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Out of Home Respite is a respite service
provided in any location outside of the family's home. Out of Home respite
services may be provided in a number of settings including: a host family
home, a children's group home or residence, a respite facility, a recreation
centre, a school, or camp setting.
Purpose:
The purpose of the Out of home fund is:
i) to first address the individual and/or caregiver's respite support needs;
ii) to increase out of home respite capacity for the highest multiple
special needs children with a developmental and/or physical disabilities
living at home
iii) to access planned, out of home respite in their community and not
emergency respite
iv) to provide some flexibility within the guide lines to meet the needs of
each family's unique and changing circumstance
Eligibility:
under 18 years of age and living at home; and
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with more than one disability-related need resulting from a physical and/or
developmental disability that requires support for participation in
activities of
daily living, school and play; and at least one of the following:
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without planned out of home respite support to their families, the child
would
require a long term residential placement and/or the child's family is a
potential risk of breakdown unless regular, planned Out of Home respite is
provided; and/or
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the child would be at serious and imminent risk of harm to him/herself or
others unless planned out of home respite is provided
NOTE: children with behavioural, emotional or mental health related needs
may be eligible only if they meet the above cited criteria
Definition of a Target Group:
Children with multiple special needs are defined as having more than one
disability-related need for which they require support to participate in
activities of daily living, school and play.
A developmental disability is defined as a condition of mental impairment
present or occurring during a person's formative years, that is associated
with limitations in adaptive behaviour. Developmental disabilities include
children with autism and children with acquired brain injury (ABI). Other
examples include: Down's Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).
A physical disability is defined as a long-term condition that results in a
physical impairment and/or restriction or lack of ability to perform an
essential physical activity in a manner or within the range considered
normal. E.g. cerebral palsy, spina bifida, cystic fibrosis, muscular
dystrophy, developmental coordination disorders, medically fragile, and/or
technically dependant children, children with sensory impairments such as
blindness, deafness etc.
Process:
Any individual, agency case manager, community advocate or family member may
apply for assistance to the Huron Respite Network through this fund. The
Respite Coordinator will deem eligibility, and present the request in
writing to the Huron Respite Network Selection Committee; the committee will
review, evaluate, approve or deny the written request based on the
eligibility criteria and purpose of the fund. Requests for equipment will be
accepted and evaluated at year end, at which time all applications for
direct services funding has been exhausted. The written request must
include:
- purpose of request for funding
- current situation- family situation, needs of individual, current services
etc.
- expected outcomes and description of service (s) to be used
- an individualized plan including time frame, projected costs, pertinent
goals
The Selection Committee will:
i) The Selection Committee will discuss the application with the presenter,
determine if it is a valid request and establish/approve a plan of action.
ii) The Selection Committee will prioritize respite services on the basis of
the eligibility criteria and in line with available resources.
iii) The Selection Committee will review all changes in previously approved
requests and evaluate the change (s) as new requests for funding.
The Respite Coordinator will:
i) Inform applicant of approval/denial of their request in writing; a
confirmation package will be distributed to the individual outlining the
amount and purpose of their funding.
ii) Will document, review and present a request change to the Selection
Committee.
iii) Follow up on the use of funds and personal outcomes listed in the Plan.
iv) Ensure the individual or agency making the referral to the Out of Home
Respite Fund is responsible for case management of the funds provided by the
Huron Respite Network.
v) Monitor and document the annual utilization of the funds and provide a
report to the Board of Directors and the Ministry of community and Social
Services.
Conflict of Interest:
Committee Members will declare conflict of interest in a situation whereby
that Member or Agency that he/she represents has an interest in a proposed
or existing contract or transaction. After making such a declaration, that
Member/Agency shall not vote on the contract or transaction, nor be counted
in the quorum of members.
Revised September 3, 2003
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