This 1985 AFSCME publication compiles a series of Cincinnati Enquirer articles examining the consequences of rapid deinstitutionalization in Ohio during the early 1980s. The reporting highlights the experiences of people with developmental disabilities who had been moved from state institutions into new community placements—often group homes that lacked adequate staffing, oversight, or resources (page 5) . The articles document serious concerns about safety, inconsistent medical care, and the strain placed on case managers responsible for monitoring large caseloads across the state. Through individual stories, the publication illustrates how policy shifts, when not paired with adequate investment, can leave people vulnerable in unfamiliar and unsupported environments.

The document also explores systemic challenges, including weak regulatory enforcement, political pressures, and the emergence of private providers unprepared to meet residents’ needs (pages 7–12) . Lawsuits, public scrutiny, and advocacy responses are woven throughout the narrative, showing how families, attorneys, and disability rights organizations pushed for greater accountability and service improvements. By reprinting these articles, AFSCME sought to raise awareness among policymakers, professionals, and the public about the unintended harms that can accompany poorly planned or underfunded transitions from institutional to community care.