Home on the Range: Host Families for Developmental Disabilities in Wyoming.

This report describes the outcomes of a Wyoming program that provides host families for individuals with developmental disabilities. Host families work with certified Medicaid providers of home and community-based services for people with developmental disabilities and provide residential habilitation to an adult who is accepted as a member of their family. The first part of the report discusses findings from a study involving 13 adults with mental retardation who were in host families for 9 to 11 months. Results from the study indicate there was a positive change in the individuals when they lived with host families compared to the same individuals while they lived in an institution or at the beginning of their placement with a regional service provider. Incident reports of inappropriate behavior decreased significantly in eight individuals who had had maladaptive behaviors. All 13 individuals maintained or improved their health status, including 3 individuals who lost an average of 42 pounds. Two individuals have been able to slightly decrease psychotropic medications since their move to a host family. The second part of the report presents case studies of four participants who have lived in a host family and have made exceptional gains. (Contains 16 references.) (CR)