Kentucky settles lawsuit over services to persons with disabilities

From the Courier-Journal:

A federal judge has approved an agreement that could bring services to thousands of Kentuckians with mental disabilities.

U.S. District Judge Joseph M. Hood today endorsed a settlement of a long-running lawsuit between the state and advocates for people with mental and other disabilities. Hood said he expects to issue an order late this week to make the settlement final.Under the plan, the state will spend millions of dollars to provide therapy, adult day care, housekeeping and home health services, among other things, with the intention of allowing those with disabilities to remain at home and out of institutions.

The agreement calls for the state to help as many as 3,000 people this year and add 1,500 a year until it reaches 10,000 individuals.The state will use Medicaid money to help pay for the services and had committed about $17 million for the first two years.

I have also been told that the settlement includes the provision of legal services for persons with mental illness and other disabilities, which public defenders had been phasing out, after facing many budget cuts. -- Tony