Sincerely Matthew"
IN RESPONSE FORM A.R.C.:
"The Sunland suit filed by ARC/Florida was actually in reaction to the conditions at the Sunland Orlando Institution. (The number of individuals placed on feeding tubes was extremely high.) Anyway, as part of the settlement decree, the State of Florida agreed to begin to phase down all of the institutions and after Sunland Orlando, Sunland Tallahassee was the next one to phase down. It was an easy choice because the physical plant facility was in very poor repair and it was seen as a major fire trap. So...yes the ARC/Florida lawsuit prompted the closure.
By the way...we are back in court debating the quality of care of that were part of the 1983 settlement class members. This case never ends. Landmark in Miami just closed down last year. Gulf Coast is projected to close next. A lawsuit filed by the Advocacy Center for person with Disabilities, known as the Prado-Steiman Settlement, has brought the whole closure initiative back around.
Hope this information is useful to you."
So hopefully, Sunland fans, this will help you along in your own research or just plain curiosity. Thanks again, Matt, for this information!