June Edition of PA CASSP Newsletter Focuses on Respite

The June 2008 edition of the PA CASSP Newsletter, the quarterly publication of the Bureau of Children’s Behavioral Health Services, is on “Providing Respite Services for Families of Children with Special Needs.”

The need for respite services for families that have children with serious emotional disturbance is well documented. Research shows that respite services enable children to remain with their families thereby avoiding expensive residential services. Respite service has also been demonstrated to reduce the risk of abuse or neglect and improve family stabilization. Respite care is defined as temporary short-term care that helps a family take a break from the daily routine and stress associated with caring for a child with serious emotional and/or behavioral disorders.

In an effort to support counties in their desire to provide respite services to families, the Children’s Bureau requested and received $500,000 in the state budget for FY 2007/08. The funds were distributed to counties and each county received a portion, ranging from $5,000 to more than $112,000. The newsletter features programs offering respite services, some family stories, and an update on the state’s respite initiative.