Stearns County Sheriff’s Office Launches “Take Me Home” Program for National Autism Month

(KNSI)—Communicating what we need in an emergency may pose a challenge for anyone, but it may be especially difficult for people with disabilities.

In recognition of National Autism Month this April, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office offers a free and voluntary service called the Take Me Home program. Originally developed by the Pensacola, Florida Police Department, it helps first responders quickly identify and safely interact with someone who has potentially become disoriented, is nonverbal, or may behave in ways that could be misunderstood or misinterpreted during a high stress situation.

The program is available to all residents of Stearns County, especially those with Autism, Down Syndrome, cognitive or developmental disabilities, or seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Families and caregivers are encouraged to enroll by filling out and submitting a form that contains key details about a loved one, including a current picture and emergency contact information. That information is then stored in a secure records management system, which dispatchers and first responders can access when needed.

Find the form by clicking here.

Anyone with questions or who needs more information can contact Lieutenant Zach Sorenson via email at zachary.sorenson@stearnscountymn.gov.

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