What is Respite Care?
Respite care is temporary relief care designed for families of children or adults with special needs. Respite care can range from a few hours of care provided on a one-time basis to overnight or extended care sessions. Respite care can be utilized on a regular or irregular basis and can be provided by family members, friends, skilled care providers or professionals. Providers, chosen by the family, care for children or adults with special needs while families take a class, go to a movie, go on a vacation, or enjoy any activity.
Respite care is designed to help families. Caretakers of children or adults with special needs often face serious problems and stress as a result of balancing the needs of their child or adult with special needs with the needs of other family members. These breaks, that respite care provides, allow families time to tend to the needs of their children, spouses, and themselves.
How Does the Respite Care Program Work?
For an eligible child or adult, a family may receive authorization to receive up to $550.00 of Respite Care services; with $200.00 for each additional eligible child or adult, up to a maximum of $950.00 per family, per year (June 1-May 31). The family selects a provider and uses the Request For Payment form to purchase Respite Care Services. The provider receives reimbursement by submitting the Request For Payment form to the Department of Human Services Respite Care Program.
Who is eligible for Respite Care?
Any family having a child or adult family member who has a developmental disability, a developmental delay (children only), a serious emotional disturbance, a severe and persistent mental illness, a chronic medical condition (children only), a traumatic brain injury, or a child they have adopted may be considered for respite care services.
Respite care is available to eligible families regardless of income.
There is no age limit, however, the child or adult must live with a parent or family member.
The child or adult's diagnosis and source of the diagnosis must be noted on the application form. Documentation of the diagnosis must accompany the application form. Respite Care Program Application
A copy of any document containing the diagnosis and name of the physician or psychologist issuing the diagnosis should be sufficient for children or adults with a developmental disability, developmental delay, or chronic medical condition. The Department does not need a complete copy of these reports - just the portion containing the diagnosis.
If the child has a serious emotional disturbance or the adult has a severe and persistent mental illness a summary evaluation form available from the Department of Human Services should be completed and returned with the application.
Respite Care provides temporary relief to the primary caregiver from the continuous support and care of an elderly or dependent adult. This relief helps prevent individual and family breakdown, institutionalization, or abuse by the primary caregiver as a result of stress from providing continuous support. Respite Care is not meant to replace other specialized services.
Services
Covered services may include:
Services not covered include skilled nursing services and the administration of medications.
The frequency and hours of Respite Care requested by the primary caregiver and individual are a mutually agreed upon arrangement with the provider. Respite Care must be within the range of approved hours as determined by an assessment. Overnight, weekend care, vacation time and emergency periods are examples when Respite Care might be needed.
Eligibility
An individual may be eligible for Respite Care if the individual meets the following criteria:
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At least 18 years of age.
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The assessment and care plan completed by the Adult Services and Aging Specialist indicates a need for respite care.
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The individual has a primary caregiver. Potential clients of Respite Care should be prioritized according to the threat of being institutionalized and the inability to live independently. If a person's health is such that skilled nursing or total care is required, Respite Care may not be appropriate.
Provider and Service Location
The primary caregiver has the responsibility to identify and select the Respite Care provider. This person may be a neighbor, friend or family acquaintance or community resource person that has agreed to provide the care. Respite Care services may be provided in the person's home, the respite care provider's home, or in another type of community setting, such as Adult Day Services. A Respite Care provider may not live with or be considered the client’s primary caregiver.
Funding
Respite Care services are provided to eligible individuals for a specified cost share, determined by the Adult Services and Aging Specialist. An approved hourly rate is paid to Respite Care providers.
The Department of Human Services will endeavor to ensure that all eligible families can participate in the respite program.
APPEAL PROCESS:
Any family who is denied respite care from the Department of Human Services may appeal by writing the Secretary of the Department of Human Services
Goals of Respite Care
Reduce stress and help maintain family relations
Assist and strengthen the family as a unit
Contribute to good physical and emotional health and allow families to successfully continue caring for their children or adult family member at home
Provide families time to rest, relax, and recreate
Help families through periods of crisis and adjustment
Help improve long-term family stability and reduce the need for out-of-home placements or lessens the need for long-term residential services |
