Life Skills & Transition Center reports declining census, more short-term admissions and statewide outreach

Summary

The superintendent of the Life Skills and Transition Center told the committee the campus census has declined while admissions and short-term crisis stabilizations have risen; the center described transition supports, adaptive-equipment outreach and budget pressures tied to staffing and contracted services.

Heather Jenkins, superintendent of the Life Skills and Transition Center (LSTC) in Grafton, told the Appropriations committee the center had a point-in-time census of 46 people as of Dec. 2024, comprised of 32 adults and 14 youth, and that the center has focused on shorter-term crisis admissions and transitions to community providers.

Nut graf: Jenkins and HHS staff described LSTC's shift from long-term institutional care toward a stabilization-and-transition role, provided data showing more admissions but shorter stays and explained budget pressures driven by overtime, contract staffing and increased clinical supports.

Jenkins said LSTC serves as a specialized crisis and stabilization resource for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and offers residential crisis, short-term stabilization, transition supports, vocational services, applied behavior analysis, a statewide crisis stabilization team and adaptive-equipment services. "We support families and private residential facilities," Jenkins said. "We are not a permanent home, but rather the right service at the right time, helping individuals stabilize to build skills and prepare for future independence."

Census and transitions

- Jenkins reported a December 2024 census of 46 (32 adults; 14 youth). Between July 2023 and Dec. 2024 LSTC admitted 22 people,…

Life Skills & Transition Center reports declining census, more short-term admissions and statewide outreach

Summary

Subscribe to keep reading