Analysis of expenditures and outcomes of residential alternatives for persons with developmental disabilities

Expenditures, staffing, and outcomes were examined for 116 adults with severe or profound mental retardation who moved from state institutions in Minnesota to various community living settings and a comparison group of 71 persons who remained institutionalized. Outcome variables included community access, social activities, community inclusion, family relationships, and choice. Comparison of participants' personal characteristics revealed no differences between groups, but several differences emerged when the community sample was grouped by residence size or public versus private ownership. Where necessary, covariance analysis was used to adjust for these preexisting differences. Community residences were less costly and had more favorable staffing and uniformly better outcomes than did institutions. Few outcome differences were evident between community residents when compared by residence size or service ownership.