The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has uncovered evidence that Kentucky is violating the civil rights of residents by unnecessarily segregating adults with serious mental illness in psychiatric hospitals in the Louisville area instead of providing care in community settings. The DOJ released a report on Aug. 27, alleging that the state is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to offer access to community-based mental health services such as mobile crisis response, case management, and permanent supportive housing.
The DOJ’s investigation, which began in 2022, revealed flaws in the city’s emergency response system, with the Louisville Metro Government being partly responsible for the issues. Approximately 15,500 adults in Louisville are living with a significant mental illness, and Seven Counties Services, one of 14 community mental health centers in the state, assists around 6,000 individuals annually.
The DOJ has proposed various reforms and expressed its intention to work collaboratively with Kentucky to resolve the issues. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, the department has warned that it may take legal action against the state to ensure compliance with the ADA.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division stated in a press release, “People with serious mental illnesses in Louisville are caught in an unacceptable cycle of repeated psychiatric hospitalizations because they cannot access community-based care.”
The report also acknowledged that the state has made efforts to improve access to services, including crisis response initiatives and support for housing and employment. Governor Andy Beshear’s office expressed surprise at the findings and stated that they would review and evaluate each conclusion thoroughly.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky emphasized the importance of providing adequate community-based mental health services for individuals with serious mental illness in the Louisville Metro area. The research highlighted the traumatic experiences of mishandled psychiatric hospital admissions and the high number of readmissions.
Overall, the DOJ is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have access to the necessary services to fully participate in and contribute to their communities.
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