The Community Integrated Training and Education (C.I.T.E.) program, sponsored by the Hamilton County (Ohio) Board of Mental Retardation, is a support program for county families with mentally retarded children, aged 6 months to 22 years. The program is structured to provide education and training for families who have decided against residential placements for their children. Training focuses on increasing appropriate behavior; decreasing inappropriate behavior; and developing personal hygiene, dressing, and eating skills. All training activities occur in the home or the community. Skill development first occurs with the child and secondly with the parent, as parents or primary caregivers gradually assume responsibility for teaching and developing the child's skills. Staff consists of a program coordinator who is a Masters level teacher, trainers who are high-school graduates with intensive inservice training, and consultative staff utilized as needed. The average costs per family for C.I.T.E. services were compared to average costs of placement in a family home or foster care and were found to be much lower. A user satisfaction survey indicated that this type of service is a worthwhile alternative to residential services such as group homes and foster care. (JDD)