The Glenwood Resource Center in Iowa is set to permanently close after federal investigators found that patients’ rights were being violated at the facility. The 28 residents will be moved by the end of June, and 235 staff members have been notified that they will be laid off. The facility had 152 patients and about 650 staff members when Governor Kim Reynolds announced that it would be shut down.
Scathing reports from the U.S. Department of Justice have condemned Iowa’s treatment of people with intellectual and development disabilities, alleging that the state likely violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide services that integrate patients into their communities. A report in December 2020 found that the Glenwood Resource Center likely violated residents’ constitutional rights by subjecting them to human experiments, including sexual arousal research deemed dangerous by federal investigators.
Most of the residents from the Glenwood Resource Center have been moved to community-based settings such as residential facilities for those with intellectual disabilities, host homes, nursing facilities, or hospice care. Some residents were transferred to Iowa’s other facility, the Woodward Resource Center, which has also been cited as deficient in the past. This closure marks a significant shift in the care and treatment of individuals with intellectual disabilities in Iowa.
The closure of the Glenwood Resource Center is a response to the violations of patients’ rights and the inadequate care provided at the facility. The move to community-based settings is seen as a step towards integrating individuals with intellectual disabilities into their communities and providing them with more appropriate care and support. This decision reflects a growing awareness of the importance of inclusive and respectful treatment of individuals with disabilities.
The investigation into the Glenwood Resource Center has raised concerns about the state’s overall approach to caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Federal investigators have found that the facility failed to uphold residents’ constitutional rights and engaged in harmful research practices. The closure of the facility and the subsequent relocation of residents highlight the need for improved oversight and accountability in the care of vulnerable populations.
Moving forward, Iowa must address the issues identified at the Glenwood Resource Center to ensure that similar violations do not occur in the future. The closure of the facility serves as a wake-up call for the state to prioritize the well-being and rights of individuals with intellectual disabilities. By implementing necessary reforms and providing adequate support to residents in community-based settings, Iowa can work towards creating a more inclusive and compassionate system of care for all individuals.
