By Sheila G. Kelley, development coordinator
Sometimes a parent or guardian of a special needs child just needs a little time to themselves – to renew, regenerate and relax – and Trinity Heights Respite Care (THRC) enables them to have that much-needed time.
“We provide respite care for families that have all different kinds of levels of disability,” said Connie Rickard, executive director. “Mom may want to go to the grocery store without the child, a doctors’ appointment, just to take a break, paint a room – our scope is all types of disabilities.”
The program, which turns 30 this year, started in 1991 as a babysitting co-op with three to four families that had children with special needs.
In 1993, Trinity Heights United Methodist Church in Newton, began providing office space and facilities for their Parents Day Out program.
“We also provide care for siblings of the special needs child,” Connie said. “But only if the special needs child is also involved.”
THRC is not a licensed daycare facility as many people believe. Staff members are able to take the child and/or siblings out of the home to the park, YMCA, bowling alley, the library and other activities.
A special needs child is covered by the program from birth to age 16. Connie said they match the family with two to three caregivers so at least one of them could attend to the family.
Her staff of 12-15 are paid employees – part-time of about 10 hours a week – and must go through background checks; shadowing qualified, experienced staff; CPR training and additional resources that THRC provides.
“There is no set schedule, so staff are on-call,” Connie explained. “The family must let our scheduler know 24 hours in advance and we sometimes have to tell parents we might not always be able to fill their request.”
Usually on the third Saturday of the month, THRC facilitates a “Parents Day Out” at the church when available. Participants bring their lunch to the event that is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The day together with other families helps them become friends and gives the children a chance to make friends with those who have special needs and those that don’t.
“A number of families have really connected through their children,” Connie said. “Parents Day Out helps participants develop a community of friends who will have their back, especially when the children get to middle school.”
This program is exclusive to Harvey and Marion Counties. They receive referrals from teachers, Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability organization, doctors, Parents as Teachers, Cooper Early Education Center and word of mouth.
For their 30-year anniversary, they are hosting a fundraising dinner and program on April 29. Following the dinner, Emily Meador from Hillsboro, who is a therapist from Four Branches Therapy & Wellness, will share her journey with autism.
Because of her long-time support of the program, Bev Gering will be honored at the dinner.
Carry-out meals will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a silent auction at 5:30 p.m. and then dinner and program start at 6 p.m. Cost of the meal is by donation and includes pulled pork, potato salad, baked beans, dinner roll and chocolate sheet cake.
Connie said, “My job is really cool. I get to do hiring, see families to set up their account, fundraising, grant writing, public relations and representing THRC on numerous community boards dealing with children and families.”