Families came out in force Monday to rally support for White Haven Center.

The state announced it was closing two more facilities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including the one in Luzerne County.

"A lot of arguing a lot of people were angry," said Tom Kashatus. His daughter Maria lives at the center.

At an informational meeting for families that media was not allowed to attend, people weren't afraid to give the state a piece of their mind.

"I’ll read you some of the quotes," said Susan Jennings, whose son lives at White Haven. "'These kids are not disposable,' 'my son has legal rights,' 'my brother has been here for 15 years.' We already know all about the community and our children did poorly there and that's why they’re here."

"The governor has announced this as this being a philosophical decision," said Richard Jennings. "Nothing to do with the facility or the community or the quality or the money that was involved."

Many are speaking out about the decision.

"I recognize that community-based programs are good and I'm not here to dismiss them," said Gregory Smith, the president of the White Haven Board of Trustees. "But for the people with the most challenging behaviors or those who have the most critical physical health needs, places like, in my opinion, White Haven need to exist."

It's impacting families like Ann Winsock's. Her sister Janine has lived here for decades. "My dad forfeited his Social Security benefits when he delivered Janine here thinking she would have a lifetime home and she will be safe," said Winsocks. "I will not visit her at a cemetery plot," added Winsocks. "That is not what my father signed up for."

Some fear it’s only a matter of time before Ebensburg State Center could close.With state centers closing in Venango and Luzerne Counties, many residents are concerned that the Ebensburg Center is next. Representative Frank Burns was surprised about the closures.

“Now I wake up today and he’s shutting down two of these centers across the state with plans of shutting them all down by 2025.”

Burns is talking about the Wolf Administration’s plans to shut down state centers across Pennsylvania.

“Taking something like that out of our community will have a huge rippling effect. Not only for the workers but also for the families that have residents there.”

Mary Wills is one of those family members. Her sister-in-law has been in a state center for 58 years. She says the assistance patients get at centers is unmatched.

Georgia is still failing to meet key parts of its agreement with the U.S. Justice Department on caring for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities, according to an independent reviewer’s report released this week.

The reviewer, Elizabeth Jones, cited “preventable deaths occurring in the state system, often the product of confirmed neglect.’’ Many deaths of people with developmental disabilities were classified as ‘‘unexpected,’’ she said.

Furthermore, on the issue of Georgia’s obligation to provide supported housing for people with mental illness, Jones said the state’s performance “appears to be slipping, rather than moving forward as expected.’’

Jones’ oversight role arose from a 2010 settlement agreement between the state and the Justice Department. In that landmark pact, Georgia agreed to provide new community services for people with mental illness and those with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

What do a road trip to see the Texas Rangers, a formal dance, flowers and air-conditioned vans have in common?

If you are in any way affiliated with the Abilene State Supported Living Center, formerly Abilene State School, the answer is clear.

The center, which cares for developmentally and intellectually challenged individuals, is funded by the state and any extras for decades have been made possible because of its volunteers.

“The state of Texas provides the basics, such as food, shelter, as well as activities and vocational training opportunities,” said Community Relations Director Shea Butts, adding that the center is limited by what is allocated in the state budget.

That’s where the Volunteer Services Council steps in.

Local Assemblyman Chris Holden (D) said recent budget victories for the developmentally disabled represent a big step, “but that there is more to do.

”With passage and signing of the first state budget under Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), Holden can point to his leadership in securing what grew to be $400 million for developmentally disabled service providers, as well as to having helped in the fields of speech pathology and music therapy.

Holden, along with other assembly colleagues, made a $200 million budget request for service providers to the developmentally disabled. Approval secured another $200 million in federal matching funds.

Four caregivers at a Mount Dora group home were placed on administrative leave and charged with abusing a disabled woman at a group home, court records show.

Lake County sheriff’s detective Angela Smith, who investigated the Aug. 13 incident, alleged in a three-page document that a surveillance video shows a “very heavy set” caregiver standing on the woman’s head with all her weight.

Smith wrote that this “could have easily caused great bodily harm or even death” to the unnamed victim, a client of the group home.

Ryan Dougherty works at a Canton hospital collecting sharps from needles and incinerating them.

For this work, Dougherty, who has a developmental disability, earns  $13.31 an hour.

But the direct support professionals who help Dougherty get to work and achieve his professional goals receive $11.12 an hour.  

That low pay has led to a revolving door of helpers, many of whom the family dearly loved, Ryan's mother Jan Dougherty said. One left recently because he was able to find a better-paying job to support his family. 

“I’m really looking forward to some relief," she said. 

Immigrants with disabilities could face more difficulty becoming U.S. citizens or permanent residents under new rules from the Trump administration.

Under the so-called “public charge” rule, immigration officials can deny applications for green cards based on a person’s use of government safety-net programs including Medicaid.

“An individual with a developmental disability in a low-wage job could have their low income, their health condition and their use of benefits such as Medicaid or Social Security all separately held against them,” said Elizabeth Lower-Basch of the Center for Law and Social Policy, a Washington, D.C. nonprofit. “Overall, this rule is based on an outdated and false stereotype of people with disabilities as unable to contribute to society.”

The rule is set to go into effect Oct. 15, but more than a dozen states have filed lawsuits in an effort to block its implementation.

Prospective citizens have long been judged by their potential need for assistance with food, housing or health care. But the new rule expands the reasons a green card applicant can be turned away, adding Medicaid eligibility and a lack of funds to cover future medical needs

“It sends a message to all Americans with disabilities that this administration does not value or welcome you,” Lower-Basch said.