SACRAMENTO - Advocates for the developmentally disabled are calling on Governor Jerry Brown to take action to save our most vulnerable citizens.
This, after a recent state audit found widespread abuse and problems in California's four developmental centers.
Those institutions are supposed to care for people with severe disabilities. But, advocates say they're dangerous and they want the governor to declare a crisis.
Some disabled people and their backers brought their message to the state capital Wednesday. Some want the facilities shut down, while others want the governor to appointment an independent czar to help with reform.
The four centers serve some 1,500 patients. The audit found those patients are at risk from outdated policies and inadequate investigations into allegations of abuse and sexual assault by staff members.
Jim Baldwin, President of Bakersfield ARC, says his program does a lot more for a lot less money and he has a message for the governor.
"Governor, we've been around for almost 65 years and we provide people, purpose. They can't get that inside the dc's, the developmental centers. And, your funding is for everything in the world but for the people who need it the most. These are the most vulnerable citizens in your state. Why aren't you taking care of them?," said Baldwin.
An autistic man died in 2007 at a developmental center after having his neck broken, but no cause was determined.
The advocates delivered a letter with their demands to Governor's Brown's office Wednesday. He returns from vacation in a few days.
This, after a recent state audit found widespread abuse and problems in California's four developmental centers.
Those institutions are supposed to care for people with severe disabilities. But, advocates say they're dangerous and they want the governor to declare a crisis.
Some disabled people and their backers brought their message to the state capital Wednesday. Some want the facilities shut down, while others want the governor to appointment an independent czar to help with reform.
The four centers serve some 1,500 patients. The audit found those patients are at risk from outdated policies and inadequate investigations into allegations of abuse and sexual assault by staff members.
Jim Baldwin, President of Bakersfield ARC, says his program does a lot more for a lot less money and he has a message for the governor.
"Governor, we've been around for almost 65 years and we provide people, purpose. They can't get that inside the dc's, the developmental centers. And, your funding is for everything in the world but for the people who need it the most. These are the most vulnerable citizens in your state. Why aren't you taking care of them?," said Baldwin.
An autistic man died in 2007 at a developmental center after having his neck broken, but no cause was determined.
The advocates delivered a letter with their demands to Governor's Brown's office Wednesday. He returns from vacation in a few days.