1. Sharing The Care An Innovative Model for Building Respite Awareness and Capacity within Communities

2. Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network (Alabama Respite) began as a project of United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville and Tennessee Valley, Inc. (UCP) in 2000. Alabama Respite is now a statewide program whose mission is “to increase access to and availability of high quality respite resources for all caregivers in Alabama.” Who Is Alabama Respite?

3. Why Develop Sharing the Care? The Goal Become a Lifespan Respite State The Challenge Not Enough Funding The Solution Sharing the Care

4. Sharing The Care Identifies gaps and barriers to local respite careProvides education and public awareness about respiteDevelops new or expands existing services Acts as a grassroots advocacy group to educate federal, state and local legislators Led by group of volunteer community stakeholders whose goal is to strengthen caregivers by increasing availability and accessibility to local respite resources.

5. Funding an STC -Federal Lifespan Grant -Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities -Local Community Foundations -Business Foundations

6. Successfully replicated in Jefferson and Shelby Counties ACDD Grant to Reach 4 New Target Areas by March 2012 1.Montgomery 2.Selma 3.Dothan 4.Mobile

7. Information and Organizational Meeting Begin Strategic Planning Process Using Analysis and 4 Objectives as Starting Point Development and Implementation of Strategic Plan to Meet Goals of Local Area STC Group Starting a STC Group

8. Who Do You Invite? Caregivers Current Respite Providers Local Faith Communities State Agencies that Fund Respite Organizations that provide services to persons with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses Policy-Makers Home Health Agencies Hospital Social Workers School System Special Education Coordinators Caregiver Support Groups Adoptive and Foster Care Agencies Hospice Early Intervention Coordinators Volunteer Centers Case Management Agencies Other ideas?

9. Holding An Organizational Meeting Find a meeting space and set a date Send out invitational flyers, e-mails, and make personal invitations whenever possible Set the agenda/ provide good information Be ready to get people motivated Door prizes and refreshments never hurt Be ready with your action points and schedule the next meeting

10. Public Awareness Educate and Inform the Community About the Benefits of Respite, When and How to Access Services and What is Currently Available in the Area Resources Identify Gaps and Barriers to Local Respite Care Provide Technical Assistance and Information About Developing and Funding New Resources Train Volunteer and Paid Providers Advocacy Act as a Grassroots Advocacy Group to Educate Federal, State, and Local Legislators About the Need for Quality Respite Care Services Assist with Efforts in Systems Change

11. The Strategic Planning Process -Community Analysis using SWOC tool -(Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Challenges) -How do you use a SWOC to develop your strategic plan? -Examples

12. Top Ten Tips for Coordinating a STC 1. One size does not fit all. 2. Be patient! 3. Never stop recruiting. 4. Keep everyone in the loop. 5. Give thought to your meeting schedule. 6. Good leadership and coordination are essential to the success of any group. 7. Groups like “homework”. 8. Watch the clock and keep things moving. 9. Be prepared. 10.Give positive feedback.

13. Thank You for Coming We Look Forward to Working With You! Contact: alabamarespite@aol.com jbennett@ucphunstville.org sharingthecare@ucphuntsville.org