This article describes Options for Justice, an agency that provides education and training to professionals and direct services to offenders with developmental disabilities. Recommendations for developing and implementing similar programs are offered. Areas addressed include assessing need, funding, selection of program services, staffing, the…

To determine why North Carolina's limited guardianship law is not being utilized by developmentally disabled (DD) persons, interviews were conducted with 79 DD adults, 14 group home housemanagers, 8 clerks of court, 8 social workers, 13 mental retardation specialists, and 13 parents of DD persons. (Author)

Data from 13 supported employment programs and 680 employees with developmental disabilities show little or no increase in wages or hours outcomes for people in jobs acquired in the late 1990s compared to the early 1990s. There are, however, improvements in the typical features of job acquisition, roles, and orientation. (Contains references.) (CR)

The study found that quality of life of 46 mentally retarded individuals was impacted by the funding source used to support their community-based residential programs. Clients in programs using Medicaid funds were less active and involved in life than were clients living in programs funded by non-Medicaid state sources. (Author/JDD)