Safely Back Home, a 501c3 non-profit free program’s mission is assisting in the safe, calm return of wandering loved ones to their families and Caregivers. Providing additional peace of mind for parents and Caregivers of individuals who wander due to Autism, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s, Dementia and other cognitive challenges involving wandering.
Photo courtesy of Lake Hopatcong News
Safely Back Home was featured in the Mid-Summer 2023 issue of the Lake Hopatcong News
Introducing the Hopatcong Safely Back Home program to the Hopatcong Seniors Club July 6, 2023
Heat pressing Hopatcong Safely Back Home ID Decals onto Hopatcong Chiefs shirts
Fios 1 News Story covering introduction of the Safely Back Home Program in North Arlington, NJ
New Milford Police Chief Frank Ramaci describing the Safely Back Home Program in New Milford, its benefits to the community, and how the program can be coordinated between police departments.
Thank you to the Starbucks Foundation for selecting Safely Back Home as a recipient of their Neighborhood Grant. Special thanks to the Sparta Starbucks staff and partners for nominating Safely Back Home for the Neighborhood Grant. The grant funds have been used toward imprinting nearly 200 Hopatcong Safely Back Home (SBH) ID personalized garments for the eleven families currently enrolled in the free Hopatcong SBH Program. The grant will continue being used to produce more SBH ID garments for Hopatcong families along with families enrolling in free Safely Back Home programs in other communities.
Sparta Starbucks staff celebrating Safely Back Home receiving the Starbucks Foundation Grant
March 28, 2023
Safely Back Home Partnership with Project Lifesaver, International
Safely Back Home is honored to be one of the partners of Project Lifesaver, International.
“Project Lifesaver’s Program has helped provide thousands of families peace of mind daily knowing that their loved one has protection and safety in case they wander”. (Project Lifesaver, International, website)
Project Lifesaver has rescued over 4,250 wandering individuals
Project Lifesaver has 1,750 member agencies the U.S, Canada and Puerto Rico, and has performed over 4,250 rescues over the past 25 years with no serious injuries or fatalities ever reported. Project Lifesaver provides equipment, training, certification and support to law enforcement, public safety organizations and community groups throughout the U.S.
Project Lifesaver, International Founder and CEO, Chief Gene Saunders, announced the original Project Lifesaver, International (PLI) – Safely Back Home (SBH) partnered program in November, 2013 (Project Lifesaver, Int’l, Newsletter, November, 2013)
“We are happy to announce the PLI-SBH program and believe this is a great additional program to offer to our members to share with Project Lifesaver clients as well as to the overall community. The SBH program has great potential to serve as that extra layer of protection,” stated CEO/Founder, Gene Saunders of PLI.
Our Mission/Program Description
PBS News Hour Interview with Safely Back Home Paul Jetter explains how the program began with his father who had Dementia.
Rutherford, NJ, Police Chief John Russo talks about the Safely Back Home Program with Founder, Paul Jetter
Our Mission
To provide an additional layer of protection for children and adults who wander due to Autism, Alzheimer’s and other cognitive challenges. Our goal is to provide parents and caregivers with additional peace of mind
Program Description
Safely Back Home’s program was developed in response to a need to provide assistance to individuals with Autism, Alzheimer’s and other cognitive challenges who are incapable of providing identifying information in situations where they become lost. The imprinted garment alerts the public and police that the individual may need more assistance than they initially realize.
The patent-pending process uses “privacy-protected” ID information imprinted on personal garments to be conveyed to an emergency call center, secure database and rescue operation.
#HipNJ’s Lisa Marie Latino sat down with Paul Jetter, founder of Safely Back Home, in the #HipNJ studio. Paul and Lisa discussed the non-profit Safely Back Home program and how it is actively working to help families around Bergen County.
How the Safely Back Home Program Works
Paul Jetter is the creator and founder of Safely Back Home™, providing additional peace of mind to families and caregivers of people who wander.
Paul’s passion started through his own experience with his father, who had dementia, and whose family became his father’s caregivers. Paul created the patent-pending process that uses ID information imprinted on the personal garments to be conveyed to an emergency call center, secure database and rescue operation
The Safely Back Home ID Decals can be easily hand ironed at home onto clothing the person enjoys wearing. The decals are extremely soft on the clothing and are wash proof. The decals can also be heat pressed onto clothing (also hats, back packs, etc.)
Safely Back Home ID Decal
HOPATCONG – Name of town where the individual is enrolled in the Safely Back Home Program
973-398-5000 – The town’s Police Department 24-hour Emergency Phone Number
SBH ID# 1020 – Safely Back Home identification number and file number of the enrolled individual. Police and first responders are able view this file when proceeding with the rescue. Included in this file are:
- A recent photo of the individual
- The parents’/Caregivers’ contact information
- Crucial medical information: Medical conditions (ex. Diabetes, Epilepsy, Severe allergies); required medications
- Locations where the individual is likely to wander, to seek.
- What to say to the wandering individual to keep them calm during the rescue.
Posts
Recent Events
Fios1 News Interview with North Arlington Senior discussing the Safely Back Home Program
Fios1 News interview with North Arlington Mom discussing the Safely Back Home Program
Hope Saves the Day – Show#189 Interview with Paul Jetter, Founder of Safely Back Home
Peace of Mind for Caregivers of Those Who Wander
Paul Jetter, Founder and Executive Director of Safely Back Home, speaks to an audience of parents about the benefits of enrolling in the program at a presentation at the David E. Owens Middle School in New MIlford, NJ.
Videos and radio broadcasts with families, individuals and law enforcement first responders involved with the Safely Back Home Program.
Photos of events with families, organizations and individuals involved with the Safely Back Home Program
Lake Hopatcong Block Party, Hopatcong Safely Back Home Introduction Exhibit, May 20, 2023
Lake Hopatcong Block Party; Safely Back Home Introduction Exhibit with Hopatcong Town Council Member Christine Smith. May 20, 2023
Hopatcong National Night Out, Safely Back Home Exhibit, August 1, 2023
Hopatcong National Night Out. Safely Back Home Exhibit. August 1, 2023
With Hopatcong Mayor Michael Francis
With Hopatcong Police Chief Meghan McCluskey
West Milford Search & Rescue
Bergen County Zoo Autism Awareness Day
YMCA Autism Awareness Day
Wandering Statistics
50%
of children with Autism will wander.
60%
of people with Alzheimers will wander.
4,250
Number of lost persons rescued by our partner, Project Lifesaver, since 1999. That number continues to grow.
Our Partners
Project Lifesaver has 1,750 member agencies the U.S, Canada and Puerto Rico, and has performed 4,250 searches over the last 25 years with no serious injuries or fatalities ever reported. Project Lifesaver provides equipment, training, certification and support to law enforcement, public safety organizations and community groups throughout the United States.
Words From Families In The Safely Back Home Program
The On-line Hopatcong SBH Enrollment Form