Living in the community

The movement to deinstitutionalize and normalize the lives of mentally retarded individuals has led to significant changes in where people live and how programs are administered. In this literature review findings about the relationship between "successful" programs and size, staff to resident ratio, cost, client characteristics, program type, community support, family involvement, and peer relationships were selectively highlighted. Specific recommendations, originally presented to the President's Committee on Mental Retardation, were made for future program development and evaluation.