Lawsuit Seeks To Force Georgia Mental Health Agencies To Improve Care For Children & End Institutionalization & Confinement

On January 3, 2024, civil rights attorneys filed a class action lawsuit charging Georgia officials with violating federal law by failing to provide mandated home- and community-based services (HCBS) for thousands of children with serious emotional disturbance (SED). The complaint, Isaac A. et al, v. Carlson, et al, alleges that the children experienced repeated, prolonged, unnecessary institutionalization, and the avoidable harm associated with this institutional care. Defendants' initial response to the complaint is expected on March 4, 2024.

The state’s failure to provide Medicaid Intensive Care Coordination, Intensive In-Home Services, and Mobile Crisis Response Services to eligible . . .