The Department of Human Services announced the closure of Polk State Center in Venango County and White Haven State Center in Luzerne County. The closure process is expected to take about three years. Both centers are intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The closures reflect the Wolf Administration’s work to serve more people in the community, reduce reliance on institutional care, and improve access to home- and community-based services so every Pennsylvanian can live an everyday life.

Consistent with national trends, Pennsylvania has steadily closed most of its state centers since the 1960s when best practices turned toward community-based settings and away from institutions. Fifty years ago, in Pennsylvania, DHS served more than 13,000 people with intellectual disabilities in state-operated facilities. Twenty years ago, state centers served 3,000 individuals. Today, fewer than 720 individuals receive care in a state center, a decrease of more than 70 percent since 1999.

“This is an incredible moment in our history in Pennsylvania,” said DHS Sec. Teresa Miller. “Over the past 120 years, thousands of Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities lived some or all their lives in Polk and White Haven state centers. We recognize their history and commend the work that center staff have done to support these individuals and their families, but we also must commit to a future that truly includes individuals with disabilities and offers them an everyday life as fully integrated members of our communities.

The DHS says it will work directly with each resident and family from Polk and White Haven to explore all options, meet with potential community service providers and develop individualized transition plans. After discharge from a state center, DHS social workers, and licensing and regional staff will closely monitor each person’s transition to ensure they are safe, happy and settled into their new home.

“No resident will leave Polk or White Haven without a destination of their choosing and a fully developed plan that meets their physical, emotional, social and mental health needs,” said Sec. Miller. “We will not rush this process. We are committed to working closely with residents, families, and employees to ensure a smooth, safe transition.”

State Sen. John Yudichak, D – Luzerne/Carbon, whose mother Sally Yudichak worked there, said, “The closure of White Haven Center is a terrible blow for patients, employees, and the people of Luzerne County who care deeply about how those with intellectual disabilities are treated.

“Without warning or any advance notification, I was informed by Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller this morning that over the next thirty-six months White Haven Center will close. It is a decision that was made without consultation or an ounce of input from the Luzerne County legislative delegation. It is a decision that should be investigated and examined thoroughly from every perspective, especially from the perspective of the families who have entrusted the care of their loved ones to White Haven Center.”

SEIU, the union representing the center, also released a statement:

“We, as an organization, were blindsided by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ short-sighted decision to close both the Polk Center and the White Haven Center.” Both of these intermediate care facilities provide round-the-clock care for residents with intellectual disabilities. They ensure that residents have 24-hour access to supportive living, medical care and developmental activities, and, more importantly, ensure that residents have a safe, comfortable home. These centers also provide an option to families whose loved ones may be best-supported in a residential setting, rather than a community-based setting. After all, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to healthcare and human services.

“These centers are more than residential homes for Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities--they are communities of safety, comfort and learning. This is an ill-informed decision that will have negative repercussions for both workers and residents of White Haven and Polk Center,” said Steve Catanese, President of SEIU Local 668.

“I hope over the coming months the Department of Human Services will reconsider this abrupt and poor decision to close White Haven Center,” Yudichak said.

As the state centers’ censuses have declined, the DHS says the annual average cost of care per resident at Polk and White Haven is now $409,794 and $434,821, respectively. Community-based care typically comes with a smaller price tag.

All regular care and operations will continue at the state centers as DHS works through the relocation and closure process. About 1,173 state employees who work at the Polk and White Haven State Centers will be supported throughout the closure process to assure they have increased opportunities for future employment. Every effort will be made to place employees who wish to continue with commonwealth employment into existing vacant positions for which they qualify.

DHS will hold public hearings within 30 days of the closure announcement to accept comment about the closure from stakeholders, officials, and the community. The White Haven hearing will be at 1 p.m. Sept. 12, at the Hazleton One Community Center, 225 E. 4th St, Hazleton.

A toll-free hotline has been established for family members of Polk and White Haven residents who have questions during the closure process. Family members will be able to speak with staff from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 1.888.565.9435 or by email at RA-PWRAStateCenters@pa.gov.