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Columbus, Montana – The operator of a Columbus residential care facility, Special K Ranch, has been ordered to pay $332,972 in compensation to 35 resident workers who were underpaid and subject to violations of federal law protecting workers with disabilities following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation.

Key Points

• An investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division found that Special K Ranch did not adhere to Section 511 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires employers to provide training opportunities and career counseling to workers earning subminimum wages.
• Special K Ranch offers a living and learning environment for adults with developmental disabilities, featuring activities such as operating a greenhouse and caring for livestock.
• The U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, Billings Division, issued a consent judgment on Dec. 19, 2023, against Special K Ranch, ordering the non-profit organization to pay $166,486 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages.