Respite Care for Children
Respite Services provide planned, temporary relief for families who are caring for children with special needs. Respite is an important family preservation and support service and a vital part of the continuum of family services intended to reduce family stress, support family stability, prevent abuse and neglect, and minimize the need for out-of-home placements
Family caregivers of children with special needs often experience a high level of stress given the additional demands of coping with the different behaviors and care for their child. They may also have more financial responsibilities due to the high cost of therapy, medical care, and special equipment. Respite allows family caregivers time for themselves or to complete errands, attend appointments, school activities or social events. Respite does not provide for care while a parent or caregiver is working. Respite can occur in the child's home, in the providers’ home, or in the community.
Eligibility
Families of children up to age 18 with significant delays in two or more areas of developmental, behavioral and/or emotional diagnosis are eligible for Respite Care. The child must be living in his/her own home under the care of a parent or legal guardian. Children in the foster care system (i.e. where DHHS is the legal guardian of the children) are not eligible for Respite services. Appropriate documentation of special needs is required at the time of application. Currently, children are eligible to receive 192 hours of respite a year. A co-payment for Respite Service may be assessed and is based on income level and family size.
Woodfords Family Services offers the respite program to families in York and Cumberland counties. To find the respite provider in other areas, click here
Applying for Respite
To apply for Respite Services, please contact Joyce Daniello at (207) 878-9663 ext 4162 to make a referral, prior to completing an application. To download the respite application, please click here. Please note that each child needs his/her own application and the entire application for each child must be completed, even if they are in the same family.
Becoming a Respite Provider
Respite Providers care for children with special needs in the child’s home, in the provider’s home, or in the community. Parents may choose their Respite Provider or select a Certified Respite Provider. All Respite Providers are independent contractors, must be 18 years or older, and not living in the home of the child they provide services for.
Benefits of Becoming a Certified Respite Provider
Certified Respite Providers receive training in the following areas: the respite system, working with children with special needs, understanding children and youth with emotional and behavioral disabilities, behavior management, providing safe and effective care, language and communication skills, and CPR and First Aid. Certified Respite Providers have a Department of Health & Human Services background check, a State Bureau of Identification criminal background check, and a Department of Motor Vehicle driving record check done every 3 years. Certified Respite Providers are also covered by the State of Maine’s “Insurance Program for Foster Parents & Respite Care Providers”.
To become a Certified Respite Provider, individuals must complete an online self study course and exam. Click here to learn more about this process For more information please contact Joyce Daniello at (207) 878-9663 x4162.