Filed Date: Nov. 15, 1996
Closed Date: Sept. 8, 2017
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In 1994, the United States Department of Justice investigated conditions at Clover Bottom Developmental Center in Nashville, Greene Valley Developmental Center in Greeneville, and Nat T. Winston Developmental Center in Bolivar, Tennessee. The investigation also included the Harold Jordon Habilitation Center, a program at Clover Bottom. The investigation revealed numerous violations of the constitutional and statutory rights of the developmentally delayed residents of the facilities. The Department of Justice suspected that the abuse of residents by staff at Clover Bottom constituted criminal behavior.
On November 15, 1996, the United States filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee against the State of Tennessee on behalf of individuals residing at the three facilities. The complaint alleged numerous violations of the constitution, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Tennessee state law. These included failure to provide education and adequate medical care, abusive treatment, and insufficient staffing. The lawsuit followed a similar private lawsuit filed against the state, People First of Tennessee v. Clover Bottom Developmental Center, Civ. No. 96-cv-01056 (M.D.Tenn.), and essentially simultaneously with the complaint, the U.S. moved to consolidate the cases; this motion was granted two weeks later.
All three parties immediately settled, and the settlement was approved by Judge Echols in November of 1996. The state agreed to a number of changes, including the following:
• Create person-centered evaluation of citizens in need of services
• Develop community programs and resources
• Increase staffing and staff training
• Improve living conditions in the centers
• Provide education for school-age residents
For a record of compliance litigation information, please see People First of Tenn. v. Clover Bottom Devel. Center.
The court monitored the settlement until September 8, 2017, when Chief Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw issued an order in a related case that stated the parties agreed that defendants had "completed and fulfilled" their obligations under the settlement.
The case is now closed.
Summary Authors
Angela Heverling (4/8/2007)
Brent Winslow (10/28/2016)
Timothy Leake (10/11/2018)
U.S. v. Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee (1992)
People First of Tenn. v. Arlington Developmental Center, Western District of Tennessee (1992)
People First of Tenn. v. Clover Bottom Devel. Center, Middle District of Tennessee (1995)
Batchelder, Alice Moore (Ohio)
Bell, Aileen M. (District of Columbia)
Bowman, Robert C. (District of Columbia)
Derryberry, Jack W. (Tennessee)
Barrick, William M. (Tennessee)
Bell, Aileen M. (District of Columbia)
Bowman, Robert C. (District of Columbia)
Derryberry, Jack W. (Tennessee)
Donehey, Darcey Kathleen (District of Columbia)
Edwards, Lisa Wilson (District of Columbia)
Frohboese, Robinsue (District of Columbia)
Geissler, R. Jonas (District of Columbia)
Goggin, Wendy Hildreth (Tennessee)
Gran, Judith A. (Pennsylvania)
Gross, Mark L. (District of Columbia)
Jackson, Shelley (District of Columbia)
Jones, Michelle A. (District of Columbia)
Patrick, Deval L. (District of Columbia)
Peabody, Arthur E. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Picciotti-Bayer, Andrea (District of Columbia)
Porter, Nicole (District of Columbia)
Reno, Janet (District of Columbia)
Roberts, Richard W. (District of Columbia)
Rocah, David R. (District of Columbia)
Rosenbaum, Steven H. (District of Columbia)
Russell, Kevin K. (District of Columbia)
Schneider, Todd J. (District of Columbia)
Scott, Janine (District of Columbia)
Last updated April 3, 2024, 3:11 a.m.
State / Territory: Tennessee
Case Type(s):
Intellectual Disability (Facility)
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Nov. 15, 1996
Closing Date: Sept. 8, 2017
Case Ongoing: No reason to think so
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States Department of Justice
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Clover Bottom Developmental Center (Nashville, Davidson), State
Greene Valley Developmental Center (Bolivar), State
Nat T. Winston Developmental Center (Greeneville), State
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 1996 - None
Issues
General/Misc.:
Sanitation / living conditions
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Disability and Disability Rights:
Developmental disability without intellectual disability
Intellectual/developmental disability, unspecified
Discrimination Basis:
Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)
Habilitation (training/treatment)
Sexual abuse by residents/inmates
Medical/Mental Health Care: