The deinstitutionalization movement has evolved as policy and practice since the mid-1960s. This has resulted in more than a 50% reduction in the total national census for large state residential facilities. It would be expected that there has been a generally comparable increase in the number of individuals living in community settings. The current study sought to analyze deinstitutionalization patterns by tracking discharges for over 2000 residents of the largest mental retardation facility in Virginia. Based on a review of resident discharge records, the initial placement for these individuals was ascertained and categorized. Discussion focuses on the implications of these placement data for an understanding of the deinstitutionalization movement.
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