State, union officials fear economic fallout from closure of centers serving Pennsylvanians with

State, union officials fear economic fallout from closure of centers serving Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities


The Wolf administration announced Wednesday it plans to close two state facilities that care for the intellectually disabled, delighting disability activists but leaving local lawmakers and unions frustrated with the process.

The two state centers, White Haven in Luzerne County and Polk in Venango, will be gradually shut down over the next three years, the Department of Human Services said in a press release Wednesday morning.

The 306 individuals still in the two facilities will be transferred into privately run community living arrangements. This could include living with family or in private group homes with 24-hour staffing.

The individuals will still be monitored by the Human Services department and have access to state services. A DHS spokesperson added that “home and community-based services are highly regulated services offering the same types of health and safety protections that are provided in the state centers.”

Read more: https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/lawmakers-unions-fear-job-losses-economic-impact-of-state-facility-closures/