Kern County settles class-action lawsuit with disability rights groups over juvenile facilities

Kern County has settled a class-action lawsuit filed by two disability rights groups that challenged alleged discrimination against disabled youth took place at the county’s juvenile detention facilities.

Under the terms of the settlement, the county will transition its three juvenile facilities from a corrections model to a treatment model, which will aim to ensure youths with disabilities are identified and housed in a safe and homelike environment, and given equal access to educational and rehabilitative programs.