Volunteer and Faith-Based Respite Learning Collaborative Meeting

Youth Volunteers Providing Respite for Children and Young Adults with Disabilities

Lessons from the Northern Nevada R.A.V.E. Family Foundation (Respite And Volunteer Experiences)

The ARCH Volunteer and Faith-Based Respite Learning Collaborative focused on Volunteer Respite for Children and Youth with Disabilities. We heard from Northern Nevada R.A.V.E. Family Foundation and their approach to providing respite for children and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs, siblings, and foster children, with significant support from middle and high-school volunteers and college interns. Services are center-based, but they also provide opportunities for volunteers to accompany children to events and activities in the community. With very rural areas in northern NV, some families have difficulty getting to the center, and are offered vouchers to help pay for in-home respite. Presenters discussed their nearly three-decade history of R.A.V.E., their program operations, and volunteer training, recruitment, and retention strategies.

Presenters

Korine Viehweg, Executive Director and Jada DeLeon, Director of Programs, Northern RAVE Family Foundation, Reno, NV.