State Summaries of Lifespan Respite Grant Activities, Interim Report 2019

State Summaries of Lifespan Respite Grant Activities, Interim Report 2019

In the summaries of state Lifespan Respite grant objectives, outcomes and activities since 2014 that are included in this compendium, you have an opportunity to discover the unique approaches states have taken to build state Lifespan Respite systems and deliver respite services to unserved populations across the age and disability spectrum. The summaries are based on information gleaned from Lifespan Respite grantee funding proposals, semiannual and final reports that were previously submitted to ACL to meet federal grant requirements. The summaries of FY 2017 and FY 2018 grants are interim reports as states did not complete these projects until 2020 or 2021. ARCH is grateful to the the Lifespan Respite grantees who granted permission for us to use the documents to summarize and highlight their accomplishments. To see summaries of completed projects, see State Summaries of Lifespan Respite Grant Activities and Outcomes Final Reports, FY2017–FY2020.

The Administration for Community Living has administered the federal Lifespan Respite Care Program since 2009. When they announce a funding opportunity for states, leaders in the field of lifespan respite across the nation put pen to paper to apply for funding to support their state’s lifespan respite system. In writing, they record the collective aspirations for caregivers and care recipients in their state, consistent with their state’s particular resources, needs, values and beliefs.

The Federal Lifespan Respite Care Program outlines five objectives that state lead agencies must honor should they receive a grant award.

  1. Expand and enhance respite services in their state.
  2. Improve coordination and dissemination of respite services.
  3. Streamline access to programs
  4. Fill gaps in services where necessary.
  5. Improve the overall quality of the respite services currently available.

These objectives are important in fulfilling the purpose of the Lifespan Respite Care Program – to create coordinated systems of accessible, community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children and adults of all ages with special needs.

 

You May Also Be Interested In: