Who We Are

2009-02-09T12:17:00.000-08:00

Nestled in the shadow of the Tehachapi Mountains, in rural Kern County just outside of the City of Arvin, is an outstanding behavioral management program for individuals with autism. The campus of the Kern County Autism Center hosts not only a group home for autistic adults, but also a day program for adults as well as three classrooms from the Kern County Superintendent of Schools district. Managing the interests of the Autism Center is a Board of Directors, an Executive Director, and a Human Resources/Assistant Administrator. The Kern Regional Center distributes State of California funding to support the Autism Center.

The Kern County Autism Center was established as a non-profit organization in 1980 by a small group of parents, family members, friends and educators, all having a vested interest in improving the lives of individuals with autism. These dedicated individuals came to the realization that as their "children" approached adulthood, there were few appropriate living or vocational opportunities existing for them in Kern County.

In 1982 the Kern County Autism Center purchased nine acres just outside of the rural community of Arvin. However, it wasn't until 1990 that KCAC supporters raised enough money to open the residential facility. Finally, in 1992, the Adult Day Program opened with three clients, which has since grown to an enrollment of thirty-five. The Kern County Autism Center's current facilities include a residential facility (Park Home), and a day program (DAI/BREAK) for adults with autism and similar behavioral challenges.

Park Home, the residential facility, provides a safe, comfortable home atmosphere for the six adult clients residing there. There are two to three direct care staff on duty, twenty-four hours a day, incorporating a high level of structure within the normalized living environment in the home. Staff members are trained in CPR, Medications training, Diet, and Hygiene training. The clients receive instruction and direction in practicing skills such as cooking, grooming, dressing, leisure and household responsibilities. Frequently, the clients embark on community outings to local restaurants, recreational facilities and other appropriate community events.

Park Home's informal atmosphere provides a relaxing, comfortable place for it's residents with a spacious living room and dining area, along with bedrooms which are furnished with a touch of each resident's interests. Maintenance and upkeep is an on-going process as with any residence, with donations, fundraisers, service clubs and volunteers providing many of the needs.

Adjacent to Park Home is a newly refurbished staff room, serving employees of both Park Home and DAI/BREAK as a lunch/break room and a meeting room. The administrative office of the Autism Center is located next to this staff room.

Park Home residents enjoy several spacious outdoor facilities with the patio/barbecue area being a major focus for outdoor activity. Also available to residents is the small farm animal are as well as the outdoor court/grass area. The rural setting of the home serves as a quiet, peaceful environment for our residents.

The day program, DAI/BREAK (Dedicated to Assisting Individuals in Building Responsibility, Esteem, Awareness and Knowledge) is designed for up to 40 adults with behavioral challenges who benefit greatly from a high level of structure and supervision throughout the day. These adults are transported daily from throughout Kern County to the DAI/BREAK program in vans which are provided by the program.

Activities and instruction in the DAI/BREAK program include: vocational training, community involvement, functional academics, communication training, recreation and leisure skill activities. Within the DAI/BREAK building are several "classrooms" which are instructed by trained personnel. Adjacent to the building is a washer/dryer facility that serves the needs of the program and its clients.

The "Canteen" is a facility that is particularly appreciated by clients. This facility serves to not only train clients in food preparation skills but to also serve as a spacious dining room for lunchtime. The campus grounds of the Autism Center serve the DAI/BREAK clients as well as the Park Home residents.

Adjacent to the Canteen are three Kern County Superintendent of Schools classrooms. These classrooms. These classrooms are provided by KCSOS along with credentialed instructors and their support staff, who serve approximately twenty-one students up to the age of twenty-two. These students also have use of the spacious lawn and court areas for activities.

The Kern County Autism Center has served as pioneers for individuals with autism in Kern County. KCAC has a history of meeting the needs of people with autism while working alongside the school district to establish the very first classroom for children with autism in Kern County. KCAC was also instrumental in cooperating with other organizations by opening an after school program which reinforced the educational process. Eventually, a residential facility, and an adult day program for individuals with autism has been developed. It is the purpose of the Kern County Autism Center to continue to strive for a better future for the individuals with autism who are in our care.

The Future...

Our on-going goal involves the addition of a much needed recreational facility with classrooms and equipment, which will be used by the clients, family members, and friends of the Kern County Autism Center. Funding for such an endeavor must come from fundraisers.

The facility that we have in mind will cost approximately $500,000; with space for dining, sports, a stage for entertainment and landscaping to enhance our current limited outdoor recreation area.

The Firsts...

WE ARE PROUD OF THE MANY FIRSTS THAT OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS HAVE BEEN A PART OF HERE IN KERN COUNTY...

**We worked alongside the school district to establish the FIRST classroom for children with autism in Kern County.

**We were instrumental in the opening of the FIRST after school program for children with autism.

**We were the FIRST to open a residential facility for adults with autism.

**We were the FIRST to open a adult day program for individuals with autism.

** We were the FIRST group in Kern County to announce plans to hike the "Pacific Crest Trail" to raise money for individuals with autism, during the summer of 1999.

**As the ONLY "Pioneers for Autism in Kern County" .... we continue to strive for a better future for the individuals with autism in our care!