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NASHIA supports legislation that:

Provides for community-based respite services for caregivers of individuals with disabilities of any age.

Lifespan Respite Care

Overview

Respite is defined as planned or emergency intermittent relief to caregivers from the demands of ongoing care for persons with special needs or who are at risk of abuse or neglect. Respite care is a cost-effective program that when used in conjunction with other community-based services allows individuals to remain in their own homes. NASHIA supports the development of coordinated systems of community-based respite services that are accessible to caregivers regardless of the individual’s age, disability, or income.

The Lifespan Respite Care Act was signed into law December 21, 2006, and is now P.L. 109-442. The new program authorizes competitive grants to Aging and Disability Resource Centers in collaboration with a public or private non-profit state respite care coalitions or organization to make quality respite available and accessible to family caregivers regardless of age or disability. The law allows grantees to identify, coordinate and build on federal, state and local respite resources and funding streams, and would help support, expand and streamline planned and emergency respite, provider recruitment and training, and caregiver training.

The House bill originally introduced by Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-NJ) and Rep. Langevin (D-RI), passed the House on December 6, 2006 and the Senate on December 8, 2006. It was signed into law on December 21, 2006 The original Senate companion bill, was introduced by Senators John Warner (R-VA)and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY). The new law cannot be implemented unless Congress appropriates the funding for FY08. Advocates are asking for $40 million to fund the program.

Letters to Congress

Testimony submitted to the House Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee [PDF 172 KB] from many organizations (including NASHIA) sent by the National Respite Coalition on March 30, 2007 requesting $40 million in Lifespan Respite funding for fiscal year 2008.

Letter to the Speaker of the House [PDF 113 KB] from several members of Congress sent on March 16, 2007 urging the House Appropriations Committee to include the authorized level funding, $40 million, for the Lifespan Respite Care Act programs in FY 2008 appropriations.

Letter to the Speaker of the House [PDF 68 KB] from many organizations (including NASHIA) sent by the National Respite Coalition on November 13, 2006 urging the House to bring the bill to the floor for a vote during the November lameduck session.