A five-question survey of state vocational rehabilitation agency policies regarding the diagnosing of mental retardation for eligibility for service reports results such as that most states do not use diagnostic criteria that are in line with the guidelines recommended by the American Assocation on Mental Deficiency. (Author/MC)

The agencies requiring the longest amount of time to respond generally provided better quality responses. The size of the agency seemed unrelated to either the speed or the quality of response. Response quality was generally inadequate with less than 50 percent of the responding states adequately answering the parent's question. (Author)

Reported is a nationwide study designed to obtain comparative data on the use of developmental disabilities funds provided through Public Law 91-517. (Author/MC)

A survey of state mental retardation/developmental disabilities agencies found that while most employ a classification system that is compatible with or derived from that of the American Association on Mental Deficiency (AAMD), only 22 are actually using the 1983 edition of the AAMD alone or with another system. (Author/VW)

A review of eight research studies on the question of size in relation to quality of resident life in state institutions is presented. Findings of seven of the studies reviewed showed that there is some advantage to the smaller setting. None showed any advantage to larger institutions. (PHR)

This commentary discusses the structure of residential care in the United States, the aging of caregivers and the growing demand for services, the increased longevity of persons with developmental disabilities, the long waiting lists for services, and state initiatives to address waiting lists. Policy considerations and recommendations are…

Examination of national survey data of state mental retardation/developmental disabilities agencies for integrated and segregated employment and facility-based nonwork services provided during fiscal years 1988 and 1990 found that the percentage and total number of individuals in integrated employment grew significantly. (DB)

Elements of a model for delivering statewide behavioral programing services to individuals with mental retardation in residential, training, and educational settings are described. The model includes such components as identification of levels of behavioral competence among staff members, an intervention approval process, regional behavioral…

Mentally retarded institutionalized persons admitted to a California state hospital in 1970 (N=165) and 1980 (N=27) were followed for three years to examine mortality rates and causes. Higher mortality rates in the 1980 group (one-third died within three years) appeared related to the trend toward institutionalization of only the most debilitated.…

The Nurse Academic Collaboration Task Force was formed by the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Commissioner to facilitate linkages between schools of nursing and state facilities, thereby improving the quality of nursing services and assisting in nurse recruitment for state facilities. The task force has identified practice opportunities…