The state of North Carolina and the federal government signed an agreement Thursday that could move thousands of residents in adult care homes with serious mental illness into community housing and avoids potential costly litigation.
But there's still a high price tag for the state to carry out a plan rolled out last month by state health officials: possibly $287 million over eight years. An independent evaluator will examine whether the blueprint will keep pressure upon the state to comply with the plan.
U.S. Department of Justice attorneys had threatened a lawsuit in July 2011 because they said thousands of people with mental illness were segregated from society in adult care homes. Many had been released from state psychiatric hospitals and lacked access to community treatment.
The agreement signed by state Health and Human Services acting Secretary Al Delia and federal attorneys says by mid-2020 the state will provide affordable housing for 3,000 slots for people who otherwise would be living in adult care homes or mental hospitals. At least 100 slots will be available by next July, the agreement said.
No one will be forced to move from an adult care home to the community, although the agreement requires proof residents are making informed choices.
CONTINUED: http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/7487e72966434e4ca01b543279eff19b/NC--Mentally-Ill-Adult-Homes
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