The Student Respite Toolkit is a FREE online resource that provides comprehensive, step-by-step guidance to academic programs on how to establish partnerships with existing respite programs and develop their own respite programs. It will provide students unique experiential learning opportunities while expanding respite care for family caregivers.
What is included in the Student Respite Toolkit?
The Student Respite Toolkit provides comprehensive, step-by-step guidance to academic programs on the following topics:
Overview of Existing Programs
Starting a Program
Logistics
Budget and Funding
Recruitment and Marketing
Training Students
Liability
Program Management and Sustainability
Evaluation
Student Respite Collaborative
Resources
Annotated Bibliography
What are the benefits of Student Respite Programs?
Student Respite Programs have many benefits to academic institutions, students, respite programs, family caregivers, and individuals receiving respite. Academic institutions benefit from increasing experiential learning opportunities for students. Students benefit from enhanced knowledge and skills working with individuals with disabilities. Respite programs benefit by expanding their ability to provide respite. Family caregivers benefit from receiving a much-needed break from the constant demands of caregiving. Finally, individuals receiving respite benefit from engaging in fun and personalized activities in a safe environment.
How was the Student Respite Toolkit developed?
The Student Respite Toolkit was informed by an environmental scan that included a review of research articles and other publications. A national survey was also conducted to help identify existing student respite programs and one-on-one interviews were conducted with program leads to help better understand how programs were developed, maintained, and evaluated. The Student Respite Toolkit was developed by Respite Care Association of Wisconsin in partnership with the Whitmore Research Team at Marquette University. Funding for the Toolkit was provided by a grant from the Administration for Community Living.
This project is supported by the Administration for Community
Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $664,261
with 74% percentage funded by ACL/HHS; $229,832 with 25%
percentage funded by State of Wisconsin source(s); and 1% in-kind
contributions. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not
necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by
ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.