WHO WE ARE

Highland Community Residential Services is a non-profit organization that provides living options in the community for people who are mentally challenged and/ or mental health consumers.

Highland, established in 1977, promotes independence and community participation for it's residents.

Highland has been awarded the contract to coordinate respite services to the Northern Region consisting of: Cumberland County, Colchester County, Pictou County, Antigonish and Guysborough County.

RESPITE CARE

Is a service whose main function is to support the parent/ family/ primary care giver for specific periods of time while facilitating a positive and rewarding experience for the child with a developmental delay.

Specifically the aim of respite is to:

• Meet the care needs of the child
  
• Offer the child opportunities to develop social, recreational and life skills,
  
• Strengthen families by reducing stress and thereby improving long term functioning and,
  
• Maintain or enhance the quality of life for families of children with developmental delays.

RESPITE CARE IS AN OPPORTUNITY:

• for parents of children who have a developmental delay
• to take well deserved breaks, whether for an evening or for a weekend
• to go on vacation
• to attend to their own needs and concerns

• for children who have a developmental delay
• to explore the relationships with volunteers' families and friends
• to interact with other members of the community
• to enjoy a variety of activities

• for volunteers
  
• to learn how to relate to and accept people who have a developmental delay
  
• to widen their sphere of experience
  
• to develop long-term and valuable friendships

PARENTS OF CHILDREN WHO
HAVE A DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY:

• require intervals of rest and relief from the challenges of parenting
• require loving and committed care providers who are willing to integrate children who   have a developmental delay into their own families
• require a community whose citizens support the acceptance of persons who have a   developmental delay

TYPE OF SERVICE

• This program recruits paid and volunteer workers that can include: relief workers, host  families as well as a buddy system. The relief worker could provide respite care to a child in his/ her own home and / or at the  location requested by the family i.e., assistance at day care or recreational events.

• A host family is a family within the community who would open their home on a  temporary basis to a child with a developmental delay and include that child within their  family unit.

• The Buddy System involves individuals within the community who would assume the role of a friend to a child with a developmental delay and would be active in assisting their buddy in accessing  community-based activities.

Northern Region Respite Services is a non-profit, community-based service funded by the Department of Community Services. This service helps families plan relief care for children who have a developmental delay. Respite care workers will include both paid workers and volunteers. Some families receive funding through the In-Home-Support Program of the Department of Community Services. Those who do not qualify for funding through the In-Home-Support Program would require a volunteer to meet their respite needs. The Coordinator would also provide assistance with accessing resources that could assist them in covering their respite costs.