Becoming a respite provider
Dear Doris,
I was a caregiver for my disabled son for many years and I know how difficult that role can be. I’m interested in helping other caregivers and I’m considering finding part-time work providing respite for families. Where do I begin?
Thank you,
Mark
Dear Mark,
Thank you for sharing that you were a caregiver for your son with a disability. So often parents who take care of a child with a disability do not see themselves also as caregivers. As you know, there is a difference in each role. And I applaud you for wanting to use your knowledge and experience to help others!
In New York State there are a number of programs and options for you to consider when thinking about part-time work as a respite provider. Here are a few thoughts for you:
Explore volunteer opportunities to provide respite. You may have accessed those very programs while caring for your son. Perhaps revisit those places and offer to volunteer. Families who see that you are skilled and experienced, may reach out to you outside of your volunteer role and ask you to assist with respite in the home as a private pay provider.
Explore the NYSCRC National Respite Care Provider Training. This training is free to anyone in NYS. It is online, self-paced, and allows you to receive a certificate when the entire curriculum is completed. This is the only training specific to respite care and covers respite for caregivers who care for someone across the lifespan. Check it out today at NYSCRC Respite Care Provider Training
Sign up for the NYSCRC Newsletter. Coming in the Spring 2025 will be the launch of the NYSCRC Respite Registry. Through this free registry, individual respite providers who have completed the National Respite Care Provider Training can create a profile, identify the population(s) they work with, their skills and qualifications and more. Once a profile is approved, family caregivers will be able to search this database for providers in their area. The launch will be announced through our monthly E-Newsletter.
If you would like to talk to someone from the New York State Caregiving and Respite Coalition about these and other possibilities, do not hesitate to contact us at nyscrc@lifespan-roch.org.
All the best,
Doris