The only developmental center still open is Porterville Developmental Center (PDC). It is possible the court may find you need services only offered at PDC. PDC could also be a less restrictive setting than jail or prison. But, the regional center should still be involved, even if the court wants you to go to PDC. Your IPP team should consider why the court made this decision and start helping you address the issues that influenced the court so you can move out as soon as possible. Your IPP team can talk to your lawyer or the court about what placement and services they can give you.

The court relies heavily on reports from your DC and the regional center to determine if you need to stay in the DC. Your IPP also gives the court valuable information about the supports you need, what is keeping you from living in the community, and what you need to return to the community. Often the problem is simply that the housing or supplemental services and supports you need to live safely in the community are not available. Once the court knows what you need, it can decide if you need to live in a DC, or how to meet your needs in the least restrictive setting.

Your lawyer or advocate can ask for an order that does not specify how much time you have to be in the DC. Instead, they can ask for an order that says you can leave the DC when the services you need to return to the community are available. Your lawyer can also ask the court to monitor the progress of the regional center in finding or developing the services and supports you need.