To promote the deinstitutionalization of mentally retarded individuals, a three phase assessment prescription system has been developed. It conceptualizes return to the community as a series of transfers from a restrictive non-programmatic environment (phase one) through specialized short-term program-oriented rehabilitation (phase 2) to the least restrictive living alternative possible (phase 3), such as a group homes or supervised apartment living. The Community Living Skills Instrument is designed for those who have made the transition to phase 3. It is a checklist for interviewing a staff member of a community-based facility. Eight skills are assessed: mobility, self-help, domestic, independent living, practical knowledge, communication, interpersonal relationships, and vocational/recreational. The actual assessment portion of the Instrument is followed by the Inappropriate Behavior Checklist, the Behavior Asset/Deficit Report, and a Transfer Rating--this sheet gives several people who have known or worked with the person an opportunity to rate the person as a good or poor prospect for community living. Two additional data sheets are provided for assessing the receiving environment--the Enviornmental Analysis/Community Special Services Checklist and a Program Development Plan. All of these forms are included, along with directions for administering and scoring. (Author/CP)