Provider Notice issued 06/19/15

Colbert v. Quinn – Consent Decree Signage

The United States District Court ruling in Colbert v. Quinn, No. 07 C 4737 (N.D. III)  directed the State of Illinois to develop and implement a process that identifies those institutionalized individuals who reside in Cook County, are interested in and able to reside in the community with necessary supports to assist their transition to community residency.

This Notice informs providers of the requirement to display specific information to comply with the consent decree.  This Notice includes signage developed by the Department on Aging (DoA) which complies with this requirement. Additionally, Office of Long Term Care Ombudsman and Colbert Implementation staff is distributing this signage to facilities when on-site.  This signage must be appropriately displayed in a location visible to residents in all Cook County Nursing Facilities. 

A 02/14/2014 Informational Notice informed providers DoA assumed the oversight of the implementation of the Colbert Consent Decree in January 2014. The processes detailed in a 02/19/2013 Informational Notice remain but new processes have been added to meet the requirements of the Consent Decree. These new processes include outreach and evaluation services by Care Coordination Units (CCUs), Catholic Charities Older Adult Services, Catholic Charities South Suburban, North Shore Senior Services, PLOWs, and Aging Care Connections.  Outreach and evaluation services for persons diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) will also be conducted by Metropolitan Family Services, Lutheran Social Services, Trilogy, Inc. and Thresholds.  These agencies will visit residents of selected nursing facilities, provide information about the Colbert Consent Decree, and evaluate interested residents for transition to community-based settings. Residents that are determined to be appropriate for transition to a community-based setting will be provided the necessary services and supports to successfully live independently in the community.    

Staff from these agencies will contact you in advance when possible and present identification once they arrive.

Please remind facility staff of the important role they play in facilitating access to nursing facility residents and all pertinent documentation, including medical records.  Healthcare and Family Services and DoA appreciate your cooperation in the implementation in the Colbert Consent decree.

For additional information regarding this issue you may visit the Colbert Consent Decree webpage located on the DoA website. The posted Colbert Implementation Plan Phase II and semi-annual reports provide more details about Colbert Consent Decree implementation initiatives.

If you have any questions you may contact the Colbert Consent Decree Implementation Team at 1-312-814-2630 or Aging.ColbertDecree@illinois.gov.

Felicia F. Norwood

Director