The Associated Press
LOUISVILLE - Kentucky has agreed to upgrade conditions at a state-operated facility for mentally retarded people.
The agreement reached Wednesday with federal officials comes nearly two years after the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division said it found problems at Oakwood involving care and treatment of residents.
The Pulaski County center has about 300 residents.
The findings by federal officials followed years of allegations of abuse and neglect. Several employees have been prosecuted for alleged abuse of residents in recent years.
David Fleenor, general counsel of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said Wednesday that the state has developed a strategy to improve conditions.
Justice Department lawyers agreed to enter a "memo of understanding" that will expire in four years if conditions are improved.
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