Protecting all

This letter is in response to the Dec. 1 letter “A MuchNeeded Transition During the Pandemic.”

The letter states, “In Pennsylvania, we know that thousands of people with developmental disabilities still remain warehoused in institutions.”

That is not true: In the four state centers across the Pennsylvania, 700 individuals live lives of dignity and purpose living in small cottages in a campus setting in a community of relationships that sustain and nourish in a place they know and trust.

These centers are their homes! They live there and live full and very satisfying lives. Their homes are stable, clean, comfortable, closely regulated and are decorated with personalized interests.

There is a person-centered core, an active interfaith chaplaincy, multiple off-campus opportunities, as well as a fully operational vocational program across a wide range of ability — 167 individuals at Polk Center are employed at 261 jobs and some have more than one job. This is an 86% employment rate.

The first mission of the state centers is to protect and defend Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens, and now during this time of COVID-19 the staff are hypervigilant.

The union workforce serves Pennsylvania proudly, and the centers have won praise and gratitude from members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Nationally, we know that Community Options has recently honored Sen. Bob Casey with an award; we also honor him with our service and commitment to quality care. Polk is licensedby the U.S. Department of Health to the highest standards. The center’s goal is to serve without prejudice.

PATTY J. FIKE

Franklin The writer is a board member of Polk Center Strong for family, staff and community liaisons.