Copyright WDIV ClickOnDetroit
DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. – The attorney representing more than a dozen former Vista Maria residents said he will hold a press conference on Wednesday. Attorney Michael Jaafar said the press conference will be held at noon Wednesday in Dearborn Heights, outside the 20th District courthouse. Jaafar said the intention is to file a lawsuit on behalf of the former residents. Vista Maria announced last week that it will permanently lay off over 150 employees as its residential program discontinues. Kathleen Regan, the Chief Executive Officer of Vista Maria, sent a letter to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity on Oct. 21, stating the Dearborn Heights facility will permanently lay off 154 employees and discontinue its residential youth mental health programming. The layoffs are expected to take effect on Dec. 19, 2025, the same day the residential program officially ends. Among the 154 employees who will be laid off include youth coaches, youth counselors and residential supervisors. Eleven girls are currently in the residential program, but will move to other care facilities with support from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “Vista Maria is committed to supporting each affected team member with compassion, transparency, and available transition assistance during this difficult time,” Regan wrote in the letter. Vista Maria is not closing, according to the facility’s website. Its other programs, such as foster care and independent living, will continue. Previously, The Investigators at Local 4 reported in September on the multiple violations that Vista Maria faces. The investigators went through documents from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) that showed dozens of violations published in 2025. Some of those violations were posted as recently as August 2025.
