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Family Network is an alliance of parents, professionals and community members interested in helping families with children who have special needs and disabilities. We provide support, education, advocacy, and respite which empowers parents to provide the best opportunities for their children.

Information can be obtained by contacting our Executive Director, Mary Smith at 941-928-0682 or 941-727-9905, between the hours of 9:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. I

Family Network is a non-profit organization under State of Florida 501C3#65-0156905

 

 

 


  • 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 Offer
  • New experiences for the family member 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
  • After contacting Sarasota/Manatee Respite Services the program coordinator will schedule an appointment to visit you in your home and complete a personal in-home intake. This intake will then be used to assess the need for service and to identify an appropriate respite care worker for your family.
  • Our program is currently serving children age’s birth through their 18th birthday.
  • We serve children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Certain Behavioral Conditions, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Developmental Delays, Cerebral Palsy and Physical Disabilities.
  • Sarasota and Manatee County Residents.
  • Our program serves the entire family, not just the child with a disability, but siblings also.
  • Services are in 4-hour increments with a maximum of 12 hours a month.
  • A nominal fee for service is requested at each visit but no family is denied services due to an inability to pay.

All families participating in the SMRS program are expected to complete and return a quality assurance survey form before their next respite care time can be assigned.

    Training and Qualified Staf
    All Respite Care Workers receive training in the following areas:
  • First Aid/CPR/Universal Precautions
  • Behavioral Analysts
  • Occupational Therapy & Sensory Issues
  • Behavioral Training from a Certified
  • Medication Dispensing
  • All Respite Care Workers are Personally Interviewed, Drug Screened, Fingerprinted,
    and go through a 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.
  • About S.M.R.S.
    Sarasota/Manatee Respite Services or SMRS is a program of Family Network on Disabilities of Manatee/Sarasota, Inc. or FND. FND is a local non-profit organization that is an alliance of families, community organizations, and businesses. We are committed to providing support, training, education, information, and advocacy to families of individuals with special needs and disabilities and the community at large. We have been assisting families in Manatee and Sarasota County since 1986.

    SMRS has a collaborative advisory group of concerned community agencies and individuals that assist FND in identifying existing and new resources in our community, coordination of those resources so that the need for respite is met in the most efficient and effective manner, provide guidelines, support, problem solving, and new direction for the respite care program.

Our Program is Funded By:

Anonymous and In-Kind Donations

The Bob and Hope Black Good Neighbor Fund

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Inc.
    from the Kathleen K. Catlin Fund.

Entre Nous Club Inc.

Fundraising and Donations

Manatee County Children’s Services

The Parker Foundation

Sarasota County Grants In Aid

State of Florida

United Way Of Manatee County

Nominal Fees

Sarasota/Manatee Respite Services
Providing Respite Care Services to Families of Children with Special Needs and Disabilities

For More Information Contact
Deborah Hobson
941-704-9223
We Are Located At:
The Pinnacle Academy
6215 Lorraine Road, Bradenton, Fl
In Lakewood Ranch

 

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