As an intermediate group home, the Orion House provides a home-like setting with 8 bedrooms. Residents typically share a room with another resident and are expected to keep their area clean and remain respectful to their roommate.  The house is separated into North and South sides based on the age of the resident as well as identified treatment needs.  The house includes one kitchen with a household stove for residents and a commercial stove for house staff.  Two dining rooms as well as two living rooms.  There is a study lab that includes desktops for residents’ use.  Staff offices are throughout the house.  The outside campus includes a small therapeutic farm with has chickens, rabbits, sheep and donkeys as well as a greenhouse and garden area.  Additionally, there is a ball field, basketball hoop and some trails for walking.

What is a Typical Day Like?

A typical day at the Orion House includes Educational Programming, Chores, Study Time, Individual and Group Therapy and then Free Time. Privileges such as later bed times, out of staff supervision, video games, TVs, cell phones, sign outs are afforded based on a resident’s ability to maintain daily scores over 75%.  These scores are based on the resident’s behaviors, actions and decision making throughout the day.

On non-school days and weekends, activities are planned based on resident interest and behavior.  Frequent activities include fishing, swimming, hiking, sight-seeing, and community based activities.

Additionally, the Orion House cares for the farm animals and gardens that are sponsored by the Granite Hill School.  Residents are able to learn about the animals and farming as part of their daily routine.           

Lastly, the Orion House offers a Supported Independent Living Program. Since 2019, Orion House expanded their array of services to providing transitional support services to males over the age of 18 with mild behavioral and emotional needs who remain in the care of DHHS.  Orion House physically separated the farm house so that residents above the age of 18 reside on the north wing of the house.  These residents have higher levels of responsibilities and independence based on their identified treatment needs and progress in the program.  Residents in this program are expected to complete their personal care and hygiene, manage and prepare meals as appropriate, work 20 hours in the community or complete community service and complete a minimum of 10 additional hours of independent living and transition preparation and planning each week. 

In this program, residents are provided daily support while also being empowered to safely make their own decisions. The administration and staff within this program subscribe to TBRI and the belief that building relationships based on trust with the residents is the first step in being able to mentor and guide them.  Residents are encouraged to engage in their treatment and are supported in gaining the skills to be their own voice in the community, at meetings, and in court. Residents are supported in running their own treatment meetings and identifying their goals for future focus.