Employee factors were considered as part of a general survey of one large state's system of community residences for mentally retarded persons. Included among the considerations were demographic, worksite, and occupational factors. Some 2800 employees worked at 368 discrete worksites; 73% were employed as staff, 16% as supervisors, and 11% as clinicians or support staff. Employees were predominantly female, mostly in their 20's and 30's, generally with college backgrounds, and employed by their agencies close to three years. Salaries earned were equivalent to those earned by other workers in similar service occupations. Comments review the variations observed by worksite, address employee mobility patterns and staff development needs, and suggest that community residence employees are becoming a distinct occupational grouping.
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