The Mental Retardation system is a state legislated/regulated program that identifies programs and provides funds for community based services to persons with mental retardation.  The Pennsylvania Office of Mental Retardation (OMR), a component of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, administers the overall planning, evaluation and funding requirements for the provision of mandated mental retardation services throughout the state.   The majority of the funding for services flows from the Office of Mental Retardation to each county or county joinder. 

Under the provisions of the PA Mental Health/Mental Retardation Act of 1966 each county has established a Mental Retardation office with an Administrator.  This office is responsible for insuring that mandated services are provided and that the needs of persons with mental retardation within that county are met – up to the extent of the funding provided.  The MH/MR system is not an entitlement program - services are provided only when/where there is funding.  All publicly funded mental retardation services are administered and funded on an individual county basis.  However, federal waiver funds can follow the individual from one county to another county.

County Administrators may directly operate services or may contract with private agencies to meet services mandates.  In Berks County all services including casemanagement are provided by private agencies under contract with the MH/MR Administrator.  Berks County services are provided only to Berks County residents.  Specific services authorized/funded through county mental retardation offices are: casemanagement; vocational/prevocational training; psychological/psychiatric evaluation and consultation; early intervention; community living arrangements (group homes); funding in Private Licensed Facility; family support services; and transportation to program locations.

In Berks County all requests for mental retardation services must be through the Service Access and Management Inc. office.