Our Respite Care Programmes provide short-term in-home and out-of-home relief to families with children with complex medical needs, physical disabilities and/or developmental delays. Respite Care enables families or primary caregivers to rest, attend to personal needs, or participate in outside activities. It offers stress relief for parents or caregivers. Family input is considered very important.

Respite services are creative, flexible, and responsive to the diverse individual needs of the child and family. The Respite Care Programmes are accountable for their services to the families, the Children's Rehabilitation Centre-Algoma, and the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

IN-HOME RESPITE
This programme began as a 2-year pilot project in 1988 to meet the needs of family respite care for children who have lifelong physical disbilities. The objective was to provide families with an in-home based model of respite care provided by qualified workers. The pilot project was annualized from the Ministry of Community and Social Services and has continued to provide quality, individualized services to families in Sault Ste. Marie. The In-Home Respite Care Programme has been designed for planned respite care periods only. Short notice and emergency requests will be accomodated as best as possible. The In-Home Programme provides care to individuals who are 0-21 years of age.

OUT-OF-HOME RESPITE
This programme began in April 2001. Out-of-Home Respite is a service provided in any location outside the family's home. These services may be provided in a number of settings including a host family home, community based recreation centres, at the Children's Rehabilitation Centre-Algoma, a school, or a camp setting. This programme provides service to individuals 0-18 years old who have multiple special needs, developmental disability, or physical disability in the District of Algoma. The Out-of-Home Respite Programme offers the child opportunities to develop social, recreational, and life skills.

INDEPENDENT SERVICE PROVIDERS
The parents/guardians are responsible for selecting an Independent Service provider. The providers must be 18 years old and a non-family member. A worker registry is available to assist families in recruiting service providres. Children's Rehabilitation Centre-Algoma also offers "Guidelines for families" to assist with advertising, recruiting and interviewing service providers.

WHY FAMILIES USE THIS SERVICE

• Respite support is flexible. It varies in its application from family to family.
   
• Children are cared for in their own homes.
   
• Routines are not interrupted during the respite period.
   
• Family input is considered very important
• Recreation and socialization are important in the child's development.

For more information regarding the In-Home or Out-of-Home Respite Care Programmes, please contact Amanda Gauthier at (705) 759-1131 ext. 229 or agauthier@crcalgoma.ca.