Services for MR/DD Citizens

Louisiana spends more on institutional and less on community-based developmentally disabled services than the nation. In 1998 (the most current comparative data) the U.S. spent 28% of its total MR/DD budget on institutional care and 72% on community services, whereas Louisiana spends 41% of its MR/DD budget on institutions and 59% on community services. Other statistics further illustrate this 'institutional bias' in Louisiana's MR/DD service mix. When compared to other states, Louisiana ranks

• 42nd in the proportion of total MR/DD spending allocated to community services
• 37th in federal Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver spending per capita
• 3rd in the proportion of the state population placed in developmental centers (LA has 44 developmental center placements per 100,000 of the general population, compared with 20 for the U.S.)
• 1st in the proportion of state citizens served by Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (private group homes). (LA places 134 people per 100,000 population in ICF/MR's compared with 46 nationally.)

Some progress toward community based care has occurred since 1998. The state spent over $517 million in FY 1999-00 to provide services for MR/DD citizens and their families or caregivers. One-third of that total was spent on institutional care in state developmental centers. Another one-third was spent on residential care in private ICF/MR Community homes. The remaining one-third was scattered among services provided through thirteen non-residential community-based programs. (Excerpted from report)