There is peace and serenity in a farm setting that cannot be matched in a group home in a city environment.  This tranquility is very beneficial to many of our residents who have sensory issues. On a daily basis our residents can choose to take walks throughout the farm, visit the barn and pet the farm animals or stroll along the forested hiking trails.  Others living in their house can choose to do something else.  A number of our residents also like to use a bicycle or tricycle that are always available for them to ride on a paved lane, without fear of being hit by a car.   Many of our residents find meaningful work by caring for the needs of the farm animals in the barn, which has a very calming and therapeutic effect.  Or they can choose to  care for the plants that are being raised in the garden and greenhouses on the farm.  

They can become involved in a craft or learning or sensory activity in our day services building.  These are some of the many choices they can make. This is an opportunity and freedom of choice that they are unlikely to have in a city environment or if they are living in an isolated group home in town.  Families may visit at any time, and the residents are also free to spend time with family off the farm.  These individuals with autism are far from being isolated in this farmstead setting.  What they gain is independence from their parents and freedom of choice.  Many of our residents have matured as a result of living on the farm, knowing that they have been given the ability to decide for themselves what they will do each day, and that  they have caring staff that will help them when needed.  A common comment we hear from visitors is the following " This place reminds me of a retirement community !!  I could be happy living here."

Why Choose and Support Safe Haven Farms?

I. Environment

   
*Environment is quiet and peaceful, calming and relaxing -especially to those with auditory sensitivities

    *Environment is safe – away from traffic, crime, strangers, etc.   

    *Lots of room to hike, ride bikes, etc. for calming

    *Large acreage provides a buffer of space between neighbors or future developments

    *Farm life is much less restrictive for many people that are currently isolated “in” the community

    *Establishes a community where residents can relax and be themselves and be accepted

II. Types of Activities

For people with autism, farm activities tend to be especially meaningful. The activities are concrete and understandable: planting, harvesting, cooking, animal care. They are  part of the natural “cycle of life".

    *Working with animals is known to be therapeutic and relaxing

    *Physical activity is healthy and calming

    *Therapeutic riding program will benefit the entire community of people with disabilities of all ages

    *Opportunity for meaningful employment, in a supportive environment, delivering value-added products and services

    *Opportunities for continuous engagement throughout the day

    *Develops current skills and teaches new ones, promotes independence, enhances self-esteem

    *Lots of opportunities for lifetime learning, rec/leisure activities in environment conducive to learning

    *Programs are individualized to meet each person’s interests and abilities

III. Organization focused on autism

    
*Farm is focused on autism – provides st rong understanding of the culture of autism and use of best practices

    *Much more in-depth training and mentoring available for direct care staff

    *Long-term consistency in program, even with direct care staff turnover

    *Partnership with universities to help more people get trained to work with people with autism

    *Farm can become focal point for autism training in SW Ohio … training community, parents and professionals

IV. Congregated setting

  
*Provides many socialization opportunities – peers, staff, community, neighbors,famiiies … outings, parties, work, leisure

    *On-site management oversight and mentoring drives accountability

    *Consistency of support across residential and day habilitation venues – same staff and programs and management cover all services

    *Staff feels trained, backed up, appreciated, part of a team and not isolated

    *Low transportation costs, as most day participants live on-site.

    *No transition issues between venues – reduced anxiety attacks.

    *Time is flexible – if they are late getting up and ready in the morning, they are not tied to bus schedules to go to day programs.

   
*If they want or need to leave day programs, same staff covers residential.

    *Interactions with a group of trained staff daily, so staff substitutions are familiar.

    *Backup staff is available immediately in case of emergency or behaviors.

    *Provides a critical mass of people with similar needs to establish learning center, crafts, etc. that meet the unique needs of people with autism.

    *Enough people are around to have flexible staffing – can have 1-on-1 if needed for a particular activity or occasional bad day.

    *Sense of community – residents, staff, and parents become an extended family.

    *Continual on-site coaching, mentoring and oversight will improve direct care staff.

    *Provides more opportunity for community engagement – not tied to the interests of one housemate or staff. Farm events will draw the community to visit.

    *Sharing of lessons learned and best practices across homes, clients and staff.

V. General

   
*This Farm builds on model of six current US farms (and several in Europe) – all are successful, completely full, with long waiting lists and virtually no turnover because of the effectiveness of the model

   
*This is the only farm for Autistic adults that is located in southwestern Ohio, and it will strive to meet the needs of residents located in southwestern Ohio.

    *Provides a sustainable model of lifetime care – provides significant peace of mind for parents concerned about “what will happen to them when I die?”

    *Fills an exploding need for adult services and provides a learning laboratory for others to follow.

    *Quality of life can be much better – resulting in reduced medications and side effects, better alertness and engagement, happier demeanor and improved self-esteem.

    *Land cost for multiple homes, community buildings and green space in urban environment would be prohibitive - thus a farm model is an enabler.

    *Cost is less than 1-on-1 staffing cost in the community, especially when you consider the hidden community costs of behavior issues, medical admissions and evaluations, cost of heavy medications, behavior team meetings, staff turnover/staff recruiting and training, emergency responders, etc.