NCJ Number
52248
Date Published
1975
Length
122 pages
Annotation
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES FACILITIES AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM INSTITUTIONS OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT ARE ASSESSED.
Abstract
THE REVIEW IS CONCERNED WITH THE AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES FOR DEINSTITUTIONALIZED POPULATIONS OF MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED, MENTALLY RETARDED, DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED, AND ALCOHOL- AND DRUG-DEPENDENT PERSONS. PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO INTERAGENCY SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND TO THE CONTINUITY OF SERVICES FROM THE TIME THE CLIENT LEAVES THE INSTITUTION UNTIL HE OR SHE IS INTEGRATED IN TO THE COMMUNITY. PREPLACEMENT (DISCHARGE) PLANNING AND FOLLOWUP SERVICES AT FIVE STATE INSTITUTIONS ARE ASSESSED, TOGETHER WITH COMMUNITY LIVING OPTIONS, HEALTH SERVICES, EDUCATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, EMPLOYMENT, TRANSPORTATION, AND LEISURE/RECREATION FACILITIES FOR DEINSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONS IN SEVEN OREGON COMMUNITIES. THREE FACTORS ARE FOUND TO BE ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESSFUL DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION AND REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY: (1) INVOLVEMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL AND COMMUNITY AGENCY STAFF AND THE CLIENT IN PRERELEASE PLANNING FOR MONITORED, CONSISTENT FOLLOWUP SERVICES; (2) ESTABLISHMENT OF A 'DAY PLAN' FOR EACH CLIENT, PROVIDING FOR RECREATION, WORK, AND/OR TRAINING IN THE COMMUNITY; AND (3) RETURN TO THE CLIENT'S NATURAL HOME OR A PLACEMENT IN A SUPERVISED LIVING ARRANGEMENT SUITED TO THE NEEDS OF THE CLIENT. CONCLUSIONS ARE DRAWN REGARDING AREAS IN WHICH SERVICE DELIVERY FOR DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION PERSONS NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED.