Family Support
Respite/Respitality
A family preservation program offering support for families of children with disabilities.
Who is eligible? Families of children with developmental or emotional/behavioral disabilities are encouraged to apply for Respite. UCP Respite Care serves families with children ages birth-18.
Who pays for Respite Care? Funding for eligible families is provided through a state of Maine grant from the Department of Health and Human Services. Pay rates vary upon a child’s level of need. Respite is subject to a sliding fee scale.
Who provides Respite Care Services? Parents choose and train their providers. The provider can be a family member, friend, or neighbor, must be 18 years of age or older and not living in the home of the child of whom services are provided. Families can also request a list of Certified Respite Providers from UCP. Families determine which provider is qualified to meet the needs of their family.
How are providers trained? Parent training of the providers in the particular needs of their child is the most important part of UCP Respite Care Services.
What is a Certified Respite Provider? A Certified Respite Provider is an individual who has completed 30 hours of training, or have an educational equivalent in the field of child development. All Certified Respite Providers are trained in CPR & First Aid. To find out more about being a Certified Respite Provider go to www.respiteforme.com.
How are the providers paid? UCP Respite handles all billing information and questions. Completed billing forms are signed by both the parent and the providers then sent to the UCP Respite office for processing of payment. The payment is sent directly to the provider. UCP Respite maintains records of each family’s allotment and track usage and billing.
How many Respite hours are allotted to families? As long as funding allows, Respite hours allotted to eligible families is 192 hours per year or 48 hours per quarter, this is per family not per child.
How do I apply for Respite Care Services? A parent may call the Respite office and self refer or may be referred by an agency or service provider. Download a respite application here.
For more information about Respite/Respitality, please contact UCP at (207) 941-2952 or send an e-mail.
http://www.ucpofmaine.org
Updated: 02/02/2009
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