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Gladys H. Culp was a sociology undergraduate student at the University of Southern California in the mid 1940s, who also did some graduate work at USC in the mid 1950s. By 1968 Culp had become a Supervising Social Worker at the Metro North District of the Bureau of Public Assistance of Los Angeles County. In 1964 she led a statewide demonstration project, undertaken by Adult Protective Services, to transfer patients, many of whom had been institutionalized for decades, from state hospitals and institutions for the mentally retarded and impaired out into the community. Over a four year period, Culp and the unit she headed--entirely made up of workers with "two years experience with the agency, but no professional social work training"--were responsible for the placement of 585 removed mental patients, mostly in private board and care and nursing homes. Culp was awarded certificates of commendation and appreciation for her work in this demonstration project. Of particular interest is her manuscript account of its accomplishment.

Biographical note

Gladys H. Culp was a sociology undergraduate student at the University of Southern California in the mid 1940s, who also did some graduate work at USC in the mid 1950s. By 1968 Culp had become a Supervising Social Worker at the Metro North District of the Bureau of Public Assistance of Los Angeles County. In 1964 she led a statewide demonstration project, undertaken by Adult Protective Services, to transfer patients, many of whom had been institutionalized for decades, from state hospitals and institutions for the mentally retarded and impaired out into the community. Over a four year period, Culp and the unit she headed--entirely made up of workers with "two years experience with the agency, but no professional social work training"--were responsible for the placement of 585 removed mental patients, mostly in private board and care and nursing homes. Culp was awarded certificates of commendation and appreciation for her work in this demonstration project. Of particular interest is her manuscript account of its accomplishment.