RESPITE

Respite is a term for childcare designed to give you a break from the child.  Would you like a break, but have not been able to get it?  Call Families And Children Together (F.A.C.T) and let us help you solve this problem. If you are considering summer camp as respite, contact Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine (1-800-833-9786) in the early spring about scholarships.

RESPITE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN

Am I eligible for Respite for Special Needs Children?

Below is a list of agencies that provide funding for respite.  To be eligible for respite through these agencies, the child’s therapist or doctor will need to provide a mental health, behavioral, or medical diagnosis.  You would include the diagnosis information along with the initial application.  You will also need to fill out a financial application form as a small sliding fee scale (co-pay) is applied in some cases for respite services.   There may be a waiting list for services, but filling out an application is recommended.

            Region I includes the Portland area and the Counties of Cumberland and York, contact:          
            Woodford’s Family Services at 1-800-439-0314 or 878-9663

            Eligibility guidelines include:  Legal guardianship of the child, documentation that the child has mental health      
            needs or significant delays in two or more areas, and the child is under 19 years of age.

            Region II includes the Counties of Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford,             Somerset, Sagadahoc, and Waldo, contact: 
            Respite Care Services at the Children’s Center at 1-800-894-6264 or 626-7598

                Eligibility guidelines include:  Legal guardianship or primary caregiver status of the child, documentation that the             child has significant delays in two or more areas (this is for children ages 5 – 21 years) and/or a diagnosis of             behavioral/emotional needs. For children ages 0 – 5 years there is an at risk criteria for respite services.

            Region III includes the Counties of Aroostook, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, and Washington,             contact: U.C.P. Respite Coordination Services at 1-800-686-9649 or 941-2958

            Eligibility guidelines include:  Legal guardianship or primary caregiver status of the child, documentation that the             child has significant delays in two or more areas, or a diagnosis of behavioral or emotional needs, and the child             is under 18 years of age or 20 years of age if in school.

RESPITE FOR OLDER RELATIVES

Am I eligible for Respite for Older Caregivers?

If you are raising a relative’s child under the age of 18, and you are 55 years old or over, the statewide agencies on aging may be able to assist you with some childcare and respite services.  It is also available to caregivers of any age who are caring for a relative who is over 60 years old. The program is called the Family Caregiver Program.  In addition to respite, it offers help getting other kinds of services.

Below are the agencies on aging that provide these services statewide:     

          Aroostook Area Agency on Aging serves families in Aroostook County.       

          Eastern Agency on Aging serves families in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock and Washington Counties.       

          Seniors Plus serves families in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties.

          Spectrum Generations serves families in Lincoln, Knox, Waldo, Somerset, Sagadahoc, and Kennebec Counties. 

          Southern Maine Agency on Aging serves families in Cumberland and York Counties.