Glenkirk’s Respite Program provides short-term, intermittent care for persons with a diagnosis of Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities within their family home setting. This program provides primary caregivers the opportunity to handle the daily struggles in their lives with the comforting knowledge that their children are being well cared during planned absences as well as emergencies.
If you are interested in Respite Services or have any questions, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Process
- Families enroll through a streamlined application process which includes authentication of community of residence, documentation of a family member with a qualifying disability, and description of the need for respite services.
- Once in the program, families are assisted in enrolling the worker of their choice. These workers can be other family members living outside of the home, park district or school staff members familiar with their child, or neighborhood caregivers.
- The potential worker completes an application, and Glenkirk runs DCFS CANTS, Illinois State Police, and fingerprinting background checks.
- Workers are provided with CPR and First Aid training through Glenkirk free of charge. They also complete an orientation packet with the family to learn about the child and set goals in the areas of activities of daily living, community integration and behavioral skills.
RESPITE PROGRAM FAQS
- Glenkirk has provided Respite Services since 1976.
- Glenkirk currently delivers respite services to 93 individuals in 22 communities across Lake & Northern Cook Counties.
- Families are allotted respite care hours in increments of 50 hours at a time, up to a maximum of 360 hours per person, per fiscal year.
- Families submit monthly time sheets to Glenkirk detailing the date and time of the service provided.
- Glenkirk conducts quarterly surveys of all families receiving respite services to assess the effectiveness of the services provided.