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Authorize the County's contribution of $1,500 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 3 to benefit B Walker Ranch ($500), Shelter Solano, Inc. ($500) and Solano Dream Center ($500)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Jim Spering requests that the Board authorize the County's contribution of $1,500 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 3 to benefit B Walker Ranch ($500), Shelter Solano, Inc. ($500) and Solano Dream Center ($500).
SUMMARY:
Justification:
During the 2018/19 Budget Hearings, the Board appropriated $5,000 to allow District 3 to support community service programs. District 3 recommends the distribution of the remaining funding as follows:
B Walker Ranch ($500)
B Walker Ranch (a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization) was founded by a mother of a son with autism, who was concerned with the large number of autistic children coming out of the education system. Together with two other women, she created the B Walker Ranch, a Day Program for adults with autism.
Today, autism is the most common disability in California. Ninety-two percent of people diagnosed with this lifelong disability are under the age of 18. In 2016, more than 97,000 California public school students had been diagnosed as autistic. Once they graduate, few programs will be available that are designed to work for young adults with autism.
The B Walker Ranch will be a working ranch focusing on programs in farming, animal therapy, horticulture program, cooking and nutrition skills, a learning center, work and life skills, art therapy and occupational therapy
The ranch is a green model ranch. Energy saving structures, nontoxic materials and organic farming practices support individuals with autism, who are known to be especially sensitive to chemicals and other toxicities.
As a "model" program, B Walker Ranch plans to be self-s...
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