Respite Care Case Study

Nurturing Newborns, LLC received a referral from a social worker at a community resource center. This social worker had received permission from a family to speak with an organization that provides respite care for families with small children. The social worker and the parents agree that this family is at the end of their rope and they need temporary support and assistance.

Family Information:

• Two children, ages 5 months and 2 years.
• Both children born premature, the 2-year-old uses a G-tube for feeding and has developmental delays. The 5-month-old has serious digestive health issues.
• The family has recently moved and is on Medicaid.
• Parents feel overwhelmed and are financially stressed.
• Mother needs help with her medically fragile children during appointments for their health and developmental needs. She also needs time for self-care.
• Mother suffers from postpartum depression.
• Father works full time to support the family.

Goals and Needs:

• Nurturing Newborns staff met with the family to better understand and respect the needs in the home.
• Following the signing of a release, Nurturing Newborns gathered information about the family from social workers, case managers and therapists. This step is crucial in order to be able to meet the needs of this family.
• Working together, the staff at Nurturing Newborns and the parents decided that three half days of support in the home would be appropriate. Mother could go to appointments, do household tasks, take advantage of counseling, and rest.

Funding:

• After discussions with the parents, it was decided that this family would most likely qualify for foundation funding for respite services.
• Nurturing Newborns helped the parents complete an application for funding through a voucher program at Colorado Respite Coalition. The application was approved within days.
• Nurturing Newborns also asked the social worker to refer the family to a non-profit, Special Kids, Special Care. This organization also approved the request for funding for respite care.

Support provided:

• A qualified respite provider carefully followed the parent’s instructions and desires.
• The respite provider cared for the children with love and gentleness, bathing, feeding and reading to them.
• The provider encouraged the stressed mother to care for herself and continue to seek support for her mental health issues.
• The provider helped with small household tasks including laundry and meal preparation.
• The provider attended appointments with the mother and children.

Results:
While this family continues to have medical and developmental challenges with their children, they have come through a difficult time and feel more prepared to face the challenges. They became personally attached to their respite care provider and they continue to stay connected with her.