Stressed? Lack Support? Nowhere to turn? Respite may be for you!
Project AFFIRM
AugmentingFamily
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In-Home
Respite
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Project AFFIRM is a Caregivers Planned Respite Program. It is a FREE program funded by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. Program goal is to help parents become better caregivers by strengthening families through immediate relief, while empowering them with skills and expertise to locate and train respite providers to meet their future needs. Who is eligible? Residents of Hamilton County with children between the ages of 2 and 15 who have been diagnosed with serious mental or behavioral disturbances. Project AFFIRM is tailored to meet your individual needs. Together, the respite provider and your family determine a plan unique to your circumstances. That plan includes short-term respite care by staff, identification of possible respite resources, and determining the child’s learning characteristics and behavioral patterns which interfere with the family’s ability to secure respite. AFFIRM services typically run 6-8 weeks with 2-4 hours of respite provided weekly. Follow-ups are scheduled at 30,60, and 90 days.
Contact Connie Ripley, MS, Program Coordinator
cripley@vbhcs.org
420 Bell Avenue
PO Box 4028
Chattanooga, TN 37405
Office: 423-634-8884 Extension 4410