NEW!!! Arizona allows foster parents to
exercise "Reasonable Judgment" when choosing short term RESPITE caregivers!
Foster parents can now
have another adult caregiver provide short-term care for a child in foster care.
The new law allows foster parents to use their “reasonable judgment” in
selecting short-term caregivers for children in foster care without having to
notify CPS for approval in advance.
Foster parents are to
notify the CPSS before the care exceeds 24 hours in a non-emergency situation
and before the care exceeds 72 hours in an emergency situation.
Foster parents caring
for a child with DD or who is medically fragile or a child receiving treatment
foster care shall use the alternative care plan approved by the department if
the foster parent must leave the child in the care of another person.
Click HERE
to view AZAFAP recommended guidelines for choosing short term caregivers.
What is Respite?
Respite is where other people
watch other people’s children for them so they can have some time to themselves.
Click here for a list of licensed respite
care providers, their contact information and the area they are in. Typically
you bring your child/children to the respite care provider’s home. This does
not mean that a respite provider cannot come to your home if you wish.
Sometimes this works better for children who need to keep their environment the
same while Mom and Dad are out.
Reasons for using respite include, but are not limited to: just needing time to
yourself, go out to dinner, get some shopping done, go visit a friend. Some
people use respite and never leave the house. They use a provider to entertain
the kids while they take a nap or a bath or get some work done. Respite can be
for a few hours or even overnights, weekends.
Respite is a good way to get some time to yourself, all the while knowing your
child/children are in good hands, safe and sound.
Respite care hours come from various entities. Foster children have hours from
DES and the licensing agency. Your adopted children may have hours from
your agency as well. The Division of Developmental Disabilities also has
respite care hours for all D.D.D. children. Check with your case managers,
support coordinators and family specialists. Birth and adopted children may
also be cared for by a respite care provider; however reimbursement of services
will be an out-of-pocket expense that you are responsible for.
Respite care is out there with willing, capable, responsible providers, so take
advantage of it, go out and have some fun, get things done, and relax knowing
your children are taken care of.
As with any situation where you leave your children in the care of someone else,
it is recommended that you always interview your new provider, ask for
references, check the references. It’s a good idea to have the provider meet
your children and “hang out” a little so everyone gets familiar with one
another.
The Arizona Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents does not endorse any of
the providers listed on the web site. It is strictly the responsibility of the
family needing respite services to check the provider and their qualifications
thoroughly before leaving a child in their care.
