Services for mentally retarded persons: the viability of a short-term residential service setting in Pennsylvania's system.

Data regarding client discharge and client developmental growth were examined in an attempt to assess the viability of a short-term residential facility within the context of Pennsylvania's service delivery system for mentally retarded persons. While developmental growth was evidenced by all levels of retardation, discharge was notably absent for the profoundly retarded group. A closer examination of the findings highlighted the restraints imposed on the evaluation of a single component of a service system by the larger system in which it operates.