Texas state supported living centers
Texas state supported living centers (formerly state schools) are a collection of residential facilities run by the state for people with intellectual disabilities (formerly called "mental retardation") in Texas, United States. The schools, operated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, operate under the Federal Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) program.
The 13 state facilities provide round-the-clock care for more than 4,500 Texans with mild, moderate, severe or profound developmental delays and people with developmental delays who are also medically fragile or who have behavioral issues. The average age of residents is 46, and 72 percent of residents have profound or severe developmental delays (i.e., IQ is below 40).
On May 20, 2009, the state reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice on a comprehensive action plan to improve care and coordination of services for persons who reside at state supported living centers. The agreement outlines the state's plan to address issues identified by the Department of Justice in 2006 and 2008.
Scott Schalchlin was named assistant commissioner for the State Supported Living Centers (SSLC) in December 2013.
Abilene State Supported Living Center, located in Abilene, is home to approximately 500 people with developmental disabilities. Among amenities are two guest houses for visiting family members, a nature area, and a large park and playground area. The nature area and park are open to the public.
The site that was to become Abilene State School was originally a State Epileptic Colony. The project was launched in 1897 when Governor Joseph D. Sayers appointed a commission to select the site. The institution was to be patterned after the Craig Colony in New York, and was originally intended to house five hundred people.
Citizens of Abilene were eager to have the state select a nearby site, for the boost it would provide to the local economy. Since the water supply was poor, residents banded together to purchase land to build Lytle Lake. Citizens also donated $3,200 for the city to purchase 640 acres (2.6 km2) of land to be given to the state for the institution.The Texas legislature unanimously approved the site in February 1899.
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