Respite Handbook
Recruitment and Training

Each Regional Consultation Program will develop a list of agencies that are capable of providing respite services. Agency providers are required to have a criminal background check (CORI) completed by the contracted agency prior to service delivery. All agency respite providers must be certified in first aid and pediatric CPR. The RCP’s will assist families in selecting the provider who best meets their individual needs.

If a family does not wish to use an agency-based provider from the RCP network, they will be free to find a respite provider themselves. Regional Consultation Programs will offer assistance to families in selecting and training their own provider. The Department will offer vouchers for training if the family deems it necessary. A list of available training will be available for all providers on an on-going basis.

Training, as well as recruitment and referral activities, will continue throughout the year. The Department very strongly encourages families to have all respite providers trained in both first aid and CPR in addition to any specialized training that the family believes is needed for proper caregiving. RCP staff will clearly explain to families that they, not the RCP, are responsible for assuring that any non-network provider has been sufficiently trained to provide care.

Although families will be encouraged to select a network provider, it is key that families be able to select a provider who best meets their needs. Since families will be selecting or approving all providers, they play a major role in assuring that safe, quality care is administered.