WSET.com - ABC13CVTC: A Father's Story

Reporter: Rachel Schaerr | Videographer: Jemon Haskins

Amherst Co., VA - A lot of people anticipated the Central Virginia Training Center's closure. For one father, it's a sad end to a long journey.

Atul Gupta's daughter is one of about 400 CVTC residents who will transition to community-based programs when the center closes June 30, 2020.

For five days a week, eight hours a day, Judy and Alisha are together.

"It's like a family," Gupta says of the relationship between his daughter and her caretakers.

"We have a good relationship," adds Judy Alexander. "She knows my voice and most of the time she's happy to see me."

Gupta learned like everyone else that the training center, where his 12-year-old daughter has lived since she was four years-old, will close by her 20th birthday.

"It's sad to see that the big brother from Washington came and told us what we need to do," Gupta says of the decision.

It's part of a $2.1 billion settlement between the Department of Justice and state of Virginia -- a so-called "multifaceted approach" to transition patients out of institutions and into community-based programs.

"What I think we believe, what I think justice believes and what so many of the advocates believe--is that individuals with disabilities shouldn't be segregated off by themselves, but they should be in an environment where they can enjoy life as others can do," explained Virginia's Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Dr. Bill Hazel, in a phone conference with reporters.

But for Dr. Gupta, it's clear -- his daughter isn't like everyone else.

"For some people home care may be the best option. For others, group home may be the best option. For some, training centers may be the best option," Gupta explained outside of CVTC after its announced closure.

Judy Alexander's future - and that of about 1,100 other CVTC employees - remains unknown.

"After being here 36 years, I still have a long time before retirement age. So I don't know what that's gonna mean," Alexander said.

But she says one thing is certain, leaving Alisha will leave her "heart broken...that's what I see," Alexander says while her eyes well with tears.