DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE Public Hearing on Declining Resident Population at Altoona Center [31 Pa.B. 1518] The Department of Public Welfare (Department) will hold a public hearing on the declining resident population at Altoona Center, Blair County. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2001, at 7 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, 1 Sheraton Drive, Altoona.
State law requires the Department to hold a public hearing on any State mental health or mental retardation facility within 30 days of a closure announcement or following a downsizing of 20% or more in patient population since December 31, 1997.
The decrease in resident population at Altoona Center is a result of numerous factors, primarily successful community placement of individuals with mental retardation into small community homes, which provide alternatives to State center treatments and living arrangement. The hearing is not driven by a closure announcement.
Individuals or organizations wishing to testify should contact Mary Yingst, Acting Regional Program Manager at (717) 772-6507 by April 3, 2001. Anyone requiring special accommodations is asked to inform the Department at the time of scheduling.
FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-467. Filed for public inspection March 16, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]
