The Commission on Human Resources Priorities was appointed in April, 1975, and met for the first time the following month. We have net twenty-one times, and held hearings in Norfolk, Roanoke, Richmond, and Falls Church. Every local governing body in the Commonwealth was sent information about the Commission's charge. Numerous public and voluntary agencies were solicited for their comments. A toll-free line, well publicized through newspapers, TV, and radio stations and the Title XX hearings, was established to encourage citizens to assist the Commission in its deliberations.

The Commissioners of Health, Welfare, Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and Vocational Rehabilitation appeared before the Commission, as did the staff and/or members of various State bodies, such as the Commission for the Visually Handicapped, Council for the Deaf, Office on Aging, Commission Children and Youth, Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Council on Drug Abuse Control. Due to the limitations of time and funds, we were able to engage in only limited original research, and necessarily relied heavily on previous reports prepared by Task Forces and Commissions. We have collected nearly two hundred pieces of information from Human Affairs agencies and from other sources. Commission members interviewed agency Directors in their own areas and visited an Integrated Services Project. Our staff studied the Human Affairs agencies in considerable depth.