October 19, 2010

United States v. Georgia Settlement Agreement

On October 19, 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice and the State of Georgia reached an agreement in a lawsuit, United States v. Georgia, that will expand the availability of community-based services for people with developmental disabilities. For these individuals, admissions to the state hospitals will cease by July 1, 2011, and all residents with developmental disabilities will be transitioned to community placements and services by July 1, 2015. The settlement also expands community- based services for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. By July 1, 2015, the state must have the capacity to provide supported housing to about 9,000 people with serious and persistent mental illness who reside in the state hospitals, or who are frequently readmitted to the state hospitals, seen in emergency departments, are chronically homeless, or are bring released from jail or prison.