Pennsylvania DHS To Delay Closing Polk & White Haven I/DD Centers Until November 2022

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) will delay the scheduled closures of two state centers for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) until November 30, 2022. The centers are the Polk State Center in Venango County and White Haven State Center in Luzerne County. DHS said the delay is due to challenges created by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency.

DHS had initially announced the closures in 2019. The goal is to move the residents to smaller and more community-based settings. DHS continues to work with residents and their families to find new placements . . .