A federal government shutdown has forced the closure of key rehabilitation centers in Tennessee, including the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center (TRC) in Smyrna. The state-run facility, which supports adults with disabilities, has halted operations after losing federal funding.
The TRC in Smyrna is one of only eight comprehensive rehabilitation centers of its kind in the United States. It serves around 200 adult students and provides practical training in areas such as auto mechanics, food service, and business skills. For many students, the center represents a pathway to independence and employment.
Families say they were given only a few hours’ notice to collect belongings and leave campus. Many described confusion and distress as students were asked to vacate dormitories quickly, often using makeshift packing methods like garbage bags…