ERIC Number: ED457613
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2000-Jun
Pages: 28
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Home on the Range: Host Families for Developmental Disabilities in Wyoming.
Walling, Teresa; Potts, Bridget; Fortune, Jon; Cobb, Ginny L.; Fortune, Barbara
This report describes the outcomes of a Wyoming program that provides host families for individuals with developmental disabilities. Host families work with certified Medicaid providers of home and community-based services for people with developmental disabilities and provide residential habilitation to an adult who is accepted as a member of their family. The first part of the report discusses findings from a study involving 13 adults with mental retardation who were in host families for 9 to 11 months. Results from the study indicate there was a positive change in the individuals when they lived with host families compared to the same individuals while they lived in an institution or at the beginning of their placement with a regional service provider. Incident reports of inappropriate behavior decreased significantly in eight individuals who had had maladaptive behaviors. All 13 individuals maintained or improved their health status, including 3 individuals who lost an average of 42 pounds. Two individuals have been able to slightly decrease psychotropic medications since their move to a host family. The second part of the report presents case studies of four participants who have lived in a host family and have made exceptional gains. (Contains 16 references.) (CR)
Descriptors: Adult Foster Care, Adults, Behavior Change, Case Studies, Community Programs, Family Environment, Foster Family, Health Promotion, Independent Living, Mental Retardation, Physical Fitness, Program Effectiveness, Social Services
Wyoming Division of Developmental Disabilities, Herschler Bldg., First Floor West, 122 West 25th St., Cheyenne, WY 82002. Tel: 307-777-7115; Fax: 307-777-6047; e-mail: jfortu@state.wy.us; Web site: http://ddd.state.wy.us.
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Wyoming State Dept. of Health, Cheyenne. Developmental Disabilities Div.
Identifiers - Location: Wyoming
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A