Comparison of states' utilization of large residential settings for persons with mental retardation

A secondary analysis of states' utilization of large residential settings (16+ residents) for persons with mental retardation was conducted. Data used in the analysis were from the most current national dataset (Prouty & Lakin, 1995). The results show that states vary considerably in the extent to which they use different types of large residential settings. Some states with low use of large public facilities look quite different based on their utilization of all large settings. Employing only one type of large setting (public facilities) to compare states is limiting and in some cases may provide a distorted picture of states' policies in providing residential services to persons with mental retardation.