• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Friday, March 24, 2023
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home State Government

State officials announce that Glenwood Resource Center will close in 2024

Gov. Kim Reynolds, Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, and House Speaker Pat Grassley announced that the state intends to close the Glenwood Resource Center in 2024.

Iowa TorchbyIowa Torch
April 8, 2022
in State Government
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Iowa DHS Announces $5 Million Investment in Foster Care Youth & Alumni

GLENWOOD, Iowa – Gov. Kim Reynolds, Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, and House Speaker Pat Grassley announced on Thursday that the state intends to close the Glenwood Resource Center (GRC) in 2024. Located in Glenwood, GRC provides residential care and other services for Iowans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  

RELATED POSTS

Reynolds signs two bills addressing transgender children

School restroom bill heads to Reynolds’ desk

Iowa House sends government reorganization bill to Reynolds’ desk

Over the next two years, GRC will continue to provide care for its residents while working with their guardians and families to transition them to community placements or the Woodward Resource Center. Existing staff members will be critical in supporting a smooth transition for residents and, as such, will be offered retention incentives to continue working at GRC during this time. The state will also assist staff in identifying new career opportunities in Iowa as their employment nears an end.  

Additionally, the state will work with local government officials and community leaders to minimize the impact on the Glenwood community and Mills County, and to identify alternative uses for the GRC campus after the facility closes.   

ADVERTISEMENT

Throughout the transition period, the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) will work with care providers statewide to build the resources needed to ensure access to the full continuum of care for Iowans with disabilities.  

In November 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) opened a two-part investigation into Iowa’s state-operated resource centers for the time period spanning from 2017 through 2020, focusing on serious allegations involving GRC and the state’s over-reliance on institutional settings for serving individuals with disabilities. DHS has worked cooperatively with the DOJ throughout the investigation and has implemented its own improvement efforts to address concerns. 

Despite the progress that has been made, significant challenges remain. While negotiations with the DOJ continue, the expectations that have been outlined for services, workforce, and additional investment at GRC cannot be attained and sustained long term at the facility. Accordingly, in line with its commitment to serving individuals in the least restrictive setting, the state will enhance support to community providers as it simultaneously looks to expand services at Woodward Resource Center, making it a central point of care delivery and coordination for vulnerable Iowans.  

“While necessary, the decision to close the Glenwood Resource Center is a difficult one that I take very seriously. For many residents, it’s the only home they’ve ever known. I am fully committed to a seamless and successful transition of care for them, their families and the staff at Glenwood,” Reynolds said. “Iowans with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve quality care that aligns with the expectations of the DOJ. Our best path forward to achieve those standards is closing GRC and reinvesting in a community-based care continuum that offers a broad array of services. That’s what we’re prepared to do to continue to meet the needs of Iowans.” 

“Despite significant effort over the last two years to improve care and respond to DOJ directives, continued operation of the Glenwood Resource Center has become untenable. This was a difficult decision, and we are committed to ensuring that the transition process thoughtfully addresses the concerns of everyone impacted by the closure,” Whitver stated.  

“In addition to families, guardians, residents and staff, this decision directly affects the entire Glenwood community, and we don’t take that lightly,” Grassley said. “As we work to meet the needs of GRC residents in the least restrictive setting possible, we will also be working closely with state agencies and local officials to ensure we support the needs of the community throughout this process.” 

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services will be on-site at GRC to meet with guardians, family members, and staff. The department will continue to provide updates and critical information as work progresses.  

Tags: Glenwood Resource CenterIowa Department of Human ServicesJack WhitverKim ReynoldsPat GrassleyU.S Department of Justice
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Holt: Funding students or institutions?

Next Post

Miller-Meeks: Continuing our support

Iowa Torch

Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans.

Related Posts

State Government

Reynolds signs two bills addressing transgender children

March 23, 2023
Opinion

Hendrickson: Iowa’s fiscal foundation is solid

March 22, 2023
white tiled wall with men s restroom sign
State Government

School restroom bill heads to Reynolds’ desk

March 20, 2023
State Government

Iowa House sends government reorganization bill to Reynolds’ desk

March 16, 2023
people running during daytime
Opinion

Ernst: For our daughters.

March 13, 2023
Reynolds appoints Chad Aldis to head Iowa Dept. of Education
Education

Reynolds appoints Chad Aldis to head Iowa Dept. of Education

March 9, 2023
Next Post
Miller-Meeks Asks If Feds Are Prepared to Support States, Cities Fight Cyber-Attacks

Miller-Meeks: Continuing our support

Editorial: Johnston School Board can’t legally deny a TPUSA chapter

Editorial: Johnston School Board can't legally deny a TPUSA chapter

Sign-Up For Our Daily Updates

Get The Iowa Torch right in your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Recommended Articles

Wasson Announces He Will Run for Open Seat in Iowa Senate District 42

Wasson: Linn & Benton counties deserve real conservative representation

June 6, 2022
Iowa House Approves Anti-COVID-19 Vaccine Passport Bill

Iowa House Approves Anti-COVID-19 Vaccine Passport Bill

April 30, 2021
Miller-Meeks: It’s Not Heaven, It’s the Iowa State Fair

Miller-Meeks: It’s Not Heaven, It’s the Iowa State Fair

August 14, 2021

Popular Stories

  • Iowa’s New Unemployment Rate Holds Steady, Overall Rates Rise

    Horn: It’s time for employers get serious about Iowa’s untapped workforce

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • School restroom bill heads to Reynolds’ desk

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Sherman: Iowa can fight back against the Biden Administration’s attack on retirees and families

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Ernst: Biden’s WOTUS whiplash.

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reynolds signs two bills addressing transgender children

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.