Napper v. County of Sacramento - Class action suit filed to stop Sacramento County

Napper case update: Sacramento County outpatient mental health services likely to continue until October

Last year, Disability Rights California and Sacramento County entered into an interim agreement in a class action case concerning the county's outpatient mental health services. A federal court had determined that the County's plan to cut outpatient services placed mental health clients in the County at risk of in-patient hospitalization. In short, it was agreed that the services would continue until April 30, 2011 while an outside expert studied what services were necessary to help mental health consumers avoid hospitalization and institutionalization.

Because the study was delayed, we have now amended that agreement so that mental health outpatient services offered by Sacramento County will stay in place through June and most likely, through October 1. This will give the expert time to complete the study and provide time for those most concerned to respond to the study.

Our class action suit preserves outpatient mental health services

In the spring of 2010, rumors were flying that Sacramento County planned to close its outpatient mental health clinics. Leslie Napper and other clients became alarmed and asked us for help. We learned that to save money, the successful nonprofit clinics were to be closed on June 30 and reopened on July 1 with new services run by County staff.

After unsatisfactory meetings with the County, we and our co-counsel filed suit and a request for an injunction to stop the cuts. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief in support of our clients’ motion stating that, under the County’s proposed plan, they would experience a significant reduction in services and be at risk of being placed in hospitals and psychiatric inpatient facilities, in violation of the ADA’s integration mandate.

“In my early 30s when I was first diagnosed with a mental health disorder, I was in disbelief, it just knocked me over.” Leslie Napper, 41, said “it was hard to accept having this disability, and I bounced back and forth between different hospitals and facilities.” Feeling depressed and discouraged, she thought about killing herself.

After bad experiences with health care providers who offered heavy medications as the sole treatment, a few years ago she found the Northgate Point Regional Support Team in Sacramento. The Northgate outpatient clinic approach offers more: psychotherapy and groups to help manage medications and side effects and to avoid self-defeating behavior. Plus, as Leslie points out, “Consistency of providers–I know them and they know me.”

Leslie is fully responsible for maintaining a home with her elderly father who needs assistance with mobility. “My father depends on me… With access to my usual providers, I’m confident that I can stay on an even keel and avoid my previous need for inpatient services... If I fall apart and end up in the hospital, what might happen to him?”

In July, Federal District Judge John Mendez granted a preliminary injunction stopping the County from implementing its plan until the court determines that mental health recipients will continue to receive integrated services to avoid institutionalization. In November, we reached an interim agreement that keeps the current outpatient services in place at least through June 30, 2011 while an outside expert reviews best practices.

Stuart Seaborn, managing attorney, stated “We are pleased that the Court stopped the cuts and that the County has now agreed to continue services which are critical to preserving the mental health and safety of 5,000 individuals with psychiatric disabilities.”

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