Webinar Series on Sustaining Respite

During the 7 years that the ARCH Sustainability Planning Learning Collaborative met regularly, Lifespan Respite grantees and partners shared their ongoing work developing strategic plans and participating in leadership and partnership activities to sustain respite in their states.  All those participating in the Learning Collaborative generously shared ideas and resources, and unfailingly supported their peers within and outside Learning Collaborative meetings. ARCH is grateful to everyone who participated in the Learning Collaborative for their contributions in strengthening our national respite network.

Webinar Series on Sustaining Respite

For its capstone event, the Learning Collaborative held a three-part Webinar Series on Sustaining Respite.

This three-part series was designed to educate, inspire, and support sustainability planning activities by Lifespan Respite Grantees and Partners, and others in the broader respite network.

Presenters from Oklahoma, New York, and Alabama shared practical guidance and wisdom gained from their personal experience creating and sustaining strong, diverse Lifespan Respite services and systems.

Dates and times:

February 27, 2025

Part One: The Foundation for Sustainability: Empowering Leaders, Cultivating Partnerships, and Nurturing Mentorships

Presenter

• Talena Ford, Programs Administrator, Community Engagement & Coalitions,  Community Living,  Aging and Protective Services (CAP), Oklahoma Department of Human Services

This session offers guidance in forming and nurturing strong partnerships, the importance of shared leadership within and across organizations, and ways to mentor and support strong respite leaders over time.

July 10, 2025

Part Two: The Evolution of Sustainability: Planning, Measuring, and Pivoting

Presenters:

• Abbey Derepentigny, Caregiver Support Program Assistant Director, Division of Policy, Planning, Program and Outcomes, New York State Office for the Aging
• Doris Green, Director, New York State Caregiving and Respite Coalition
• Dana Prest, Caregiver Support Program Director, Division of Policy, Planning, Program and Outcomes, New York State Office for the Aging

This session offers practical guidance in respite systems planning –– including who, when, where, how, and why; finding and working with a facilitator; and the importance of circling back and revising plans based on data that informs wise decisions.

July 31, 2025

Part Three: The Art of Sustainability: Developing and Maintaining Resources

• Tracy Cieniewicz, Lifespan Services Director, Alabama Lifespan Respite, a Project of UCP of Huntsville and Tennessee Valley

This session offers practical guidance in developing and diversifying resources from the ground up, ways to reduce risks and threats to sustainability, and strategies for securing funding and using it to build lasting respite infrastructure.

Watch the Webinar Series