Sen. Schiavoni proposes legislation to oversee closings of state facilities

YOUNGSTOWN — State Sen. Joseph Schiavoni has proposed legislation that would establish a 13-member commission that would evaluate and make binding rulings concerning proposed closings of state institutions.

Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, said he has bipartisan support for the bill, known as Senate Bill 62.

The senator was one of several state legislators, who spoke at a meeting today called by the Mahoning County commissioners to discuss the planned closing of the Youngstown Developmental Center.

The meeting at Oakhill Renaissance Place was attended by members of the YDC staff and representatives of county boards of developmental disabilities from around Northeast Ohio.

YDC, which is slated to close by June 30, 2017, has a staff of 272 serving 85 residents with developmental disabilities in seven homes on the Mineral Ridge campus near Austintown.

The majority of YDC residents have severe disabilities and need extensive supports in daily living, health care and social skills development.

Besides YDC, the state plans to close its Montgomery County Developmental Center.

That will leave eight state developmental centers, including the Warrensville Developmental Center near Cleveland, where YDC residents could go.

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com