Home Respite Program

|  |

WHAT IS RESPITE?

NAMI Maine’s Family Respite Program views respite as “The temporary relief from the responsibility of constant caregiving.”

WHY IS RESPITE IMPORTANT?

Providing continuous care for an adult with mental illness is sometimes stressful, making it difficult for caregivers, usually family members, to arrange for a regular or occasional break because there is no one else to provide care.

THE FAMILY RESPITE PROGRAM

NAMI Maine provides family respite services and receives funding from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to do so.  Respite services are provided statewide to families who have an adult with mental illness living with them and who are not reimbursed to care for that adult.  Services are also available for adult Individuals with mental illness who live alone but for whom the family provides care.

THE FAMILY RESPITE PROGRAM IS NOT A CLINICAL OR CRISIS SERVICE

Respite care will not be provided when a family member with mental illness is in   crisis.  During such periods of illness, caregivers should contact the crisis service. The Crisis Number is 1-888-568-1112.

A family desiring respite services must:

¨  Serve as an unpaid caregiver for a person 18 years of age or older who has mental illness;

¨  Provide at least 80 hours of care per week to the family member exceptions to the 80 hour requirement may be made);

¨  Have a current crisis plan for the person whom services will be provided; and

¨  Provide information about the person’s needs, difficulties, and treatment.

¨  Applications for respite services will the be reviewed and evaluated by NAMI  Maine.

Once approved, families will be given names of providers to contact and arrange interviews.  Based on these interviews, families select a provider to provide care for their family member.

WHO ARE THE RESPITE PROVIDERS? (NAMI MAINE is not currently accepting Respite Provider applications)

Respite providers are individuals that have training or experience working with individuals with mental illness. They provide respite services as independent contract agents of NAMI Maine.  The providers are not therapists or crisis workers. 

WHY BECOME A PROVIDER?

¨  Help others

¨  Gain valuable experience

¨  Earn extra income

¨  Flexible schedule

HOW DO I BECOME A RESPITE PROVIDER?

¨  Be at least 18 years of age;

¨  Be eligible to work in the United States;

¨  Have a High School diploma or G.E.D.;

¨  Submit a completed application and   resume with three references;

¨  Have a valid driver’s license;

¨  Successfully pass background checks; and

¨  Successfully complete the training requirement.

Call NAMI Maine at 1-800-464-5767 to ask to receive an application by mail.

|  |