A Longitudinal Comparison of Day Program Services and Outcomes of People Who Left Institutions and Those Who Stayed

This study provides longitudinal analysis of day program and work activities of 61 individuals leaving Minnesota state institutions and a comparison group of 71 people remaining institutionalized. The study examines the different types of work and developmental programs that the participants attended and the factors associated with those differences. Comparisons are made between movers and stayers, over a 3 year period, of earnings, choice, hours of participation, the size of the group in which participants were served, individual program objectives, specific professional services received, and participants' social networks. Only 13% of movers experienced integrated employment. As a group, the people who remained institutionalized actually earned more money. In terms of employment and other day activities, the movement from public institutions to community living provided few objective benefits. Implications for ongoing deinstitutionalization efforts are discussed.