Minnesota Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

METO class action law Suit

Important notice for those who were secluded or Restrained while at METO

In 2008, the Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities released a public report entitled “Just Plain Wrong”. In the report the agency detailed the excessive use of restraints and law enforcement style devices at the Minnesota Extended Treatment Program.

In 2009 a Federal Class Action lawsuit was filed on behalf of individuals who had been subjected to seclusion or restraint. Attached is information for former residents of METO, their guardians or interested person, on how to file a claim.

Click here for the METO Class Action Settlement - Summary in PDF format

Click here for the METO Class Action Settlement - Summary in Word format

Click here for the August 4 Letter to Resident, Guardian, Contact [METO]

Click here for the METO Settlement Agreement Highlight

What does this Ombudsman do?

The Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities is charged under Minnesota Statutes 245.91 – 245.97 with promoting the highest attainable standards of treatment, competency, efficiency and justice for persons receiving services for mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical dependency and emotional disturbance in children.

This Office performs duties in the following three areas:

Client Services

This Office assists with the following:

concerns or complaints about services,

questions about rights,

grievances,

access to appropriate services,

ideas for making services better; and

general questions or the need for information concerning services for persons with mental disabilities.

See how we can assist and take action in our Client Services Section.

Medical Review - Death and Serious Injury Reporting

An agency, facility, or program is required to report to the Ombudsman Office the death or serious injury of a client within 24 hours of the incident. You may call or fax: (651) 757-1800, 1-800-657-3506 or FAX: (651) 797-1950. Get to know more about the MRS from the Medical Review Subcommittee section.

Civil Commitment Training and Resource Center (CCTRC)

The Center's focus will be to assist consumers and their families, however, the Center can assist anyone who wants information regarding the Civil Commitment and Treatment Act and related law. You may call (651) 757-1800, 1-800-657-3506, or TTY/VOICE - MN Relay Service 711. Get to know more about the CCTRC from the Civil Commitment Training and Resource Center section.

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What is an Ombudsman?

What does this Ombudsman do?

Client Services

Medical Review - Death and Serious Injury Reporting

Civil Commitment Training and Resource Center (CCTRC)