The Commonwealth is asking for responses to its present Olmstead plan which was established in 2018. The deadline for response to Request for Information is February 29, 2024.

In 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered a decision in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), indicating that states have a legal obligation to administer programs and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities. This decision recognized that a state may satisfy this obligation through development of a comprehensive, effective working plan for placing qualified persons with disabilities in less restrictive settings. These plans are known as Olmstead Plans. Our state is beginning to work on a new Olmstead plan and it sent out requests for listening sessions and advisory council members. The Arc’s testimony at the listening session may be found below.

The Arc has utilized Olmstead both in its legislative and legal advocacy. Massachusetts policy makers have been responsive to our requests and most recently this has been reflected on the funding commitment for adult community services known as “Turning 22.”

In 2008 and 2018, the Commonwealth released Olmstead plan updates. You can see the 2018 plan here.

Request for Information Regarding Update to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 2018 Olmstead Plan

Greetings:

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), along with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to get comments from a variety of people about updates to the state’s 2018 Olmstead Plan.

An Olmstead Plan, named after a 1999 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court about the right to receive supports and services in settings other than institutions, is a state’s roadmap for supporting housing and services for people with disabilities in settings that are appropriate to their needs.

In 2018, Massachusetts updated its 2008 Olmstead Plan. The 2018 Olmstead Plan recorded the progress made since 2008. It also includes four main goals to guide the state’s continued progress. We’re especially interested in community feedback about the state’s 2018 Olmstead Plan’s four goals for supporting people with disabilities:

1. expanding access to affordable, accessible housing with supports
2. enhancing community-based long-term services and supports
3. promoting community-integrated employment of people with disabilities
4. investing in accessible transportation for people with disabilities

Submitting feedback is easy. Here’s how.

1. Go to Section 2 to find the questions we’d like you to answer. You can respond to as few or as many as you’d like.
2. Go to Section 3 to find instructions that explain how to submit your feedback.
3. Be sure to submit your responses no later than February 29, 2024.

EOHHS and EOHLC will use the feedback from this RFI when developing updates to the 2018 Olmstead Plan.

Thank you in advance!