require every state to establish a council on developmental disabilities (this federal law would later be known as the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act). In California, Assembly Member Frank Lanterman had already authored legislation toward the goal of improving services for the developmentally disabled. The Lanterman Mental Retardation Services Act (AB225, Chapter 1594, Statutes of 1969) and the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (AB77, Chapter 275, Statutes of 1976) have been amended several times over the last three decades, but they continue to be a guiding force behind services and legislation for the developmentally disabled as well as the Council itself. "The responsibility of the [California State] Council [on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)] is to plan, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate services for persons with developmental disabilities and to establish a system to ensure the legal, civil, and service rights of such persons (Governor's Budget, 1991-1992)."

California law defines a developmental disability as mental retardation, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, and similar conditions which occur before the age of eighteen. The mission of the Council is to "advocate, promote, and implement policies and practices that achieve self-determination, independence, productivity, and inclusion in all aspects of community life for Californians with developmental disabilities and their families." To accomplish this mission, the Council implements a State Plan. The Plan guides the thirteen Area Boards on Developmental Disabilities in local planning and coordination of services throughout the state; the Program Development Fund (PDF) which is responsible for providing grants to innovative programs and services; and the identification and evaluation of federally-funded services and programs provided by other state agencies.

Council members are appointed by the Governor and are a mix of consumers, state government executives, and representatives of organizations, all of whom must be involved with the developmentally disabled services system in California.

Scope and Content

The records of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) contain 6 cubic feet of textual records and document the efforts of the Council to create, develop, and evaluate new and existing programs and services for the developmentally disabled. The records are organized into five record series and cover the period from 1986 to 1991. With the exception of the Subject Files, all series within this record group relate to meetings. The Executive Committee Files, the Monitoring and Systems Review Committee Files, and the Planning and Evaluation Committee Files all pertain to the meetings of these respective bodies, while the State Council Files pertain to the meetings of the full Council. Since the committees reported to the Council, there may be some overlap between committee and council files. The Subject Files provide supplementary information on topics of concern to the Council, the most significant of which was the 1987-1989 State Plan.

Related Collections at the California State Archives

Frank D. Lanterman's Papers

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

California. State Council on Developmental Disabilities

Developmentally disabled Care

People with disabilities - California

R144.1, Box 1/1-Box 1/44

Series 1 Executive Committee Files 1986-1991

Physical Description: 45 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by meeting date.

Scope and Content Note

Executive Committee Files document the meetings of the Executive Committee. This committee served as the coordinating and advisory body to the Council. Significant topics include travel reimbursements, Budget Change Proposals, volunteer recognition, conferences, and by-laws. Files may include agendas, area board reports, legislative and budget reports, area investigations, minutes, newsletters and press releases, memoranda, meeting calendars, background information, and visitor logs.

R144.2, Box 1/45 - Box 3/8

Series 2 Monitoring and Systems Review Committee Files 1986-1991

Physical Description: 47 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by meeting date.

Scope and Content Note

These files document the meetings of the Monitoring and Systems Review Committee. This committee was responsible for the analysis of state, regional, and local programs, and proposed legislation and the state budget. Files may include agendas, area board reports, legislative and budget reports, area investigations, minutes, newsletters and press releases, memoranda, meeting calendars, background information, visitor logs, and correspondence.

R144.3, Box 3/9 - Box 3/28

Series 3 Planning and Evaluation Committee Files 1989-1991

Physical Description: 20 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by meeting date.

Scope and Content Note

These files document the meetings of the Planning and Evaluation Committee. This committee was responsible for the development of council policies and long-range plans, as well as the review of council-funded projects such as studies on quality of life or effectiveness of programs. Files may include agendas, area board reports, legislative and budget reports, area investigations, minutes, newsletters and press releases, memoranda, meeting calendars, background information, visitor logs, and correspondence.

R144.4, Box 4/1 - Box 6/19

Series 4 State Council Files 1986-1991

Physical Description: 67 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by meeting date.

Scope and Content Note

State Council Files document the meetings of the full council. The full council was responsible for the review of committee and task force recommendations, the development of the State Plan, and maintaining a public presence. Files may include agendas, area board reports, legislative and budget reports, area investigations, minutes, newsletters and press releases, memoranda, meeting calendars, background information, visitor logs, committee reports, grant reviews, event information, and correspondence.

R144.5, Box 6/20 - Box 6/26

Series 5 Subject Files 1976-1989

Physical Description: 7 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

The Subject Files provide supplementary information on topics of concern to the Council. Significant topics include an analysis of Council functions, council policies, and creation of the 1987-1989 State Plan. Files may include notes, amendments to the State Plan, memoranda, reports, press releases, background information, and correspondence.