Tobinworld

Lawsuits

• Corbett v. Regional Center of the East Bay, Inc. 1988 | Unknown | United States District Court, N.D. California | C-87-5322 SAW Names this facility

  Plaintiffs filed an action under the Education for All Handicapped Children Act to protect a minor's educational placement and funding at a residential facility. The Department of Social Services sought clarification on whether a preliminary injunction prevented them from pursuing a license revocation action against the facility. The court ruled that state licensing authorities may proceed in good faith with license revocation proceedings under state law, provided the actions are not used as a ruse to alter the student's placement in violation of federal law.

• Corbett v. Regional Center for the East Bay, Inc. 1988 | Unknown | United States District Court for the Northern District of California | C-87-5322 SAW Names this facility

  Plaintiffs sought a preliminary injunction to prevent a community agency and state department from unilaterally terminating funding and changing the residential and educational placement of their handicapped son at a behavioral research facility. The defendants had acted to relocate the youth due to concerns regarding safety and the use of restraints following medical incidents. The court evaluated whether it had jurisdiction under the Education for All Handicapped Children Act to regulate non-educational agencies providing related services and ultimately denied the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction.

Incidents on record

1. 1981 Investigation

   After a resident's death in 1981 California investigated BRI of California, finding residents beaten, restrained, humiliated and underfed, and banned physical aversives, restraints and meal withholding as punishment; Matthew Israel was banned from entering the facility.source

News coverage

• 

  Daily News Nov 7, 2019 Closure

  Tobinworld special needs school in Glendale to close Dec. 20

  Tobinworld, a special‑needs school in Glendale, announced it will cease operations on December 20, 2019 due to prolonged financial difficulties and declining enrollment. The closure will affect 115 staff members and result in the transfer of 209 students to other district schools, while a mental‑health facility on the campus will continue operating through June.

• 

  Glendale News-Press Nov 23, 2016 General

  Tobinworld, named for founder’s son, turns 40

  The article profiles Tobinworld, a private school serving autistic and behaviorally challenged youth, as it marks its 40th anniversary. Founder Judy Weber created the school in 1976 after encountering limited services for her son, Tobin, and continues to oversee the Glendale campus, which enrolls roughly 275 students.

• 

  The Press Jul 13, 2016 Closure

  Tobinworld II closes its doors

  Tobinworld II, a nonprofit special‑education school in Antioch, California, announced it will close on July 26, 2016 after the Antioch and Oakland Unified School Districts withdrew their students citing concerns about transparency and a video showing alleged staff assault. The closure follows prior state investigations, a temporary suspension of the school's credentials, and criminal charges against former employees.

• K

  Kron4 May 25, 2016 Expose

  Regulatory Investigation Links Antioch Special Needs School to Controversial Consultant

  The article examines allegations linking Antioch Special Needs School and Tobinworld to a controversial doctor, focusing on reported concerns about staff conduct and safety protocols.

• 

  KGO-TV Jan 7, 2016 Event

  Two Tobinworld employees in Antioch suspended after beating video surfaces

  Two employees of Tobinworld, a special‑needs school in Antioch, were placed on suspension after a video allegedly showing them beating a student was released. The incident prompted an internal investigation and public reporting by local news outlets.

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  East Bay Times Aug 27, 2015 Expose

  State Suspends Tobinworld Special Education Campuses

  The California Department of Education suspended Tobinworld II and III after finding that administrators had misrepresented staff qualifications, failed required background and tuberculosis checks, and allowed an unlicensed consultant to develop behavioral plans. The schools also failed to staff all classrooms with fully credentialed teachers. The suspension requires corrective actions to be completed by September 16, 2015.

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  Los Angeles Times May 13, 1986 Arrest

  Closed After Northridge Fire : Autistic Youth Institute to Reopen--in Sunland

  The Behavior Research Institute, a residential center for autistic youth, was closed after an arson fire in April 1986 and is slated to reopen at a new Sunland location. State officials approved a provisional license, restoring state funding, while an ex‑employee was arrested on multiple charges related to the fire. The institute has announced that all physical punishments have been discontinued.