Disability Rights California (DRC), along with Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho, and the Law Office of Aaron J. Fischer have filed a federal lawsuit under the Americans with Disabilities Act against Alameda County and Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services. The lawsuit challenges the unnecessary and illegal segregation of people with mental health disabilities- especially Black people with disabilities in psychiatric institutions and the failure to ensure people with disabilities are provided the services they need. 

DRC is demanding that the County expand and enhance intensive  community-based mental health services, including supported housing, so that people are not forced into institutions like John George Psychiatric Hospital, or the Santa Rita Jail, when they can be served in a more integrated setting.

Case Name: 
Disability Rights California v. County of Alameda

Court and Case Number: 
5:20-cv-05256 (N.D. Cal.)

Co-Counsel:
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
Law Office of Aaron J. Fischer
Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho

Significant Documents

• Settlement Agreement Between DRC, Alameda County, and the United States (pdf)
• DOJ Report - Notice Regarding Investigation of Alameda County
• Amended Complaint (pdf)
• Complaint (pdf)
• Notice Regarding Investigation of Alameda County, John George Psychiatric Hospital, and Santa Rita Jail (pdf)

Press Release

• Settlement Reached Between Disability Rights California, the County of Alameda, and the United States Department of Justice to Strengthen the County’s Behavioral Health System
• Disability Rights California Files Lawsuit against Alameda County for Its Failed Mental Health System

News Coverage

• Alameda County faces court decree to improve jail’s treatment of inmates with mental health issues - The Mercury News 09/08/2021
• Alameda County jail’s mental health care would be overhauled under proposed lawsuit settlement - The Oakland Side - 08/30/2021
• Alameda County violates rights of mental health patients, inmates, feds say - San Fransisco Chronicle 04/25/2021
• Justice Department: Alameda County violates rights of mental health patients, inmates - Voice of America 04/23/2021
• When Going to the Hospital Is Just as Bad as Jail - The Marshall Project 11/8/20