How to Start a Respite for Teens
A respite center provides for a temporary separation for both the teen and the caregivers, allowing both parties a break to deal with their own emotional, physical or mental needs. Although many models exist for teen respite centers, most of them provide counseling for teens and their caregivers. Starting a teen respite can be a challenging and involved process, beginning with determining how it can best serve the community and then seeking the necessary funding and staff.
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Instructions
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Assess the needs of the community. This can be done by getting in contact with local social services that deal with family issues, such as the area Child Protective Services system or community mental health centers.
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Determine the service model. This may be influenced by the gap in local respite care. Various kinds of teen respite include in-home respite, out-of-home care -- either in respite centers or institutions such as hospitals or foster care homes, or summer camp respites.
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Seek funding. The main source of national financial support for respite centers comes from the Community Based Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Grants, or CBCAP. These grants include money for both starting a respite center and sustaining it. Other sources of funding may come from local churches, businesses or other sponsorship.
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Find housing facilities. Depending on the model of respite care provided, this can be as simple as using churches or community centers for periodical respite events to obtaining actual buildings for a respite center. It will also depend on the type of support the center intends to give.
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Get licensed. Each state has different requirements and documents that must be filled out. For example, a respite center seeking a license in Nebraska must complete a written application and pass an on-site inspection to make sure its facilities are up to state standards.
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Hire qualified staff. This can include social workers, counselors, psychologists and employees to carry out administration duties and care for the premises. Many respite centers use volunteer workers when possible, providing them with training in necessary areas.
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Spread the word. A teen respite will only be useful if teenagers and families know that it exists. Advertise on the radio, on billboards, in newspapers and other venues. Let local schools and organizations that carry out family services know about the functions the teen respite center carries out.
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