Respite care available for EFMP families

  • Published
  • By Lauren Russell
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program here are eligible for additional support through the Air Force Respite Care program.

Respite Care provides active duty Air Force families with short term specialized child care to reduce the stressors associated with caring for a child with exceptional needs. The respite program is exclusively connected to EFMP families coded for moderate and severe needs.

“For anyone in the position of being a caregiver, being able to step away to run errands, go to the gym, or just take a break is a huge help and benefit for their family,” said Robin Morris, 66th Force Support Squadron community child care coordinator.

Morris emphasized that the Respite Care program is not a replacement for everyday child care. The program allows up to 40 hours of care per month for both EFMP children and their siblings up to 13 years old at no cost to families.

“It can be so difficult to find, retain and afford reliable care for your children, especially when there are special needs and you’re working around deployments and permanent change of station moves,” said Kristy Anderson, a Hanscom family member with two children enrolled in EFMP here. “The respite program does a lot of good for so many military families.”

While the Air Force runs the Respite Care program, providers are not Department of Defense employees, rather, independent caregivers.

There are currently two respite providers in the greater-Hanscom area, and Morris said she hopes to bring more on board.

“This program gives providers the option to work around other jobs, as long as the schedules don’t overlap,” said Morris. “You could be a DOD employee, and offer this care to families on nights and weekends. There’s so much flexibility, and it can be so rewarding.”

Providers must be 18 or older and certified in first aid and CPR, as well as trained in special needs inclusion and child abuse prevention. Additional training may be required based on the exceptional needs of the family, including physical, mental, developmental or sensory needs.

Additional information on EFMP Respite Care can be found at https://www.dafchildandyouth.com/expanded-child-care.

Individuals interesting in becoming respite care providers or looking to connect with services can contact Morris at 781-225-6121 for information and applications.