New Online Respite Care Provider Training for States and Communities
The ACL-funded ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center has released a new online curriculum for community-based organizations to train entry-level respite providers. The 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers calls for improvements in the availability and delivery of respite services. To help address this need, the National Respite Care Provider Training was developed through a collaboration between ARCH, the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), and the Respite Care Association of Wisconsin.
When families receive respite care, caregivers can take meaningful short breaks from their caregiving responsibilities, enabling them to provide care for longer. Research has also shown that such breaks promote the well-being of family caregivers, care recipients, and other family members. Respite care services are among the most requested caregiver services, but they are often difficult to find in local communities.
The National Respite Care Provider Training (NRCPT) is a field-tested, competency-based online respite provider training curriculum for entry-level respite providers. The NRCPT is available by request at no cost to states or community-based entities. It teaches 10 core competencies that serve as a baseline for the delivery of quality respite services in the community. These include understanding the importance of respite care; confirming that respite services are respectful of the cultural preferences, traditions, and language needs of families; ensuring that respite care professionals help protect care recipients from illness, injury, abuse, neglect, or other harm; and much more.
The training is available in English and Spanish. A replication toolkit is also available for states interested in developing their own state-specific curriculum. There is no cost to use the training, but organizations must request access by completing the NRCPT Toolkit Request Form.
Contact info@respiteprovidertraining.com with any questions about the training.