Senate committee advances nominee for developmental services director amid questions about center closures and master plan

The California State Senate Rules Committee advanced a nomination for director of the Department of Developmental Services after a confirmation hearing that reviewed closures of state developmental centers, progress on the master plan for developmental services and growing caseload pressures across regional centers.

The nominee (referred to on the record as "Pete," acting director of the Department of Developmental Services) described his statewide public-service career and emphasized partnerships with regional centers, service providers, advocates and other state agencies. "Our critical work is not done by any particular individual," he told the committee, and said his goal if confirmed would be "to leave things better than when I arrived."

Senators focused on the transition away from state developmental centers, including Sonoma Developmental Center, and the department—s role in relocating residents and tracking outcomes. The nominee said the department completed transition work at Sonoma on June 30 and framed center closures as part of a longer-term move to integrated community living that aligns with the U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead decision. He said the department still operates a limited number of state-run facilities and regional homes while continuing to reintegrate people into community settings.

Committee members and witnesses discussed the Master Plan for Developmental Services, which the nominee said involved more than 100 people in working groups and roughly 45 community sessions across the state; the plan contains about 167 recommendations across many program areas. The nominee emphasized the importance of modernizing information technology and improving regional center staffing, and described an active IT project called the Life Outcomes Improvement System that will consolidate case management and fiscal systems.

On program numbers, the nominee said the self-determination program has just over 8,000 participants, up from about 2,500 a few years earlier, and still represents roughly 2% of the total population served by regional centers. He said early start caseloads have grown from about 45,000 to over 70,000 in recent years and that legislative budget actions anticipate serving roughly 39,000 additional people this year, bringing the monthly caseload to about 491,000 and an annual reach of nearly 700,000 people who interact with the system in a year. The nominee said the department's budget increased year-over-year by about $300 million, with approximately $120 million in cuts moderating that growth.

Witnesses including family members, regional center directors, advocacy organizations and service providers strongly supported the nominee, praising his responsiveness and partnerships with community groups. Senator Laird moved to approve the nomination; the committee recorded a roll-call approval in committee (initially recorded as 4-0 in the transcript with the final vote later reported), and the nomination was set to go to the full Senate floor for final confirmation.

Committee members underscored ongoing priorities: ensuring funds shift from closed developmental centers to community-based supports, tracking outcomes for transitions, addressing caseload and staffing pressures at regional centers, and completing rate-model and provider workforce work so services are available when funding is authorized. The committee did not adopt additional conditions beyond requesting continued engagement and tracking; the nomination advanced to the Senate floor for a final vote.

The hearing included multiple community speakers who described personal and family experiences with regional-center services and urged continued investment in community-based housing, service coordination and workforce stability.