Respite care gives children with special needs an opportunity to participate in a wider range of experiences that are essential for development, such as:

• On-going relationships and social interaction outside the family unit.
• Contact with other children who model age-appropriate behaviours, in circumstances where the caregiver has children.
• Growing independence through new learning experiences.
• Inclusion in community activities.

Group Respite is an excellent option for families who would like their child’s respite to take place in a group environment. We currently offer two groups (one for ages 5-11 and the other for ages 12-18) which serve up to eighteen children/youth at one time.

The Reach Group Respite program gives parents of children with developmental disabilities some much needed respite, while providing children with all the benefits of a positive group dynamic. The program encourages children’s social skills, facilitates friendships, promotes positive self-esteem and community awareness, while decreasing the possibility of isolation. In Group Respite children can enjoy sports, games, crafts, baking, field trips and other fun activities together.

When does the program run?

Group Respite runs on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This gives each family a total of 11 hours of respite per month. The program is staffed with a program coordinator and 6 well-trained and experienced caregivers.

Respite

REACH is committed to provide accessible services. To ensure fair access to our Respite Program we have outlined our entry, transition and exit criteria for you below.

Entry criteria:
Children need to be referred directly by their MCFD Social Worker to this program with the verbal or written permission of the legal guardian. 

Children must:
• be between the ages of birth and 18 years

• reside in the Delta

Transition criteria:
Children who move out of the service area will be transitioned to a program in their new community by their social worker.

Exit criteria:
A child will be discharged:
• at the end of the month of their 18^th birthday
• when the family no longer requires the service

Group Respite

REACH is committed to provide accessible services. To ensure fair access to our Group Respite Program we have outlined our entry, transition and exit criteria for you below.

Entry criteria:
Children need to be referred directly by their MCFD Social Worker to this program with the verbal or written permission of the legal guardian. Children must:
• be between the ages of 5 and 18

• reside in the Delta
• The child must also be able to manage themselves safely and independently within a group of 3 children with 1 caregiver.
• The child does not exhibit aggressive behaviours, physical, and/or verbal, to the extent to which it threatens the safety or security of the other participants or staff.
• The child’s behaviour is at a manageable level where he/she does not require one to one attention (e.g. does not bolt / run away or display destructive behaviour).
• The child is able to toilet themselves independently, without physical assistance.
• The child does not have issues with mobility that would require one to one assistance.

Transition criteria:
Children who move out of the service area will be transitioned to a program in their new community by their social worker. If the child is unable to manage in a group, there may need to be a transition to individual or direct funded respite services.

Exit criteria:
A child will be discharged:
• at the end of the month of their 19^th birthday
• when the family no longer requires the service