COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED The Community Facilities Construction Program was authorized under Title I, Part C of the "Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act of 1963" (P.L. 88-164) and provides Federal grants to States to assist in the construction of specially designed public or other nonprofit facilities for the diagnosis, treatment, education, training, or personal care of the mentally retarded, including sheltered workshops which are part of facilities providing comprehensive services. A list of definitions describing both the facilities and the services is included on page 57. The program is administered at the State level by an officially designated State agency. Participation in the program requires the development of a State plan for the construction of community facilities for the mentally retarded based on an inventory of needed additional services and facilities. Construction projects are approved in accordance with the provisions of the State plan. Designated State agencies and allocations for construction of community facilities for the mentally retarded are shown on pages 58-63. As of December 31, 1968, 242 projects had been approved for Federal assistance. The projects are classified by function; additional data are included in tabular form on pages 41-56. The approved projects involve 223 facilities, several of which have received approval for more than one project. Of the 242 projects, 55 have been completed, 101 are under construction and 86 are in the initial approval stage. The total estimated cost is approximately $143.5 million and the estimated Federal share is $48.4 million. Upon completion the projects will provide services to more than 63,000 retardates of which 24,000 have not previously received services, and 39,000 will be provided improved and more extensive services. This construction program is administered by the Division of Mental Retardation, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Social and Rehabilitation Service, U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. |