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Respite care is a system of temporary care to give caregivers a break with their responsibilities. Ideally, the respite services should be provided by someone who is familiar with the needs of the child. The amount of time the caregiver provides can range from a few hours to several days, depending on the family's needs. The qualifications of the provider vary depending on the child's medical and emotional needs.
Finding reliable and affordable respite services is a common issue among families. Respite care can be presented in many different ways: relatives, friends, babysitters, day care facilities, respite care centers, home care nurses, organizations (such as Easter Seals), and state/federal agencies (such as the county board of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities or Medicaid). The level of skill required depends on the child's medical needs and the family's comfort level. Often times, the child's case manager and/or social worker can help families obtain respite care.
The cost of respite is covered in a variety of ways, such as through public assistance (ex. local Child Protective Services agency, local Family and Children First Council, county Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Family Support Services, Medicaid Waiver), private insurance, volunteer cooperatives, and out-of-pocket. Respite provider agencies may offer a sliding scale fee program which is based on the family's financial status and their ability to pay.
The following are links to respite care resources that may be of assistance to people with disabilities. The Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS) attempts to verify that the links referenced are helpful for people with disabilities. However, OLRS does not guarantee that the information provided within the destination link is accurate or right for the particular needs of the person. Once you follow a link away from the OLRS Web site, refer to that site's privacy policy and disclaimer statements.