In recognition that families who have sons and daughters with disabilities often have more extensive caretaking responsibilities than families of typically developing children, the respite program is meant to provide parents or caregivers with short-term relief and time away from their child/adult family member with a disability.
The Illinois Department of Human Services determines an annual allocation of funding provided through ARC Community Support Systems to pay for respite services for families. Parents, foster parents, and guardians who live in Clay, Edwards, Effingham, Jasper, Richland, Wabash and Wayne counties may be eligible for ARC-CSS respite services.
The family selects providers, reports the hours of care to ARC-CSS, and receives reimbursement for the cost of that care. Each family enrolled in the program receives a limited monthly allocation of hours (typically 15 per month).
To apply or for more information:
In Effingham County, please contact:
Bonnie Patton at 217-347-0880 ext. 106.
In all other counties, please contact:
Pam Allen at 618-395-2418 or 800-429-2487, ext 238.
