In a media release Wednesday, August 14, DHS Secretary Teresa Miller announced the closure of Polk State Center and White Haven State Center in Luzerne County and said 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, according to the release.

An employee of the Polk Center speaking on the condition of anonymity because the employee isn’t authorized to speak on the closing, told exploreVenango that an announcement was made to all the staff Wednesday morning.

“I talked to AFCME Council 85, and a staff member there confirmed the same,” the employee said. “They are holding informational meeting throughout the day for employees.”

Polk Center employs around 700 employees and is the largest employer in Venango County. It currently houses around 194 residents, according to the employee.