The costs, nature, and benefits of residential supports were examined for 20 adults with severe disabilities living in newly built residential campuses and 20 adults living in small community-based dispersed housing schemes. Participants living in dispersed housing schemes enjoyed significantly greater quality of care and quality of life.…

This paper reports on a portion of a study on community support and respite for families of children with disabilities in New South Wales (Australia). This part of the study focused on identification of factors influencing families when making decisions about caring for their young child at home or seeking an out-of-home placement. The study used…

In 1977 a survey was conducted of all state-licensed, state-contracted, and state-operated residential facilities serving mentally retarded people in the United States. The survey was replicated in 1982 and this report summarizes and compares the results of the two surveys. Results indicate that the overall size of the residential service system…

Described are services provided for developmentally disabled adults in the Clausen House system, a community residential facility in California. It is explained that the model is designed for a central program facility with smaller "satellite" houses surrounding it. Reviewed are such program elements as curricula areas for independent…

The manual presents policies and guidelines for planning and developing group homes for developmentally disabled and mentally retarded adults. Procedures are outlined for agencies involved in developing a group home, including the area mental health program, non-profit board, regional mental health office, regional facilities serving the mentally…

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,…

A symposium on community programs for retarded persons includes a study of resident and facility characteristics associated with participation in day programs and leisure activities among nursing home residents, a survey of services provided developmentally disabled residents in community facilities, and an examination of values among volunteers…

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…

The senator from Massachusetts introduces this special issue by reviewing his family's interest in persons with mental retardation, the potential of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) program, and the importance of improving care for residents of ICFs. (DB)

This paper reviews 27 studies of parental attitudes on the deinstitutionalization of a family member with disabilities. Studies of existing institutional placements found high levels of satisfaction and opposition to deinstitutionalization, whereas studies of community placements found high levels of satisfaction with community placements and…

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.…

The quality, number, and content of residential Individualized Habilitation Plans (IHP) objectives were evaluated for 155 adult institution and community residents. Over 90 percent of objectives were functional and age appropriate. Community residents had significantly more IHP objectives and also had objectives from a wider variety of content…

In 2003, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) provided Florida's Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) with a $3.5 million grant to design and implement a faith- and community-based program for incarcerated juveniles. Florida's experience developing a completely new program has provided valuable lessons regarding…

The report, one of a series describing innovative practices in integrating people with disabilities into community life, describes the Gig Harbor (Washington) group home which serves five severely retarded adults. The home is staffed by five people, two teams and the Director, with each team living in the house on alternate weeks. Topics covered…