SWEETWATER SPECTRUM FOUNDING PRINCIPLES

Celebrate and support a broad range of autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities
Encourage active resident involvement in their home, household, neighborhood and surrounding communities
Provide access to productive enriching choices that support a life with purpose
Utilize autism-specific design, which addresses both safety and sensory issues
Nurture high-value relationships between residents, families and support staff
Create and foster a model that can be replicated nationwide
Offer the potential for long-term residency
Accommodate a broad financial spectrum

Across the United States, 500,000 individuals with autism are aging into adulthood. Today, children have a 1 in 36 chance of being diagnosed with autism according to the CDC in 2020. Sonoma is providing leadership in addressing the housing needs of this underserved population through its welcoming support of Sweetwater Spectrum, a model community for adults with autism and other related developmental disabilities.

A question universally on the minds of parents of children with autism is, “How will my child be cared for when I am no longer able?” Sweetwater Spectrum is working hard to provide a solution.

Sweetwater Spectrum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to exploring, building and evaluating an innovative housing model for adults with autism. It has developed and now manages a housing option in the Sonoma community utilizing supportive living services. This model includes an enrichment program intended to foster both individual choice and community engagement to provide a “life with purpose”. We embrace residents on a wide range on the spectrum of autism and other developmental disabilities and support all financial capabilities.

Sonoma - Our First Campus

Shade structure outlined with planter box with colorful table in the center and picnic tables on the side.

Walkway overlooking pool with blue cloudy sky and vegetation.

Sweetwater Spectrum’s pilot project is located in the city of Sonoma and opened in 2013. The site is 2.79 acres and is located 4 blocks west of the city’s downtown plaza, encouraging local community integration. The campus includes:

Five homes for a total capacity of twenty residents. Four homes with four bedrooms in each home, part of the original campus finished in 2013, and a new duplex which was finished in 2023.
A community center – a single-level 2,300 square foot, common house – integrates a community space, kitchen, exercise studio, media room, and a library.
An outdoor pool and 2 hot tubs.
A shade canopy/sensory garden – a large shade structure framed by planter boxes and picnic tables. This space was designed to facilitate special social events, enrichment activities and daily resident use.
Enrichment programs and opportunities are provided on site, and coordinated off-site. They are tailored to our residents’ individual needs, encouraging choice and community. Through personal choice, we foster a life with purpose for our residents.

Supported Living Model

The supported living model of Sweetwater Spectrum is based on co-housing, and offers choice to its residents with individual, customized and flexible programs, supporting life skills training, continuing education, gardening, art/music, exercise and healthy lifestyles. The Sweetwater Spectrum site was designed to meet the specific needs of those with autism. The site was built to LEED gold specifications and is environmentally sustainable wherever possible. This includes solar panels, an energy efficient HVAC system and storm water management with bio swales.

Admission to Sweetwater

Since opening in 2013, Sweetwater was designed as a long-term home for our residents. While some turnover still occurs, in general openings are infrequent.

We do maintain and accept applications — when a spot becomes available, we look for the best fit for a new resident to join their existing roommates.

If your family has interest in applying, we suggest you start by viewing our virtual tour video and reviewing the information on our website.

Virtual Tour

See also the links below to obtain an overview of our application process and our application form.

You may complete and submit an application form at any time and it will be kept on file. Note there is a $50 processing fee.

LIVE TOURS OF SWEETWATER

Our monthly public tours are offered on the last Tuesday of every month beginning at 11:00 am.

Sweetwater Spectrum’s public tours provide an overview of our innovative housing model for adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Attendees often include parents, professionals, community partners, advocates, and those interested in developing new housing initiatives. Tours last approximately two hours and include a campus tour, program overview, and time for questions and discussion.

If you are unable to join for the monthly public tour, private tours can be arranged on a mutually acceptable date. There is a fee associated with private tours.

The private tour and Q&A would run for a 2 hour duration.

To schedule a tour, please email us:

Contact

Creating Housing

Sweetwater Spectrum regularly responds to inquiries from all over the world about our approach to housing for adults with autism and similar developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Please explore our free resources and learn about our consulting services on our Creating Housing page.

Creating Housing

<!–Nationwide, there are few housing choices available for adults with autism or similar intellectual/developmental disabilities. Our model, with its first campus in Sonoma, uniquely encompasses a "life with purpose" for its residents and can provide a lifelong home. The need for this new model is substantial as Sweetwater Spectrum regularly responds to inquiries about our approach from all over the world.

Our biggest news this year is that our founding goal of developing a replicable model is being realized! We now have developed a full package of lessons-learned documents and other resources to help inform, encourage, and enable the establishment of future communities under the Sweetwater model, including:

Sample Articles of Incorporation
Sample Bylaws
Resident Application Process Document
Sample Residential Lease Application
Sample Residential Lease Agreement
Sample Community Activities Agreement
Sample Employee Handbook
Sample Investment Policy
Sample Volunteer Handbook
Sweetwater Spectrum, Documenting a Supported Living Model
Sweetwater Spectrum: A Community with Purpose Case Study
Financial Requirements Description Document
Replication Approach Presentation

If you are interested in replicating the Sweetwater Spectrum model in your community, please contact Sweetwater Spectrum Executive Director Olivia Vain HERE.–>