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Closure Commission to hear final round of testimony on fate of Apple Creek, Springview Retardation Centers

May 14, 2004 - The General Assembly’s MR/DD Closure Commission will hold its final two hearing in Columbus May 18 and 19 on the proposed closures of Apple Creek and Springview Developmental Centers.

The six-member commission will hear testimony on Tuesday, May 18 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Rhodes State Office Tower, Rm. 2925, and Wednesday, May 19, beginning at 2 p.m. in the Rhodes State Office Tower Lobby Hearing Room.

Parents and opponents will testify that the $6 million the ODMR/DD says it will save doesn’t account for cost shifting to county and local governments when individuals move to county and community programs. In prior testimony parents and staff have been critical of the department’s ill-conceived closure plans and lack of available beds.

On May 19, the often-contentious hearings will culminate with testimony by national experts on the impact the closures will have on individuals residing at the facilities.

Parents and concerned Ohioans say that Ohio’s MR/DD system does not have enough residential services or programs for profoundly retarded individuals now. They say that closing these facilities will place an even greater burden on the system. Ohio currently has a list of 17,000 people waiting for residential services.

By law, the commission was established to look at the economic and health and safety effects of closing any of the state’s Developmental Centers.

For more information contact Deirdre O’Neill at 614-865-2604, 800-969-4702, ext. 2604, or 614-205-9967 (cell).

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