Evaluation of a Michigan program to integrate persons with developmental disabilities into the community evaluated variables including involvement of allies in planning futures, number of people with disabilities residing in each home, proportion of earned income, level of disability, and level of mobility. Earned income was the variable that most…

The factor validity of the new Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community (ABC-C) was determined with 1,040 adults, ages 18-89, who were mentally retarded and living in group homes. The original ABC factor structure appeared valid for scoring the ABC-C with this population. Variables studied included age, gender, level of mental retardation,…

Cost of services to South Dakota individuals with developmental disabilities in state institutions and private community agencies was related to provider agency characteristics, funding source, and client characteristics. State-owned institutions were the most costly, and community services funded by state funds were least costly.…

The impact of moving out of nursing homes into community-based settings was assessed by comparing the health, community functioning, and lifestyle satisfaction of 67 movers and 165 nonmovers. Movers showed benefits of improved health, community functioning, and increased life satisfaction. Age of the residents did not influence effects. (CR)

A study investigated the mortality rates of 1,812 California clients with developmental disabilities transferred from institutions into community care in 1996. Results indicate there were 36 deaths, an 88% increase in risk-adjusted mortality over that expected in institutions. Mortality was greatest among the highest-functioning persons.…

Personal control exercised by 74 adults from community living settings in Minnesota were evaluated. Individuals living semi-independently exercised more personal control than did residents of HCBS Waiver-funded supported living services, who had more personal control than did those living in community ICFs/MR. Personal characteristics and…

Adaptive and challenging behavior changes associated with movement from Minnesota's state institutions to community homes were examined in 148 participants with mental retardation. Adaptive behavior declined among residents who moved to community programs but was unchanged for persons who moved to Home and Community Based Services Waiver-Funded…

This response to a study by D. Strauss and T. Kastner, which compared mortality rates for individuals with mental retardation in either community or institutional settings, notes that all previous research on this subject had found institutional mortality rates higher than those in the community. Methodological concerns are raised about the study.…

Relations among instruments used in community mental-health services for people with developmental disabilities were explored with 284 individuals. Correlation coefficients were evaluated for statistical significance and effect size for subtests of the Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behavior, the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, and the Adaptive…

A study of 86 adults with mental retardation living in village communities, 133 in residential campuses, and 281 in dispersed housing schemes found dispersed housing had higher costs and had greater quality of care than did residential campuses. Quality of life benefits were associated with dispersed housing and village communities. (Contains…

Information was collected on 63 adults with mental retardation in supported living residences, 55 in small group homes, and 152 in large group homes. Compared to small group homes, those in supported living residences had greater choice, participated in more community-based activities, and were considered at greater risk of exploitation. (Contains…

This examination of the successful community placement of 15 medically fragile individuals with profound mental retardation and complex epilepsy found that simplification of anticonvulsants, early intervention for seizures, and improved staff education resulted in fewer seizures, decreases in emergency room visits for status seizures and…

This rejoinder to several commentaries on a paper (EC 231 901) on the theory-practice relationship in the care and education of mentally retarded individuals discusses the degree to which setting is the service versus a part of the service, differences between researchers and practitioners, and the role of science and scientists. (JDD)

A study of 1,878 persons with developmental disabilities who had been transferred from California state institutions into community care found the mortality rates for movers exceeded institutional rates by 51%. The effect was largest shortly after the move and in subjects who had moved most recently. (Author/CR)

Direct care staff (n=83) from five community services serving individuals with mental retardation completed a questionnaire on their emotional reactions to aggression, coping strategies, and burnout. Staff more frequently reported using adaptive strategies than maladaptive ones. Staff disengagement, adaptive coping strategies, and their emotional…