TOWARD FAMILY AND COMMUNITY - MENTAL-RETARDATION-SERVICES IN MASSACHUSETTS, NEW-ENGLAND, AND THE UNITED-STATES

Current trends in mental retardation services in the Commonwealth of M assachusetts were investigated using the New England region, the state of Michigan, and the United States as comparative frames of reference . Our goal was to analyze recent structural, financial, and programmat ic trends in Massachusetts and the New England region to close state i nstitutions and implement community and family support services. Massa chusetts in particular illustrates the policy choices and challenges f acing many American states engaged in restructuring their service deli very systems. New England is an extremely dynamic and innovative regio n that is providing significant national leadership in the provision o f alternatives to institutional care.