The Pennhurst Longitudinal Study: Combined Report of Five Years of Research and Analysis

The Pennhurst Longitudinal Study was a five year, in-depth review of the effects of the court-ordered deinstitutionalization of Pennhurst residents. Its aim was to provide federal and state officials and others with information to make better policy decisions regarding the processes related to the deinstitutionalization which is underway in many parts of the country. Federal planners, recognizing the significance for clients, families, communities, and state of Judge Broderick's and other similar actions, decided in 1979 to launch this five year study. This project was unique in several respects. It yielded considerable information which is not only valuable to other researchers, but also instructive to legislators, judges, and federal, state and local program administrators and policymakers. [267 PDF pages]