A federal monitor says the State of Delaware is on track to fulfill its settlement agreement with the Justice Department over issues at the Delaware Psychiatric Center.
In a report released today, court appointed monitor Robert Bernstein said Delaware has made “impressive gains” despite facing a “challenging period” in the first year of the agreement.
The agreement stems from a suit brought against Delaware by the Department of Justice for violating the constitutional rights of many patients at the Delaware Psychiatric Center. The suit claimed many patients at the center were unnecessarily institutionalized when they could be living in less-restrictive community settings. The agreement – signed in July 2011 - gives Delaware five years to address the issue.
Bernstein notes improvement in crisis services and moving patients out of long-term institutional care. He also cites efforts develop systems that work for both those with serious metal illness and those other disabilities.
But Bernstein says the state falls short in compiling data on patients and their care.
