About the Utah State Developmental Center
The Utah State "Training School" was established in 1938 on the outskirts of American Fork, Utah. The campus has been home for up to 1200 individuals at one time. There was a large farm where produce and livestock were raised for the use of the Training School. Many changes have occurred over the years. The yearly average population of individuals residing at the Developmental Center has decreased on a yearly basis since 1975. Most of the outplacement occurred during the 1980s and 1990s, with the average population dropping from up to 800 individuals in 1980 to about 250 in 1999. Approximately 235 individuals currently reside at the Utah State Developmental Center.
Much of the land the "Training School" was established on has been sold or retained by the State. Older buildings have been demolished, or are no longer in use. During the past 15 years, most of the existing residential buildings have been remodeled from congregate living environments into smaller apartment style residences. There are currently four twin homes close to completion for individuals that have expressed a desire to live in that type of setting. This will also facilitate the closure of the Pleasant View building, the last of the large congregate buildings. The Developmental Center currently spreads out over approximately 250 grass and tree covered acres.
Many of the individuals living at Developmental Center have severe mental and physical disabilities. There are a small number of individuals that have been court committed and reside in the Forensic Program, or they are in a crisis state and have been admitted from community placement into the Crisis Intervention program. Sixty percent of the populous experiences seizures with a diagnosis of epilepsy. Many of the individuals are extremely fragile physically and require nursing care that is immediately available. Others are severally mentally retarded, have pronounced autism or exhibit uncontrollable behavior. Often individuals living at USDC have a dual diagnosis of mental retardation along with some type of mental illness.
The Developmental Center provides 24 hour supervised residential and day training/employment services. Medical and Nursing staff are on site and are immediately available 24 hours a day. Individuals living at the Developmental Center receive a variety of professionally driven supports depending on their individual needs. Each individual has an Interdisciplinary Team of professionals to include the individual's parent and/or guardian. At least yearly, the ID Team evaluates each indivdual's placement to identify the least restricitve environment in which he/she could obtain best quality of life. Also, assessments are completed to identify outcomes that each individual needs and wants to achieve. ID Teams and Direct Care Staff assist each individual in working towards achievement of their individual outcomes, attain their greatest level of independence, and enhance their quality of life.