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Autism Respite Program
What is it?
- This is a service arranged and directed by family caregivers of individuals with autism to provide time away for the family caregivers, with the assurance that a qualified person is caring for the individual. The program is designed to support families of individuals with autism. The program is designed to support family caregivers caring for individuals that have been diagnosed with autism regardless of the individual's age.
- The project is a collaboration of Ohio Valley Residential Services (OVRS), Residential Management Systems (RMS), the Kelly O'Leary Center, Community Supports, Applied Behavioral Services and Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS).
- There is a lot of important information on this page, if needed, please see a flow chart created to show the steps.
Who is eligible for respite services?
- Services are available to families of individuals who are eligible for services through the Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services.
- Eligible individuals must have a diagnosis of autism.
- Eligible individuals cannot be receiving Supported Living, Individual Options or Level One waiver services and also use this program.
What services are available?
- Family caregivers in need of respite services may choose from a list of already trained and qualified direct care professionals.
- A family may use up to 12 hours per month of respite service from the list of qualified direct support staff. Families may also select another family member to provide the respite services. However, all providers (including other family members) must receive training offered by the Kelly O'Leary Center. To inquire about upcoming training opportunities please contact Dr. Jennifer Bass at (513) 803-2365 .
How are the staff qualified?
- OVRS, RMS and HCDDS will select direct services staff that already provide services within their respective agencies. These staff have already been trained in developmental disability areas, have gone through background checks, existing agency orientation in rights, MUI, and other basic areas. They are experienced in providing direct care.
- Staff also will have also received 5 hours of training in the area of autism spectrum disorders at the Kelly O'Leary Center.
- Families can provide training to the selected caregiver on the specific needs of the child receiving the service.
How much does it cost?
- Families pay nothing for the service(s).
- A family member signs a voucher for the caregiver who then submits the voucher for payment. Payment for caregivers is provided by a special pool of funds set aside for such needs.
Can the caregiver also serve other children in the family?
- No, a family must find other ways to care for other children in the family. A family may decide to hire a regular babysitter for other children, seek a family member, or use other traditional means of day care.
How does a parent get respite services?
- Access information on www.hamiltondds.org and print the enrollment form, parent or guardian signature form, payment voucher and the "Individual Profile" form. If you don't have internet access you may call the Intake Department at HCDSS at 794-3300 and request information and the forms.
- Complete the Enrollment Form and Parent/Guardian Signature Form and fax them to 559-6602 or mail them to the HCDDS Intake Dept. at: 1520 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45206.
- Make sure your child is eligible for services offered by Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services by calling the Intake Department at 794-3300.
- After confirming eligibility, parents are responsible for selecting and interviewing a caregiver from the list at the bottom of this page and arranging the service. Only email and phone numbers of caregivers are listed.
- Make sure to check the website prior to scheduling any caregiver to ensure that the caregiver continues to be an approved contractor with the project and whose costs can be reimbursed through the project.
- Print off and complete the "Individual Profile” form and share this information with the caregiver to ensure he/she has adequate details to provide the support needed. A parent may use a similar format if already available and in use.
- Print a copy of the voucher, which lists the hours worked along with the signatures of the family and caregiver at the time of service. The caregiver will then mail the voucher for payment to: Ms. Amy Pohlkamp, Community Supports Inc., 3 North Commerce Park Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215.
- Complete and mail the accompanying satisfaction survey to: Chad Sittloh, HCDDS, 1520 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45206.
How can a caregiver get started working with this program?
- While your service agency employer is suggesting that you might consider participating in the project of helping families of children with autism, it is important for you to understand that it is strictly your choice.
- If you choose to participate in the program, ask your agency employer's human resources personnel if you can participate in the program. If accepted, ask your human resources personnel to complete the Employee Verification Form and fax or mail it to Chad Sittloh at Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services along with a copy of your training certificate from Children's Hospital. The fax number for Mr. Sittloh is 513-559.6728.
- Contact Dr. Jennifer Bass of the O'Leary Center at Children's Hospital (513) 803-2365. Dr. Bass will inform you of the times for the next scheduled training. You will receive a certificate after completing the training. Remember, you must have your human resources personnel submit both your Employee Verification Form and training certificate before you can participate in the program. After you have completed this step, your name, phone number and email address will be entered on the HCDDS website. This is necessary to be a part of the selection process for parents. The parents will view names of caregivers on the website and contact any they wish to interview to provide support to their child.
- It is important for all caregivers who participate in this service to understand that while they hold employment with a Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services agency, like OVRS, HCDDS, or RMS, their choice to assist families of a child with autism in the family's own home is that of an independent contractor.
- After the service is provided, the caregiver completes the service verification (voucher form) indicating the dates and hours worked and asks the family to sign verifying that the services were provided. The caregiver will fax or mail the voucher for payment to Community Supports. The fax number and address are on the Voucher Form.
You will need to complete the following forms.
| Email | Name | Phone |
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Mical
Ghebre-Ab
| (513) 237-1354 |
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Angela
Smith
| (513) 731-1984 |
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Helen
Collins
| (513) 981-8899 |
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Tannezha
Cotton
| (513) 557-9840 |
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Angela
Goodwin
| (513) 505-7846 |
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Desiree
Sockrider
| (513) 591-8060 |
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Marshea
Harper
| (513) 344-2482 |
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Cathy
Hill
| (513) 368-5749 |
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Paul
Jones
| (513) 310-0231 |
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Lalita
Nolen
| (513) 349-4688 |
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Angel
Roper
| (859) 835-6573 |
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Dawn
Smith
| (513) 497-7669 |
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Tysheina
Taul Burton
| (513) 242-2023 |
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Vannessa
Voner
| (513) 591-1112 |
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Kim
Watson
| (513) 578-2345 |
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Corliss
Witcher
| (513) 834-0923 |
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Carol
Barker
| (513) 287-6372 |
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Latisha
Robinson
| (513) 307-3278 |
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Valencia
Joiner
| (513) 969-1134 |
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Anais
Reddick
| (937) 731-0220 |
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Christine
Erskine
| (859) 907-6467 |
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