Funding for Respite Care is provided by Gainwell Technologies.
Respite Care Events
Community Connections will be providing monthly Respite Care Events for kids in Bryant, Conway, & Little Rock!
We want parents/guardians to have the opportunity to take a break, run errands, have a date, or even head home to sit in silence……whatever respite care means to you! Siblings are welcome, we just ask that you please fill out one form per child so we can plan activities and staffing accordingly!
SPOTS ARE LIMITED AND REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL KIDDOS IN ATTENDANCE.
2024 Respite Care Events
(Ages 2-18)
-
Bryant
Larry’s Pizza
Saturday | 9-11:30AM
May 4*, Jun 1, Jul 6, Aug 3, Sept 7, Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7Jan 4 (2025)
*Register before May 1st
Director: Glenda Diamond
littlemspro@yahoo.comAsst. Director: Jimmy Diamond
gdiamond114@gmail.com -
Conway
Larry’s Pizza
Saturday | 9:30-11:30AM
May 11*, Jun 8, Jul 27, Aug 24*Register before May 8th
Co-Director: Carrie Grace Page
cpage@cub.uca.eduCo-Director: Amber Denee Scott
ascott29@cub.uca.eduAsst. Director: Neiya Howell
nhowell2@cub.uca.edu -
Little Rock
Pediatrics Plus
Saturday | 1-4PM
May 11*, Jun 8, Jul 13*Register before May 6th
Co-Director: Hallie Kennedy
halliekennedy44@gmail.comCo-Director: Jayce Burney
jayceburney@gmail.com -
Mena
Dallas Ave. Baptist Church
Saturday | 12:30-3pm
May 18*, Jun 22, Jul 20*Register before May 15th
Director: Kassidy Dahlem
kassidyyrose@gmail.com
Parent Respite Literacy Program
Community Connections has partnered with the Faulkner County Library to bring you the Parent Respite Literacy Program for families who have children with special needs. Parents/caregivers are invited to browse for books and enjoy a couple hours of down time while their children participate in multiple activities such as story time, crafts, & media center!
If your child is NOT potty trained, we ask you to stay on the library campus for any bathroom responsibilities. We do NOT have a certified nurse on staff during this program, and bathroom changes will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Conway | Faulkner County Library (1900 Tyler St)
Saturday | 10am-Noon | All Ages
Jan 27 | Feb 24 | Mar 9 | Apr 20 | Jun 1 | Jul 13 | Aug 10 | Sep 7 | Oct 19 | Nov 9 | Dec 14
*No session in May
Co-Director: Ellie Matthews
ellie.matthews06@gmail.com
Co-Director: Mary Matthews
mary.matthews04@gmail.com
Co-Director: Maci Jordan
jordanmaci2024@hotmail.com
Community Connections Respite Care Training Program
The purpose of this respite care training program is to inform volunteers about Community Connections respite care experience, expectations, roles and responsibilities. This training is required prior to the respite care experience for volunteers interested in serving as a respite care provider. It is essential for you to be educated, trained, and confident in providing respite care services to families in the community. We hope this resource provides you with information that will be useful and interesting while serving as a Community Connections respite care provider.
Click the button below to begin and take a short quiz to finish.
Respite Care Training through the DHS website
Find the introduction to the training on the DHS website: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/provider-services-quality-assurance/arkansas-lifespan-respite/lifespan-respite-training/.
The direct link to the training portal is: https://arkansas-respitecarewi.talentlms.com/. Once an individual completes the training and receives their certificate, they can submit the form on the Provider Search/Registry to have their name and details added. This allows caregivers across the state to search and find skilled respite care workers to hire. The Registry/Search Engine can be located at: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/provider-services-quality-assurance/arkansas-lifespan-respite/respite-worker-registry/
Additionally, the respite voucher program and applications are up and available for caregivers who need respite but cannot financially afford it. The voucher program allows $300 per voucher, and families can apply each quarter of the year- potentially receiving $1,200 in a full year. The website for the vouchers is: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/provider-services-quality-assurance/arkansas-lifespan-respite/apply-for-respite-voucher/
If you have any questions about the Respite Care Training through DHS please email Sarah Schmidt, Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance Deputy Director, at sarah.schmidt@dhs.arkansas.gov.