THE REHABILITATIVE PLANNING SERVICES UNIT WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE SHELBY COUNTY, TENN., PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IN SEPTEMBER 1975. THE UNIT WAS INTENDED TO HELP THE OFFICE COMPLY WITH THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION STANDARD REGARDING THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO BE FAMILIAR WITH SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS AND WITH COMMUNITY AND OTHER FACILITIES THAT OFFER ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION. THE UNIT IS STAFFED BY THREE GRADUATE SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS, ONE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT, AND ONE SOCIAL WORKER. THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY REFERS THE DEFENDANT TO THE UNIT EARLY IN THE STAGES OF THE JUDICIAL PROCESS. A UNIT STAFF MEMBER INTERVIEWS THE DEFENDANT, OBTAINS RELEVANT RECORDS, INTERVIEWS THE DEFENDANT'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND WORKS WITH THE DEFENDANT TO FORMULATE AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN FOR REHABILITATION. THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY PRESENTS THE PLAN AND THE SOCIAL WORKER'S TESTIMONY IN COURT. AFTER THE DISPOSITION IS DECIDED, THE SOCIAL WORKER ASSISTS THE PROBATION OFFICER IN PROVIDING FOLLOWUP SERVICES TO ENSURE THE CONTINUATION OF THE REHABILITATIVE PROGRAM. A CASE STUDY ILLUSTRATING THE UNIT'S WORK IS PRESENTED. (LKM)