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Autism Respite Program
The autism respite program is a service that provides trained direct service professionals to care for children. A family may use up to 12 hours per month of respite services from the list of qualified staff.
The project is a collaboration of Ohio Valley Residential Services (OVRS), Residential Management Systems (RMS), the Kelly O'Leary Center, Community Supports and the Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS).
There is a lot of important information on this page, if needed, please see a flow chart created to show the steps.
Who is eligible for respite service?
- Services are available to families of children up to 22 years of age who are eligible for services through the Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services.
- A child must have a diagnosis of autism..
- A child cannot be receiving supported living, Individual Options Waiver, or Level One Waiver services and also use this program.
How are the staff qualified?
- OVRS, RMS and HCDDS will select direct services staff who already provide services within their respective agencies. These staff are already trained in developmental disabilities areas, have gone through background checks, existing agency orientation in rights, MUI, and other basic areas. They are experienced in providing direct care.
- Staff also will have 5 hours of training in the area of autism spectrum disorders at the Kelly O'Leary Center.
- Parents can provide training to the selected caregiver on the specific needs of the child receiving the service.
How much does it cost?
- Parents pay nothing for the service(s)
- A parent signs a voucher for the caregiver who then submits the voucher for payment. Payment for caregivers is provided by a special pool of funds set aside for such needs.
Can the caregiver serve other children in the family?
- No, a family must find other ways to care for other children in the family. A family may decide to hire a regular babysitter for other children, seek a family member, or use other traditional means of day care.
How does a parent get respite services?
- Download the forms at the bottom of this page or call the Intake Department at HCDDS at 794-3300 and request information and forms.
- After that is complete, parents are responsible for selecting and interviewing a caregiver from the list at the bottom and arranging the service. Only email and phone numbers of caregivers are listed.
- Print and complete “My Child's Care” to assure adequate information is available for the caregiver. A parent may use a similar format if already available and in use.
- Make sure to check the website prior to scheduling any caregiver to make sure that the caregiver continues to be an approved contractor with the project and whose costs can be reimbursed through the project.
How can a caregiver get started working with this program?
- While your service agency employer is suggesting that you might consider participating in the project of helping families with children with autism, it is important for you to understand that it is strictly your choice.
- If you choose to participate in the program, ask your agency employer's human resources person to complete the Employee Verification Form and fax or mail it to Lisa Grace at the Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services along with a copy of your training certificate from Children's Hospital.
- Contact Dr. Jennifer Brown at the O'Leary Center at Children's Hospital 513-636-4611. Dr. Brown will inform you of the times for the next scheduled training. You will receive a certificate after completing the training.
- It is important for all caregivers who participate in this service to understand that while they hold employment with a Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services service agency, like OVRS, HCDDS, or RMS, their choice to assist families with a child with autism in the family's own home is that of an independent contractor.
- After the service is provided, the caregiver completes the service verification (voucher form) indicating the dates and hours worked and asks the family to sign verifying that the services were provided. The caregiver will fax or mail the voucher for payment to Community Supports. The fax number and address are on the Voucher Form.
You will need to complete the following forms.
 My Child's Care
Employee Verification
Family Enrollment Form
Autism Respite Services
Parent Or Guardian Signature Form
Service Verification (Payment Voucher)
| Email | Name | Phone |
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Mical
Ghebre-Ab
| (513) 237-1354 |
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Angela
Smith
| (513) 731-1984 |
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Elizabeth
Davis
| (513) 373-7311 |
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Lashonda
Kelly
| (513) 418-7009 |
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Betsy
Balogh
| (513) 722-6146 |
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Lynette
Messer
| (513) 368-9062 |
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