Program Highlight:   Respite Homes Program

Boston Health Care for the Homeless offers limited special foster-care arrangements for children whose parent needs inpatient treatment (i.e., medical, psychiatric, substance abuse). Families who are homeless or marginally housed may qualify. The program helps families where the parent requires inpatient medical treatment and there is no informal support system to provide safe child care. Health Care for the Homeless learned from parents that they were refusing inpatient treatment because the only existing alternative for childcare was to request foster placement through DCF. Involving DCF was a concern for these parents so the Respite Homes program places the children in temporary foster homes generally without DCF involvement.

The foster families are contracted through the MENTOR program, all have had CORI checks, and at least one parent in each family does this work as a full-time job. These placements are considered "specialized foster care"- the families are accustomed to the most difficult placements and receive a higher than average reimbursement level. Many are social workers by training and tend to be culturally diverse allowing culturally appropriate placements. Parents are given the foster parent's contact information; when there is a planned admission and time allows, they may be able to contact them by phone in advance. The program is committed to placing siblings together where possible.

It is best to make referrals as far in advance as possible. Because of the limited number of foster families and limited funding the program may not be able to accommodate all requests.

For more information or to make a referral contact Nancy Paladino 857-654-1300, or page at 781-221-6565. Referrals can only be accommodated during normal business hours.

--Thanks to Barry Bock for his help with the original article and Nancy Paladino for the revised information.

4/02; revised 11/11