Who are your home advisors? Where do you get them?

Our mission statement says that Special K Ranch "provides family oriented Christian Homes…" For this to happen staff are needed to live in each house with the four residents and make it a home. We have had occasion to have a single person as a home advisor but mostly there are married couples who fill this position. A number of our home advisors also have children of their own. Although experience, training, and ability are important in meeting the requirements for this position, what is key is that a person have a heart for service, a willingness to live in community with the residents and other staff, and to serve in the name of Christ.

When there is an opening for home advisors we advertise and we pray. Most of our staff have come to the ranch through a variety of interesting circumstances and from near and far. We believe that this is the result of prayer.

From time to time we have need of home advisors as people move on to other things. If you are interested in learning more about serving in this position contact our Program Director, Mike Oberg. He would be glad to meet with you and share in more detail about this important role at Special K Ranch. (406) 322-5520

 

Do the people living at Special K Ranch get paid for the work they do?

The short answer is yes. But let me expand a bit.

The people living at Special K Ranch because of their disabilities are not able to be productive at most working tasks to the extent that they could receive a full wage. Therefore the ranch has applied for and received a certificate from wage and labor that allows for a wage less then minimum wage to be paid.

Each rancher is tested at various tasks and is paid a percentage of minimum wage based on the going rate for that job. They are tested twice a year and adjustments are made for changes in production levels.

In addition to their earned income each resident receives an automatic allowance from their SSI for personal needs.

Please contact us at 406-322-5520 if you have any questions about our program.

What does a ranch program like yours do when the residents get too old to do any work on the ranch and even later, develop physical problems that require more care than the ranch is capable of giving?

Our work program has always been based on people working at their own level of ability not on a labor or production standard. The oldest resident living at the ranch today is sixty-four. Hank has slowed down and so has his work expectations but he is certainly capable of being part of the ranch community. Just last Friday I was in the riding arena while Hank was riding and singing Back In The Saddle Again.

A little work activity, fresh air, and social interaction is healthy for everyone no matter how old they are. The ranch offers this in an atmosphere of friendship and loving care.

If for health reasons one of our residents needs assistance beyond our service abilities we would help them find an appropriate placement. Our plan has been to use the convalescent center in Columbus. Living in Columbus would keep the individual close to the ranch so we could visit and they could continue to be involved as much as possible in our activities and with their friends.

Please contact us at 406-322-5520 if you have any questions about our program.

How are the residents selected to live at Special K Ranch?

The program at Special K Ranch is designed to be a long term or permanent living arrangement for people who have mental retardation. It is not often that there is a vacancy. However, on occasion a resident may move.

The process for selecting a candidate to fill a vacancy begins with the family of the prospective resident requesting and filling out an application packet. Along with the application, a psychological evaluation and any other activity and development reports are collected and reviewed.

A visit to the ranch for a tour and an interview with the screening committee is then scheduled. If the prospective resident, following this interview, would like to live at Special K Ranch and the report from the Screening Committee is favorable, a sixty (60) day trial and evaluation visit is set up.

After the sixty-day trial visit the Screening Committee make a determination based on the prospects desire to live at the ranch and the programs ability to meet the specific needs of the individual.

When the trial period is completed successfully there is a welcoming party. New members to the ranch are encouraged to bring their own bedroom furniture and decorate their room.

Do residents graduate and go on to live on their own?

The program at Special K Ranch is set up to be a "whole life" living and working opportunity for people who have developmental disabilities. It is not a school or training center where people go through a curriculum and then move on to something else. The residents are challenged daily to grow to new levels of self-care, living skills, work skills, and social skills. If they choose to make the ranch their home they are welcome to live and work here until they choose to leave or circumstances beyond our control dictate differently.

Our experience has shown that many of the people in this population who may have the living and work skills to live on their own and have a part time job (which is usually the only work they can get) prefer the community of the ranch. Some times other people’s dreams and expectations are placed on people who have developmental disabilities i.e. a successful and meaningful life is living on your own and having a job. For people who have mental retardation this often leads to lonely, unfulfilled lives in an environment where their only friends are people who would mislead them and take advantage of their naivete and generosity.

Loving and caring relationships is what we all long for and this is at the heart of Special K Ranch.