Southside Virginia Training Center Closes
This week, Southside Virginia Training Center in Petersburg, Virginia, officially closes its operation. The last resident left the institution yesterday; the facility officially closes on Friday.
The disAbility Law Center of Virginia congratulates the staff and leadership of Southside Virginia Training Center for their careful planning for this transition. During a time of turmoil and anxiety, staff and leadership showed exceptional compassion and care for the residents with intellectual disabilities.
In 2011, the United States Department of Justice issued a letter of findings, stating that the Commonwealth of Virginia was in violation of federal law by its operation of the state operated training centers and by its failure to provide adequate services in the community. At the time, SVTC had a population of more than 250 individuals.
As part of a settlement agreement with the United States, in 2012, the Commonwealth announced the closure of several state operated institutions for people with intellectual disabilities and pledged substantial improvements in community services in conjunction with those closures. At the time of the agreement, SVTC still had a census of 230 individuals. Since the settlement agreement, most residents of SVTC safely transitioned to small, integrated homes in the community, with individualized service plans. A few residents moved to other state operated institutions. The 2011 agreement anticipated closure of Southside Virginia by June 30, 2014. The agreement anticipates closure of Northern Virginia Training Center in 2015, and two others in years to follow.
“We are grateful to Bill Hawkins and his staff at Southside for demonstrating that these transitions can be done in a thoughtful and loving way,” said Colleen Miller, executive director of the dLCV. “This is a huge step forward for all individuals with developmental disabilities in Virginia, thanks to Southside’s excellent model.”
The disAbility Law Center of Virginia is the state’s designated protection and advocacy system. Formerly known as the Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy, the dLCV is now a fully independent nonprofit organization. The dLCV represents and promotes the rights of people with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth.
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