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Respite Care |
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| Table
of Contents
Introduction Direct Service Resources Respite Informational
Resources Appendices
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Most parents can use a few days away from their children now and again, in order to relax, rejuvenate. These periods of respite, often provided by grandparents or other close relatives, allow parents to return to the responsibilities of a family refreshed and in a more positive mindset. Time away gives them a more balanced perspective regarding the family’s strengths and challenges. In the foster care setting, “respite” refers to the short-term placement of a foster child in a non-residential setting (such as the home of other licensed foster parents) when a child or children have complex and challenging needs and behaviors that are especially taxing for parents. Respite is “planned rest or relief” and not an emergency measure taken in a crisis situation, and it is utilized in order to preserve the primary foster care placement and therefore, maintain the highest degree of stability for the foster child (children). As adoptive parents, you face the same challenges when children you have adopted have special needs. Given the permanent nature of adoption, you are encouraged to develop your own respite care resources as much as possible, since you have made a lifelong commitment to meeting the physical, emotional, and practical needs of the adoptive child. However, we recognize that finding the right person to provide respite at a price you can afford is sometimes difficult. When choosing someone
to provide respite, you will want to make sure that the person providing
care has the skills that your child requires in order to make it a safe
and nurturing experience. The person providing respite care may be
someone who has received formal training or a friend or relative who has
agreed to provide care. If you have a caregiver in mind , you might
suggest that he or she attend respite care training provided by one of
the agencies listed below. Both types of respite
care providers may receive direct payment from the coordinating agencies
listed below, although hourly rates will vary. For children with
specific emotional, physical, and developmental challenges, there are a
couple of different funding sources for respite care. To find out if
your family qualifies, contact the agencies that serves your district. Region I - York and Cumberland Counties Woodford
Family Services Regions II - Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc, Somerset, and Waldo Counties The
Children's Center Region III - Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Pisctaquis, and Washington Counties UCP of
Maine
If your child does not meet the normal eligibility requirements of the above agencies, you can request financial assistance through DHHS District Funds for Post-Adoption Services through your local DHHS office (see appendix on page 93 for district office contact information). As mentioned in the “Post-Adoption Services” section of this manual, there are limited DHHS district funds available for a variety of post-adoption expenses, including respite care. Each district office has independent control over how these funds are spent. Families must meet the following guidelines in order to apply for one-time assistance.
If your family does not qualify for either of these resources, you may be able to find low-cost or no-cost respite care through adoptive parent support groups or support organizations such as Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine (AFFM). Families that have the financial resources to do so may also choose to pay out of pocket for respite care from one of the participating community agencies. An important part of being a parent is recognizing your own needs for scheduled rest and rejuvenation. By taking these self-care measures, your children will learn that adults need to take care of themselves as well as other family members, a lesson that will promote individual and family well-being throughout their lives. |