Respite

It was once said, "There can be hope only for a society which acts as one big family, not as many separate ones." Respite Care provides the support and care of an extended family. It is the spark that lights the way to family togetherness. We understand that the stress of raising a child with disabilities can be financially and emotionally stressful. Respite care provides a much-needed break by having someone you trust provide care to your loved one - reducing feelings of hopelessness and isolation. The Arc of Southern Maryland offers Respite Care Services in Calvert and Charles County.

Calvert County, contact Charlene Metzler 410-535-4461, ext. 115
Charles County, contact Linda Clem 301-645-0887, ext. 103

What Respite Care Can Do ...
Your family's general and emotional health will improve. You will be given the opportunity to withstand the pressure and stress of care giving. You can establish individual identities. Respite care has also been known to decrease incidents of abuse and neglect simply by allowing caregivers to spend quality time with other family members.

How Respite Care Works
The first step will be the completion of an application (available from The Arc office) that consists of the following: a registration form, service plan, income worksheet and release form. A Statement of Disability Form must be completed by a physician, school official or a Health Department official. If a statement of medical or psychological evaluation is supplied you may bypass the disability form.

At this point a Family Services Coordinator (FSC) meets with the family to review their situation and determine eligibility for services. The link to these services is provided below. You will discuss options and then the FSC will develop a plan tailored to your family's needs. It will include information necessary to provide care to that individual. This would include emergency contact information, a statement of fees and payment methods.

The final step will be making your decisions about location and staff. Respite can be provided either in your family's home or in another setting of the family's designation. A family may choose to use The Arc of Southern Maryland employees or to hire an individual already known to them. A family member (who is not a parent or spouse) can provide respite services and be reimbursed based on a fee scale.

Respite Staff
The Arc is proud of our respite staff who have continuously received high evaluations from their clients. Our workers are screened thoroughly. Once, they complete a detailed application and worker agreement, they undergo a criminal background and medical check. They are required to show evidence of negative TB and HIV screenings, as well as supply a statement from their physician certifying that they are free from communicable disease. Once hired, all workers complete a specialized training session in addition to routine agency training sessions.

All services are coordinated by the Family Services Coordinator (FSC), under the supervision of the Director of Community Support Services.

Family Eligibility
A family is eligible for Respite Services if they have a child with a disability meeting the following definition: "Developmental Disability" means a severe chronic disability of an individual that (1) is attributable to a physical or mental impairment, other than the sole diagnosis of mental illness or a combination of mental and physical impairments; (2) is manifested before the person becomes 22 years old; (3) is likely to continue indefinitely; (4) results in the inability to live independently without external support or continuing and regular assistance; and (5) reflects the need for a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment or other services which are individually planned and coordinated.

Prioritization of Services
Priority in the provision of services is given to those families in the most urgent need to prevent the out-of-home placement of their child or to return a child from an out-of-home placement to their family's home. Naturally, services are provided funds permitting.