1960s: CHH expands Production Services developing non-vocational programming (Adult Development Program, later The Learning Center).

1970: CHH receives letter of congratulations on occasion of its annual fashion show luncheon from Rose Kennedy.

1973: The Early Childhood Development Center for children, birth to 3 years old, replaces the CHH (now Poplar Center) Nursery School.

1974: Through significant Auxiliary financial support, a new building at 858 Stanton Road is purchased.

1976: Accreditation is granted to children's, adult, employment and staffing services by Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. CHH changes its name to Poplar Center.

1979: Poplar Center operates Half Moon Bay farm where participants learn skills while planting, harvesting and marketing produce.

1964s: Per diem rate for person living in an institution was $5.75; about one half the amount devoted to tending animals in a zoo.

1970: The term "developmental disability" was created to refer to "a disability attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or another neurological condition" and used for planning purposes and funding allocations.

1975: The term "developmental disability" is broadened to include autism and dyslexia.

1961: President Kennedy forms President's Panel on Mental Retardation, appointing 26 members. One year later the panel has 112 recommendations to help with problems experienced by people with disabilities.

1963: Federal funds authorized for construction of community facilities for people with developmental disabilities.

1964: California Legislature appoints a subcommittee to study the care for people with developmental disabilities in CA at the urging of parents primarily through CA Association for the Retarded.

1965: California Legislature recommends the state accept responsibility for people with developmental disabilities before they enter state hospitals by establishing two pilot regional centers.

1969: Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Assembly Bill 225) is passed, defining the rights of persons with disabilities and extending regional center services in CA

1970: Federal District Court case Wyatt v. Stickney rules "that individuals who are mentally ill or mentally retarded have a constitutional right to treatment in the least restrictive setting necessary."

1970: Urban Mass Transit Act amended to require eligible local jurisdictions to plan and design mass transit facilities and services so that they could be available and useable by people with disabilities or the elderly.

1972: The Social Security Act of 1972 authorized a consolidated, federally administered cash benefits program for needy individuals and couples who are aged, blind or have a disability.

1973: The Rehabilitation Act was rewritten with stronger emphasis on providing rehabilitation services to people with severe disabilities.

1973: Lanterman authors Assembly Bill 846 expanding regional center mandate to include other developmental disabilities: cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, other neurological conditions.

1974: President Richard Nixon issued Executive Order 11776 reaffirming the national goal of returning about 1/3 of the 200,000 people with developmental disabilities currently in public institutions to community residential placements.

1975: The Education for All Handicapped Children Act mandates that the educational system provide a "free appropriate public education" in the "least restrictive setting" for all eligible children with disabilities. The Act required that an individualized education program (IEP) be developed, annual goals and short-term objectives identified, specific special education and related services described.

1978: CA establishes Department of Developmental Services, removing administration of developmental service programs from overburdened State Department of Health.

1965: Senator Robert Kennedy, with a TV crew, toured the Willowbrook State School in New York.