ASA Advocate SPECIAL REPORT: STARTING A FARM A Mother's Touch ~By Ruthie Robbins Many parents have a dream of establishing a place where their child with autism will flourish as an adult, in an environment that is appropriate for his or her special needs. That was my wish for my daughter, Mandy. But where would I begin? Starting a ranch or farm is not easy business, but with ambition and drive, organization and determination, it can be accomplished. Below is a list of things to consider when journeying down the road to building your own "special farm." List your goals and objectives. Who are the services for, is this being met by another organization? Take into consideration age, sex, levels of ability and whether you wish to provide short-term or long-term care. Get advice from an attorney, accountant or banker. Will your project be a not-for-profit venture, or a for-profit venture? If not-for-profit, start with an attorney who is well versed in such organizations. You will probably require their advice when filling out forms. They will also be able to advise you as to the benefits and/or downsides to being not-for-profit versus for-profit. Where will the money come from? Find out all you can about fundraising and grant writing. Look to your local community foundation, community college, continuing education and seminars available in your area. The internet might also be helpful. Who will run your organization? Will you hire a director or are you going to do it yourself? Both have benefits, but decide just how much you are willing to take on. What happens to your organization if you are unable to remain involved? Make sure that you have an orderly chain of command, and that you provide in your organization's bylaws how your organization is going to operate even if you are no longer available. Staffing is the most important consideration you will make. Make sure that you have adequate staff so that needs of the clientele are being met and that you are avoiding staff burnout. How are you going to provide the training that they need? Look to local educational institutions in their departments of special education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech/language pathology, etc. Will you remodel an existing structure or build one? Local builders and architects can provide expert help. Also consider zoning issues. These can require a specialist and possible political help. Most local governments have an office of zoning and can give you the necessary advice. There are also attorneys who specialize in land use and zoning. Contact your state government and find out what types of licensing you need and how long it takes to apply for the required permits. How do you plan to govern your organization? Will you use a volunteer board of directors or will you be solely in charge? Evaluate your own talents, skills and the time you have available to give to the organization once it is up and running. Be objective! Do you have what it takes to do this on your own every day? A board of directors, on the other hand, can help to provide an organization with more objectivity in assessing the needs of the organization, as well as bringing in more community involvement. If you decide on a board of directors, ask people in the community who have knowledge and resources that you can rely on when problems arise or decisions need to be made. Mandy's Special Farm Mandy's Special Farm offers 24-hour care for young women with autism. Located in Albuquerque, NM, MSF is a private nonprofit residential school and learning center for a maximum of six women with autism. The site is 4.22 acres in a rural neighborhood. The goal of MSF is to help each young woman achieve as much self-sufficiency as possible while having a meaningful, structured, active life in a homelike atmosphere. << Back to list of articles