Our Proposition
Objective
FASTT's immediate objective is to bring to southwestern Illinois
a comprehensive program of services which will:
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Help adults with autism acquire appropriate vocational
and employability skills so that they can maximize their
opportunities for greater independence and personal growth;
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Assist adults with autism in becoming more fully involved
with the life of their communities;
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Keep families together;
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Prevent institutionalization of adults with autism by increasing
community support options.
Proposal
To meet these objectives FASTT is working to establish the following
complimentary programs:
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Vocation training and employment
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Residential services
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Respite and recreational opportunities
Immediate Course of Action
Develop the 42-acre FASTT Farmstead site using a pragmatic,
multi-level strategy designed to accomplish our goals one step at a time.
The emphasis is on providing services to those who cannot be served by
existing programs. The FASTT plan includes working closely with state and
local government officials, and civic groups, as well as raising money through
fundraisers and private donations.
Current Activity
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FASTT has, together with officials of the Department of Health and
Human Services, formulated a written proposal to bring to Southern Illinois
a supported employment program for adults with autism which would be funded
through the federal matching grant Medicaid Waiver Program.
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Secretary of the Department of Human Services Dr. Carol Adams invited FASTT
to join the state-wide Autism Task Force, which will continue to identify the
gaps in services for people with autism throughout the state.
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FASTT is engaging in outreach to the community, seeking to foster ties with area
civic groups, with the goal of obtaining financial and other support for programs
for adults with autism. If your group would like to host a FASTT speaker and
presentation, please contact Hai Walker at
Hai.Walker@fasttfoundation.org
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FASTT has established a building and acquisition fund, and is hosting
fundraisers and soliciting donations, with the goal of raising funds
privately to build and operate a farmstead model program for adults with
autism at the 42-acre FASTT Farmstead east of Mascoutah.
Future Facility
A place for all: FASTT intends to develop the FASTT
Farmstead site to host an agriculturally based vocational training and
employment program for adults with autism in Southwestern Illinois. Plans
are underway to provide, when funds are obtained, a place where men and
women will work, learn job skills and socialize with the purpose of
maximizing opportunities for individual development. With staff as
teammates, activities may include horticulture, landscaping, gardening,
arts and crafts and product marketing. Community participation and
self-help tasks may be a part of every day life. Special talents and
abilities will be encouraged. Visitors will be welcome at craft shops,
and will be able to buy plants and produce from greenhouses.
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