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…

Interviews with 62 families who had placed their children with mental retardation in residential placement reflected high involvement with their children, with 81% of families visiting monthly. There was marginal evidence for a lessening of involvement over time. Family involvement was most strongly related with facility characteristics,…

This study examined the involvement of families with children and adult family members (n=163) with mental retardation in residential treatment and programs. Multiple regression found three variables that accounted for most of the variance in involvement: (1) distance from the residential facility; (2) expectation that the family member would…

Post-placement involvement and well being of 53 families who had placed their child into a residential facility were studied 1, 2, and 3.5 years following placement. Visitation remained moderately high, with some type of visit reported at least monthly at Time 3 by 83 percent of families. Expressed attachment was high and stable. (Contains…

Postplacement adaptation was studied in 160 families with a member in a residential facility. More than 90% concluded the living arrangement was advantageous for themselves, the child, and other family members. Families with children under 15 visited more often, reported the highest stress, as well as the lowest marital adjustment. (Contains…