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The purpose of this page is to keep you
informed about relevant issues that impact New Avenues to Independence and those
we serve.
Martin v. Taft Proposed Consent
Decree
On June 29, 2004, Kenneth Ritchey (Director of Ohio
Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities), the Taft
Administration and the Ohio Legal Rights Service announced a proposed
consent order that would settle the Martin V. Taft lawsuit filed in
1989. Martin v. Taft was filed on behalf of a class of
approximately 8,000 individuals with mental retardation and developmental
disabilities (“MR/DD”) for the purposes of compelling state officials to
develop small, home-like placements for those who chose to live in a
community setting, but were placed on a waiting list for such services and
served in ICFs/MR. Click here
to read the proposed consent decree.
In short, the proposed consent order calls for the
elimination of the ICF/MR program, before establishing an alternative
program with comparable resources. Elimination of the ICF/MR denies
individuals with MR/DD the choice to live where they currently live with
their current level of funding. Implementation of the proposed consent
order could jeopardize your family member’s continued placement in the
group home of their choice.
The Court is holding a Fairness Hearing on September
14, 2004 at 10:00 am in Columbus. Your input is critical in this
matter. If you are a guardian and are opposed to the proposed
consent order, there are three actions you can take:
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You can request an attorney assist you to
express your concern to the Court.
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You can submit written objections to the
court by September 7, 2004 and ask to testify on September
14, 2004.
Submit your written objections to:
Clerk’s Office: Judge Sargus’ Docket
U.S. Courthouse
85 Marconi Boulevard
Columbus, OH 43215
Refer to the Martin v. Taft Proposed Consent Order
On Monday, August 9, 2004, the Ohio Health Care
Association (OHCA) held a regional meeting at the Holiday Inn in
Independence. The focus of the meeting was to share information with
attendees regarding the Martin v. Taft settlement as well as OHCA’s
and OPRA’s (Ohio Provider Resource Association) strategy to fight the
settlement. For a summary of that meeting and what you can do if you are
opposed to the settlement, see
Summary.
For additional information, please contact Becky at
(216) 481-1909 x.294 or
bseel@newavenues.net.
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