Family Support Services - Respite Services

The Arc of Union County's Respite Programs were developed to provide families with assistance and support of their ongoing responsibilities related to caring for an individual with a developmental disability. Our programs facilitate a family member the opportunity to pursue outside employment, or to more spend time with other family members, or to enjoy a mini-vacation.

Respite programs include:

After School (ages 6 – 21)/After Work (ages 21 and older)

These programs are held in accessible buildings in Mountainside and Scotch Plains, and provide recreational and socialization activities that are age-appropriate and geared to meet the individual participants' interests and abilities levels. Assistance with self-care is provided. The programs run daily Monday through Friday, from 3:00 to 5:45 pm.

Saturday Respite – Adults and Children

The Saturday programs are offered twice a month in Mountainside in an accessible building. The program offers indoor activities such as games, cooking, arts & crafts, and other socialization opportunities for each person based on his/her individual interests and abilities. Assistance with self-care is provided. The program runs from 9:30 am to 2:45 pm; individuals bring their own lunch.

In Home Respite

In this program, a respite worker provides one-to-one care to a child or adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the individual's home. Eligibility is determined by the DDD. If eligible, families receive an average of 20 hours in-home respite care per month. Hours are coordinated between the family and the care provider to meet the needs of the individual and the family.

Hotel Respite

The "Weekend in the Community" Hotel Respite program is an overnight stay on a Friday evening to Sunday afternoon for children or adults. The weekend's activities include day trips and a variety of recreational activities with a two-to-one staff ratio. Families must be approved by their DDD case manager before registering for a weekend, and may be eligible for Hotel Respite up to two times per year.

"Hotel Respite has given my two children a chance to branch out for a full weekend on their own without me, their mother, there, who they rely so much on. This weekend gave them a chance to build on their independence and gave me a wonderful, over-due break from being their mother and caregiver on a full-time basis."