|
|
|
Family Support
Services
The Arc Family Support
Department provides advocacy, information and referral, and
education. Our After School Program offers support to 20
families, five days a week by extending the school day. Play
Connections, a Saturday program for children with autism
offers a high ratio of staff to respond to the special needs
of the participants. We also provide alternating Saturday
programming for children and adults with multiple challenges
including special feeding techniques, diapering and tactile
stimulation. Activities include music, art and adapted
games.
Respite
Care
Respite Care is the largest
component of the Family Support Department. The Arc’s Respite
Program began as a pilot project in New Jersey in 1980 and has
developed into the largest, most comprehensive delivery of
respite services in the state.
Individuals of all ages
and varying developmental disabilities are served in their own
homes or in the home of licensed Community Care Providers.
Respite care enables families to spend quality time with
other siblings, take a class, enjoy a movie, attend a wedding
or just relax. Respite can be provided for a few hours,
a weekend or several weeks at a time. This vital service
strengthens the family and promotes unity by reducing burnout,
stress and fatigue while offering the individual with a
developmental disability the opportunity to develop social
relationships outside the home and move toward greater
independence.
Respite providers are responsible adults
of all ages and backgrounds. They are students,
homemakers, teachers, professionals, retirees and others who
have opened their hearts and homes to individuals with special
needs. Respite providers are carefully screened and are
required to attend The Arc's Respite Provider training
program.
Our Respite Cash Option program gives families
the opportunity to utilize individuals in their own support
network to provide respite for their family members.
Families may choose their neighbor, friend, member of
their church, neighborhood teenager, extended family member or
other person with who they feel most comfortable to providing
services. Families are pre-approved for a set amount of
respite hours by the funding source and are then reimbursed
after the respite takes place.
Respite is the most cost
effective means of providing support to
families.
|
| |
