HALLOWELL — NAMI Maine has created an emergency enrollment process for the Family Respite Program as the COVID-19 crisis escalates.
The Respite Program allows caregivers raising a child with a mental health diagnosis or two or more developmental delays to have a break from caregiving. The Respite Program will now provide families with 26 hours per month of in-home support. Staring immediately, there is a shortened application process to enroll children in the program, and also to be hired as a respite provider.
Families currently enrolled in the program are automatically eligible for 26 hours of respite per month until June 30. New families may apply at www.namimaine.org/page/respitefamily. NAMI Maine will be using a presumptive eligibility process that will require less information to start services than is typically required by the program.
Respite providers are per diem employees of NAMI Maine who work only with families they choose. The program pays $12 for a level one provider and $14.25 for a level two provider. A level one provider is required to have completed high school or have earned a GED. A level two provider will have completed education and training focused on working with children Individuals, including family members who do not reside in the same home as the child, who are interested in being hired to provide respite services to children in their local community may complete an application form found at www.namimaine.org/page/respiteprovider.
During these difficult times, NAMI Maine is focused on increasing in-home supports to families raising special needs children, while still respecting the importance of social distancing. We are specifically looking to provide increased access to the program in order to connect families and providers who already have an existing relationship and reside in the same local community.
Contact respite staff at 207-622-5767 with questions.
