Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...

For more information about our respite services contact:

Jody Campbell
Director of Respite Services
phone: 914.949.9300,
ext. 4517
jcampbell
@westchesterarc.org

Westchester Arc
The Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center
265 Saw Mill River Road
Hawthorne, NY 10532
914.949.9300
info@westchesterarc.org

24-hour
Crisis Intervention:
914.949.8200

Información en EspañolInformación en Español


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Respite

Putting Family Member’s Mind to Rest

Spending time away from a child isn’t easy for a parent, especially when he or she has developmental disabilities. Knowing your son or daughter is left with caring, dedicated professionals in a safe, friendly environment can be comforting.

Respite offers parents or caregivers an opportunity to take some time off from caring for their family member with a disability. Families use respite services for a number of reasons, including running errands, spending time with their other children, going out of town, or simply taking an occasional and much-needed break.

How to Access Respite Services

Arc of Westchester’s respite programs are funded by Medicaid and have NO FEE. Please see if you meet the eligibility requirements below:

To be eligible for our Respite programs, participants:

  • Ages 21 and under:
    You must be eligible for OPWDD services (Office for People with Developmental Disabilities) and reside with family in Westchester County.
  • Adults over 21:
    You will need to have Medicaid or be in the process of applying for Medicaid and Home and Community Based Services. If respite is the only waiver service you receive, you may be eligible for an exception to this regulation.

Respite House

Our freestanding Respite House provides planned overnight visits for both children and adults. The cozy home, located in a quiet neighborhood in Thornwood, has space for up to six individuals. Up to five guests are scheduled in advance and the last spot is saved for use by a family in crisis. The average respite visit ranges from one night to a full week, with longer stays possible if a family should need them.

Our Respite house is in operation 7 days a week, year-round. The experienced staff are trained in first aid, CPR, behavior management, medication administration, use of adaptive equipment, and fire safety, among other topics. Recreational activities are planned according to the interests and abilities of our guests, who also have opportunities to learn new independent living skills. Families often use our Respite House as a way of helping both the individual and the caregiver prepare for future residential opportunities. Many of our guests look forward to their “vacations” at our Respite House, and they ask their parents to call back to schedule the next visit as soon as possible.

 

Success story

Caring, Dedicated Staff

Donald Ruffin, respite counselor at Westchester Arc’s Respite House in Thornwood understood this... more »

Contact

For further information, please contact Jody Campbell, director of respite services, at 914.949.9300, ext. 4517, or send e-mail to jcampbell@westchesterarc.org

Click here for Respite Services Application

Get directions to our Respite House in Thornwood, NY

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