Data on the mean and median age of first admissions to residential facilities for mentally retarded people 1953-1978, and on the percentage of all first admissions entering residential facilities between ages 0-19, reveals a trend toward older first admissions beginning with 1970. (Author/CL)

The paper advocates the extension of the basic protections of "permanency planning" to all children and youth, including those with severe handicaps. It discusses the concept and process of permanency planning and notes its promise in improving the opportunities of all children and youth to grow up in a stable family environment. It…

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…

National and state data are presented on places of residence of recipients of Medicaid Home and Community Based (Waiver) Services, a program supporting long-term care for persons with developmental disabilities. The following types of residences are covered: agency home, foster home, own home, and family home. (SW)

The report summarizes 27 research studies which examined the attitudes and perspectives of parents of currently or formerly institutionalized people with mental retardation concerning movement from institutional to community placements. Several trends were evident. Parents whose offspring were living in institutions at the time of the survey were…

This policy research brief summarizes changes in out-of-home placements of children and youth with mental retardation since the implementation of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) entitlements. Statistics are reported for 1977, 1987, and 1997 to show trends. Statistics were obtained from…