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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut officials plan to close two of five regional centers that serve people with developmental disabilities, saying the moves will allow the state to serve more people.
The Department of Developmental Services announced Thursday that it intends to close the Ella T. Grasso Regional Center in Stratford and the Meriden Regional Center in Meriden. The facilities serve a total of 40 people and employ 171 workers.
Officials say the savings will be used to pay for less-expensive private provider programs and for more services in the community. Officials say it costs $400,000 a year to care for each person at the centers.
Residents affected by the closures will be given the choice to move to other regional centers or to community-based programs.
Labor union officials are criticizing the closures.
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