T.R. v. Dreyfus, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington

Executive Summary

This class action lawsuit against the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) was brought on behalf of Medicaid-eligible children under age 21 in Washington State who were denied necessary intensive home and community-based mental health services. The lawsuit also claimed that the state has failed to comply with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires that public entities such as DSHS provide services to children with psychiatric disabilities in the most appropriate integrated setting.

 

In March 2012, the parties reached an Interim Agreement. The agreement suspended litigation while the State worked to build a framework for reform of the mental health system for children on Medicaid. Before the Interim Agreement expired, the parties negotiating a full settlement agreement. On September 27, 2013, the court granted preliminary approval of the proposed settlement, and on December 19, 2013, after a fairness hearing, granted final approval of the settlement.