|
VISION
A small farm (60 – 80 acres) serving approximately
40 people with developmental disabilities (20 in residence
and another 20 coming for the day program).
DAY
PROGRAM FOR ADULTS
- Vocational.
Vocational exploration and employment will be available
for adults who have autism and other developmental
disabilities and who are interested in working on
a farm. We anticipate having a barn, a greenhouse,
a farm stand, and a central building that will house
a commercial kitchen and a craft room. Possible vocational
activities include:
a. Raising and caring for animals [Animals will be
selected based on their temperament (not high strung),
ease of care, and profitability.]
b. Growing and selling plants (vegetables, herbs,
and flowers) and Christmas trees at a farm stand
c. Baking and selling breads at a farm stand &/or
in local stores
d. Making and selling craft items
e. Operating a petting farm, hay rides, and sleigh
rides
f. Repairing farm equipment
g. Housekeeping
h. Clerical
- Recreational.
Activities on and around the farm could include:
i. Cross country skiing
j. Walking/hiking
k. Swimming (pool on site)
l. Playing with animals
m. Therapeutic horseback riding
n. Music (sing alongs, hand drumming)
o. Badminton, volleyball
p. Board games
q. Trips into town (1 or 2 residents at a time) to
eat in a restaurant, go to a movie, attend a fair,
etc.)
r. Special Olympics
VOCATIONAL
TRAINING FOR STUDENTS
We will contract with local school districts to provide
agriculturally related vocational training to their
14 - 21 year old special education students.
RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR ADULTS
We will develop a cluster of small residences for adults
with developmental disabilities who would like to live
in a rural setting.
- Independent
living for those who are able to live on their own
but may need help with budgeting and problem solving.
This facility will most likely be a combination of
one and two bedroom apartments. Staff will check in
on a scheduled basis and will be available at all
times to help in emergencies.
- Supervised
living for those who are able to take care of their
basic personal needs but may need assistance with
meal preparation, scheduling their time, taking medications,
etc. This facility will most likely be a single level
duplex with 3 bedrooms in each side. It will be staffed
24 hrs. a day by a rotating staff that does not live
in the home. (This staffing pattern is less conducive
to staff burn out and thus to abuse of the residents.
It also is more conducive to the sense that this home
belongs to the residents; the staff is there to support
them.)
- Assisted
living for those with significant needs as regards
personal care (e.g. toileting, dressing) and activities
of daily living (e.g. food preparation, cleaning,
laundry). This facility would be similar to the above
with the same staffing pattern. Staff/resident ratios
would be determined by the individual residents’
needs.
- Skilled
nursing for those who have previously lived in one
of the above situations, but who, due to the aging
process, come to need skilled nursing care.
RESPITE
SERVICES
Overnight respite services will be offered to families
whose adult children participate in the day program.
Respite services for others in the community may be
offered as well.
INTERNSHIPS
Farmsteads of New England, Inc. will be available as
a site for internships for college students studying
in fields such as special education, human services,
and agriculture.
Next
Section
|
