To identify trends in institutional reform and deinstitutionalization of the developmentally disabled, 34 administrative documents emanating from a federally funded planning grant program were examined. Documents were gathered in response to a survey letter to state Developmental Disabilities Councils, and fact sheets summarizing the documents were prepared. A comparison technique evaluated the presence of legislative, organizational, budgetary and client centered trends. Data produced such recommendations as the need in Alaska and Minnesota for public information about available community services, and in Michigan and Vermont for community mental health centers to assume responsibility for providing community based services. Also identified were critical deficiencies impeding deinstitutionalization (including lack of alternative residential services) and institutional reform (such as insufficient public funding). (Included in three appendixes are state document fact sheets.) (CL)