Respite Care News & Information
Autism case numbers are misleading
University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher at Waisman Center says inconsistent identification and reporting practices state-to-state don't support claim of epidemic.
Researcher Paul Shattuck at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Waisman Center says Autism data presents a skewed picture.
'Diagnostic substitution' is invading schools. More educators are labeling children with Autism where in the past, those children may have been labeled with a learning disability.
According to the research published April 3, 2006 in Pediatrics, there is a direct correlation between the increase in the number of Autism cases and the decrease in 'the likelihood of using mental retardation or learning disabilities categories.'
To learn more click here
Caregiving in Wisconsin: WPR Story
RCAW Board member and director of the Family Caregiver Support Network Patricia Bruce
Wisconsin Public Radio host Ben Merens tackles caregiving on June 26, 2007.
Program description:
Care giving for an aging parent or family member can be stressful, yet rewarding. Ben Merens and his guest explore the ups and downs of transitioning from having your parents take care of you, to you taking care of them.
Guest: Patricia Bruce, director of the Family Caregiver Support Network at Interfaith Older Adult Programs. www.caregiversupportnetwork.org 1-800-449-4481 or listen to the show on WPR website at www.wpr.org
Grants Awarded Using Respite Care
Respite care projects funded as a strategy to help prevent child abuse and neglect.
Respite Care Association, in collaboration with Children's Trust Fund of Wisconsin, announces grant awards to five (5) agencies that will manage projects using respite care as a strategy for prevention of the initial occurence of child abuse and neglect, with particular emphasis on families who do not qualify for respite care through existing programs.
The grant evaluation committee awards funding to:
- New Horizons North, serving Ashland, Bayfield and Sawyer counties.
- Green Lake County Dept of Health and Human Services, serving Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara counties.
- Children's Service Society of Wisconsin, serving Southeastern Wisconsin.
- Family Connections of Southwest Wisconsin, serving Grant, Iowa and Lafayette counties.
- Green County Human Services, serving Green, Grant and Iowa counties.
This project will provide respite care for children, specifically targeted to prevent the initial occurence of child abuse and neglect. The projects will bring respite care to areas of Wisconsin that are critically underserved.
Landmark Report Released on Respite Care in Wisconsin
The Respite Care Association of Wisconsin has released a report examining the demand and services gaps that exist in Wisconsin.
The report confirms the desperate need for respite care across the state, demonstrated by a whopping 443% projected increase in referrals if the program was fully funded and staffed. The findings are based on a state-wide study of 44 county health and human service and Head Start agencies across Wisconsin.
For a copy of the report click here
Lifespan Respite Bill Signed Into Law
President Bush signed HR3248, National Lifespan Bill into Law
President Bush signed the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006 into law on December 21, 2006. The law authorizes up to $289 million over five years for state grants to develop and implement Lifespan Respite Programs. This is great news for Wisconsin, as one of only a handful of states with established infrastructure to deliver respite services.
The bill was first introduced in the Senate in 1999 with bipartisan sponsorship and passed by unanimous vote. The bill then languished in a House committee and was reintroduced several times.
For more information contact Jim Schroeder, executive director at 608-222-2033 or via email jschroeder@respitecarewi.org
To read the full press release click here
RCAW Honors Founding Board Member
The board of directors of the Respite Care Association of Wisconsin (RCAW) honored founding board member Linda Blohowiak with the title emeritus director at their annual meeting in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin.
Linda Blohowiak has served on the board of directors since the organization was founded in 1987. 'Linda Blohowiak has been a committed board member since the early days when this was just a group sitting around the kitchen table,' said Jim Schroeder, executive director. 'Linda has a sense of fairness which makes her a consistent leader, both within the Association and the respite community.'
At the annual meeting of the board where Blohowiak ended her term, President Kathryn Franke honored her work on behalf of the RCAW with the designation of emeritus director, a privilege rarely bestowed by the board. 'It is because of the commitment of Linda that the RCAW is strong, and that we are helping to meet the need of Wisconsinps family caregivers,' stated Franke.
Second Edition Lifespan Provider Respite Training Manual Now Available
2nd edition of the Lifespan Training Manual Released by RCAW - order now!
The Respite Care Association of Wisconsin has released a new version of the popular respite care training manual. The updated and expanded manual is designed to provide materials that will build the capacity of lifespan respite care providers. The manual is intended to give a frame for delivering more detailed information on core competencies of respite care including an understanding of respite care, first-aid and emergency procedures, agency policies and procedures, and how to identify and report suspected abuse or neglect of a child or senior citizen.
To order the manual for just $65 please fill out the form to order your copies by clicking here
UCP-SEW List of Summer Camps
The UCP of Southeastern Wisconsin has compiled a list of camp opportunities for the summer 2007. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by United Cerebral Palsy, nor is access through the Respite Care Association of Wisconsin website. Click here for the list
We thank our friends at United Cerebral Palsy - SEW for this valuable information. For more information please contact UCP-SEW at 414-329-4500.