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your homegrown newspaper October 30, 2024
Vol. 21, No. 7
Jake’s Farm in the Dell receives $400,000 state grant Teacher of Year pg. 5
P.E.O. donates pg. 7
Charlo homecoming pg. 8
Legislators, DPHHS officials visit Jake’s Farm in the Dell News from DPHHS
RONAN — Rep. Courtenay Sprunger, Sen. Shane Morigeau, Sen. Mike Cuffe, and Lindsey Carter of the DPHHS Developmental Disability Program visited the future site of Jake’s Farm in the Dell on Monday, Oct. 21. A $400,000 state grant has helped launch construction of the new facility that will serve adults with severe autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. “I congratulate the tireless effort of Rich and Julie Janssen on their vision to bring this facility to life,” Governor Greg Gianforte said. “This has been their dream for many years, and now that dream has become a reality. I applaud all those
COURTESY PHOTO
Rich and Julie Janssen speak during an Oct. 21 visit to the site where Jake’s Farm in the Dell will be built. The new facility will serve adults with severe autism spectrum disorder and is named for the Janssens’ late son, Jake, who lived with severe autism. A $400,000 grant, funded through HB 952, will help launch construction of the facility.
who worked so hard to make this happen.” The 2023 legislature approved the $400,000 in funds through HB 952 and Gov. Greg Gi-
anforte signed the bill on May 22, 2023. Rep. Courtenay Sprunger carried the bill during the session, with key support from Sen. Shane w w w.va l le yj our na l.net
Morigeau who partnered with Sprunger to develop HB 952. The two legislators, together with Senator Cuffe, worked together to pass the bill
into law. “Families forced to send their adult children to out-of-state facilities see page 2