Hamilton County Board of MR/DD: Autism Respite Program

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AUTISM RESPITE PROGRAM

Process

There is a lot of important information on this page. To help make the process as easy as possible, a flow chart is offered to show all of the steps.

What is it?

This is a service arranged and directed by parents of children with autism to provide time away for the parents, with the assurance that a qualified person is caring for their child. The program is designed to support families of children with autism.
The pilot project is a collaborative project of Ohio Valley Residential Services (OVRS), Residential Management Systems (RMS), the Kelly O'Leary Center, Community Supports and the Hamilton County Board of MRDD (HCBMR/DD).

Who is eligible?

Services are available to families of children up to 22 years of age who are eligible for services through the Hamilton County Board of MRDD.
A child must have a diagnosis of autism to qualify for the service.
A child cannot be receiving supported living, Individual Options Waiver, or Level One Waiver services and also use this program.

What services are available?

Parents in need of respite services may choose from a list of already trained and qualified direct care professionals.
A child/family may use up to 12 hours per month of respite service from the list of qualified direct support staff.

How are the staff "qualified"?

OVRS, RMS and HCBMR/DD will select direct services staff who already provide services within their respective agencies to begin the pilot. These staff are already trained in MRDD, 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 will provide training to the selected caregiver on the specific needs of the child receiving the service.

How much does it cost?

Families will be asked to pay a portion of the cost of $15.00 per hour, based on a sliding fee scale:

$27,000 or less are covered at 100% (no cost to family)
$27,001 to $37,700 are covered at 90% (family pays $1.50 per hour)
$37,701 to $48,000 are covered at 80% (family pays $3.50 per hour)
$48,001 to $62,000 are covered at 70% (family pays $4.50 per hour)
$62,001 and above are covered at 50% (family pays $7.50 per hour)
A parent signs a voucher for the caregiver who then submits the voucher for payment.
Parents submit their portion of the payment based on the sliding fee scale.

Can the caregiver also serve other children in the family?

A family must find other ways to care for other children in the family. The trained caregiver is available for the child with autism. A family may decide to hire a regular babysitter for other children, seek a family member, or use other traditional means of day care.

What does a parent need to do to get the respite service?

Access information on www.hamiltonmrdd.org website or call the Intake Department at HCBMR/DD at 794-3300 and request information and forms.
Parents are fully responsible for selecting a caregiver and arranging the service.
Review the list of caregivers available and interview and select from the list. Only email addresses and/or cell phone numbers are listed.
After services are provided, the family signs the Service Verification (Voucher Form) that the caregiver completes and the caregiver faxes or mails the form to Community Supports to receive payment.
Print off 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.
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 does a caregiver get started?

While your service agency employer is suggesting that you might consider participating in the pilot 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 Lee Brack at the Hamilton County Board of MR/DD 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 513-636-8684. 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 MR/DD service agency, like OVRS, HCBMR/DD, 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.

FORMS

You will need to complete the following forms.

TRAINED PROVIDERS