Governor Kulongoski Announces the Eastern Oregon Training Center Doors Will Remain Open

Salem – Today Governor Ted Kulongoski announced that the Eastern Oregon Training Center will remain open. In the Governor’s Recommended Budget, the center was slated to be phased out over several years. After many community meetings both in Salem and in Pendleton, and multiple conversations with Senator Nelson and Representative Jenson, the Governor will be recommending to the legislature to keep the doors open, continuing to serve the 40 clients currently at the facility.

“Senator Nelson and Representative Jenson brought to my attention the need to continue these vital services to our most vulnerable citizens in this part of the region,” the Governor said. “Instead of a sudden shift in approach, I agree with my legislative colleagues that the best approach should be to continue a long-term dialogue with the community about the future of this facility.”

The Eastern Oregon Training Center provides services to severely developmentally disabled adults, many of which have been served by this facility for most of their adult life. The Center has a dedicated and skilled workforce. The Governor is committed to continuing services to this population as efficiently as possible while still exploring other or mixed uses for both the facility and its workers in coordination with the community and their families.

“By coming to this agreement with Governor Kulongoski and Dr. Bruce Goldberg for Eastern Oregon Training Center, I am confident we’ve assured continuance of quality care for the clients and more time for determining the future of this vital community asset. Our community, the skilled workforce and client families now have renewed opportunity to formulate viable solutions for the future of the Center,” Senator David Nelson stated.

“I am delighted that the Governor is being responsive to the needs of some of Oregon’s most vulnerable clients by agreeing to continue the valuable services offered at E.O.T. C. to the severely developmentally disabled individuals in Pendleton,” said Representative Bob Jenson.

“I have appreciated working with the Governor, his staff and the Department of Human Services to reach an agreement to keep the facility open for at least the next four years. They have responded to our request to maintain operating the facility while planning occurs to best meet the needs of this very fragile population,” Representative Jenson continued. “Now it is imperative that community leaders and concerned individuals continue to work with the state to find a suitable resolution for the EOTC residents, staff and the economic impact on the local community.”