This research attempted to develop a community program planning to meet the needs derived from the development, training, placement and support of mentally retarded adults working in the natural environment. Community program planning requires the integration of several agencies in the community in order to plan, implement and assess services. Representatives of several community agencies participated. Seven steps leading to the organization of the proposed group were implemented: 1) starting the team; 2) defining community needs; 3) identifying team members; 4) starting the planning meeting; 5) defining the mission of the community program planning group; 6) evaluating the opportunity to change; 7) proposing objectives and activities. The results showed that the objectives proposed were partially met. However, great difficulties were observed in group maintenance. The proposal had to be interrupted before the end of the program. The reasons for such difficulties were analyzed and publication and discussion of the concept of community program planning teams was proposed to meet the needs involved in supporting the work of mentally retarded adults. It was also proposed that the procedure be replicated in different communities, to control for local variables, and as an incentive to the development of new work groups.
community support program; mental deficiency; adults special education for professional preparedness
