Oregon Reaches Settlement Agreement with Department of Justice

The news release also states that “In 2013, with the adoption of Executive Order 13-04, the State revolutionized the services it provides to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by committing to phase out “sheltered workshops” and to replace them with employment services directed toward integrated workplaces. With this settlement, the State has agreed to continue to implement the Executive Order, and carry out other commitments already made by the state, such as finding 1,115 jobs in the community for individuals who have worked in the workshops.”
 
“This is a big win for Oregonians. We are already on track to provide integrated employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This settlement continues our commitment to ensure that all Oregonians are part of the economic recovery,” said Governor Brown. 

Highlights of the settlement agreement include that Oregon will: 

• Maintain the goals, commitments, and structural reforms of Executive Order 13-04;
• Provide the 1,115 working age individuals who are or were in sheltered workshops Competitive Integrated Employment opportunities;
• Reduce the number of persons in sheltered workshops from 2,700 to no more than 1530;
• Provide integrated supported employment services to any individual with I/DD currently in a sheltered workshop that chooses them;
• Ensure that 4,900 of Oregon’s youth population will receive Employment Services and that half of those who already receive Employment Services, will receive an Individual Employment Plan from VR that should lead to a job in competitive employment;
• Issue policies and promote the expectation that all individuals with I/DD will work an average of 20 hours/week in a job that is consistent with their choice and abilities;
• Continue to fund its training and technical assistance entity and its provider transformation grants at current levels for the next four years;
• Defend any action that results in a metric that is not met, due to a factor outside of its control;
• Appoint an Independent Reviewer who is responsible for determining progress and compliance in implementing the Agreement, including coordinating meetings with the parties and communicating with the Court; and
• Establish a dispute resolution and judicial enforcement procedure in the event of an allegation of noncompliance. 

The parties plan to jointly file the settlement in federal district court and will request that it be entered as a court-enforceable settlement agreement.

FMI Read the news release at http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=41b11f32beefba0380ee8ecb5&id=48d79ee35c.

Read the proposed settlement agreement at http://www.ada.gov/olmstead/documents/lane_sa.html.