More on Abbe Center's Closure in September

As was reported earlier this month, funding challenges are leading to the Abbe Center in Linn County to close its doors at the end of September due to insufficient funds.

The Abbe Center for Community Care, at 1860 County Home Road, will be shuttered by September 30. Abbe Center employees are working on finding a new location for the patients, including those from Marion for the residential facility.

The Gazette reported this week in greater detail on the urgency of the funding matters and what lawmakers are proposing to do in its absence.

The close down, in truth, is a last step, however rushed because of funding issues, and it is part of a downsizing that started at the sprawling facility in the late 1990s before accelerating in the face of money issues two years ago.

At present, the Abbe staff is being forced to hustle to find new placements and new homes for the 65 who still remain at the facility on County Home Road, just off Highway 13. Some will go to the 60-or-so resident residential care facilities in Iowa City and Delhi, which are affiliates of Abbe Inc., though these two facilities are not licensed as the Linn County facility is to also provide more intensive mental health care.