Life Skills and Transition Center urges funding for roof, staff as short-term crisis care grows

Superintendent Heather Jenkins told the Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division that the Life Skills and Transition Center in Grafton has shifted from long-term institutional care to short-term crisis stabilization and statewide outreach, and asked lawmakers to approve a one-time roof replacement and funding to support operations.

Jenkins said LSTC operates on a $73,000,000 budget and “provides specialized care to children and adults with complex and co‑occurring disabilities who may not be adequately supported by existing community services.” She described two primary services: residential crisis stabilization in an intermediate care facility and non‑residential statewide stabilization supports including applied behavior analysis, crisis coordinators and transition planning.

The request to replace the Cedar Grove roof — a one‑time state general fund request of $712,480 — was highlighted as necessary to protect recent remodeling work and ensure continuing safe occupancy for 28 residents served in that building. Jenkins said the roof has been repeatedly patched and “temporary…