SETTLEMENT REACHED ON DD WAIT LIST CASE!

On December 14, 2000 U.S. District Court magistrate, Judge Janice Stewart approved a settlement in the case challenging the waiting list for services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of five individuals and The Arc of Oregon against the Governor and the Department of Human Services, has become a class action suit, meaning that the terms of the settlement will apply to everyone.

OAC is very pleased with the settlement. It creates a "universal entitlement" to services, meaning that all adults with developmental disabilities who need support services will be entitled to receive them (up to $20,000 per year). It also increases the number of non-crisis residential and intensive in-home "comprehensive" slots by 50 slots per year for each of the next six years. The settlement agreement emphasizes flexible services that maximize each individual’s self-determination.

The settlement will bring an additional $350 million in resources to serve those with developmental disabilities.

Kudos to Jim Wrigley, Kathryn Weit, Paula Blue, and Bob Weaver and Mary Tarbox (of Garvey, Schubert & Barer) for negotiating this important expansion of delivering services to adults with developmental disabilities.