Vanessa Behan

Innovative and Exemplary (2019):

Vanessa Behan in Spokane, WA, in operation nearly forty years, is designed to support parents and primary caregivers in a way that prevents the potential for abuse or neglect. Services include 24-hour emergency respite child care for infants and children under the age of seven (ages seven to twelve on a case-by-case basis); parent education; Stay, Play, and Learn playgroup for children and caregivers; developmental screening; crisis counseling for parents; help with diapers and formula, and referrals to other community agencies. In 2023, Vanessa Behan’s emergency respite program served 699 parents and over 1,000 children, with a total of 7,200 child visits. The facility operates around the clock, with most children staying approximately 12 hours while their parents address emergencies or seek temporary relief.

Staff providing care seek to capitalize on opportunities to promote healthy brain development, build resiliency and provide children with an experience of safety, love and wonder. Services are voluntary, free of charge and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year so that whenever a parent is faced with challenging circumstances or a lack of a safe care alternative, they have a place to turn.

Vanessa Behan has expanded services to offer child care at the county courthouse to ensure that children are not exposed to adult information. Staff also conduct off site child care events in the community called “Vanessa Behan on the Go” for families who may not be aware of their center-based services or not yet comfortable coming to the center.

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In 2023, Vanessa Behan was one of three programs selected from among a pool of recognized Innovative and Exemplary Respite Services to carryout a 12-month evaluation of their services, and to participate in a learning community with technical assistance from ARCH. They compiled their findings in a Evaluation Data Brief and presented it to the ARCH Committee for Advancement of Respite Research.

Vanessa Behan Evaluation Data Brief

Programs are initially reviewed after three years to assess continued status as Innovative and Exemplary, and every five years thereafter. Following their second review, recognition of Vanessa Behan as Innovative and Exemplary was extended to January 1, 2031.