Patterns of staff communication with people living in three community-based residential facilities supporting persons with disabilities were examined by observing 16 staff persons for 2 hours each as they communicated with residents. Frequencies of communication were found to differ across activities and residents (communicative partners) but not…

Results of a questionnaire of administrators of community living arrangements programs for the developmentally disabled in Pennsylvania (N=116) found that some programs promoted relationships with neighbors, but others wished to keep the role of neighbors to a minimum. (Author/DB)

Changes in sizes and types of residential facilities for persons with mental retardation over the past two decades are discussed and interstate variability (as of June 1988) in residential services examined. Progress, though unevenly realized, is noted in numbers of small, community-based residential opportunities. Standards for federal policy are…

A recent study indicated the types of problems encountered by community residences (halfway-house) staff in the development and maintenance of community-based programs for persons with developmental disabilities. (Author)

Comparison of goals (number and content) in individual program plans for developmentally-disabled persons in New York (N=170), Pennsylvania (N=298), and Tennessee (N=1,275) indicated that goals varied as a function of intellectual level in all three states and as a function of program setting (institutional, community, or residential) in New York.…

This national study of direct-care staff members working in 101 small community homes for people with mental retardation found an annual staff turnover rate of 57 percent and staff plans to remain in the care-provider position for an average of 5.4 years. Variables associated with both staff turnover rate and intended length of stay are…

A survey of parents of mentally retarded children residing in publicly funded institutions found that they tended to endorse the current service model, although not without qualifications. Parents were generally not accepting of the idea of community placement, especially those parents who had never visited a group home. (Author/VW)

Statistics are analyzed from 1990 to 1996 concerning the fading of Medicaid's bias toward institutionalization of individuals with mental retardation rather than use of Home and Community-Based (HCB) waivers for alternative community services and support. A major shift toward increased use of HCB waivers is noted and documented state by state. (PB)

The survey found that of the 1,389 mentally retarded persons living in community supervised residential settings in Southwestern Ontario, 49 percent received some type of psychoactive drug. Specifically, 23 percent received anticonvulsants; 14 percent, neuroleptics; 5 percent, sedative/hypnotics; 3 percent, antidepressants; 3 percent,…

This paper examines factors associated with meaningful family involvement in program planning for community residential services for individuals with mental retardation. It is argued that personnel in placement settings are often ambivalent about more family involvement. Guidelines for involving families at every stage both before and after…

Drug use patterns were surveyed in Colorado's community services system for 1,282 individuals with developmental disabilities. A psychotropic drug use rate of 18.6 percent compared favorably to other reported rates and rates in Colorado's institutional settings. Substantial experience with psychotropic and anticonvulsant medications across all…

In this study, self-determination, autonomy, life choices, and lifestyle satisfaction for 273 adults with mental retardation in different types of residence or working environments were examined. Those who lived or worked in community-based settings were more self-determined, had higher autonomy, had more choices, and were more satisfied.…

Attitudes of 340 staff members in 120 community living programs for people with mental retardation, mental illness, and dual diagnosis were assessed using the Community Living Attitudes Scale, a measure of attitudes toward inclusion. Findings identified attitudinal differences toward inclusion between managers and staff and between those working…

This article summarizes data showing that 77.1 percent of residential service recipients with mental retardation/developmental disabilities are living nationally in settings of 15 or fewer residents. Graphs show proportions living in residences of various sizes in 1982 and 1999. A table lists, by individual state, the numbers and proportions of…

Described is a system for providing comprehensive community residential living for the developmentally disabled. (Author/CL)