The study surveyed 181 specialized foster care homes or small (with 6 or fewer residents) group homes providing residential care for persons (N=336) with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. The study found that the community residential facility sample was generally much less well integrated into the life of the community than was a sample of the general population. Differences were greatest in the areas of vocational/educational integration and social integration. Differences were least and actually favored the sample of persons with mental retardation in community residential facilities in the area of leisure/recreational integration. The study also found that many residents, even those with severe impairments, are functioning well in small living arrangements in normal communities. High rates of satisfaction and relatively positive community and neighborhood acceptance were reported. Specific results are reported in chapters on: facility and care provider characteristics (e.g., size, operator type, admission requirements, licensing and monitoring, preservice training, salaries); resident characteristics, relationships, and activities (e.g., demographics, level of retardation, health limitations, family contact, leisure activities); program characteristics (e.g., case management, program plans, and specialized services); and integration into the life of the community. Contains about 200 references.