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Hi from the
Respite Care Program!
We are a group of 21 individuals (a coordinator and 20 respite workers)
and our goal
is to provide children and youth with special needs with safe, loving
care in a home environment. Family members can then relax and have a
break or “respite” from parenting responsibilities.
Respite care is a very popular program and we would love to offer it to
everyone. However, we have spaces for 30 families only and Community
Living BC (CLBC) determines who is eligible. (Please,
contact the coordinator for information.) Once on the program, it is
long term (birth to 18) until your child grows up to be a young person
and moves onto adult services.
Care is provided either in your home or in the home of a respite worker.
We aim to be flexible and responsive to you and your family’s needs. We
come to your home and plan with you for your child or youth’s needs and
we make changes when you want changes. You chose if you want a short
break once a week or a longer break less often. We can provide
transportation of your child to and from respite and to community
activities.
The respite team consists of a coordinator, who has a background in
education and social work, and respite workers, 18 women and three men,
who all have experience working with children or youth with special
needs. Most respite workers have another main job usually as education
assistants in the schools or special needs workers in community homes.
Our team also includes respite workers’ family members as volunteers –
dads, moms, kids and pets and sometimes grandparents too. We all enjoy
and value kids and are sensitive to our very special role in caring for
your child or teen.
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