A brief history

Before 1971, state, local and private funding supported facilities for the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled.  Overcrowding and poor conditions plagued many facilities.  As a result, Congress and the Nixon administration were persuaded to take action.

That year, enacted into law, an amendment to the Social Security Act establishing special facilities funded with federal dollars called  “Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded”  or ICF/MR. 

Today, ICF/MR’s provide long term care and training for individuals with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities (MR and/or DD). 

Individuals or “consumers” have a quality of life where access and choice have become hallmarks of the ICF/MR program. 

Services and Goals

Based on consumer needs, ICF/MR’s provide a wide variety of services.  In addition to Personal and support services within a residential environment, ICF/MR’s use assessment tools to determine consumer’s medical, psychological, dietary and social needs. 

The complex needs of consumers are covered under a broad range of services improving the consumer’s quality of life.

Even though ICF’s can vary region by region they are all bound by federal regulation.  All ICF’s share a common goal of assessing the individual and their capabilities to maximize their potential in a compassionate and professional manner. 

This well rounded plan of action helps the individual acquire skills needed for maximum independence and functioning.  This approach is referred to as “active treatment” which is the foundation of the ICF/MR program.