MicrosoftTeams-image (6)

Home » Programs » Extra Special Saturday Respite

Extra Special Saturday Respite

Respite Care is a wonderful time for children to enjoy free play, music therapy, and extra attention from FOCUS caregivers and volunteers. These hours of free childcare give parents the opportunity to enjoy a break, run an errand, or take a nap!

You deserve a break today!  Enjoy a few hours to run errands, lunch with a friend, or take a nap!

A nurse is at each location to manage G-tube feedings, seizures, and other medical care. Caregivers at each location are knowledgeable and experienced in caring for children with special needs. Ratio of caregiver to child is 1:4, but community volunteers are often on hand to help and play.  It's a wonderful time for the children to enjoy free play, music, and extra attention from FOCUS caregivers and volunteers.   Oh, and the parents enjoy the break!!

Eligibility
  • Have a physical and/or developmental disability, including rare genetic syndromes, cerebral palsy, autism, and Down syndrome.
  • Be age 1-12 at the date of respite.
  • Willing to stay with a group and function in a 1:4 caregiver to child ratio.
  • Have no recent instances of elopement or wandering away.
What Makes ESS Respite Unique
  • A nurse is available at each location to manage G-tube feedings, seizures, and other medical care.
  • A Male & Female toileting attendant is at each location for diaper changes and support restroom reminders.
  • Counselors at each location are knowledgeable and experienced in caring for children with special needs.
  • Ratio of caregiver to child is 1:4, but community volunteers are often on hand to help and play.
Other Info
  • Registration is required.
  • There is no fee for ESS Respite.
  • Siblings age 1-12 welcome.
  • Kids will pack a cold, nut free, lunch with a drink.
  • ESS Respite is a nut free program; No Peanut butter, trail mix, or nuts.
  • Parents will receive a reminder email from the respite coordinator the Monday or Tuesday before each respite date, requesting that you confirm your plans to attend.  Important:  If you do not receive that email, you might not be on the respite list so call to find out.  Do not come to respite and hope for the best; we carefully plan our staff and volunteers based on the number of children we expect and do not want to disappoint anyone!!  If your child is sick on the day of respite, please call FOCUS and let us know; we might be able to add a child from the waiting list!
  • Parents pack extra clothes, diapers, and any medication (must be in prescription bottle, with correct dosage on label).
  • If your child has not attended a childcare program with FOCUS before (or it has been a few years), we will contact you after you register and complete the application. We will ask you a few questions regarding your child’s care, medical needs, and behavioral issues. After a discussion with you, we will determine whether we can safely care for your child in our programs. We strive to accommodate as many children as possible but need to ensure that we can do that safely in a group setting. (FOCUS Childcare programs are not designed for children who need 1:1 behavioral support.)
  • FOCUS cannot accommodate children who have aggressive or harmful behaviors to self or others.

CURRENT EXTRA SPECIAL SATURDAY RESPITE LOCATIONS

  • February 17th from 10AM-2PM at Embry Hills UMC | 3304 Henderson Mill Rd, Atlanta
  • March 9th from 5PM-8PM at Alpharetta Presbyterian |180 Academy St, Alpharetta

For more information on our ESS Respite, please contact Milligan at [email protected].