The Respite Voucher Learning Collaborative (LC) provides peer leadership and networking to explore the many issues to be considered in respite voucher program design and implementation.  In implementing a respite voucher program, States use a variety of delivery and reimbursement systems, target different populations, and define provider eligibility differently. These and other issues are addressed.  You are welcome to join the LC if you are in the planning stages for your program or if you are a seasoned administrator.

The LC is facilitated by LC leaders, Nadine Walter, Talena Ford and Aietah Stephens, partners in the OK Lifespan Respite grant and Tracy Kahlo with Lifespan Respite Washington. Please contact Jill Kagan if you would like to join the Respite Voucher Learning Collaborative. The LC meets 4 times a year.

Respite Voucher Resources, click here

Results of Respite Voucher Survey, 2021, click here.

Results of Respite Voucher Survey, Fall 2018, click here 

Practical Considerations for Respite Voucher Programs, click here.

Meetings 

July 14, 2022

Vouchers for Emergency Respite

Agenda

Breakout Room Discussion Guide

The July 14th meeting of the ARCH Respite Voucher Learning Collaborative focused on the implementation of respite vouchers for emergency respite. We heard from colleagues in Illinois and Nevada and then broke out into smaller discussion groups to delve more deeply:

Tina Yurik, Executive Director, Illinois Respite Coalition. Read more about their Emergency Respite program guidance. PPT Presentation

Jamie Ahumada, No Wrong Door Coordinator, and Yazmin Orozco, Lifespan Respite Program Coordinator, Aging and Disability Services Division, Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. PPT Presentation

Recordings of Main Room and Breakout Room Discussions

Emergency Respite Voucher Resources

• Lifespan Respite State Tools and Guidance for Emergency Respite
• ARCH Fact Sheet: Emergency Respite: Help for Family Caregivers in Critical Times of Need

April 21, 2022

Exploring Administrative and Outreach Issues in Respite Voucher Programs

Agenda

ARCH Intro Slides

Breakout Room Discussion Guide

Recordings of Main Room and Breakout Room Discussions

• Main Room Intro and Discussion
• NOTES - Breakout Room Discussion Group #1. Flexible and Responsive Voucher Programs (no recording available). 
• Breakout Room Discussion Group #2 - Outreach to Special Populations
• Breakout Room Discussion Group #3 - Helping Family Caregivers Navigate and Access Respite

January 20, 2022

Overview of Self-Direction and Update of Participant-Directed Respite Guidebook

Agenda

Presentation of Molly Morris, Kate and Merle Edwards Orr, Applied Self-Direction, PPT Slides

Recording

CHAT Transcript

October 6, 2021

2021 Respite Voucher Survey Results

Agenda

Results of 2021 Respite Voucher Survey 

ARCH PPT Slides

PPT Slides, Aietah Stephens, Executive Director, Sooner SUCCESS, OU Health Sciences Center

PPT Slides, Tracy Kahlo, Lifespan Respite Washington

Recording

February 10, 2021

Voucher Survey and Revisiting Respite During the Pandemic

Agenda

Recording

PPT Slides

October 27, 2020

Respite Rx: What Caregivers Need Now

Recording

Presenter: Cheryl Dinnell, Program Coordinator,  Nevada Aging & Disability Services Division

Chat Transcript

PPT slides

Resources

ADDED 4/25/2021 Final Report - Caregiver Respite Self-Directed Pilot

Intake Form used by Nevada Care Connection when they identify a caregiver

Respite Rx Application Form

Pre-Respite Survey

LifeCourse Respite Portfolio used by Respite Design Session to ensure person and family-centered respite

March 13, 2020

Respite Voucher Programs in Oklahoma and South Carolina

Webinar Recording

Presenters (Voucher Collaborative Members):

Robyn A. Boswell, Special Programs Coordinator, Sooner SUCCESS, Respite Voucher Programs/Sibshops, Oklahoma City, OK

Rachal Hatton, Executive Director, SC Respite Coalition, Columbia, SC

Chat Transcript and Q&A

PPT Slides

September 19, 2019

Respite Voucher Implementation - A Deep Dive

Presenters (Voucher Collaborative Members):

Cheryl Dinnell, Project Coordinator, on behalf of the Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division, Planning, Advocacy & Community Services Unit, NV Dept of Health and Human Services, Carson City, NV

Lisa Schneider, Executive Director, Respite Care Association of Wisconsin, Appleton, WI

Chat Transcript and Q & A

PPT Slides

April 30, 2019 (at the Lifespan Respite Grantee and Partner Learning Symposium)

In the Video of the Learning Symposium, the Voucher Learning Collaborative Discussion begins at approx. 1:22:00.

Facilitated by Elle Billman, CO Respite Coalition; Linda Porter, Lifespan Respite WA; and Ronelle Baker, OK Sooner Success

Objectives and Questions Explored

Ronelle Baker's PPT Presentation on the Role of the OK Caregiver Coalition in voucher program success 

February 27, 2019

Agenda

Chat Transcript of Q&A

This call generated a very informative discussion stimulated by the findings from the recent Voucher Respite Survey. In addition, the ACL Operational Assessment plans of state Lifespan Respite voucher programs were presented to the group by Victoria Wright, ACL and Krissy Rerucha-Azeem, The Lewin Group.

September 20, 2018

Recorded Call

Practical Considerations When Starting a New Voucher Program and for Experienced Voucher Program Providers

Call Description: Are you thinking about starting a voucher respite program? Are you a seasoned veteran in implementing a program, but still have questions? This call will explore the many issues you should consider before getting started as well as those that may have emerged for you in your current program. Voucher Collaborative leaders authored this list of questions that we will consider as a group. Leaders will begin by providing answers to some of these questions and other questions will be explored in greater depth in future calls and in a more in-depth respite voucher survey.

Kick-Off Call, May 16, 2018

Recorded Call

The Nuts and Bolts of Voucher Respite

Call Description: In implementing a respite voucher program, States use a variety of delivery and reimbursement systems, target different populations, and define provider eligibility differently. This call will provide an opportunity for network members to discuss different approaches to respite voucher program implementation. Linda Porter from Lifespan Respite Washington and Elle Billman from the Colorado Respite Care Program initiated the idea for the call and facilitated a peer-led informal café call to allow grantees and partners to share successes, challenges, implementation strategies, and tools/forms used. During this call, the participants decided to launch a Respite Voucher Learning Collaborative that would meet regularly to discuss implementation issues and challenges.