Understanding the ADA: Obligations & Opportunities
Ensuring an appropriate response to crisis offers an opportunity to provide better services to people with disabilities. But public entities also have obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding their crisis response systems. In this session, attorneys from the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and a former commissioner of behavioral health services will highlight the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act for crisis response systems and the behavioral health services that successfully reduce unnecessary criminal justice involvement.
Regan Rush, Special Litigation Counsel, Special Litigation Section, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
Regan Rush is the Principal Deputy Chief at the Special Litigation Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Dept. of Justice. She has advocated for the rights of people with mental illness through enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act since joining DOJ in 2010 and as a private attorney. Regan has led litigation and other enforcement actions against states and local governments for unnecessary institutionalization of people with mental illness in psychiatric facilities who can and want to be served in the community. Regan received her law degree from the University of California, Hastings and her undergraduate degree from Indiana University, Bloomington.
Timothy Mygatt, Deputy Chief, U.S. Department of Justice
Timothy D. Mygatt is a Deputy Chief in the Special Litigation Section, Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He is one of the leaders in the Section’s efforts to enforce a law giving the attorney general standing to investigate and bring suit to remedy patterns or practices of law enforcement misconduct. Mr. Mygatt has supervised numerous cases and investigations involving law enforcement agencies, including the Baltimore Police Department, Seattle Police Department, Cleveland Division of Police, and Puerto Rico Police Bureau. He received his B.A. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and his JD from the University of Michigan Law School.
Kevin Ann Huckshorn, Director, Delaware State Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH)
Kevin Ann Huckshorn PhD, MSN, RN, ICADC is the executive vice president of Enterprise Development for Recovery Innovations International. She is responsible for engaging in consultation work for the organization, progressing new program implementation efforts, participating in contract negotiation, and operating within a state or regional leadership role when needed. Huckshorn was the past State Director of Delaware’s Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (2009-2015) and led the successful resolution of the USDOJ Olmstead settlement agreement. Huckshorn was the Director of the Office of Technical Assistance (NASMHPD) where she led the development of an EBP to prevent the use of seclusion and restraint (2001-2021). She received her BSN from Florida Atlantic University, her MSN from Florida State and her PhD from Capella University.