tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095155146382579662024-03-13T21:49:10.163-07:00Georgia DOJ SettlementInformation about implementation of the Georgia/Justice Department Settlement Agreement for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities. The Settlement Agreement is based on the U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead decision.Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-67146275905751281812017-05-23T14:10:00.000-07:002017-05-23T14:12:02.487-07:00Reports of Shortcomings in GA's Progress Towards Compliance with Settlement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In this review of articles published since the start of 2017, we've collected stories that expose the need for further state action towards the goals outlined in the settlement agreement.<br />
<br />
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AJC; April 10, 2017:
<a href="http://www.myajc.com/news/state--regional/oversight-lags-for-profit-firms-take-caring-for-the-vulnerable/L7nnsArSTtS4GNldRRwaMM/"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>Oversight
lags as for-profit firms take on caring for the vulnerable</u></span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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In this article<i>,
</i>Alan Judd of the <i>Atlanta Journal-Constitution </i>examines the
quality of care provided by the state-contracted care provider,
ResCare. As the state transitions to full compliance with the
settlement agreement, inpatients with developmental disabilities are
transitioning to in-home care and group-home facilities, many managed
by ResCare. But, as Judd reports, care provided by ResCare, a
national for-profit company that is “the state’s largest provider
of services for people with disabilities”, bears responsibility for
various cases of abuse and severe neglect, some of which have
resulted in deaths.<br />
<br />
<br />
The Augusta
Chronicle; April 30, 2017:<a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/2017-04-29/state-improving-concerns-remain-about-care-patients-moving-out-gracewood">
</a><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/2017-04-29/state-improving-concerns-remain-about-care-patients-moving-out-gracewood"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>State
improving but concerns remain about care for patients moving out of
Gracewood</u></span></a></div>
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In this article from
<i>The Augusta Chronicle, </i>Tom Corwin reports on progress toward
the community placement of developmentally disabled inpatients
currently housed in the East Central Regional State Hospital. In
order to satisfy the demands of the settlement agreement, over 200
patients living in East Central Regional Hospital must be placed in
community care programs. Corwin reports, however, that the state has
made slow progress towards this goal, and even at the current rate of
progress, the state, in some cases, has failed to provide sufficient
care for certain patients placed in the community.<br />
<br />
<br />
Georgia Health News;
May 2, 2017: <a href="http://www.georgiahealthnews.com/2017/05/years-hospital-closed-patients-struggle-safe-housing/"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>Years
after hospital closed, some former patients struggle for safe housing</u></span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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In this article from
<i>Georgia Health News, </i>Saleen Martin examines the struggle to
find housing for patients transitioning into community based care in
Rome, GA. In accordance with the settlement agreement, the Northwest
Regional Hospital in Rome was closed in January 2011, and since the
settlement was assumed in 2010, patients transitioning out of the
hospital have sought safe and affordable housing. Martin, however,
details obstacles many of these patients have faced, such as the
limited availability of housing subsidies, overcrowding of group-home
facilities and the hazards of living at certain properties. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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AJC; May 11, 2017:<a href="http://www.myajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/deaths-delays-paint-grim-picture-georgia-mental-health-reform/myjKGIHosiV0KLWxv2h0oM/">
</a><a href="http://www.myajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/deaths-delays-paint-grim-picture-georgia-mental-health-reform/myjKGIHosiV0KLWxv2h0oM/"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>Deaths,
delays paint grim picture of Georgia Mental health reform</u></span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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In this article from
the <i>Atlanta Journal-Constitution, </i>Alan Judd reports on issues
facing an effective transition to full compliance with the settlement
agreement. Among the issues Judd covers is the state’s failure to
provide sufficient resources for patients transitioning to community
based care. Judd reports on the limited availability of
well-supported housing for patients with psychiatric disabilities,
and he describes poor quality of care provided in group homes for
patients with developmental disabilities (for more on group homes see
AJC; April 10). Judd also mentions that advocates worry the
Department of Justice, under new leadership, “may show little
interest in enforcing Obama-era settlements such as the one with
Georgia.”</div>
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The Philadelphia
Tribune (reprint); May 12, 2017:<a href="http://www.phillytrib.com/georgia-still-sending-mentally-ill-people-to-homeless-shelters/article_26e4eeaa-7b57-5892-a9bb-602f0daa2864.html">
</a><a href="http://www.phillytrib.com/georgia-still-sending-mentally-ill-people-to-homeless-shelters/article_26e4eeaa-7b57-5892-a9bb-602f0daa2864.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>Georgia
still sending mentally ill people to homeless shelters</u></span></a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-53997352938546375042017-05-23T13:49:00.000-07:002017-05-23T13:49:10.944-07:002017 Reports from the Independent Reviewer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Below we've provided links to three reports from the Independent Reviewer appointed to supervise the implementation of the Georgia DOJ Settlement Agreement. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/Final%20Year%20Seven%20Independent%20Reviewers%20Report%20to%20the%20Court.pdf"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>Report
of the Independent Reviewer</u></span></a>, March 24, 2017</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/BGousereport%20for%20shelter%20discharges%20February%2028%202017.pdf"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>Report
on Discharges to Shelters</u></span></a>, February 28, 2017</div>
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<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/M%20Knisley%20Supported%20Housing%20Report.pdf"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>Supported
Housing: Report of the Independent Reviewer</u></span></a>, February
23, 2017</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-63913061499162214312017-05-23T13:38:00.002-07:002017-05-23T13:40:58.727-07:00DOJ Files Complaint Over GNETS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In order to summarize GNETS developments from 2016, we've gathered news articles covering the progress of the lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice. We've also posted links to the letter of intent, press release and the complaint issued by the Department of Justice.<br />
<br />
<u>News Coverage</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
AJC; August 17, 2016: <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/public-affairs/feds-will-sue-georgia-over-segregated-psychoeducational-schools/VsPETmFNZhQUcSm4x674HO/"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>Feds
will sue Georgia over segregated ‘psychoeducational’ schools</u></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After eight months
of unsuccessful negotiation, the Justice Department decides to sue
the State of Georgia. Alan Judd reports on the issues under negotiation
and the DOJ’s rationale for pursuing legal action.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
AJC; November 2,
2016: <a href="http://investigations.blog.ajc.com/2016/11/02/states-rights-georgia-seeks-to-dismiss-federal-suit-over-schools-for-disabled-students/"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>States’
rights? Georgia seeks to dismiss federal suit over schools for
disabled students</u></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Alan Judd reports on the
State’s defense against the DOJ’s complaint. As Judd explains, the state’s attorneys claim that
the federal government does not have standing to sue under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
AJC; December 15,
2016: <a href="http://investigations.blog.ajc.com/2016/12/15/delay-in-gnets-case-not-justified-u-s-says/"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>Delay
in GNETS case not justified, U.S. says</u></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Department of
Justice rebuts Georgia’s claim that the DOJ lacks standing, and
they claim that resolving this dispute about standing will be
excessively time intensive. Beyond this barrier to a timely resolution
of the GNETS dispute, Judd notes that new leadership at the
Department of Justice could entail further delay.</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u>DOJ Documents</u></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
U.S. DOJ Letter of
Intent to Sue, August 15, 2016: <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=12&ved=0ahUKEwjSu-D55_nTAhXB0iYKHcqpCmkQFgheMAs&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myajc.com%2Frw%2FPub%2FWeb%2FMyAJC%2FSpecial%2520Contents%2FDocuments%2FDocuments%2Fnews.medleydocument.10432.pdf&usg=AFQjCNEnVL8cILrtTlRS6U1C8EFtRIUCag&sig2=XvRyOPPK7RCHUvkaDtf3Mg&cad=rja"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>Re:
United States’ Investigation of the Georgia Network for Educational
and Therapeutic Support, D.J. No. 169-19-71</u></span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Press Release from
DOJ; August 23, 2016: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-georgia-unnecessarily-segregating-students-disabilities"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>Justice
Department Sues Georgia for Unnecessarily Segregating Students with
Disabilities</u></span></a></div>
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Text of DOJ
Complaint; August 23, 2016: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/crt/case-document/us-v-georgia-georgia-network-educational-and-therapeutic-support-program-complaint"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>U.S.
v. State of Georgia (Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic
Support Program) - Complaint</u></span></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-6470044977129367892017-05-23T13:23:00.000-07:002017-05-23T13:39:13.303-07:00Atlanta Journal-Constitution Series on the GNETS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We're reviewing 2016 news coverage of the "Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support" or "GNETS". Here is a three part series written by Alan Judd for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution; the series details various concerning features
of the "psychoeducational" schools.<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
Part 1; April 28,
2016: <a href="http://specials.myajc.com/psychoeducation/?ecmp=AJC_internallink_4292016_AJCtoMyAJC_psycho_ed_atlanta"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>Georgia
‘psychoeducational’ students segregated by disability, race</u></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Schools send
disproportionate numbers of black children to programs already under
fire for ‘warehousing’ students with behavioral disorders.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Part 2; May 5, 2016;
<a href="http://specials.myajc.com/psychoedexperiment/"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>In
psychoeducational school, behavioral experiment for troubled child</u></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Educators wanted
to subject Libby Beem to behavioral experimentation in Georgia’s
unique system of psychoeducational schools. A courtroom showdown
would determine Libby’s fate.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Part 3; May 8, 2016;
<span style="color: #1155cc;"><u><a href="http://specials.myajc.com/psychoedrestraint/">Physical
restraint common at psychoeducational schools</a></u></span><br />
“With a tiny
sliver of students, special behavioral programs record five times
more restraints than all other Georgia schools combined.”</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-21885719651693669492016-10-24T07:54:00.002-07:002016-10-24T07:54:46.221-07:002016 and 2015 Updates to DOJ v. Georgia Olmstead Settlement<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/settlement-agreement">DBHDD Links to Settlement Documents</a>
These are taken from DBHDD's Settlement website:
<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/Final%20Year%20Six%20Independent%20Reviewer%20Report%20to%20the%20Court.pdf">
Report of the Independent Reviewer</a>
September 19, 2016
<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/Dkt.%20261%20Notice%20of%20Filing%20Indep%20Reviewer%20Suppl%20Report%206.21.2016.PDF">
Notice of Joint Filing of the Supplemental Report of the Independent Reviewer</a>
June 21, 2016
<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/Dkt.%20258%20Joint%20Motion%20to%20Enter%20Extension%20of%20Settlement%20Agreement%205.18.20....pdf">
Joint Motion to Enter Extension of Settlement Agreement</a>
May 18, 2016
<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/Extension%20Agreement%20Overview%205.18.16.pdf">Overview of Extension of Settlement Agreement</a>
May 18, 2016
2015
<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/FINAL%20Year%20Five%20Independent%20Reviewer%20Report.pdf">
Report of the Independent Reviewer</a>
Submitted by Elizabeth Jones, September 17, 2015
<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/Supported%20Housing%20Martha%20Knisley.pdf">
Georgia Supported Housing and Bridge Funding</a>
Submitted by Martha Knisley, September 14, 2015
<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/Crisis%20Services%20Stephen%20Baron.pdf">Review of Crisis Services</a>
Submitted by Stephen Baron, September 12, 2015
<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/Supported%20Employment%20David%20Lynde.pdf">Review of Supported Employment Services</a>
Submitted by David Lynde, August 6, 2015
<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/Assertive%20Community%20Treatment%20Angela%20Rollins.pdf">
Report for Georgia Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Services</a>
Submitted by Angela Rollins, August 12, 2015
<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/YEAR%205_MARCH%202015_Supplemental%20Report.pdf">
Supplemental Report in the matter of United States of America v. The State of Georgia</a>
March 17, 2015Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-30360217813687628262015-11-04T07:13:00.001-08:002015-11-04T07:13:56.674-08:00DOJ Sent Governor Deal Findings that Georgia's Alternative Education System Violates ADA and Olmstead<a href="http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.copaa.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/DOJ_GA_schools_findings_lett.pdf">United States Department of Justice Findings Letter involving GNETS</a>Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-91215591750484342972015-09-22T12:28:00.001-07:002015-09-22T12:28:27.692-07:00Court Monitor Issues DOJ Olmstead Settlement Report<a href="http://www.georgiahealthnews.com/2015/09/report-criticizes-states-overdue-transfers-patients/">Report critizes state's overdue patient transfers by Andy Miller September 21, 2015, Georgia Health News</a>Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-40789497821222513322015-09-19T16:33:00.000-07:002015-09-19T16:33:52.664-07:00Article on Massive Problems that Remain in Georgia's Mental Health SystemRead Misty Williams's article in the AJC
<a href="http://specials.myajc.com/mental-health-georgia/">The Invisible Epidemic: Poor and Mentally Ill in Georgia</a>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VxFiWEUwPxg/Vf3wtwZYcqI/AAAAAAAAAVY/u0m6aofEeu8/s1600/curtis_portrait_black_mxm7bnh-lr_qttupcc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VxFiWEUwPxg/Vf3wtwZYcqI/AAAAAAAAAVY/u0m6aofEeu8/s320/curtis_portrait_black_mxm7bnh-lr_qttupcc.jpg" /></a></div>
Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-66772580832378568162015-03-09T09:57:00.000-07:002015-03-09T09:57:00.475-07:00DBHDD Institutes New Vision and Mission Statement<a href="http://dbhdd.org/blog/?p=320">DBHDD unveiled new vision and mission statements this week emphasizing the agency’s commitment to providing high-quality care to people with behavioral health challenges and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Vision
Easy access to high-quality care that leads to a life of recovery and independence for the people we serve.
Mission
Leading an accountable and effective continuum of care to support people with behavioral health challenges, and intellectual and developmental disabilities in a dynamic health care environment.
“At every level of our work, we are committed to providing easy access to high-quality care,” said Commissioner Berry. “The new vision and mission statements reflect the work we have focused on for the last several years.”
This marks the first change to DBHDD’s vision and mission statements since the agency was created in 2009.</a>Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-62864879073315906162015-03-09T09:55:00.003-07:002015-03-09T09:55:48.597-07:00Latest Article on Settlement<a href="http://www.georgiahealthnews.com/2015/02/state-wont-meet-justice-dept-deadline/">State: Won’t meet Justice Department Deadline by Andy Miller from February 20, 2015
</a>Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-26254011410214904772015-03-09T09:54:00.000-07:002015-03-09T09:54:08.762-07:00Find out about the ASO because it is critical to future of Olmstead in Georgia
<a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/administrative-services-organization">Follow this link to learn about DBHDD's ASO</a> It is going to do the work of quality management, contract or run GCAL, and gather data. Here is a <a href="https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/Georgia%20Collaborative%20ASO%20-%20Introduction.pdf">power point</a> to understand it all (or to begin to understand it).Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-15924591745359300632015-01-13T07:48:00.001-08:002015-01-13T07:48:28.037-08:00MFP Stakeholder Meeting January 16th!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">: Invitation to attend a Focus Group Discussion about Your Experience in Money Follows the Person<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">: <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_145523133" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday, January 16, 2015, 1 – 3 PM</span></span><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">: The Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO), 150 East Ponce De Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More about the Focus Group Discussion</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> –<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the focus group, you will be asked to discuss your experience with MFP. By participating, you will share some information about yourself and your experiences with MFP. There is no direct benefit to you for participating and there are no foreseeable risks. The results of this focus group discussion will be used to improve MFP and help us determine the future of MFP in Georgia. Your participation is strictly voluntary. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more information or to register to attend, you can contact Cheri Mitchell at The GAO at <a href="tel:%28404%29%20885-1234" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+14048851234">(404) 885-1234</a> or RL Grubbs at the Dept of Community Health at <a href="tel:%28404%29%20657-9323" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+14046579323">(404) 657-9323</a>.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you need an interpreter, alternate formats, or other accommodations for participation in the focus group discussion, please contact Cheri Mitchell or RL Grubbs as soon as possible so proper arrangements can be made. We look forward to meeting with you at the focus group discussion.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-5964748492852498592015-01-13T07:24:00.001-08:002015-01-13T07:24:09.346-08:00New Olmstead Rights Website<div style="background-color: white; color: #484848; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; max-height: 100000px; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.5em; max-height: 100000px;"><strong style="max-height: 100000px;"><a href="http://olmsteadrights.org/">OlmsteadRights.org</a> is all about Olmstead v. LC</strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #484848; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; max-height: 100000px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.5em; max-height: 100000px;"><strong style="max-height: 100000px;"><br /></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #484848; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; max-height: 100000px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.5em; max-height: 100000px;"><strong style="max-height: 100000px;">Olmstead, </strong>or Olmstead v. LC, is the name of the most important civil rights decision for people with disabilities in our country's history. This 1999 United States Supreme Court decision was based on the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Supreme Court held that people with disabilities have a qualified right to receive state funded supports and services in the community rather than institutions when the following three part test is met:</span></div>
<ol style="background-color: white; color: #484848; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; max-height: 100000px;">
<li style="max-height: 100000px;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em; max-height: 100000px;">the person's treatment professionals determine that community supports are appropriate;</span></li>
<li style="max-height: 100000px;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em; max-height: 100000px;">the person does not object to living in the community; and</span></li>
<li style="max-height: 100000px;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em; max-height: 100000px;">the provision of services in the community would be a reasonable accommodation when balanced with other similarly situated individuals with disabilities.</span></li>
</ol>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #484848; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; max-height: 100000px;">
To learn more about Olmstead, visit the new <a href="http://olmsteadrights.org/">OlmsteadRights.org</a> website.</div>
Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-57337140120778731812015-01-13T07:22:00.003-08:002015-01-13T07:22:31.372-08:00Learn about What is Happening with Georgia DOJ SettlementThe Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities has links to all of the main documents related to the current status of the <a href="http://dbhdd.georgia.gov/settlement-agreement" target="_blank">Georgia/DOJ Olmstead v. LC Settlement.</a><br />
<br />
You can find the Independent Reviewer's most recent report <a href="http://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/Year_Four_Compliance_Report_9_15_14.pdf">here.</a>Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-12548873573690458822013-09-13T10:26:00.001-07:002013-09-13T10:27:42.631-07:00DBHDD Issues White Paper<a href="http://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/document/DBHDD%20Housing%20White%20Paper.pdf" target="_blank">White Paper on Housing for People with Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Health Needs by DBHDD</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://dbhdd.georgia.gov/sites/dbhdd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/document/DBHDD%20Housing%20White%20Paper%20-%20Executive%20Summary.pdf" target="_blank">Executive Summary of DBHDD White Paper</a>Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-36328393439871582392013-08-21T11:23:00.000-07:002013-08-21T11:23:18.924-07:00Justice Department and Texas Reach Interim Olmstead Settlement<a href="http://www.enewspf.com/latest-news/law-and-order/federal-and-international/45463-justice-department-reaches-interim-olmstead-settlement-with-the-state-of-texas.html" target="_blank">August 19, 2013 Press Release Texas and Justice Department Olmstead Settlement</a>Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-20911538650839262912013-08-12T13:09:00.000-07:002013-08-12T13:09:28.517-07:00PBS ADA/Olmstead Report from August 7th<a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/government_programs/july-dec13/ada_08-07.html" target="_blank">PBS NewsHour Aug. 7, 2013 Limited Funds, Lingering Bias Has Delayed States' ADA Compliance</a>Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-44802291993919147362013-07-26T07:07:00.001-07:002013-07-26T07:07:20.371-07:00Judge Markle's Fantastic Article on Olmstead from the Atlanta Business Chronicle April 19, 2013<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 21.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/print-edition/2013/04/19/a-landmark-case-we-should-celebrate.html?page=all" target="_blank">A landmark case we should celebrate</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #242424; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Judge Todd Markle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Next year marks the
15th anniversary of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court opinion on civil rights. The
Olmstead decision is often compared to Brown v. Board of Education in its
significance yet it remains largely unknown to the public, its mandate perhaps
“more honored in the breach than the observance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Odds are, most of us
will be touched by the reach of Olmstead in the years ahead so its requirements
are worth note. Its proscriptions against discrimination of persons with
disabilities are worth celebrating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The story of Olmstead
dates back to 1990 when the senior President Bush signed the Americans with
Disabilities Act. In announcing that it was time for “the shameful walls of
exclusion” to come tumbling down, President Bush observed that “every man,
woman and child with a disability can now pass through once-closed doors into a
bright new era of equality, independence and freedom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just as with
implementation of Brown, however, the thick walls of discrimination against the
disabled were slow to fall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Olmstead case
itself originated in the Atlanta courtroom of Judge Marvin Shoob as an effort
to enforce the ADA’s integration mandate requiring provision of government
services in the most integrated setting consistent with individual need. The
Atlanta Legal Aid Society brought the suit on behalf of two Georgia women who
were being unlawfully segregated when they were confined to institutions in
order to receive medical services. The case ultimately reached the highest
court in the land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In its 1999 decision,
the Olmstead Court held that individuals with disabilities have a right to
receive services in their homes and communities. The Court aptly noted
Congress’ concern when it passed the ADA that segregation of individuals with
disabilities is a serious and pervasive form of discrimination. After Olmstead,
there can be no doubt that men and women who currently live in nursing homes
and institutions have the right to return to their homes and communities. Many
have done so while others have avoided institutionalization altogether.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nevertheless,
implementation of the Olmstead mandate around the country has been slow and
uneven. Citing the lack of financial resources, some states have resisted
voluntary compliance with the Olmstead directives. Others have bowed to political
pressure from special interests and continued to invest in outdated and
obsolete institutions. To meet its obligations, Georgia has a full-time
Olmstead coordinator who is charged with the responsibility of implementing
Georgia’s obligations arising from the decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although change is
often difficult and no doubt involves front-loaded expense to cash-strapped
state governments, full compliance with Olmstead will ultimately prove
cost-effective. Studies demonstrate what should otherwise be obvious: The cost
of community care is a fraction as that of institutional treatment. Moreover,
the outcomes from community care are far better than traditional segregation
through institutionalization. It is worth noting that many of the
evidence-based research findings that helped drive the Criminal Justice Reform
Council’s recommendations are equally relevant on the issue of treatment and
care of the disabled. Regardless, Olmstead is the law of the land and
compliance is not optional.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As the Olmstead
anniversary approaches, we should celebrate the end of yet another distasteful
chapter of discrimination in our collective history. Under Olmstead, each of us
now has a right to receive disability services in our homes and communities
rather than in dehumanizing institutions. Olmstead has given new life to
thousands of Americans with disabilities. As Brown brought the end of
segregated public education, Olmstead brought the end of segregated disability
services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Future generations
undoubtedly will ask, what took so long?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Markle is a judge on the Superior Court of Fulton County and
will be the judge of the new Fulton Veterans Court. Prior to his appointment to
the bench, he served as executive counsel to Gov. Nathan Deal. Judge Markle
chaired the Criminal Justice Reform Council in 2011 and remains a member by the
designation of Gov. Deal.</span></i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-52374446166780931382013-07-26T07:03:00.002-07:002013-07-26T07:03:47.584-07:00Landmark Olmstead Settlement in New York!<div style="background: white; border-bottom: solid #9E9C86 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #9E9C86 .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 3.0pt 0in;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt;">Landmark Settlement for
New York City Adult Home Residents</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; border-bottom: dashed #9E9C86 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed #9E9C86 .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 2.0pt 0in;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Scattered-Site Housing, Community Services Enable Independence,
Integration</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">NEW YORK—July 23,
2013—Lawyers for adult home residents, together with the U.S. Department of
Justice, reached a landmark settlement with New York State. The settlement
ensures that thousands of residents of 23 large “adult homes”—board and care
homes serving primarily people with mental illnesses—will have the opportunity
to live in their own homes with the services they need to succeed and be
participants in their communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.bazelon.org/News-Publications/Press-Releases/7.22.2013Landmark-New-York-City-DAI-Settlement.aspx" target="_blank">Click here to read the rest from Bazelon's press release</a></div>
Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-69630723449035285832013-07-18T10:48:00.005-07:002013-07-18T10:55:12.378-07:00Senate Issues Report On Olmstead and Long Term Community Supports<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.harkin.senate.gov/documents/pdf/OlmsteadReport.pdf" target="_blank">Senate Olmstead Report</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2013/07/18/report-lagging-community/18344/" target="_blank"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Disability Scoop story on Senate Olmstead Report</span></a></span><br />
<br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span>Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-31723568356144484102013-07-01T10:34:00.000-07:002013-07-01T10:34:07.535-07:00Governor Appoints Special Counsel on Criminal Justice Reform<a href="http://gov.georgia.gov/sites/gov.georgia.gov/files/related_files/document/06.28.13.04.pdf" target="_blank">Click for Governor's Executive Order to See Who Was Appointed</a>Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-34335900987711213342013-06-07T09:58:00.003-07:002013-06-07T09:58:58.796-07:00Long Road Home Olmstead Celebration -- Rome, Georgia<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">COME HAVE LUNCH AND
CELEBRATE THE 14<sup>TH</sup> ANNIVERSARY OF THE OLMSTEAD DECISION</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">NWGA Center
for Independent Living will be hosting an Olmstead Anniversary Celebration at the
Rome Floyd County Library located at 205 Riverside Parkway NE, Rome, Georgia
30161 in the Oostanaula and Etowah rooms from 11AM to 1PM on Wednesday, June
19, 2013. Everyone is welcome! Lunch will be served. Please RSVP to NWGA CIL at <a href="tel:706-314-0008" target="_blank" value="+17063140008">706-314-0008</a> by <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_582645012" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Monday, June 17 at noon</span></span> in order to have an
accurate count for lunch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Olmstead is
the 1999 Supreme Court Decision that enables people of all ages with
disabilities to move out of nursing homes and institutions and return
home. As we celebrate the 14<sup>th</sup>
Anniversary of this landmark disability rights decision, we still have a long
way to go. Join us so you can learn what
you can do, to network with others, and to have some fun too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">NWGA Center
for Independent Living is a non-residential, community-based nonprofit run by
people with disabilities to empower anyone with a disability of any age to
become more independent.</span></div>
Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-26974586186851534262013-06-06T07:22:00.000-07:002013-06-06T07:22:10.095-07:00<a href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=OlmsteadGuidnc060413.pdf&utm_source=Copy+of+template+-+Press+Release&utm_campaign=6.05.OlmsteadHUD&utm_medium=email" target="_blank">HUD Issues New Guidance on Olmstead Compliance</a>Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-44054423707019358162013-05-31T09:49:00.000-07:002013-05-31T09:49:19.336-07:00Significant Transitions Affect Mental Health Services in Georgia<a href="http://www.georgiahealthnews.com/2013/05/big-change-psychiatric-hospitals-commissioner/?ref=ft" target="_blank">Big Change in Psychiatric Hospitals by Andy Miller Interview with Commissioner Frank Berry, May 28, 2013, Georgia Health News</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.georgiahealthnews.com/2013/05/community-health-chief-takes-capitol-job/" target="_blank">DCH Commissioner Cook to be Replaced by Former DCH Commissioner (and current DHS Commissioner) Clyde Reese -- Article By Andy Miller Georgia Health News May 30, 2013</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Health_Care_Reform&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=155752" target="_blank">NAMI Report on Potential Impact of Affordable Care Act on Insurance for Individuals With Mental Illness</a>Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109515514638257966.post-45495677869622850252013-05-20T12:10:00.001-07:002013-05-20T12:10:27.222-07:00DOJ Settlement Discussed at Carter Center Georgia Mental Health Forum<a href="http://www.georgiahealthnews.com/2013/05/doj-pact-shows-results-challenges-remain/" target="_blank">DOJ Shows Results, Challenges Remain, Georgia Health News, May 20, 2013, Andy Miller</a>Talley Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501005872849411116noreply@blogger.com0