IN LATE FEBRUARY 1976, THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL RETARDATION CONVENED A TASK FORCE ON SERVICES FOR MENTALLY RETARDED JUVENILE OFFENDERS. THE TASK FORCE PUBLISHED A REPORT CALLING FOR THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMMING AND A FULL CONTINUUM OF FACILITIES/PROGRAMS FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED JUVENILE OFFENDER (MRJO) AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. IT WAS DECIDED THAT A PILOT PROGRAM OF SERVICES FOR MRJO'S WOULD BE DEVELOPED AND DELIVERED IN HARRIS COUNTY. THIS DOCUMENT PRESENTS THE PLANS FOR THAT EFFORT. IT INCLUDES A DETAILED ENUMERATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE MENTALLY RETARDED. A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT STUDIES OF THE INCIDENCE OF MENTALLY RETARDED JUVENILES WITH CRIMINAL AND/OR ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIORS IS THEN PRESENTED. THESE INCLUDE DATA ON THE INCIDENCE OF MENTAL RETARDATION IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR MRJO'S IN HARRIS COUNTY. A COMMUNITY SERVICE STRUCTURE FOR MRJO'S IS THEN OUTLINED. THIS COVERS SUCH ASPECTS AS CLIENT PRIORITIES, JUVENILE COURT AND PROBATION PROCEDURES, DIAGNOSIS, RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, AND EVALUATION. FINALLY, STANDARDS FOR LICENSING, STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION, AND A REVIEW OF FUNDING SOURCES ARE PRESENTED....DMC