Volunteer and Faith-Based Respite

Volunteer Respite Manual: Creating Valuable Options for Family Caregivers

Drawing on the experience in volunteer services among ARCH network members, ARCH’s recognized Innovative and Exemplary respite services, and Lifespan Respite grantees and their partners, this step-by-step manual will help national, state and community-based programs and faith-based initiatives assess needs, plan, and implement volunteer respite programs with special guidance on providing volunteer services during a pandemic. It will also assist Lifespan Respite grantees and partners in building respite capacity through volunteer training and recruitment. Topics include: program planning and operations; volunteer recruitment, training and management; performance measurement; policies and procedures; liability and insurance; and marketing. You can download the manual...

Volunteer Respite Manual Appendices

As you explore the ARCH Volunteer Respite Manual, you may find that you need additional resources and information to help you plan or implement your community volunteer respite program. We have gathered samples of job descriptions, volunteer application forms, orientation checklists, volunteer interview questions, background check forms, reference forms, policies and procedures, training resources and more. This list of resources will continue to be updated and new resources added as they become available.

Volunteer and Respite Handbooks

Policies and Procedures for Volunteers (2012) from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs
Corporation for National and Community Service, SCP Operations Handbook (2019)
Lifespan Respite: An Information Guide for Developing, Recruiting, Training and Retaining Volunteers – from the North Carolina Respite Coalition
Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network. Providing Breaks for Family Caregivers: A Toolkit for Volunteers and Faith

Volunteer Hiring Resources (job descriptions, background checks)

Volunteer Orientation and Training

Sample Volunteer Program Policies and Procedures

Sample Volunteer Evaluation Forms

Program Manuals, Forms, Training Materials from Highlighted Programs

Gio’s Garden RESPITE/THERAPY/FAMILY

MASTERPIECE R&R – Masterpiece Ministry - First Free Church

CAREGIVER VOLUNTEERS OF CENTRAL JERSEY – Alzheimer’s Respite Care Program

EASTERSEALS RESPITE SERVICES–Special Needs+Military Families

Family Forms:

Volunteer Forms:

LIFESPAN RESPITE CAREGIVER RESPITE PROGRAM

Replication Manual with program forms, job descriptions, training materials

Volunteering During the Pandemic

Living with COVID-19: Guide for Volunteer Programs, Webinar Slides, Administration for Community Living, April 13, 2020

4 Ways to Prepare Your Nonprofit for Reopening -- Moving Forward: Volunteer Engagement During COVID-19, VolunteerMatch Blog, May 27, 2020

Providing and Receiving Respite Safely During the Pandemic, Voluntary National Guidelines for Respite Care Agencies, Providers, Family Caregivers, and Respite Care Recipients with Decision Guides for Respite Providers and Families and Case Studies from the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center

See additional resources and links to relevant CDC guidance on pages 35-36 and 54 of the Volunteer Respite Manual.

Disability Information and Training Resources

There is a wealth of online resources on disability and health topics that you can use to develop content for volunteer training. Some websites to explore include:

Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, Post-Polio Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Stroke

Neurological Conditions such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) , Multiple Sclerosis from the National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Dementia and Alzheimer's disease

Mental Health

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH/NIH) Health Topics