HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- PA Public Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman today announced that the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) will hold a second day of hearings to accept public testimony on the closing of Harrisburg State Hospital in Dauphin County.
“There are currently 59 people registered to testify,” Secretary Richman said. “In the interest of everyone having the proper chance to be heard, we’ve decided to extend the opportunity to speak to a second day.”
Public hearings will be held by DPW to accept comments about the closing on Jan. 27 and Jan. 28, at the Zembo Mosque, 2801 North Third St., Harrisburg. The first session will be from 2 to 10 p.m. with a dinner break. The second day will begin at 10 a.m. and will continue until everyone who is registered to testify has a chance to be heard. Persons wanting to speak are asked to register by calling Lisa Brommer at (717) 772-7584. Anyone who requires special accommodations should inform DPW when scheduling testimony.
DPW announced Jan. 6 that it intends to close Harrisburg State Hospital, which serves people with mental illness, by the end of the year.
Harrisburg State Hospital currently serves 258 patients at its 200-acre campus, with a staff of approximately 540 people.
CONTACT: Stacey Ward Christina Novak (717) 787-4592
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
CONTACT: Stacey Ward or Christina Novak, both of Pennsylvania Departmentof Public Welfare, +1-717-787-4592
Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/