News & Blog

Respite Care Association of Wisconsin (RCAW) Focus Group Summary Report

To explore potential strategies to provide caregiver support for individuals and families caring for abused and at-risk children in Wisconsin, the Respite Care Association of Wisconsin (RCAW) and the University of Wisconsin (UW) Oshkosh, Center for Community Development, Engagement, and Training (CCDET), recently collaborated to design a forum to gather input from individuals currently working in the respite care industry in this state. Specifically, the project sought to solicit professional expertise and insights to identify gaps and needs related to

June 30, 2021

Those Receiving Kinship Care Are Eligible for the Caregiver Respite Grant Program

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Family defines Kinship Care as a program to help support a child who lives outside of their home with a relative. Often, the relatives that children live with are their grandparent(s). According to grandfamilies.org, in Wisconsin, there are almost 75,000 children under 18 living in homes where householders are grandparents or other relatives. Addiction, incarceration, mental health struggles, and military deployment are the top reasons children would need placement outside of their homes. When

April 12, 2021

Listen to Stephanie Summerville’s Life Support audio presentation and ask yourself What Would You Do?

Returning home to small-town Indiana, a young woman finds work caring for an unlikely (and challenging) patient. Stephanie Summerville is a New York-based actress, speaker and storyteller, most known for work with the Moth, a live storytelling events organization, and The Moth Radio Hour on National Public Radio. Stephanie will be a featured Keynote speaker at the upcoming International Short Break Conference (ISBA) being held virtually June 22-25, 2021. Click on link below to listen to an audio copy of Stephanie’s caretaking story

March 10, 2021

Overcoming Guilt with Enjoying a Break from Caregiving

A personal and professional perspective on Caregiving and Respite My daughter was born in 1990. At twelve months, I realized she didn’t reach certain milestones. From then until she was three, there were extensive doctor appointments, including: geneticists, neurologists, and numerous other doctors. We finally got a diagnosis of Angelman Syndrome. Until a couple of years ago, I cared for my daughter 24/7, with few opportunities for meaningful respite. I then had opportunities to have paid support from others who

March 1, 2021

Swift and Wholesome Breakfast Option for Caregivers

While grocery shopping it can be so easy to grab premade/prepackaged meals, especially for breakfast. We think we are saving time and energy that we simply do not have to give. What if I told you that it does not have to be so time and energy consuming? What if we could spend just as much time creating meals that are just as fast but a whole lot more nutritious? The wholesome breakfast option below is intended to allow you

February 15, 2021

For the Love of Respite

Caregiving takes a toll on the caregiver, care recipient, and the relationship between the two. The relationship that is founded on love often becomes work to maintain. Respite is proven support that creates an enjoyable time for both the caregiver and care recipient by offering some time away for the caregiver that allows them to take a break and come back refreshed. Respite means something different to each person. It might mean care for your loved one while you run

February 2, 2021