Effects of inservice training and consultation with 33 staff members involved with 97 mildly to severely mentally retarded children and adults living in group homes and apartments throughout Pennsylvania were examined. Training focused on behavior management and group dynamic strategies for skill development and alteration of socially aversive behavior among residents. Results of pre- and posttests of adaptive behavior revealed significant multivariate and univariate gains in adaptive behavior of the residents as well as differences across both assessments combined, between apartments and group homes. Gains were noted for the following behavior areas: language, time measures, writing, reading, shopping, financial dealings, social initiative, cleanliness, care of clothes, health, peer attitudes, and dominance. Overall level of six adaptive behavior dimensions appeared to be highest for residents of adult apartments, followed in descending order by adult short-term group homes, adult long-term group homes and children's residences. (CL)