Lubbock State Supported Living Center Improves, Report Says

DALLAS (AP) — Texas officials say a troubled state-run home where 11 people have been fired since May for the abuse and neglect of mentally disabled residents is improving under threat of a Justice Department lawsuit.

A report released Monday says the Lubbock State Supported Living Center has addressed many of the problems raised in a report earlier this year. That report criticized a shortage of nurses, shoddy record-keeping and the abuse and neglect of residents at the center.

The most dramatic turnaround was in hiring. In May, 57 percent of the nursing positions were filled. Now, 78 percent are filled.

Officials have until the end of 2013 to comply with a $112 million settlement with the Justice Department, which has documented widespread mistreatment of the mentally disabled in Texas.