Olmstead v. L.C.: The Supreme Court Case

You have an incredible luxury here at Georgetown Law. You have faculty who are engaged in the world like two of my colleagues on this panel. To my immediate left is Professor Michael Gottesman (Georgetown University Law Center) who argued the case on behalf of Lois and Elaine, and to my next far left, Professor Irv Gornstein (Georgetown University Law Center) who argued the case on behalf of the United States. Between them is Jennifer Mathis (The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law) who has spent, I think, most of her career at the Bazelon Center litigating, and organizing, and helping to coordinate folks on Olmsteadrelated issues. She played an important role in this case as it proceeded to the Supreme Court

Learning From History: Deinstitutionalization of People with Mental Illness as Precursor to Long-Term Care Reform

Considers the deinstitutionalization of state mental hospital patients over the past fifty years, and uses this as a model for evaluating reform efforts of custodial and long-term care services for the elderly

Juvenile Mental Health Courts: An Emerging Strategy

Examines the benefits and drawbacks in using juvenile mental health courts. Includes how the courts are funded, which agencies administer them, criteria used for including youth in the programs, and community services that are provided to participants

Release Planning for Successful Reentry: A Guide for Corrections, Service Providers, and Community Groups

Outlines the concept of release planning, identifies the fundamental needs released prisoners face in reentering society, and recommends ways for corrections agencies and community organizations to help meet those needs through improved release planning

The Americans with Disabilities Act at 25: Cause for Celebration and Renewed Resolve

In this report, we review the progress our nation has made since the historic enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. We highlight the critical role that P&As have in enforcing the ADA integration mandate, protecting and advocating for people with disabilities still trapped in institutions and ensuring those now living in their community of choice are able to access the supports and services they need to be successful. Our report calls attention to disturbing national trends that threaten to distort and weaken the promise of full community integration. Among them: Moving from Large Facilities to Smaller but Equally Isolating Settings A Proliferation of Intentional "Disability-only" Settings. Outsized Influence of A Small Minority of Individuals Over Olmstead Enforcement Activities Public Demand for Increased Use of State Psychiatric Hospitals and Involuntary Outpatient Commitment. School System Reluctance to Move away from Segregated Classrooms. Finally, the report provides recommendations for federal and state action to mitigate these threats and to vigorously promote community-based services and supports for Americans with disabilities

An Assessment of Mental Health Policies and Services At the University of Southern Maine (Portland and Gorham campuses)

In the spring of 2013, a USM Muskie Graduate student conducted an assessment of mental health policies and services at the University of Southern Maine to help inform the University how it might better meet the mental health needs of its students. These pressures can place a university’s obligations to educate students and to meet their health needs in conflict with each other. The assessment involved in-depth interviews with 11 individuals in departments who were identified as having an important role in addressing student mental health needs

Promise for the Future: How Federal Programs Can Improve Career Outcomes for Youth & Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions

This report focuses on a critical area of mental health policy – how to assist youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions with improved prospects for successful independent living and economic security through education, job training and community services and supports. It identifies and discusses the array of federal programs that can be deployed to help these individuals through the transition into adulthood; includes recommendations on how state and local policymakers can make the best use of these programs; and suggests changes that should be made to make them more accessible and more effective

Policy Opportunities for Promoting Employment for People with Psychiatric Disabilities

Outlines policy opportunities that can be leveraged to expand opportunities for people with psychiatric disabilities to successfully obtain and maintain employment, including increased access to career development, supported employment, and critical health services. The authors’ recommendations include: Develop guidance and incentives for Medicaid coverage of supported employment. Maximize opportunities for access to healthcare made possible by the Affordable Care Act. Continue service innovations focused on educational and career development. Include people with psychiatric disabilities in federal and state employment initiatives. The authors say there is compelling evidence that people with psychiatric disabilities want to work, but statistics show their employment rate is low. When people are provided with appropriate supports and services, employment is attainable and leads to social inclusion, better health, reductions in public spending, and economic advancement