Information in English

(Information also available in Spanish)

Our Purpose

To provide respite care to families in Harvey and Marion Counties who have special-needs children, age birth to 16 years. It is intended that

·  families and/or caretakers of special-needs children may use our services to enjoy periods of rest and relaxation, attend to the responsibilities of daily living or to assist in times of illness or other crises.

·  respite care on a regular basis will allow the special-needs child to develop ongoing relationships and trust outside the family unit.

·  introduction of respite care services will increase community awareness and acceptance of persons with special needs.

What Are Special Needs?

Following the example set by the Americans with Disabilities Act, our definition of “disability” is broad-based and includes, among others, physical, learning, sensory, and cognitive disabilities.

Clients often need extra help with feeding, toileting, bathing, and moving. A partial list of our clients’ diagnoses includes autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, cerebral palsy, Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, mental retardation, and Reactive Attachment Disorder.

If you have questions about whether or not a child qualifies for our service, please call our office.

What is Respite Care?

Respite care is a temporary rest from the daily challenge of caring for a family member who has special needs, a gift of time. Care-giving is available for part of a day or even overnight.

Families have two options for service: In Home (the family’s or the care-giver’s) or at our Parents Day Out. Parents’ Day Out (PDO) is held at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church the third Saturday of each month. PDO offers opportunities for socializing and allows us to provide care simultaneously to a greater number of families.

Please note: Respite care is not daycare. We are not licensed or financially able to provide subsidized daycare.

Benefits of Respite Care

For the family:

·  Time for errands or appointments

·  Time for other family members

·  Time for self, to relax and renew humor and energy

·  Peace of mind, knowing that trained care providers are giving individual attention to your child

For the child:

·  Time for socializing with new friends

·  Time to build strong relationships outside the family unit

·  Time for personal development through new experiences

For the care provider:

·  Opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills

·  Satisfaction of making a positive contribution in the lives of others

Cost of Care

Trinity Heights Respite Care is sponsored by Trinity Heights United Methodist Church. Through private fundraising and public grants, we subsidize the cost of respite care. Families pay part of the cost of care, based on a sliding scale. If a family occasionally needs more than 24 hours per month, Trinity Heights Respite Care may charge a higher subsidized rate for the additional hours.

About Our Care Providers:

In-home care providers have CPR and First Aid training and have passed background checks. They are at least 16 years of age with a valid driver's license and their own transportation.

Some care providers speak both English and Spanish and have additional training and experience with specific disorders. We will do our best to match the skills of a care provider to the needs of the client.

If a family knows someone who would be a good care provider for their child, that person may be employed by us. The person must be at least age 16, pass our background checks, have the required CPR/First Aid training and immunizations, and must not be a parent or stepparent of the child who needs care.

Trinity Heights Respite Care, Inc.

P.O. Box 232 (1200 Boyd Ave.)

Newton, KS 67114

Email:

Phone/Fax: (316) 283-6441

www.trinityheightsumc.org

Office Hours

Monday through Thursday, 1:00–4:00pm

Tuesday, also 9:00-12:00

Outside of office hours, call or email the contacts listed below.

______

Cathy Anderson, Executive Director

Cell: (316) 284-9723

Tammy Jackson, In-Home Coordinator

Cell: (316) 215-2587

Pam Rodriguez, PDO Coordinator

Cell: (316) 842-8066

2013 Board of Directors

Chair: Joyce Pankratz

Vice Chair: David Williams

Secretary: Jennifer Miles

Member: Carol Friesen

Member: Bev Gering

Member: Betty Mustoe

Member: Rev. Don Swender

Advisor: Pastor Amy Lippoldt

Executive Director Cathy Anderson

In-Home Coordinator: Tammy Jackson

PDO Coordinator: Pam Rodriguez