Family Network On Disabilities

Sarasota/Manatee RESPITE Services
Providing Respite Care Services to Families of Children with Special Needs and Disabilities.
What is RESPITE?
Respite care is occasional, temporary relief care given by a trained respite care worker to a family with a child or children with a developmental or functional disability.
Why RESPITE?
Respite care is used to support parents and caregivers of children with special needs by providing them with an opportunity to take a break, rest, or provide them time for relaxing alternatives to their every-day situation, thus reducing the physical, emotional and psychological stress that may exist in their lives.

What RESPITE Care Offers
New experiences for the family with the disability.
Strengthening of sibling relationships.
Relief from the possible emotional stress of caring for a family member with a disability.
Short term help before and after school.
Relief during illness.
Help with appointments, errands, and attending to duties necessary for household management.
Help so parents can spend time together or with other siblings.

Criteria for Receiving Services not just the child with a disabilngs also.
After contacting Sarasota/Manatee Respite Services (SMRS) the program coordinator will send you an enrollment packet to be completed. Once the enrollment packet has been completed and returned, an appointment to visit you in your home and complete the enrollment process will be scheduled as quickly as possible. The in-home intake and enrollment packet will then be used to assess the need for service, match an appropriate respite care worker for your family and identify any other concerns or resources your family may need.
Our program is currently serving children age’s birth to their 18th birthday.
We serve children with:
   Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
   Behavioral Conditions - Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
   Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Sensory Integration Disorder
   Physical Impairment - Cerebral Palsy, and Developmental Delays.
Our program serves the entire family, not just the child with a disability, siblings are also included. You must be a Manatee or Sarasota County resident.
Services are provided in One-6 hour visit or Two-3 hour visits a month unless an alternative funding source is available.
A Program Fee for service is charged for your visit and is based on a sliding scale fee. A copy of your most recent income tax return will be required in order to determine your program fee. If you cannot pay the program fee, a hardship scholarship may be applied for, but a copy of your income tax return will still be required for a hardship consideration. No family is denied services due to an inability to pay.
All families participating in the SMRS program are required to complete a quality assurance survey 4 times a year. Failure to complete and return a survey could result in suspension of your respite care.

Training and Qualified Staff
All Respite Care Workers receive training in the following areas:
First Aid/CPR/Universal Precautions, Medication Dispensing
Behavioral Training from a certified Behavioral Analysts
Occupational Therapy & Sensory Issues Training from a Licensed OT
All workers receive a fully stocked "Tool Kit" of games, toys, crafts, and sensory tools to use with the children.
All Respite Care Workers are Personally Interviewed, Drug Screened, Fingerprinted,
and go through a State of Florida and FBI Background Screening.

Overcoming Initial Fears of Respite Care
We have found that the longer a family waits to use respite care services, the more difficult it is for them to start.

Parents tend to get into patterns of “always being there”, thinking that they are the only ones who can give good care to their child with a disability or special needs. All human beings have a need to occasionally escape from our daily obligations and do something different to replenish themselves. Everyone needs rest and relaxation once in a while.

Some families may be reluctant to use respite because of a feeling of discomfort over what they see as relinquishing control of their child’s safety and well being. Parents who feel this way need to realize that staying home can be a valid use of respite services also. Parents may prefer to do housework, pay bills, or read a book. Parents may also want to ease into using our respite services and gain confidence.

Our goal is to make you feel secure enough to leave your child with a respite care worker when you are ready.

Our Office is Located At:
United Way Manatee County - McClure Center, 4215 Concept Court, Bradenton, FL
For More Information Contact: 941-704-9223
Elyse Ingle - SMRS Family Liason
Deborah Hobson - Program Coordinator