mental
retardation
activities

of the U.S. Department of
Health, Education, and Welfare

January 1968

U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare

John W. Gardner, Secretary

Lisle C. Carter, Jr., Asst. Secretary for
Individual and Family Services

The Secretary's Committee on Mental Retardation

Washington, D. C., 20201

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402 Price 65 cents

Mr. Wayne Kimmel, Office of the Secretary
Dr. M. A. Taff, Jr., Public Health Service

Dr. James F. Garrett, Social and Rehabilitation Service
Mr. Charles E. Hawkins, Social and Rehabilitation Service
Mr. Joseph V. Hunt, Rehabilitation Services Administration

I transmit herewith a report of the current mental retardation
activities of the Department. I am pleased to report that
significant progress has been made in extending and expanding
programs which will help alleviate the problem of mental
retardation. Highlights of the progress made during the past
year follow:

To date 175 project applications for mental retardation
community facilities have been approved. These facilities
will provide day care, residential care and diagnostic and
evaluation services for more than 12,000 mentally retarded
persons who are not now receiving these services.

Completion of construction is scheduled for seven of the twelve approved Mental Retardation Research Centers in 1968.

During the previous year more than 18,000 mentally retarded persons were rehabilitated through the Rehabilitation Services Administration program of grants-in-aid to the States.

The Children's Bureau increased to 150 the number of mental retardation diagnostic and evaluation clinics it supports throughout the country. Last year approximately 43,000 children were served by these clinics.

During the first session of the 90th Congress several pieces of
legislation were passed which will vitally affect the retarded.
Of particular importance are the "Mental Retardation Amendments of
1967" (P.L. 90-170), which will extend and expand service programs
for the retarded.

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