Description of Program
The Respite program is a children’s direct care program funded by the West Virginia System of Care that is designed to give the caregiver a temporary break while providing the child a positive, learning environment. However, the Respite program does receive donations and in-kind non-cash contributions as well. The services provided to the children/families are free of charge or billing. Respite has proven to help families with better communication, social skills, higher self-esteem, and reducing stress levels within the home. The S.E.A.L.S.: Self-Esteem and Life Skills curriculum, STEP program, linking/referring, and the new Respite Level system has helped to provide the individualized services needed for each family. The positive results of the Respite program can be seen through the parent surveys, doctors’ appointments, case-managers’ reports, therapists’ reports, and teachers’ reports. Every child enrolled into the Respite program will be required to have Respite placed on a service plan to help keep the program and providers accountable for services delivered to the families. The Coordinators in each county work closely with these individuals to help provide wrap-around services to every family entered into the program.
There are three components to services for the Respite Program. Community-Based Respite is centered at existing community locations where the children take part in many crafts, games, sports, etc. Craft or activity examples include: holiday specific items, coloring, board-games, card-games, board-games, plaster artwork, anger management board games, social skills board games, behavior balls, social skills/anger management designed scenarios, outdoor sports activities, outdoor learning activities, etc. The activities at Community-Based Respite are structured to help children learn sharing, cooperation, and other social skills. This type of Respite is provided during the weekdays. Transportation is provided to families that are unable to transport on their own. Each site runs at a minimum of two hours and a maximum of three hours. The Coordinator evaluates the needs in the area for the appropriate times, length, and location of the sites.
Indivualized Respite is also available to families with children that require more one on one attention/help or if the Community-Based Respite sites are inconvenient for the families. In-home services can also be scheduled for the weekends. This type of Respite is either conducted within the home or at community locations with different activities to integrate the child into more social settings. The staff providing this service must complete an in-home note each time they meet with the child.
The final component of the Respite program is the Parent Information Sessions. The S.T.E.P. (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) curriculum is utilized to help better inform the legal guardian/primary caretaker of effective tools to better interact and discipline children. The curriculum teaches that consistency along with effective communication is imperative to maintain a healthy relationship with a child and within the family. The Parent Information Session can either be done in the home with an individual or in a group setting. The Team Leader in each county will meet with the individual families in order to evaluate the need for the Parenting piece. Each family referred to Respite is required to at least participate in the evaluation and then if deemed necessary, they are required to participate in the sessions.
Mission Statement
Along with the organizations mission statement the respite program’s mission is to provide the highest possible quality respite
services for families of children with an emotional/behavioral disorder regardless of one’s ability to pay, race, gender, age,
religious persuasion, sexual orientation or national origin.
To achieve this mission, the respite program will always strive to work collaboratively with other health care providers;
recruit, train and support qualified staff; seek input from the community, consumers, and family members in the development
and delivery of accountable services.
Prestera Center will provide respite services in eleven counties through August 2007.
Admission/Referral Criteria
Referrals for either service can be made by the parent, professional, schoolteacher, or other community members. The Coordinator will then go to the home of the caregiver or parent to fill out the necessary Respite forms.
Transportation is now being evaluated by the Team Leader to decide if it is required on an individual basis. As a result, the program will be requiring more families to transport children to and from the sites for Respite.
The Respite program provides services to families that have children with a primary diagnosis of a behavioral or emotional disorder or are in crisis (danger of being removed from the home currently or in the future). The program will evaluate each individual case to see if the child is appropriate regardless of the diagnosis or lack of a mental health diagnosis. The West Virginia System of Care checklist represents the 7 needed criteria for a child to be enrolled into Respite. The child must meet all 7 criteria in order to be enrolled into the program. In addition to needing to meet, The Coordinator in each county screens the referrals to make sure that the referral meets the necessary criteria.
Child must meet all 7 of the following criteria in order to be eligible for enrollment into the Respite program.
- Child is age 3 to 18 years old.
- Child resides in a family-type-setting (Biological, Adoptive, Foster, or Relative).
- Child has a CAFAS score of 70 or above (either completed by Mental Health Center, Community Behavioral Health services, or Respite Coordinator).
- Child is involved in two or more systems (Education, Probation, DHHR, Vocational, Recreational, Health, Substance Abuse, etc.).
- Legal Guardian agrees to participate and signs consent if all other criteria are met.
- Legal Guardian agrees to participate in STEP curriculum if assessment shows need.
- A service plan must be provided for each child with Respite included in the plan.
For more information or assistance with referral, please call your local Respite Coordinator.
Discharge Procedures
The Respite program entry level CAFAS score must be at least a 70 or higher. The clients CAFAS score will be re-assessed every three months.
Intensity of services will be based upon Respite scale. (See below)
RESPITE SCALE |
| Respite Level |
CAFAS Score |
Intensity of Services |
| Level 1 |
70-90 |
2x’s a month community respite |
| Level 2 |
100-130 |
1x a week community respite |
| Level 3 |
140-190 |
2x’s a week community respite |
| Level 4 |
200-300 |
1x week (3hr) in-home |
Discharge planning will not begin until client has been involved in Respite services for 6 months.
(No matter what entry level on Respite scale). If upon 6 month review client’s new CAFAS score falls within
Respite Level 1, the client’s intensity of services will be decreased within a 3 month period. At the end of the
third (3rd) month in the period the client will be discharged from the Respite program. (See below)
RESPITE DISCHARGE SCALE |
| Month |
Intensity of Services |
| 1st Month |
Community respite 3x’s in the month |
| 2nd Month |
Community respite 2x’s in the month |
| 3rd Month |
Community respite 1x in the month |
If upon 6 month review client’s new CAFAS score falls within Respite Levels 2, 3, or 4,
services will continue based upon Respite scale and will be reviewed at three (3) month
intervals until client’s new CAFAS score falls within Respite Level 1. At that time,
the discharge planning as mentioned above will be followed.
Once discharged from the Respite program, a waiting period of 6 months will occur for all previous respite clients. In order to re-enter the respite program the client’s most recent CAFAS score must fall within Respite Levels 2 or higher. Upon re-admission into the respite program, intensity of services will be based upon Respite scale.
If after twelve (12) months of respite services being provided the client has not reached Respite Level 1 the Respite Coordinator will organize an MDT meeting including but not limiting the following: client’s legal guardian, caregiver, case manager, therapist, parent liaison, school representative, and DHHR representative. At the MDT meeting the client and family needs and status will be discussed to formulate a plan for respite services.
Days/Hours of Operation
Hours are county specific. Each county provides community based drop in locations as well as individualized in home respite services.
Staffing Patterns
1 full time Regional Coordinator
6 county supervisors
Relief BRS staff sufficient to cover the program needs
Program Location/Address
Respite services are provided in conjunction with Braley and Thompson, Inc. and A.B.L.E.
Families, Inc., in various locations throughout Cabell, Wayne, Mason, Putnam, Lincoln,
Boone, Kanawha, Jackson, Roane, Logan, and Mingo counties. The Regional Respite Coordinator’s
office is in Cabell County.
For more information or assistance with referral, please call your local Respite Coordinator.
Prestera Center for Cabell/Wayne Counties & Regional Respite Coordinator:
Rebecca Cremeans, (304) 525-7851 ext. 2124
Prestera Center for Harris-Mason/Putnam Counties: Julie Harris, (304) 586-0670 ext. 1430
Prestera Center for Lincoln/Boone Counties: Angela Teitworth, 1-800-642-3434 ext. 3024
Braley & Thompson for Jackson/Roane Counties: Tammy Mills, 1-866-703-7240
Braley & Thompson for Kanawha County: Abasi Key, (304) 720-1300
A.B.L.E. Families, Inc. for Logan/Mingo Counties: Lori Ferguson, (304) 393-4987
Service Locations
Boone County
Cabell County - Regional Respite Coordinator's Office - Huntington
Kanawha County
Lincoln County
Mason County
Putnam County
Kanawha County
Wayne County
Referral/Admissions Process
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