Federal Judge Imposes Specific Deadlines On Rhode Island To Meet Terms Of 2014 Developmental Disability Consent Decree

On May 18, 2016, a federal judge ordered Rhode Island to meet 22 short-term deadlines related to the state’s 2014 consent decree that ordered the state to reduce its reliance on sheltered workshops for individuals with developmental disabilities (DD). The consent decree requires the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) and the Office of Rehabilitative Services to help more persons with disabilities to work in regular jobs, rather than in “sheltered workshops.” The decree also requires the state to help persons with DD participate in other community-based activities. Most deadlines in the order are . . .