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Ayuda Network OK’d to be respite provider for CDD
The Council on Developmental Disabilities has approved Ayuda Network Inc. as the community-based organization to administer the Commonwealth Respite Service Program.
The CCD board met at the Pacific Islands Club’s Napu Room late last month and council members unanimously voted to ratify the memorandum of agreement between CDD and Ayuda Network.
Ayuda Network had been chosen as CDD’s community-based organization to implement and facilitate a program to provide a comprehensive and coordinated respite care services for qualified clients in the CNMI.
Respite care is temporary relief for primary caregivers to prevent individual and family breakdown, institutionalization of the person being cared for, or abuse by the primary caregiver as a result of stress from giving continuous support and care to a dependent person.
“Ayuda Network has the expertise and background as a community-based organization who shall be responsible for regulating, managing and supervising the delivery of respite care services to the community,” the CDD board said.
CDD chair Thomas Camacho said in an earlier interview that the respite program already has its rules and regulations and all they’re waiting for is its implementation and accompanying voucher system.
CDD will be the advisory board for Ayuda Network in implementing the program. CDD agreed that they will be responsible for the development of the respite program and will provide the Ayuda Network guidance in regulation, management, and supervision of respite care.
CDD will also monitor, evaluate, and submit an annual proposed budget and spending plan to the governor for respite care each fiscal year.
The Ayuda Network’s responsibility will be to develop policies and procedures in administering the program, serve on one or all three senatorial districts, act as the single source for respite services information and referral, and facilitate local respite services and others.
