Struggling to find Respite Workers?
As a parent or guardian who cares for an individual with a disability with DSPD Medicaid waiver funding, you may struggle to find someone who can help care for your loved one. If you would like some help tackling the task of finding, hiring, and training respite workers, then apply to have us help you connect with a qualified respite worker. ​You may be eligible to receive a $1,000 stipend if you sign up early and complete our program requirements.
Our Program
Funded by a grant from DSPD, the Utah Prader-Willi Syndrome Association—in partnership with Tanner Dance at the University of Utah—has created the UtahRespite.Care program to recruit, train, and connect qualified respite workers with DSPD-funded families.
During the initial phase of this program in 2024, respite workers provided over 2,000 hours of respite care for Utah families.
Introduction to
Respite Workers
UtahRespite.Care recruits prospective respite workers through an easy application process—canvasing university and college campuses in Utah. We find young adults who are eager to make a difference with individuals who have disabilities, are looking for flexible employment, and are interested in potential internship credit. We also offer a generous stipend for respite workers who join our program.
These respite workers complete the UtahRespite.Care online respite worker training and attend an exciting in-person UtahRespite.Care conference—where they are introduced to respite work and learn to elevate their interactions with individuals in a respite care setting. The training does not include disability-specific information or medical training, but they will come away with effective techniques and activities that will make their time with your child more meaningful and productive.
Connecting with
Respite Workers
When you apply to become a participating family, UtahRespite.Care will provide you with access to our respite worker profile information so you can quickly find trained and available respite workers in your area. You connect with respite workers by logging into our online system. You can also set up a family profile so respite workers looking for work can find you. Our DSPD-specific online training helps you navigate the interviewing, hiring, and onboarding process more easily.
At UtahRespite.Care we try to make it as easy as possible for you to find quality respite workers in your area, but it is ultimately your responsibility to select and personally interview any respite worker before you hire them to work with your child. You will use your DSPD budget to pay respite and supported living workers for the time they work with your child.
Benefits
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May be eligible to receive a $1,000 stipend if you sign up early and complete our program requirements.
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Access to the profiles of trained respite workers in Utah.
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Access to DSPD SAS employer and onboarding training.
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Travel stipend for travel fare expenses used to meet with your respite worker.
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Provide opportunities for your child to learn, grow, and explore the community by spending quality time with a trained caregiver friend.
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Experience feeling refreshed and restored by sharing the care of your child with a trained and caring respite worker.
Please Note: UtahRespite.Care reserves the right to give the stipends in accordance with the program objectives of the grant.
Participation Requirements
Although DSPD funded individuals must use the Self-Administered Services (SAS) model, participating families can use Caregiver Compensation and be a SAS employer. Use the UtahRespite.Care Onboarding Training to get started with SAS.
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​Families who have previously participated in this program are encouraged to apply and create an online profile, so participating respite workers—who are looking for work—can connect with them. These families are not eligible to receive a stipend for participating in the program.
1. DSPD Funded
Must be DSPD funded and use Self-Administered Services (SAS), or private-pay, and are looking to hire one or more respite workers.
4. Hire a Respite Worker
Share your profile information with respite workers on the members-only UtahRespite.Care family directory and hire at least one respite worker.​​
2. Complete Application
5. Online Meeting
Attend an online meeting for the parents or guardians who are participating in the UtahRespite.Care program.
3. Complete Training
Complete the UtahRespite.Care online Employer and Onboarding training modules (approx. 2 hours).
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6. Complete Survey
Complete a feedback survey about your experience with the UtahRespite.Care program.
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