Society for Good Will for Retarded Children, Inc. v. Cuomo , 718 F. Supp. 139 ( 1989 )


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  • 718 F. Supp. 139 (1989)

    SOCIETY FOR GOOD WILL FOR RETARDED CHILDREN, INC., et al., Plaintiffs,
    v.
    Mario M. CUOMO, as Governor of the State of New York, et al., Defendants.

    No. 78-CV-1847.

    United States District Court, E.D. New York.

    August 3, 1989.

    *140 Michael S. Lottman, Murray B. Schnepps, East Hartford, Conn., for plaintiffs.

    Robert Abrams, Atty. Gen. of State of N.Y. by Caren S. Brutten, Stephen Mendelsohn, New York City, for defendants.

    MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

    FINAL JUDGMENT

    WEINSTEIN, District Judge.

    This litigation seeking relief for alleged unconstitutional conditions and violations of state and federal statutes at the Long Island Developmental Center for profoundly mentally and otherwise disabled persons has been before the court for more than ten years. See Society for Good Will for Retarded Children, Inc. v. Cuomo, 572 F. Supp. 1300 (E.D.N.Y.1983); 737 F.2d 1239 (2d Cir.1984); 103 F.R.D. 168 (E.D.N. Y.1984); 832 F.2d 245 (2d Cir.1987). The court has continued to visit the institution and some of its small residential satellites, review reports of certifying agencies and of the institution, hold evidentiary hearings and discuss ongoing problems with counsel and administrative staff.

    Enormous improvements in conditions at the Center have resulted from the dedicated efforts of staff; support by the state; and pressure of governmental agencies, including the courts, and counsel for both plaintiffs and defendants. Nevertheless, severe institutional problems revealed in earlier opinions continue. As reflected in the most recent hearings and reports of certifying agencies, the constitutional rights of clients to adequate physical and medical support are being violated. According to expert testimony credited by the court, there is loss of capacity in residents as a result of inadequate facilities, treatment and habilitation. The institution fails to provide reasonably safe conditions of confinement, freedom from unreasonable bodily restraints and minimally adequate training that credible expert testimony and the court find to be reasonably required. These failures constitute a violation of the rights of clients. See Youngberg v. Romeo, 457 U.S. 307, 327, 102 S. Ct. 2452, 2464, 73 L. Ed. 2d 28 (1982) (Blackmun J., concurring) (constitution requires training "reasonably necessary to prevent a person's preexisting self-care skills from deteriorating because of his commitment (emphasis in original)); Clark v. Cohen, 794 F.2d 79, 95-96 (3d Cir.1986), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 962, 107 S. Ct. 459, 93 L. Ed. 2d 404 (1986); Society for Goodwill to Retarded Children, Inc. v. Cuomo, 737 F.2d 1239, 1250 (2d Cir.1984).

    The court credits findings of various state and federal certifying agencies determining *141 that the institution is not complying with applicable federal regulations designed to protect clients physically and medically. These expert reports are trustworthy. See Rule 803(8)(B), (C) of the Federal Rules of Evidence; Beech Aircraft Corp. v. Rainey, ___ U.S. ___, 109 S. Ct. 439, 102 L. Ed. 2d 445 (1988). These findings confirm the evidence received in court and the court's own observations that constitutional rights to minimum housing, food, medical treatment and habilitation necessary to prevent client deterioration have not been met. In view of these findings of constitutional violations and supporting oral findings made on the record, it is not necessary to determine whether specific federal statutes are being violated.

    It has been suggested by the Court of Appeals that prior consent by the state to a decree in this case may have constituted a waiver of its eleventh amendment immunity under Pennhurst State School & Hospital v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 104 S. Ct. 900, 79 L. Ed. 2d 67 (1984) (eleventh amendment prohibits federal courts from imposing injunctive relief against state officials for violations of state law). See Society for Goodwill for Retarded Children, Inc. v. Cuomo, 832 F.2d 245, 246 (2d Cir. 1987). See also Kozlowski v. Coughlin, 871 F.2d 241, 244 (2d Cir.1989). This court respectfully declines to follow that suggestion. As a matter of fact, no intentional waiver occurred. Implied waivers are not desirable in circumstances such as are reflected in the present litigation because they would make cooperative stipulations by the state less likely, reduce the number of consent decrees and induce litigation to the death by the defendant in an increased number of cases.

    The plaintiffs have sought a master to supervise the institution. Such an appointment is not desirable under the circumstances of this case. The director and staff of the institution are fully committed to improvement and need no supervision. The state has been relatively forthcoming in its budgetary allocations, considering all the other fiscal demands it must meet.

    The administrative limitations on the institution make it apparent that the constitutional rights of clients cannot be protected without further reduction of the client population. All agree that this reduction should, for generally accepted professional reasons, be accomplished by transferring as many clients as is practicable to small home-like cottages, houses and apartments; if possible these small residences should be off-campus, in the community. Community placement to the extent reasonable under the circumstances is a necessary remedial measure to vindicate the clients' constitutional entitlements. The court has the power and obligation to require remedial steps designed to overcome the effect of years of severe constitutional deprivations experienced by clients of the Center. Cf. United States v. Paradise, 480 U.S. 149, 107 S. Ct. 1053, 1073, 94 L. Ed. 2d 203 (1987) ("``Once a right and a violation have been shown, the scope of a district court's equitable powers to remedy past wrongs is broad, for breadth and flexibility are inherent in equitable remedies.'") (quoting Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Bd. of Educ., 402 U.S. 1, 15, 91 S. Ct. 1267, 1275, 28 L. Ed. 2d 554 (1971); United States v. Yonkers Bd. of Educ., 837 F.2d 1181, 1235-36 (2d Cir.1987), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 108 S. Ct. 2821, 100 L. Ed. 2d 922 (1988).

    The following is ordered after detailed consultation on terms among counsel, administrative staff of the institution and the court:

    1. The policies and actions of the defendants in the operation of the Long Island Developmental Center are declared to be in continuing violation of the plaintiff class members' rights under the due process and equal protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment.

    2. Defendants shall implement the following plan at LIDC (including the Sagtikos and Sagamore units):

    *142
    GOAL I: To Assure Proper Programming, Particularly for those Over the Age of 21
    Not Educated in the Public School System
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    OBJECTIVE                                       ACTIONS
    1. To reorganize the delivery of treatment    1.a) Refine program curricula utilizing
    services so that it more effectively            new and age appropriate technologies.
    develops the client in his environment
    of Long Island Developmental
    Center, and in a more normalizing
    manner provides better
    staffing coverage and consistency
    in the delivery of clinical services.
    b) Develop the necessary training and
    support systems to facilitate
    achieving the objective.
    2. To improve the existing goal oriented      1.   By September 1, 1989, reassess existing
    programming for residents over                  programs of the over age 21
    the age of 21.                                  population to determine if they are
    meeting individual client needs and
    where they are not, revise curricula
    to encompass the whole client and
    improve his skills in real life. This
    reassessment shall be a continuing
    requirement.
    2.a) An upwardly mobile continuum of
    services will be developed to provide
    training to clients having from
    the least to the greatest abilities.
    This continuum will begin with basic
    living skills (including grooming,
    toileting, eating), and move
    into more advanced living skills
    (such as domestic activities). The
    next step will focus on the development
    of prevocational skills (e.g.,
    motor development, coordination,
    and vocational readiness) and terminate
    in vocational habilitation (including
    such activities as landscaping
    assistance, housekeeping assistance,
    etc.). Throughout the entire
    continuum, attention will be
    paid to socialization and deinstitutionalization.
    b) By July 31, 1989, Program Center(s)
    will be designed to modify maladaptive
    behaviors which would
    prohibit clients from progressing
    through the programming continuum
    and may inhibit eventual
    placement provided that the establishment
    of such center(s) shall not
    reduce the level of care provided to
    other clients below the minimum
    levels required under this decree.
    There is no requirement that persons
    with the same problems be
    grouped together. The techniques
    to be used are within the discretion
    of professional staff.
    3. Provide goal oriented programming          1.   By July 31, 1989, all residents age 21
    to all residents age 21 and under.              and under shall receive school education
    

    *143
    programming on a full year
    (12-month) basis.
    4. Improve upon existing systems to assure    1.   By September 1, 1989, on a five day
    that clients of Long Island                     per week 12 month per year basis,
    Developmental Center receive programs           six hours of active, structured programming
    that meet their needs.                          shall be made available
    to each client in addition to recreation
    and leisure activities unless
    medically, socially or psychologically
    contraindicated as shown by the
    certification of a QMRP (Qualified
    Mental Retardation Practitioner)
    having a State certificate, but lack
    of resources shall not be the basis
    for such certification; provided,
    however, that each client has the
    right, after being fully advised, to
    refuse any such programming.
    The professional staff may define
    structured programming to include
    equivalent programming in nonclassroom
    or equivalent settings.
    In each case a member of the professional
    staff must certify on the
    client's record why the variation is
    required. Compliance with
    § 483.440 of 42 C.F.R. shall be
    deemed sufficient compliance with
    this requirement.
    2.   Develop a training program to facilitate
    the success of program philosophy
    and goals.
    3.   Make more meaningful a quality assurance
    system that will assure
    clients are receiving programs
    which best meet their demonstrated
    needs and evaluate their mobility
    or fixation at an appropriate level;
    e.g. assuming no inhibiting neurological
    impairment client program
    will be altered if it is not
    successfully addressing a lack of
    toileting skills.
    4.   By September 1, 1989, an appropriate
    toilet training program shall be
    made available to all clients not
    presently toilet trained, unless such
    program is medically or physiologically
    contraindicated as shown by
    the certification of a QMRP (Qualified
    Mental Retardation Practitioner)
    having a State certificate.
    GOAL II: An Increased Direct Care Staff Ratio at the Ward Level and Dormitory Care
    Level, as well as in Various Professional Specialties
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    OBJECTIVE                                       ACTIONS
    1. To maintain an overall staff to client     1.   An overall staff to client ratio of no
    ratio of no less than 2 to 1 and                less than 2 to 1 shall be met and
    allow for various administrative                maintained within 1%. To meet
    flexibilities and prerogatives, until           this objective, the Director shall
    March 31, 1992.                                 have the authority and be required
    

    *144
    to fill and refill any vacant position
    without regard to any budgetary
    restrictions or other limitations, unless
    otherwise ordered by the
    Court.
    2.   On an as needed basis, increase the
    fill level in selected direct care and
    clinical care titles and/or lay off in
    titles determined to be in excess
    and redeploy these resources to
    functional areas to augment services,
    within a 10% variation on fill
    levels, subject to the provisions of
    statute and collective bargaining
    agreements.
    2. To increase direct care staff available    1.   Review all direct care assignments
    in the ward at times of maximum                 and, based on proposed program
    activity.                                       changes, develop a correct distribution
    for each client area for each
    shift, subject to the provisions of
    statute and collective bargaining
    agreements, unless modified by the
    consent of affected unions and employees.
    2.   Continually review and readjust direct
    care assignments and schedule
    based upon client needs, program,
    and residential goals, subject to the
    provisions of statute and collective
    bargaining agreements, unless
    modified by the consent of affected
    union and employees.
    3.   Utilize staff from areas vacated by
    clients going to day program to
    assist in other direct care or program
    areas, subject to the provisions
    of statute and collective bargaining
    agreements, unless modified
    by the consent of affected unions
    and employees.
    4.   Request that OMRDD assess the current
    utilization of housekeeping
    personnel with an eye toward increasing
    their effectiveness on the
    living unit, thereby increasing direct
    care staff availability to
    clients. Assessment should include
    the use of part-time, flex-time, and
    other alternate work schedules
    when filling housekeeping vacancies,
    subject to the provisions of
    statute and collective bargaining
    agreements, unless modified by the
    consent of affected unions and employees.
    5.   Utilize the incontinent pads or disposable
    diapers to free direct care
    staff from the "folding and sorting"
    activity or provide additional
    staff to fold cloth diapers.
    

    *145
    6.   With such training as is required,
    food service personnel will more
    actively participate in meal time
    programming and thereby supplement
    direct care staff involvement,
    subject to the provisions of statute
    and collective bargaining agreements,
    unless modified by the consent
    of affected unions and employees.
    7.   Increase volunteer programs and encourage
    older parents and members
    of the community to become
    Foster Grandparents or Senior
    Companions.
    8.   Reinforce performance standards
    and, through the performance evaluation
    system, reinforce direct care
    responsibilities to client assignments,
    subject to the provisions of
    statute and collective bargaining
    agreements, unless modified by the
    consent of unions and employees.
    9.   Restructure current performance
    evaluations to continue to reinforce
    supervisory responsibilities of midlevel
    supervisors and nurse administrators
    in supervising direct care
    to insure maximum utilization of
    therapy aides, subject to the provisions
    of statute and collective bargaining
    agreements, unless modified
    by the consent of affected unions
    and employees.
    4. To increase the provision of needed        1.   Cluster professional personnel in relation
    clinical support services to clients.           to client needs as reflected
    by client abilities grouping.
    2.   Continually review the utilization and
    need for specific clinical titles. Adjust
    clinical assignments and/or
    employment levels as required by
    changing client needs.
    3.   The assignment of clinician duties
    will place a priority on service delivery
    as opposed to record keeping;
    and this will be documented
    through the performance evaluation
    system.
    4.   Expand performance standards and
    review the organizational placement
    of discipline coordinators.
    5.   Expand performance standards for
    clinical personnel to include the
    training and supervision of direct
    care staff, on all shifts, in the program
    skills and activities.
    6.   Seek the involvement of professional
    schools by providing clinical field
    experience at Long Island Developmental
    Center campus.
    

    *146
    7.   Where vacancies in professional staff
    have not been filled after good
    faith efforts to do so, equivalent
    personnel shall be made available
    by contracting for part-time services
    and other devices not inconsistent
    with statute or collective bargaining
    agreements, and funds
    may be shifted from line budget
    items for this purpose.
    8.   Continue the planning for, and expedite
    the development of, training
    programs for high school and undergraduate
    students giving them
    the opportunity to work part time
    at Long Island Developmental Center
    during peak client activity
    times, subject to the provisions of
    statute and collective bargaining
    agreements, unless modified by the
    consent of affected unions and employees.
    GOAL III: Develop an Improved Training Program for Those Charged With Care of
    Clients so That Necessary Program Activities Are Incorporated in the
    Context of Clients' Daily Living
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    OBJECTIVE                                       ACTIONS
    1. To increase the relevancy of training      1.   Establish a residential training program
    for staff charged with care of                  under a centralized unit headed
    clients.                                        by a Director of Training to be
    utilized for assessing staff competencies,
    training, and for field
    placement of students from academic
    institutions.
    2.   Utilizing adult-learning theory, this
    unit will increase efforts to provide
    total competency-based training by:
    a) Identifying basic and site specific
    competencies expected in job
    performance.
    b) Developing realistic assessment
    methods.
    c) Having staff who demonstrate
    competency in any conceptual or
    skill area exempted from training
    in that content area. Life
    safety skills will be assessed every
    six months and retraining
    required as indicated by skill assessment,
    within applicable federal
    and state regulations.
    d) Revising present curricula and developing
    new ones as necessary
    to reflect changing client needs
    to assure relevancy of training.
    e) Incorporating evaluations of training
    into the curriculum revision
    process.
    3.   Funds shall be available to permit
    contracts for outside consultants to
    train Long Island DDSO trainers
    

    *147
    when changing client needs require
    staff training beyond the scope of
    the expertise of employees.
    4.   Utilizing affirmative action practices,
    staff above-named training unit
    with a team of employees who demonstrate
    the ability to provide
    client care meeting all applicable
    standards, and can serve as a model
    for training and retraining.
    5.   Establish an "Ad Hoc" training advisory
    committee with representation
    from Staff Development and
    Training, LIDC Client Services,
    state-operated community-based
    services, voluntary agencies, public
    relations, certification unit, all labor
    organizations, and the Society
    for Good Will to Retarded Children,
    Inc. This committee will provide
    input into the planning, implementation,
    and evaluation of training.
    6.   Revise the training delivery model to
    include the appropriate use of:
    a) Onsite, hands on, experiential
    learning.
    b) Role modeling in the training unit
    utilizing a "buddy system."
    c) Centralized classroom learning.
    7.   Expand the training of client care
    work teams from residential units
    and program areas in team process,
    communication skills, awareness,
    and continuity of client care
    by integrating direct care staff of
    all three shifts, mid-level supervisors,
    professional staff, treatment
    team leader, parents and support
    service personnel.
    2. To expand the availability of training     1.   Expand the pool of trainers by:
    opportunities for staff.
    a) Establishing a mechanism for
    sharing training resources within
    OMRDD.
    b) Developing a training consortium
    with voluntary agencies in the
    Long Island DDSO catchment
    area.
    c) Utilizing more parents and guardians
    of clients in training programs.
    2.a) Continue to negotiate academic credit
    (extending beyond life-experience
    credit) for training received at
    Long Island Developmental Center.
    b) Negotiate increased numbers of university
    affiliations for:
    — Student field placement at Long Island
    Developmental Center in exchange
    for academic faculty offering
    

    *148
    staff training at Long Island
    Developmental Center.
    — Academic programs (degree and
    certificate bearing) at Long Island
    Developmental Center.
    3. To increase the application of knowledge   1.   Establish a mechanism for evaluating
    and skills acquired through                     the effectiveness of training and
    training to job performance.                    application on-the-job in both residential
    and treatment areas which
    feeds back to Staff Development
    and Training Department to be utilized
    in revising training programs.
    The evaluation process will include
    both trainees and supervisors.
    GOAL IV: Proper Repairs to Buildings, Particularly as to Heating and Air Conditioning
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    OBJECTIVE                                       ACTIONS
    1. To reorganize the delivery of maintenance  1.   Organize the Maintenance Department
    and environmental services.                     under the supervision of a
    plant superintendent to be responsible
    for all maintenance and environmental
    services.
    2. To reduce the number of repairs required.  1.   Continue the maintenance assistant
    repair concept of performing comprehensive
    repairs on a scheduled
    basis and preventive maintenance
    of non-specialized equipment.
    3. To improve the quality and quantity        1.   Develop and implement a formal
    of work production.                             training program for maintenance
    and environmental systems staff.
    2.   Negotiate with BOCES and private
    trade schools the use of Long Island
    Developmental Center as a
    practical training site for their students
    (with particular emphasis toward
    affirmative action programming),
    and arrange for slots in
    those schools for selected Long Island
    Developmental Center Plant
    Engineering staff to learn new
    skills or upgrade present ones.
    3.   Contract with private tradesmen to
    perform specific maintenance and
    environmental systems functions,
    subject to the provisions of statute
    and collective bargaining agreements,
    unless modified by the consent
    of affected unions and employees.
    4.   Change existing staff pass days and
    work hours by introducing flextime,
    subject to the provisions of
    statute and collective bargaining
    agreements, unless modified by the
    consent of affected unions and employees.
    This would result in
    greater maintenance coverage over
    an expanded workday. Maintain
    this action on a continuing basis.
    5.   On or before June 1, 1989, an additional
    fund of up to $35,000 shall
    

    *149
    be established to hire as temporary
    civil service summer employees
    (high school and college students
    and selected clients) to function as
    helpers for grounds, maintenance
    and environmental systems assistance,
    subject to the provisions of
    statute and collective bargaining
    agreements, unless modified by the
    consent of affected unions and employees.
    Maintain this action on a
    continuing basis.
    6.   Utilize a facility-wide "long-term
    leave pool," subject to the provisions
    of statute and collective bargaining
    agreements, unless modified
    by the consent of affected unions
    and employees.
    4. To improve the responsiveness and          1.   Establish realistic in-service training
    efficiency of Work Control.                     for supervisory personnel, specific
    to job title.
    2.   Formulate for shop distribution, a
    plant engineering parts catalog,
    which will allow for faster identification
    of parts that must be ordered.
    Maintain this action on a
    continuing basis.
    3.   Increase the minimum and maximum
    stock levels, especially for those
    specialty parts that are difficult to
    locate or have manufactured.
    Maintain this action on a continuing
    basis.
    4.   Purchase appropriate equipment (to
    include those that save labor and
    manpower) and parts to make proper
    repairs.
    5.   Clearly identify capital construction
    issues, e.g. roofing, fail safe valves
    and systems, heating, and air conditioning,
    for inclusion in capital
    budget request so that this major,
    time consuming work is not handled
    by local staff, by default. Fail
    safe valves and systems must be
    installed and operational on or before
    July 31, 1989.
    5. To improve environmental conditions        1.   All buildings must meet federal
    in all buildings at the facility.               ICF/MR standards of safety and
    habitability, and shall be made fully
    safe and habitable including repairs
    of all leaky roofs, broken or
    missing windows, full operation of
    all air conditioning units, heating
    systems and other known problems
    with the physical plant.
    6. To expand utilization of existing rest     1.   Assign project to Quality of Work
    and recreational facilities.                    Life Committee to determine what
    additional facilities are required
    and can be developed within existing
    

    *150
    resources. (Subdivisions client
    and staff, C & S).
    a) Subdivision C (Client) will utilize
    parent participation to plan for
    additional client lounges and
    family visitation areas.
    b) Subdivision S (Staff) will utilize
    union and management participation
    to develop staff lounges,
    activity center(s), and quiet areas
    for personnel.
    c) Subdivision C & S (Client & Staff)
    will combine to formulate plans
    to develop the grounds of Long
    Island Developmental Center to
    meet environmental needs and
    to stimulate the increased use
    of outdoor areas for client programming
    and recreation.
    2.   Expand Volunteer Services capabilities
    to enlist aid from local schools,
    fraternities, scouting organizations,
    civic and other groups, to aid
    in grounds beautification projects
    and to provide outdoor recreation
    areas, and other improvements.
    GOAL V: Every Client Is Provided, as Required, Adequate Prosthetic Devices; Special
    Clothing Where Required; Specialty Designed Wheelchairs and Carts
    Where Required, and Sufficient Numbers of Vehicles to Transport Them;
    and Furniture Necessary and Appropriate for Clients
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    OBJECTIVE                                       ACTIONS
    1. To refine the existing system to further   1.   Screen and monitor, through reports
    ensure clients' needs are met.                  by staff and visitors and a computerized
    reporting system, clients at
    least semi-annually to determine
    continued appropriateness of special
    furniture, clothing, wheelchairs,
    and adaptive devices.
    2.   Recruit additional qualified professionals
    needed to deliver services to
    all clients with a documented need
    for special adaptive (physical and
    occupational therapy) services.
    3.   Properly adapted wheelchairs and
    sufficient special equipment shall
    be provided to all clients, within a
    5% variation in prescription. Such
    equipment shall be provided to persons
    newly admitted to the center
    within six months, and six months
    shall be allowed for new equipment
    when a change in prescription occurs.
    This requirement shall be accomplished
    without regard to any
    obstacles.
    4.   Maintain adaptive equipment shops,
    including the supply of parts and
    materials, for construction of
    adaptive devices and special clothing.
    Involve skilled parents and
    

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    guardians and other volunteers in
    the work of the adaptive equipment
    shops.
    5.   The facility shall have in place sufficient
    furniture adapted and suitable
    to the needs of clients; any
    state regulations which would impede
    the acquisition of such furniture
    are superseded.
    6.   Continue to attempt to develop a contract
    with wheelchair vendor to
    maintain an outlet at Long Island
    Developmental Center with sales-person
    and repairperson scheduled
    regularly, but failure or inability to
    develop such contract shall not excuse
    compliance with goal V, objective
    1, action 3.
    7.   Continue to expand the appropriate
    utilization of clothing wardrobes in
    accordance with client ability.
    8.   All clients shall be provided with such
    special and other clothing and footwear
    as may be required by professional
    staff memebers, and all limitations
    on state purchasing of such
    clothing are suspended until March
    31, 1992. Any clients newly admitted
    to the facility shall be provided
    with such special and other clothing
    and footwear within 45 days of
    admission.
    9.   Defendants shall develop an improved
    system for the marking and
    segregating of individual client
    clothing.
    10.   All clients shall be provided with such
    prosthetic devices including footwear
    as may be required by professional
    staff members. Any clients
    newly admitted to the facility shall
    be provided with such prosthetic
    devices including footwear within
    90 days of admission.
    2. To refine the existing transportation      1.   The facility shall provide sufficient
    network for transferring clients,               safe and appropriate transportation
    particularly the non-ambulatory, to             to meet the programmatic and other
    all services including day program              needs of all clients, on and off
    and leisure activities.                         the grounds of the facility.
    2.   The facility shall maintain its "new"
    ambulance and two ambulettes in
    good repair.
    3.   Revise and expand client "travel
    training" programs to increase
    clients' independence in traveling
    between residential and program
    buildings.
    

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    GOAL VI: An Increased Rate of Transfer from the Central Long Island Developmental
    Facilities to Residential or Other Small Community Facilities
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    OBJECTIVE                                     ACTIONS
    1. To continue to maximize existing procedures    1.   By May 17, 1989, 598 clients from
    and develop new concepts                            Long Island Developmental Center
    for obtaining suitable residential                  shall have been placed in community
    sites for the purpose of developing                 placements, some of fifteen (15)
    community placements.                               bed size or over, but such larger
    size shall, however, be the exception.
    It is further provided that
    the average size of each such community
    residential facility shall be
    no more than 12. These placements
    shall include the development
    of community residences and
    intermediate care facilities. By
    March 31, 1992, the number of persons
    at Long Island Developmental
    Center campus shall not exceed 565
    clients. This includes the persons
    in the Small Residential Units built
    or to be built on the campus. On a
    five day per week, 12 month per
    year basis, six hours of active,
    structured programming shall be
    made available to each client in addition
    to recreation and leisure activities
    unless medically, socially or
    psychologically contraindicated as
    shown by the certification of a
    QMRP (Qualified Mental Retardation
    Practitioner) having a State
    certificate, but lack of resources
    shall not be the basis for such certification;
    provided, however, that
    each client has the right, after being
    fully advised, to refuse any
    such programming. The professional
    staff may define structured
    programming to include equivalent
    programming in non-classroom or
    equivalent settings. In each case a
    member of the professional staff
    must certify on the client's record
    why the variation is required.
    Compliance with § 483.440 of 42
    C.F.R. shall be deemed sufficient
    compliance with this requirement.
    Such clients shall also receive all
    medical and other support services
    necessary.
    2.    The implementation of an investor
    program to facilitate property lease
    and acquisition.
    3.    The construction of homes for specific
    populations whose needs cannot
    be met by existing housing stock,
    such as the non-ambulatory, geriatric,
    and sensory impaired.
    2. To increase recruitment efforts for            1.    Improve recruitment efforts utilizing
    family care (foster care) and personal               such strategies as radio and TV,
    care providers.                                      print media, and continuous, widespread
    

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    contact with charitable, religious,
    and service organizations to
    recruit potential providers of service.
    3. To improve and expand the network              1.   Make available community-based day
    of other than residential services to               programs such as education, day
    ensure that client placements are                   treatment, and day training to accommodate
    qualitatively maintained.                           the needs of the client
    population to be placed in the various
    residential programs.
    2.   Make available to residential providers
    and their clients the means to
    access necessary support services,
    with specific reference to medical
    and dental services.
    3.   Provide case management services to
    the client population placed on the
    basis of individual client need, for
    the purpose of monitoring the quality
    of that placement, and wherever
    necessary, provide technical assistance
    to the client for the purpose
    of accessing needed services.
    4. To better utilize client need as the           1.   Expansion of the request for proposal
    determinant for the type of community               process whereby clients are
    resource selected.                                  grouped according to specific representative
    characteristics, e.g.,
    self-preservation, functioning level,
    age, in preparation for placement
    in community-based living situations.
    2.   To the extent practicable, clients to
    be placed in a given fiscal year are
    designated prior to the beginning
    of that year so that residential resources
    such as family (foster)
    care, personal care homes, community
    residences, intermediate care
    facilities, and skilled nursing facilities
    can be made available to meet
    client needs.
    

    3. Defendants shall maintain continuing substantial compliance with Medicaid certification requirements in all units, buildings, and programs at LIDC, i.e., they shall meet substantially all "conditions of participation" included in 42 C.F.R. 442.483, as amended, as well as the following specific standards; these conditions and standards reflect current professional consensus on minimum standards required to protect the health of these clients who are incapable of protecting themselves; under the circumstances of this case with so many years of severe constitutional violations, the court finds they are necessary to overcome past violations:

    483.410(b) — health, safety, sanitation
    .420(a) — client rights
    .420(c) — communication
    .420(d) — abuse and neglect
    .430(b) — professional program services
    .430(c) — facility staffing
    .430(d) — direct care staffing
    .440(a) — active treatment
    .440(c) — individual program plan
    .440(d) — program implementation
    .440(f) — program monitoring and revision
    .450(b) — behavior management
    .450(d) — physical restraints
    .450(e) — drug therapy
    .460(a) — physician services
    .460(c) — nursing services
    .460(e) — dental services
    

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    .460(j) — drug regimen review
    .470(a) — client living environment
    .470(b) — client bedrooms
    .470(c) — storage space
    .470(d) — client bathrooms
    .470(e) — heating and ventilation
    .470(g) — space and equipment
    .470(h) — emergency procedures
    .470(j) — fire protection
    .470(k) — lead-free paint
    .470(l) — infection control
    .480(b) — meal service
    .480(d) — dining areas
    

    4. Services, benefits, accommodations, and programs, including but not limited to vocational and pre-vocational programming and community placement opportunities, shall not be denied to any class member or group of class members on the basis of the nature or degree of their handicapping conditions or on the basis of generalized assumptions that they are unable to benefit from certain activities or services.

    5. The preliminary injunction heretofore entered in this case on March 31, 1989 is merged into this permanent injunctive order.

    6. Between May 17, 1989, and March 31, 1992, approximately 400 persons will be placed off campus in community residences of an average size of not more than 12, so that the client census at LIDC will be no more than 565 by March 31, 1992.

    7. Plaintiffs' counsel and their experts shall be allowed reasonable access to all class members and their records, and to all programs, facilities, and staff members serving or accommodating such individuals.

    8. Defendants shall submit to plaintiffs' counsel, within seven working days of receipt or issuance, copies of the following documents:

    (a) All State or Federal statements of deficiencies, plans of correction, notifications of adverse action, and other substantive correspondence relating to Medicaid ICF/MR compliance surveys of any building, unit, or program at LIDC;
    (b) Director's reports to the LIDC Board of Visitors and the minutes of Board of Visitors' meetings;
    (c) Any reports of the New York State Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled regarding any building, unit, or program at LIDC or any member of the plaintiff class, and any responses thereto or other substantive and relevant correspondence;
    (d) Any reports of any other monitoring, licensing, or accrediting body regarding LIDC or any member of the class, and any responses thereto or other substantive and relevant correspondence.

    9. Defendants shall report to plaintiffs and the Court on September 15, 1989, and annually thereafter, in a written format acceptable to plaintiffs, as to the defendants' compliance with each provision of the order of the Court.

    10. This order shall be in effect until March 31, 1992.

    11. Jurisdiction is retained over this matter until further order of the Court.

    12. This constitutes a final judgment. The Clerk shall mark the case closed, subject to reopening on motion of any party.

    So ordered.