Then in 1973, the NARC released “The Right to Choose – Achieving Residential Alternatives in the Community.” The guide defined community residential services and provided communities with a format for developing a plan, getting funding, and implementing their plans.

Photo courtesy William Bronston, M.D.

A community-based residential service is some type of housing, other than the individual’s natural home, usually designed for not more than 12 persons having similar needs in terms of age, independence and/or ability.

The residential service should:

• Provide a home environment with supervision and
  guidance as needed;
• Afford living experiences appropriate to the functioning
  level and learning needs of the individual;
• Be located within the mainstream of community life; and
• Provide access to necessary supportive, habilitative and rehabilitative
  programs based on a developmental model of programming.