LOS ANGELES (AP) State health officials say adult day health care centers across California will stay open following the settlement of a federal court lawsuit brought by disability and senior advocates.

Department of Health Care Services spokesman Norman Williams said Thursday that roughly half of the state's 35,000 medically fragile seniors are expected to qualify for the new program the settlement will create.

Under the settlement, adult day health services will be spared a Dec. 1 closure, with services extended until Feb. 29, 2012.

The extension is intended to allow time for enrollment into the new program, which will be called Community-Based Adult Services.

California Association for Adult Day Services Executive Director Lydia Missaelides called the settlement an immense relief. Her organization represents adult day health care centers across the state.

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Adult Day Health Care Centers to Stay Open Following Settlement