What is the Oregon Lifespan Respite Care Program?

Oregon Lifespan Respite Care Program was created by the Legislature in 1997 with the passage of House Bill 2013. That bill directed DHS to assist local communities in building respite access networks for family and primary caregivers -- regardless of age, income, race, ethnicity, special need or situation.

The Department of Human Services, through the Oregon Lifespan Respite Care Program, contracts with private non-profit, for-profit or public agencies in communities throughout the state.  Each of these agencies acts as a single local source of information, referral and access to local respite care services--  the most identified service need requested by primary caregivers and a critical crisis prevention identified by social service professionals.

In 2007, under Senate Bill 648, the Legislature approved funding for DHS to renew a strong commitment in ensuring the Community Lifespan Respite Care Program partners are able to coordinate respite care to family caregivers.

Currently, 22 networks in Oregon provide the following services in all 36 counties:

• Recruitment and training of respite care providers.
• Coordinating necessary respite-related services based on each caregiver’s and family’s needs.
• Information and referral to respite-related services.
• Linking families with potential respite care payment resources.

Oregon law ( ORS 409.470 ), says that respite care services shall:

• Include a flexible array of respite care options, responsive to family and caregiver needs, and available before families and caregivers are in a crisis situation;
• Be sensitive to the unique needs, strengths and multicultural values of an individual, family or caregiver;
• Offer the most efficient access to an array of coordinated respite care services that are built on existing community supports and services;
• Be driven by community strengths, needs and resources; and
• Use a variety of funds and resources, including but not limited to:
  • Family or caregiver funds;
  • Private and volunteer resources;
  • Public funds; and
  • Exchange of care among families or caregivers