‘Unique and valuable service’
Judson Center provides respite home care for kids
March being Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month the Judson Center is reminding parents and primary caregivers of its respite care services for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) and physical limitations.
“We have been able to provide this unique and valuable service since 1986, thanks in part to the generosity and support of our donors and fundraising campaigns,” Judson Center President and CEO Lenora Hardy-Foster said in a news release.
The nonprofit’s Lahser Children’s Respite Home provides a home away from home for children ages 6 to 17 with IDDs such as autism, attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and Down syndrome.
Children can stay anywhere from one night to a few weeks in the spacious, ranch-style home in Beverly Hills, Michigan. It’s the only respite home of its kind serving parents and caregivers in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties.
“The importance of respite care for parents and caregivers of children with special needs cannot be understated. Not only are we giving them a muchneeded break for self-care, but we are also providing the children with an opportunity to participate in skill-building activities and interact with their peers. And, it’s all done under the supervision of our welltrained respite providers.”
The Judson Center’s Lahser Children’s Respite Home is barrier-free and able to accommodate overnight stays for up to six children at a time. The services at the center include transportation to school and back within a certain radius of the home. Each child receives individualized and specialized care from attentive and compassionate staff.
“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as one in six kids between the ages of 3 and 17 have at least one developmental disability,” said Susan Salhaney, CEO of the Judson Center. “Parenting is a difficult job in itself, and there are additional challenges when caring for a child with special needs. Some children need around-the-clock attention. Respite can help offset these challenges, relieve stress, and strengthen the entire family’s health and wellbeing.”
Judson Center is contracted with Community Mental Health (CMH) agencies in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties. Families are referred for respite services through their local CMH agency, which also picks up the costs for the respite care.