Monday, August 3, 2009
Safe Haven Farms - 1st Annual Run/Walk
Safe Haven Farms 5k Run/Walk
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 9:00 am
Lakota West Football Stadium
8940 Union Centre Blvd.
Union Center Blvd., West Chester
Come join your family, friends and neighbors for the 1st Annual Safe Haven Farms 5k Run/Walk. Men, women and children are invited to share in the excitement as we come together to raise awareness and support for Safe Haven Farms. The “flat and fast” race route begins at the Lakota West Football Stadium and runs NW along Union Center Blvd. towards Mulhauser Barn then loops back to finish at the stadium.
Safe Haven Farms is a non profit organization offering residential, day and community service for individuals on the autism spectrum. It provides a variety of meaningful living, working, learning and leisure activities in a safe and accepting farm environment, where every individual is respected as a valued and contributing community member.
Awards: First male/female runner and walker, plus top finisher in each division.
Runner Division: 14 & under 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50 and over
Registration: Pre-registration available by mailing entry form & fee, postmarked by September 9, 2009. Register online @ www.active.com Search words: Safe Haven Farms.
Pre-race packet pick-up: Saturday September 19th, 10am-6pm at Mojo Running
Individual $25 Kids 14 & under $10
Kids 10 & under Fun Run~Free (takes place after the 5k; no t-shirt)
Race day registration begins at 7:30am $30 t-shirt (t-shirt while supplies last)
Make checks payable to SAFE HAVEN FARMS INC.
Send registration to: Mojo Running Store
9318 Union Centre Blvd.
West Chester, Ohio 45069
Questions or concerns please contact Jill Wojno @ 513-870-9299
Save Haven Farms
Safe Haven Farms
A community of choice for adults with autism
Being established in southwest Ohio in 2009
Mission
Safe Haven Farms is a non-profit organization offering residential, day and community services for individuals on the autism spectrum. It provides a variety of meaningful living, working, learning and leisure activities in a safe and accepting farm environment, where every individual is respected as a valued and contributing community member.
History
Safe Haven Farms, Inc. was founded by a group of local parents with young adult children with autism in response to the lack of residential and vocational services for persons with autism.
They visited the few existing farmsteads in other parts of the country to gain first-hand experience and advice from groups who have been successful with the farming model. Safe Haven Farms, Inc. is working to create a model program for adults with autism in rural southwest Ohio.
Service Model
Save Haven Farms offers an integrated day vocational and residential setting where each individual is part of a close-knit supportive farm family. Their participation in the therapeutic cycle of farm life fosters self-sufficiency, independence, and a sense of achievement.
A 60-acre farm property is being purchased in rural Butler County and closing is currently targeted for the summer of 2009. The working farm is being funded and developed by Safe Haven Farms, Inc. A maximum of 24 adults with autism will eventually live and work on the farm. Homes will be constructed in two phases. During phase 1, four homes serving four residents each will be built, along with buildings for the day services. Construction for phase 1 is expected to be completed by late 2009.
During phase 2, an additional two homes will be completed for the final eight residents. Phase 2 is expected to be completed by early 2011.
The homes have been designed to meet some of the special needs of adults with autism, with ample community and private space. They will be universally accessible and energy efficient.
The residents of Safe Haven Farms will be served by staff extensively trained in autism. There will be significant opportunities to learn new skills and develop friendships with their housemates, staff and neighbors. Safe Haven Farms, Inc. has selected an experienced service agency partner to provide around-the-clock support for residential and day programs. The service provider will be responsible for hiring and training direct care staff, and providing on-site management oversight.
Once built, Safe Haven Farms will be self-sufficient utilizing each individual’s existing funding streams from federal, state and local Medicaid, Social Security and MRDD funding.
Community Interaction
Those living on the farm, along with staff, will participate in community events and volunteer opportunities. The community will be invited to attend special events on the Farm and to volunteer their farming expertise, interacting with and teaching residents.
Beyond the immediate project goals, the organization plans to educate and train future professionals and direct care staff about autism. Toward that end, local universities have been contacted to promote opportunities for students with an interest in autism seeking a meaningful work/study experience.
To address a critical community need, training programs and seminars will periodically be held at Safe Haven to teach direct care staff, professionals and parents from throughout the area about autism and how to help and care for individuals with autism. These goals constitute ways of giving back and reaching beyond the farm to make lives better for individuals and families living with autism.
Residential and Day Programs
Residential Programs
In the home environment, staff will work with residents to develop their skills and independence in the areas of:
• Personal care – grooming, toileting, dressing
• Homemaker skills – cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, home landscaping
• Socialization skills – communication, social rules, cooperative behavior in a group setting
Day Programs
In addition to the on-site residents, an additional eight to ten individuals who live off-site will also be served in the day programs. Resident and day participants can enjoy:
• Craft center – for fun and enjoyment
• Learning center – for lifelong learning
• Life skills center – cooking and independence skill building
• Sensory room – a calming place
• Gardens – raising vegetables, fruits, flowers
• Greenhouses – extended growing season
• Animal care – feeding, exercising, grooming, cleaning of pets and farm animals
• Landscaping – taking care of the property
Therapeutic Riding Program
Several horses will be maintained on site to provide therapeutic riding for individuals with disabilities of all ages living in the surrounding area. A trainer certified by NARHA will lead riding sessions in the indoor and outdoor arenas. Daily care of the horses will be provided by on-site residents and staff.
Recreation/Leisure Opportunities (on site)
• Softball, basketball, volleyball
• Fitness center
• Swings
• Walking paths
• Future tennis court and indoor pool
Community Programs
Residents, to the extent they are willing and able, can also access the surrounding community with staff:
• Social and sports events at nearby Miami U.
• Zoo, Circus, Kings Island, Reds in Cincinnati
• Local dances, movies, roller skating, parks
• Grocery and personal shopping, restaurants
• Church, medical appointments, visits with friends
Staff will …
• Be extensively trained in autism
• Use structured teaching methods like TEACCH and PECS
• Utilize a Gentle Teaching model of mutual respect and interdependence between staff and residents
• Average 2-3 staff per 4 residents on 1st and 2nd shifts, with 1 awake staff per house overnight
• Have on-site management support during the week for training, coaching, problem solving and program development
• Collaborate closely with parents and the county MRDD to develop individualized service plans leading to enhanced quality of life for each participant
Residents and Day Participants
• Will come mainly from Butler, Hamilton, Warren and Preble counties in Southwest Ohio
• Must be at least 18 years old and out of school
• Must have an autism spectrum diagnosis
• Must have a Medicaid Individual Options waiver with funding sufficient to pay for staffing needs (or ability to private pay)
• Must have sufficient funds to pay living expenses
• Will be selected by the service provider using an interdisciplinary evaluation committee
Our Needs
As a new venture just starting up, our needs are many. Donations are needed to help us keep our debt to a manageable level, furnish the houses, equip the day programs, provide vehicles and supply the animals.
In addition, we need funds to build a recreation center and a future indoor pool. We need volunteers to help with many projects, to assist in the therapeutic programs and to participate in social events on the farm. Please contact us to see how you can help!
Safe Haven Farms, Inc. - a 501(c)(3) corporation
For more information, contact
Dennis.Rogers@safehavenfarms.org
4/25/09
A community of choice for adults with autism
Being established in southwest Ohio in 2009
Mission
Safe Haven Farms is a non-profit organization offering residential, day and community services for individuals on the autism spectrum. It provides a variety of meaningful living, working, learning and leisure activities in a safe and accepting farm environment, where every individual is respected as a valued and contributing community member.
History
Safe Haven Farms, Inc. was founded by a group of local parents with young adult children with autism in response to the lack of residential and vocational services for persons with autism.
They visited the few existing farmsteads in other parts of the country to gain first-hand experience and advice from groups who have been successful with the farming model. Safe Haven Farms, Inc. is working to create a model program for adults with autism in rural southwest Ohio.
Service Model
Save Haven Farms offers an integrated day vocational and residential setting where each individual is part of a close-knit supportive farm family. Their participation in the therapeutic cycle of farm life fosters self-sufficiency, independence, and a sense of achievement.
A 60-acre farm property is being purchased in rural Butler County and closing is currently targeted for the summer of 2009. The working farm is being funded and developed by Safe Haven Farms, Inc. A maximum of 24 adults with autism will eventually live and work on the farm. Homes will be constructed in two phases. During phase 1, four homes serving four residents each will be built, along with buildings for the day services. Construction for phase 1 is expected to be completed by late 2009.
During phase 2, an additional two homes will be completed for the final eight residents. Phase 2 is expected to be completed by early 2011.
The homes have been designed to meet some of the special needs of adults with autism, with ample community and private space. They will be universally accessible and energy efficient.
The residents of Safe Haven Farms will be served by staff extensively trained in autism. There will be significant opportunities to learn new skills and develop friendships with their housemates, staff and neighbors. Safe Haven Farms, Inc. has selected an experienced service agency partner to provide around-the-clock support for residential and day programs. The service provider will be responsible for hiring and training direct care staff, and providing on-site management oversight.
Once built, Safe Haven Farms will be self-sufficient utilizing each individual’s existing funding streams from federal, state and local Medicaid, Social Security and MRDD funding.
Community Interaction
Those living on the farm, along with staff, will participate in community events and volunteer opportunities. The community will be invited to attend special events on the Farm and to volunteer their farming expertise, interacting with and teaching residents.
Beyond the immediate project goals, the organization plans to educate and train future professionals and direct care staff about autism. Toward that end, local universities have been contacted to promote opportunities for students with an interest in autism seeking a meaningful work/study experience.
To address a critical community need, training programs and seminars will periodically be held at Safe Haven to teach direct care staff, professionals and parents from throughout the area about autism and how to help and care for individuals with autism. These goals constitute ways of giving back and reaching beyond the farm to make lives better for individuals and families living with autism.
Residential and Day Programs
Residential Programs
In the home environment, staff will work with residents to develop their skills and independence in the areas of:
• Personal care – grooming, toileting, dressing
• Homemaker skills – cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, home landscaping
• Socialization skills – communication, social rules, cooperative behavior in a group setting
Day Programs
In addition to the on-site residents, an additional eight to ten individuals who live off-site will also be served in the day programs. Resident and day participants can enjoy:
• Craft center – for fun and enjoyment
• Learning center – for lifelong learning
• Life skills center – cooking and independence skill building
• Sensory room – a calming place
• Gardens – raising vegetables, fruits, flowers
• Greenhouses – extended growing season
• Animal care – feeding, exercising, grooming, cleaning of pets and farm animals
• Landscaping – taking care of the property
Therapeutic Riding Program
Several horses will be maintained on site to provide therapeutic riding for individuals with disabilities of all ages living in the surrounding area. A trainer certified by NARHA will lead riding sessions in the indoor and outdoor arenas. Daily care of the horses will be provided by on-site residents and staff.
Recreation/Leisure Opportunities (on site)
• Softball, basketball, volleyball
• Fitness center
• Swings
• Walking paths
• Future tennis court and indoor pool
Community Programs
Residents, to the extent they are willing and able, can also access the surrounding community with staff:
• Social and sports events at nearby Miami U.
• Zoo, Circus, Kings Island, Reds in Cincinnati
• Local dances, movies, roller skating, parks
• Grocery and personal shopping, restaurants
• Church, medical appointments, visits with friends
Staff will …
• Be extensively trained in autism
• Use structured teaching methods like TEACCH and PECS
• Utilize a Gentle Teaching model of mutual respect and interdependence between staff and residents
• Average 2-3 staff per 4 residents on 1st and 2nd shifts, with 1 awake staff per house overnight
• Have on-site management support during the week for training, coaching, problem solving and program development
• Collaborate closely with parents and the county MRDD to develop individualized service plans leading to enhanced quality of life for each participant
Residents and Day Participants
• Will come mainly from Butler, Hamilton, Warren and Preble counties in Southwest Ohio
• Must be at least 18 years old and out of school
• Must have an autism spectrum diagnosis
• Must have a Medicaid Individual Options waiver with funding sufficient to pay for staffing needs (or ability to private pay)
• Must have sufficient funds to pay living expenses
• Will be selected by the service provider using an interdisciplinary evaluation committee
Our Needs
As a new venture just starting up, our needs are many. Donations are needed to help us keep our debt to a manageable level, furnish the houses, equip the day programs, provide vehicles and supply the animals.
In addition, we need funds to build a recreation center and a future indoor pool. We need volunteers to help with many projects, to assist in the therapeutic programs and to participate in social events on the farm. Please contact us to see how you can help!
Safe Haven Farms, Inc. - a 501(c)(3) corporation
For more information, contact
Dennis.Rogers@safehavenfarms.org
4/25/09
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