Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah is covering the cost of transitioning up to 300 intellectually disabled people out of intermediate care facilities and into homes or community-based programs.
The Deseret News reported Thursday that state lawmakers have directed $7.3 million to fund transition costs and to incentivize the care facilities to enhance the quality of their services.
The state recently settled a federal lawsuit by the Disability Law Center, which claimed the institutions were segregating and isolating disabled adults.
State agencies have already moved 37 people into the alternative programs, and they plan to move 12 more this year. They aim to transition 150 people next year.
State Division of Services for People with Disabilities Director Angie Pinna told lawmakers that some people are able live more independently while others will need additional support.
___
Information from: Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
