Consent Decree

The State started working with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2013. In 2013, the State entered into a Settle Agreement with the DOJ. A Settlement Agreement is a legal contract that solves a conflict between two or more groups. This agreement included a Consent Decree (CD), which is a legal court order. The court order lists what the groups must do to solve the conflict. The State entered into the CD with the DOJ in 2014.

The agreement and CD address findings the State violated an important law. This law is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the court filing, the State violated the ADA by failing to:

Serve adults with disabilities in integrated settings
Placing youth with disabilities at risk of segregation.

Under the terms of the agreement and CD, the State must change its service system over a 10-year period of time. The State must achieve certain goals each year. The ultimate goal is to provide integrated services to adults with disabilities. The integrated services focus on employment and day services.

This section of the website will share CD information and resources.

For a summary of 2025 CD updates, please review the DD News and Updates Newsletter Special Edition 07.18.25 (PDF).

Groups covered under the CD

Under the terms of the CD, the State is working to improve services for:

Youth in Transition. This group includes students who have not yet entered the adult services system. These are students who are ages:
- 14-21 and still in secondary school.
- Are eligible, or likely to be eligible, for adult developmental disabilities services.
The “Youth Exit” Population. This group includes people who have:
- Left secondary school between September 1, 2013 and August 31, 2016
- Are eligible for adult developmental disabilities services.
The Sheltered Workshop Population. This group includes people who got services in a sheltered workshop in 2013.
The Segregated Day Services Population. This group includes people who got services in a segregated day program in 2013.

What the CD means for individuals and families

Every person covered by the CD will have a Person-Centered Plan (PCP). Person-centered means the person is the main focus. Any plan the person has will match their needs, interests and goals. The PCP will address the person's career and community goals.

For students leaving school, their plan will include details on:

Their transition from child to adult services.
Employment goals.
Goals for being part of the community.

CD Reports

Court Monitor Reports

Court Orders

Consent Decree State Status Reports

Quarterly Reports

DD Implementation Plan for Remainder of Consent Decree

DD Implementation Plan 2023

Status Update on Substantial Compliance June 30, 2023

On June 30, 2023 the State submitted documentation to the Court to demonstrate substantial compliance with the December 6, 2022 court order. The documentation included information on progress towards new initiatives, including work that has been completed and work that is underway to support the goals of the Consent Decree.

Click here for a full description of the Status Update on Substantial Compliance (USA).

The following materials were submitted to the Court:

Exhibit 1 – Employment
Exhibit 2 – Community Integrated Activities
Exhibit 3 – Administrative Barriers
Exhibit 4 – Process
Exhibit 5 – Funding
Exhibit 6 – Transition
Exhibit 7 – Capacity
Exhibit 8 – Communication and Support
Exhibit 9 – Outreach and Education

Status Hearing April 27, 2023

Rate and Payment Options Study & Status Update

This webpage was updated 8/19/25.