Family Respite Options
We understand the importance of having time to relax and “recharge our batteries.” Our Family Respite Options aim to facilitate opportunities for your family to enjoy worry-free relaxation, knowing that your loved one is also enjoying a supported respite experience. This service allows caregivers time away from their regular responsibilities, a chance to re-energize and an opportunity to pursue their own interests.
We can provide your family with both in-home respite support, as well as out-of-home respite support services geared specifically for children, youth and adults.
Group Respite Programs
We offer fee for service group respite programs at our Activity Centre evenings and weekends during the school year. There are themed days, community events and programmed activities. The Activity Centre provides children and youth a fun place to meet with friends and develop social and physical skills in our gym, playroom, kitchen and Snoezelen Room. Caregivers can register monthly for programs. Fees vary by program.
Summer Youth Adventures (SYA) Camp
Our SYA Camp offers an 8 week summer day program to those aged 6 – 17 with a developmental and/or physical disability. SYA Camp includes activities that allow campers to explore what our own community has to offer through popular theme days and special guests, exciting day trips out of town and one or two overnight adventures each year. SYA Camp provides a high staff to participant ratio which allows campers the support needed to access a wide range of summer adventures that they may not otherwise have opportunities to experience.
Out of Home Family Respite
We can coordinate overnight or short-term stays of up to 3 weeks. You can also use these visits as an opportunity to learn some life-skills if your goal is to live independently in the future. It’s also a great way to make new friends!
Weekend Retreats
You can attend camps or stay in a hotel for the weekend and enjoy activities such as murder mysteries and theatrical shows.
Sensational Saturdays
We focus on fun and socialization for adults. ‘Sensational Saturday’ groups operate out of one of our many community ‘hubs.’
In-Home Respite
In-Home Relief is popular for many reasons. A professional caregiver comes to your home and gets to know you in your home environment. The caregiver learns your family’s routine and you’re not inconvenienced by transportation and unfamiliar environments.
Alhambra Days
Alhambra Days are held at the Alhambra Hall in Grand Bend on Klondyke Road. Alhambra activity days are typically offered the first Saturday of the month unless there is a long weekend and then it is offered the following Saturday. Your day starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Alhambra Days are filled with learning menu planning, grocery shopping, meal preparation and activities such as crafts, outings and community-based activities.
Community Living Sarnia-Lambton sponsors the Ontario wide CHAP Care-Giver and Family Database which provides an opportunity for individual support workers and families to connect. We can help you manage the hiring process. We maintain Direct Support Professional profiles. These profiles can help you to choose the right care-giver.
Respiteservices.com coordinates a network of agencies and organizations in Ontario, providing respite services to individuals with various disabilities, and their families. A respite access facilitator is available to help families identify their needs and locate the appropriate respite options.
Respiteservices.com’s objectives and main functions are:
- to develop and maintain a consistent process for your family to access respite care
- to facilitate creative respite options that meet each of your child’s individual needs
- to maximize efficient and effective use of respite resources
- to provide ease of access of information about respite services to families and to increase their options for respite care
- to identify gaps in service and help with community service planning
The CHAP (Community Helpers for Active Participation) Program is an integral part of Respiteservices.com and helps connect individuals with disabilities and CHAP workers. This is done through a Worker Database where the CHAP Program recruits workers interested in supporting persons with intellectual disabilities, including autism and/or a physical disability, to provide meaningful respite opportunities in the home or in the community. Families can access workers after joining the Family Registry.
If you have or are seeking Passport, Special Services at Home (SSAH), Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) other funds to purchase or arrange for services, we can help. How you proceed is your choice. For more information, please contact us. (link to contact form to email).