The Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2005
June, 2005
Lifespan Respite Task Force
June 22, 2005Congratulations and many, many thanks to everyone who is working so hard on securing cosponsors for the Senate and House Lifespan Respite legislation. It was introduced in the Senate yesterday and the bill number is S. 1283. In addition to the lead cosponsors, Sens. Warner (R-VA) and Clinton (D-NY), the other original cosponsors of S. 1283 are listed below. Please call and thank all of them for their leadership on this bill.
Sen. Bond (R-MO)
Sen. Boxer (D-CA)
Sen. Cochran (R-MS)
Sen. Coleman (R-MN)
Sen. Collins (R-ME)
Sen. Durbin (D-IL)
Sen. Hagel (R-NE)
Sen. Jeffords (I-VT)
Sen. Kennedy (D-MA)
Sen. Kerry (D-MA)
Sen. Mikulski (D-MD)
Sen. Murray (D-WA)
Sen. Nelson (D-NE)
Sen. G. SMith (R-OR)
Sen. Snowe (R-ME)
Sen. Talent (R-MO)Attached is a one-pager on the bill, the Dear Colleague from Sens. Warner and Clinton and the bill itself. All of this will be posted on the Lifespan Respite Task Force web page in the near future. We expect the House bill to be introduced this week also. I will keep you posted. Please keep working on getting more cosponsors. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Jill Kagan, MPH
National Respite Coalition
Policy Division of the ARCH National Respite Network
4016 Oxford St.
Annandale, VA 22003
703-256-9578
National Respite Coalition Website
Lifespan Respite Task Force
The Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2005
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY)
and Senator John Warner (R-VA)Use of Funds:
- development of lifespan respite programs at the state and local levels;
- evaluation of such programs;
- planned or emergency respite services;
- training and recruitment of respite workers and volunteers; and
- caregiver training to help make informed decisions about respite services.
What is a Lifespan Respite Program?
Lifespan respite programs provide coordinated systems of accessible, community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children and adults with special needs.Who Can Access Lifespan Respite Programs?
Caregivers who are family members (including grandparents caring for grandchildren), foster parents, or other adults providing ongoing unpaid care for an adult or child with a special need may access these programs. Adult with special need is defined broadly as a person 18 years of age or older who requires care or supervision to meet the person’s basic needs or prevent physical self-injury or injury to others. A child with a special need is a person less than 18 years of age who requires care or supervision beyond that required of children generally to meet the child’s basic needs or prevent physical self-injury or injury to others.Lead Agency Eligibility
Funds would be provided on a competitive grant basis to state agencies, other public or private nonprofit entities capable of operating on a statewide basis, a political subdivision of a state that has a population greater than 3 million, or any already recognized State respite coordinating body. Priority would be given to applicants who show the greatest likelihood of implementing or enhancing lifespan respite care statewide.Federal Administration
The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to work in cooperation with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration; the National Family Caregiver Support Program, Administration on Aging; the Administration for Children, Youth and Families; the Administration on Developmental Disabilities; and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to ensure coordination of respite for family caregivers.Funding Authorization
Such sums as necessaryNational Resource Center
Under separate authority, the Act would also establish a National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care.Member Benefits | About AAPD | Join | Disability Resources | News | Contact Us | Calendar | Home