BENEFIT-COST-ANALYSIS OF COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL VERSUS INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH SEVERE MENTAL-RETARDATION AND CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS

A benefit-cost analysis was conducted to compare services in community residences versus an institution for 11 individuals with severe menta l retardation and challenging behaviors who had been moved from an ins titution to a community setting. Effects that were not readily quantif iable in economic terms also were examined. Overall, the community-bas ed program costs represented slight public savings over costs of the s tate institution. However, community living netted significant increas es in variables such as resident's social networks, opportunities for integrated activities, and income.