The interagency team met for three years, dealing with a logjam of issues involving employment numbers, state-operated services, prison beds, mental health dollars for counties and bonding money.
During that time, the institutional system would shrink dramatically.
Among the resulting changes: The Moose Lake facility closed May 4, 1994. The Faribault hospital officially transferred to the Department of Corrections on September 1, 1994.

The state hospital at Faribault was transferred to the Department of Corrections on September 1, 1994.
In January 1992, Jerry Lovrien was appointed to chair a group studying community services reform. Miriam Karlins again conducted public hearings, called "Speak Out," that were attended by nearly a thousand people.
The resulting recommendations called for greater individualization, better funding, more training and improved quality assurance.
Video: John Johnson, institutionalized from the age of 5 to age 60, now lives independently and works at an area restaurant.
Part 1: Life at Faribault and Owatonna Institutions
Part 2: One of the First Former Residents Who Lived and Worked Independently

Nearly 1,000 Minnesotans attended public hearings on reforming community services for people with developmental disabilities.
In 1991, New Hampshire became the first state to no longer operate an institution.
A Lou Harris poll reported that public attitudes about disabilities had improved and the federal government began an initiative called "A Home of Your Own" to assist people with developmental disabilities to become home owners.

The federal "A Home of Your Own" program helped people with developmental disabilities become home owners.