However, a great deal of work remained.
In 1988, Governor Perpich and Department of Health Services Commissioner Sandra Gardebring created a negotiating process to reach consensus about the future of state hospitals. Representatives of all concerned parties met for months.
In September, a proposal was presented that stated all persons with developmental disabilities can be served in the community; all Regional Treatment Center units should be phased out by 1999; and that half of the residents would be served by state-operated services.
In 1989, the Minnesota Department of Corrections began to takeover the Faribault facility.
Governor Perpich pushed for consensus about the future of the state hospital system.