BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE

Charles Cooper had never heard of Down syndrome in 1958, when his 2-week-old son was diagnosed with the disability.

Cooper trusted the doctor when he said his son would do best in an institution. So Cooper went to a Fredericksburg judge and signed commitment papers.

But then he visited some of the training centers. And Cooper decided that his son deserved better.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice agreed with Cooper, saying that most Virginians with intellectual disabilities do not need to be institutionalized.

It's not a new idea; experts have been saying institutions are not ideal since the 1970s. And the Justice Department has sent similar letters to other states, criticizing institutions.

Those familiar with Virginia's system have expected the report's results since the Justice Department began three years ago investigating the Central Virginia Training Center in Lynchburg.

"A lot of what was reported was not unexpected," state Sen. Edd Houck said. "It's good to get it out in the open."

But this 22-page letter does break ground by demanding Virginia prevent people from entering institutions. The report says that Virginia's lack of services violates residents' civil rights.

By not helping families with respite care, job coaching, therapy and day care, the state forces them to choose institutions, the report says.

For decades, Virginia families have visited legislators in droves, telling heartbreaking stories of trying to care for loved ones with severe disabilities, with little help from the state.

"The DOJ letter validates those families and gives them a new voice in the political discussion," said Jamie Liban, executive director of the Arc of Virginia.

State politicians have heard that voice and are scrambling to comply with the federal report.

On Wednesday, legislators spent hours talking about the needed services and costs. The state's health and human resources secretary said the improvements could cost $2 billion in the next 10 years. The most immediate changes could cost $80 million to $90 million, William A. Hazel said.

The biggest cost will center around Medicaid waivers, which provide money for community services such as respite care, group homes, supervision and day programs.