About Us

In 2006, Congress authorized the Lifespan Respite Care Program to support community-based respite for family caregivers across the country. The lead federal agency, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), began awarding respite grants in 2009, and in 2010, the ACL awarded the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) a grant to partner with Lifespan of Greater Rochester and improve access to respite in New York State. The New York State Caregiving and Respite Coalition (NYSCRC) grew out of this partnership. Founded in 2010, the Coalition started small, with just one staff person and a handful of initiatives.

Today, NYSCRC’s growing staff oversees statewide programs that include a $600 voucher program for caregivers, a mini-grant program for respite agencies, and an online respite care provider training program for individuals who wish to work or volunteer as respite providers.

NYSCRC’s core partners are the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), Lifespan of Greater Rochester, The ARCH National Respite and Research Center, Exhale: The National Family Caregiver Initiative, and NY Connects.

Most recently, AmeriCorps awarded the Coalition a grant to grow the respite workforce in six counties in Central New York. The Coalition has also been charged with increasing access to caregiver education and other resources in six North Country counties through the Careguver Wellness and Respite Center.

Meet the Team

  • Doris Green

    DIRECTOR

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  • Sharon Cackett

    ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

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  • Rebecca Hyde

    VOUCHER PROGRAM DIRECTOR

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  • Renee Williams

    VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
    AMERICORPS SENIORS

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  • Colleen Salisbury

    OUTREACH SPECIALIST CAREGIVER WELLNESS & RESPITE CENTER

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  • Mary Berk, LCSW

    MEDIATION & CONFLICT COACHING

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  • Diane Sopp-Sauro

    MARKETING, MEMBERSHIP & EVENTS SPECIALIST

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  • Kristine Lawrence

    ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
    NYSCRC

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  • Vanessa Taylor

    ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
    AMERICORPS SENIORS

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Collaboration and passion move things forward.

Thank you to our partners who play a vital role in supporting our mission to care for New York State’s family caregivers. With your help we have been able to expand our reach and touch the lives of those who need it most.

Our Core Supporters

Ann Marie Cook
Lifespan of Greater Rochester. President/CEO

Deana Prest
NYS Office for the Aging, Aging Services Program Analyst 3

Abbey Derepentigny
NYS Office for the Aging, Long Term Care Systems Analyst 1