based on a 3% incidence rate, there were 246,000 retardates in Michigan in 1965, of whom only 49,795 (20%) were being served by residential and community services. This leaves 196,205 (80%) unserved by any of these programs. 49,895 Are Served by the Above Community and Residential Programs: 49.795 196,205 BUT this leaves 196,205, or 80%, of the Retardates- In addition, the 3% incidence rate may be too low since it does not include the -12-15% of all children who are neurologically deviant or suspect -many physically handicapped children who show retardation associated with their physical disability The lack of trained personnel in all fields related to mental retardation prevents filling existing positions, much less new ones. Therefore, ISMR will concentrate its efforts on Manpower Training And Development. ISMR WILL TRY TO MEET THE PRIMARY PROBLEM-MANPOWER The number one obstacle to meeting the needs of the mentally retarded is the lack of trained personnel. For example, in teaching: School Programs For The Mentally Handicapped The need underlined by the 1966 legislative survey of special education problems was for manpower training. The survey concludes that in special education, the number one obstacle was lack of trained personnel. To meet 1975 needs, the state will have to produce approximately 2,400 new teachers, assuming the present number of teachers remain on their jobs. Consequently, there is a need for approximately 4,000 teachers by 1975, if the present pupil-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 is maintained. These figures do not include the approximately 40,000 additional students not served by these programs, but who will definitely need them by 1975. Requests for Teachers 7.6% Supply Only 7.6% of the state's requests for teachers of the mentally retarded can be met by available candidates. Teaching is only one of the many areas in Mental Retardation faced with serious manpower shortages. The Institute will develop training programs in over twenty areas. 38-191 O-70-29 INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF MENTAL RETARDATION The Institute for the Study of Mental Retardation, established by the Regents of The University of Michigan in June, 1966, is responsible directly to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs as an independent unit within the University. The Institute fosters interdisciplinary training in all disciplines concerned with mental retardation and related health problems, so that it is able to take advantage of all the resources The University of Michigan has to offer. This primary goal is to be achieved in part through a program of exemplary manpower training and development, clinical services, and research. THE ISMR MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM The acute shortage of trained personnel at all levels in the field of mental retardation has led the Institute to place its main emphasis on training. More trained people are needed, and more training per person is essential if specialized services are to be effective. Pre-Service Education Program Specialized Training— -for graduate students specializing in mental retardation General Exposure to Mental Retardation -to all students in professional training programs -to undergraduate students to sensitize them to mental retardation and career opportunities in this field Training of Non-Professionals -working with community colleges, ISMR will cooperate in training non-professionals as: -aides, attendants, orderlies -assistants in professional areas -members in combined professional and non-professional programs Continuing Education Program Short and long-term training for professional and non-professional practitioners -to update the concepts of specialists in mental retardation -to present current concepts of mental retardation to general Adult Education Program -training volunteers -introducing concepts of mental retardation to the communityat-large -introducing concepts of mental retardation to employers Materials Development Program -developing materials to be used in training programs -developing materials to be used with retardates -making materials available to other agenices and universities in the state |