Utah school for disabled to lay off workers

AMERICAN FORK — The State Developmental Center in American Fork will lay off up to 45 workers in upcoming weeks because of a $6 million budget cut.

Superintendent Karen Clarke said the school has been discussing the impact of budget cuts with parents, staff and community.

More than 200 developmentally disabled residents who are unable to speak or care for themselves live at the school.

Amy Simmons, whose 19-year-old daughter, Emily, is one of them, said she's concerned about the impact the budget cuts will have.

"We feel very strongly that these kids and these adults need to have these services available to them," Simmons said.

The school is the first place Emily has performed well for an extended time, she said.

"They have the tools and resources to help someone with her type of issues," Simmons said. "We are very pleased with the services she is receiving there because she is being successful in her world right now."

The cuts are coming because the Legislature has trimmed the school's budget by $2 million, and the federal government has pulled $4 million in funding.

A therapy pool and a therapy horseback riding program will be closed permanently. Utah Department of Human Services spokeswoman Elizabeth Sollis said the exact number of positions being cut is still undetermined.

But while some jobs will permanently go away, Sollis said it is possible that some laid-off employees could be hired by private companies to fill their former positions.

Developmental center officials are considering privatizing clinical professional positions in the fields of social work, psychology, recreation therapy and other similar specialties.

"The main concerns expressed by parents are related to health and safety needs of their loved ones," Clarke said. "As has always been the case at (the center), the needs, rights and safety of the individuals receiving services are our No. 1 priority. We are doing our best to reorganize in a manner that minimizes service disruption."