The current focus on integrated services for persons with developmental disabilities may lead one to believe that the deinstitutionalization movement is almost fully realized. However, over 90,000 persons with developmental disabilities continue to reside in public institutions. If the benefits of deinstitutionalization and integration are so overwhelming, why do states continue to spend enormous sums of money maintaining public institutions? This article reviews some of the economic and political factors maintaining the large numbers of residents in public institutions from the perspective of one state. Also, alternatives are presented to lessen the economical and political impact of institutional closures so that we may continue, and some day fully realize, the deinstitutionalization movement.
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