National census of residential facilities: a 1982 profile of facilities and residents

A national census of all state-licensed residential facilities for mentally retarded persons was conducted in 1982. This census enumerated 243,669 mentally retarded residents living in 15,633 facilities on June 30, 1982. Information on characteristics of facilities (e.g., type, location, size, type of operator, reimbursement rates) is presented along with demographic/functional characteristics of residents (e.g., age, level of retardation, previous and subsequent placement). The census verified the existence of an extensive variety of residential living alternatives available to mentally retarded people.