The East Bay Developmental Disabilities Legislative Community hosted a town hall in Oakland to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the Lanterman Act-- known to advocates as the “the Golden Promise”. The Lanterman Act is a law passed in the 70’s that gave people with developmental disabilities equal rights and responsibilities and established regional centers that serve to advocate and protect these rights.
But speakers from the Developmental Disabilities Community told lawmakers on a panel that the system was on the brink of collapse. But that was before lawmakers reached a deal on managed care. The MCO deal is set for a vote Monday. If passed, the m-c-o will increase funding for developmental disabilities programs. KPFA’s Emma Riley reports from Oakland: