Quality of the residential environment in board-and-care homes for mentally and developmentally disabled persons.

Data from a multistate survey of board-and-care homes were used to compare the quality of the residential environment in homes for mentally disabled and developmentally disabled persons. Staffing levels, services, quality of the physical structure, rapport between residents and staff, number of residents, staff training, and fire and safety precautions were analyzed. The global quality of the residential environment was found to be appreciably better in homes serving the developmentally disabled. Implications of the findings for public policy are discussed, with specific reference to advocacy strategies used in behalf of developmentally and mentally disabled persons.