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Senate OKs respite care program
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Posted on Aug 18 2004
The Senate yesterday approved a bill that seeks to provide respite care services to families of people with disabilities in the CNMI.
The Senate unanimously voted to pass House Bill 14-9, which aims to establish the Commonwealth Respite Services Program and to designate the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities as the administering authority.
“We truly thank the Senate, particularly Sen. Henry San Nicolas, who chairs the Committee on Health and Welfare, for the favorable action,” said Liza Aldan, president of the CNMI Association of Families with Disabilities.
The association, together with the Council, headed by its executive director Thomas Camacho, earlier endorsed the immediate passage of the bill, saying the measure will provide needed relief to hundreds of families, who, for many years, provide direct support to their children or adults with the most chronic developmental disabilities.
Under the bill, the council would regulate and sub-grant the voucher system and respite care services to qualified community-based organizations.
It allows families to receive financial assistance and other support.
The program lists seven R.E.S.P.I.T.E. benefits: relaxation, enjoyment, stability, preservation, involvement, time off, and enrichment.
Aldan said that respite care is a temporary relief but long-term care program that allows a caregiver to take a break or to attend to other equally personal matters.
