In a landmark interpretation of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities
Act), the Supreme Court decided that people with disabilities have a right to
receive care in the most integrated setting appropriate and that unnecessary
institutionalization violates the ADA. All states must now comply with the decision.
The Center for PAS is tracking the legal and policy ramifications of the Olmstead
decision in each state.
(Data below extracted from the Olmstead Lawsuits and Olmstead Plans report, the State
Olmstead Plans and Alternative Strategies table and the Olmstead
and Olmstead-Related Lawsuits table available at the links above.)
Washington State Olmstead Plan1
As of October 2008
Washington has an Olmstead Plan1 entitled:
Washington
Further Information2:
Plan no longer available online.
Expanding Community Services, Washington State Department of Social & Health Services, Mental Health Division
At the national and state level, there is continued pressure to assure that individuals residing in institutions have the option for community living. These efforts have been highlighted through litigation such as the Olmstead lawsuit in Georgia where the Supreme Court found that the state was violating the rights of two plaintiffs by keeping them in a state psychiatric hospital despite their desire to live in the community.
As part of the 2001-2003 budget process, DSHS developed a proposal included in the Governor's budget for serving state hospital patients in community settings. The 2001-2003 Operating Budget supported this proposal by providing for the development and operation of community support services for long term Western State Hospital (WSH) patients who no longer required active inpatient psychiatric treatment. The 2002-2003 Supplemental Budget increased the scope of the project to include patients from Eastern State Hospital (ESH) and residents of the Program for Adaptive Living Skills (PALS) on the grounds of WSH. In accordance with the proviso, the Department of Social and Health Services ( DSHS) formally implemented the Expanding Community Services (ECS) initiative.
[http://www.dshs.wa.gov/mentalhealth/ecs.shtml]
System Transformation Initiative, Presentation for the Washington State House Committee on Health Care and Wellness, January 24, 2008 [http://www.dshs.wa.gov/pdf/hrsa/mh/sti_presentation_for_1_24_hearing_final.pdf]
System Transormation Initiative, Department of Social and Health Services
[http://www.dshs.wa.gov/Mentalhealth/STI_Main.shtml]
Notes and References: WAa
Washington Legal Cases Related to Olmstead
As of October 2008
The Center for PAS has tracked 7 Olmstead and Olmstead related legal cases in Washington.
