For immediate release
December 13, 2024
Salt Lake City – The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) today announced the successful completion of a 5-year settlement agreement with the Disability Law Center. The agreement, stemming from the Christensen v. Miner lawsuit, focused on improving access for people with intellectual and development disabilities to live independently in their communities rather than in institutions.
“We are pleased to have reached this milestone,” said Tracy Gruber, executive director of DHHS. “While this achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff to create lasting improvements in the services we provide, this is really a win for the people with disabilities who have better opportunities to live their best lives as independently as possible.”
The settlement agreement, approved in 2019 by the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, outlined specific performance measures and timelines for DHHS to implement changes across various programs and services.
DHHS’s accomplishments over the course of the settlement agreement include:
- Increased education about options for living in the community: People with disabilities who live in institutions or are considering moving to an institution are given the information they need to make informed choices about where they want to live.
- Moved people from institutions into community settings: DHHS moved 501 people from Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) into their communities. This far exceeds the original settlement terms of moving 300 people from ICFs into the community.
- Decreased the number of institutional beds in the state: DHHS worked to decrease the total number of ICF beds in the state by 457 over the course of the settlement agreement. This far exceeds the settlement terms of reducing the number of ICF beds in the state by 190.
- Improved conditions for those who remain in ICFs: DHHS reduced the number of residents allowed per room in an ICF. People under 22 cannot have more than one roommate.
“Throughout this process, we have actively collaborated with the Disability Law Center and other stakeholders,” added Gruber. “This partnership has been invaluable in guiding our efforts and ensuring the sustainability of the improvements we have made.”
DHHS remains committed to providing high-quality, accessible services to all Utahns, including people with disabilities. The successful completion of this settlement agreement marks a significant step forward in fulfilling that commitment.
About the Utah Department of Health and Human Services:
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services is a state agency dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Utahns. DHHS provides a wide range of programs and services, including public health, behavioral health, developmental disabilities services, and aging and adult services.
About the Disability Law Center:
The Disability Law Center is a private, non-profit organization designated by the governor as Utah’s Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency that protects and advances the legal rights of people with disabilities in Utah. The Law Center provides legal representation, advocacy, and education to ensure equal access and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
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