The Area 2 Board is one of thirteen area-wide
developmental disabilities boards In the State of California. It was originally
established under the Lanterman Mental Retardation Services Act of 1969 to help
plan for services for persons with mental retardation and their families. In
1973, AB 846 amended the Lanterman Act to include persons with developmental
disabilities requiring services similar to those provided for persons with
mental retardation, e.g., epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism.
In 1976, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities
Services Act was again amended to expand the duties of the area boards to
include advocacy, program review, public information and education, community
development and coordination, planning and policy review activities. These
amendments have been incorporated into Division 4.5 of the California Welfare
and Institutions Code.
Area 2 encompasses nine counties: Butte, Glenn,
Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Tehama, Trinity, Shasta and Siskiyou. This area accounts
for 22 percent of California’s land area or 35,000 square miles, including a
large amount of mountainous terrain and a total population of about 580,000.
AREA BOARD MEMBERSHIP
In accordance with the Lanterman Act, the Area 2
Board consists of one member appointed by each County Board of Supervisors and
five members appointed by the Governor, making a total of 14 members.
Representation is composed of persons with
developmental disabilities or the immediate relatives, guardians or conservators
of such persons, and representatives of the general public. Of the County
Supervisors’ appointments, 60% shall be persons with developmental disabilities
or the immediate relatives, guardians or conservators of such persons and 40%
shall represent the general public. The Governor and the Board of Supervisors
shall appoint persons who have demonstrated interest and leadership in human
services. In order to prevent potential conflicts of interest, no voting member
of the Board shall be employed as providers of service to persons with
developmental disabilities or be members of the governing board of any entity
providing such service, when such service is funded in whole or in part with
state funds. Members serve for three-year terms. In counties with a population
of more than 100,000, no member shall serve more than two consecutive three-year
terms. All board members serve without compensation, but are reimbursed for some
of the expense incurred in the performance of their duties.
BOARD MEETINGS
The Area 2 Board meets five times a year. The public
is welcome to attend meetings which are rotated throughout the area.
OFFICERS & COMMITTEES
The Board elects a Chairperson and other officers,
and establishes committees as necessary. Committee members are appointed by the
Chairperson and may include other Area Board members. In addition, the Board
employs a small professional support staff.
Board Functions:
◊ Protects and advocates the rights of
all persons with developmental disabilities
◊ Conducts or causes to be
conducted public information programs for professional groups and for the
general public, to increase awareness of developmental disabilities, their
prevention, the DD service system, related issues and elimination of barriers to
integration, employment and participation in all community activities
◊ Encourages and assists in the
establishment of independent citizen advocacy organizations to assist
individuals with developmental disabilities in using services and participating
in community activities
◊ Reviews the policies and
practices of publicly funded agencies that serve or may serve persons with
developmental disabilities to determine if they are meeting their statutory
obligations
◊ Remains informed about the
quality of services in the area
◊ Assists the State Council on
Developmental Disabilities in the preparation of the State Plan by accumulating
and supplying information on available services, needs and priorities
◊ Encourages and coordinates the
development of needed services of good quality to prevent duplication,
fragmentation of services and unnecessary expenditures
◊ Coordinates and conducts Life
Quality Assessments for people with developmental disabilities, receiving FNRC
services, who do not live with their families
