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 mental retardation and challenging behaviors who had been moved from an institution to a community setting. Effects that were not readily quantifiable in economic terms also were examined. Overall, the community-based program costs represented slight public savings over costs of the state institution. However, community living netted significant increases in variables such as resident's social networks, opportunities for integrated activities, and income.