It’s our goal to ensure that every family and child has a supportive community surrounding them. You might already be familiar with our foster care case management services and the support we provide to foster parents. But did you know that KVC Kansas also serves children and teens who have a diagnosed mental health condition through our SED Respite Care program? 

What is SED Respite Care?

SED (Serious Emotional Disturbance) Respite Care is a statewide program where caring adults provide short-term respite care for families and youth who have a diagnosed mental health condition. Youth must also be on the SED waiver through Kansas Medicaid. The children and teens we serve through our SED Respite program are currently receiving mental health treatment services through their community mental health center. While, families providing respite through this program are licensed foster homes, the youth are not in foster care nor in state custody.

This short-term respite care gives parents and caregivers extra support when they need a break. It also ensures children and teens have a safe, stable home and caregivers to rely on. Respite care is usually provided for a night or a weekend but can take many forms as SED respite providers partner with biological parents to support the child or teen.

As Lisa Milford, KVC Kansas Child Placing Director for the Southeast Kansas Region, explains, “The heart of this program is short-term respite, which can be so crucial to give both the youth and the families a much-needed break and to keep the family unified.”

Ultimately, the goal of SED Respite Care is to ensure children and families can remain safely together while receiving necessary support and treatment.

Who is Eligible to Receive SED Respite Care?

Youth eligible for this form of respite care are children and teens with mental health disorders who are involved with their community mental health centers. The service is available for children and youth ages 5 through 18 on the HCBS waiver for Kansas.

Youth who receive SED Respite Care typically face challenges in two domains of their life — at home and at school. However, they may also face challenges within their community. Most of the mental health disorders and challenges these youth face are behavioral, such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Some may take medication to help manage their disorders.

An Inside Look

SED Respite Care can look a little different for each family based on their individual needs. However, it generally involves a SED Respite Care provider supporting a youth in need while partnering with their biological family. The child or teen often stays with the SED Respite Care provider for a night or two. During this time, they have all the same needs as any other child or teen:

• A place to rest and relax
• Meals
• Medication management
• And other basic care needs.

SED Respite Care vs. Foster Care

What’s the difference between SED Respite Care and foster care? In foster care, children are typically placed outside their family home, which may also mean changes to their school and community.

“They may come from a city down to a rural area, for example, which can be kind of shocking to them,” Milford explains. 

With SED Respite Care, youth who are at risk of possible foster care can instead remain in their community. This prevents the need for foster care and provides youth and families with additional support. Caregivers are excited about this program because it gives them a chance to give back and help children and teens within their community!

How the Process Starts

A new partnership between a family in need and a SED Respite Care provider always starts with a meet and greet. This meet and greet is facilitated by KVC’s SED Respite Program Coordinator. It’s an opportunity for the families to get to know each other and discuss things like routines, interests and hobbies. This meeting also ensures this partnership will be a good fit for both parties.

This initial conversation is also a chance for the youth and their family to discuss any unique support needs. For example, a teen was really interested in basketball but couldn’t successfully join his school’s team with only his family’s support. The SED Respite Care provider provided additional support and now that teen has found success with his passion!

Responsibilities of a SED Respite Care Provider

Caregivers who provide SED Respite Care are opening their homes to youth facing significant mental health or behavioral challenges. But they are not expected to provide any sort of mental health care beyond medication management. However, mental health training is included as part of the preparation of the SED Respite Care Provider.

“They are not part of the treatment plan,” explains Milford. “They are providing the child with another environment to relax and get a break from their families and their family’s routine.”

This program is ideal for caring adults who are interested in working with families and youth within their local community. Participants should be invested in working with the biological family. And because the program is locally focused, confidentiality is essential.

How to Become an SED Respite Care Provider

To participate in this program as a provider, you must be a licensed foster parent in Kansas. You must also be in good standing with a bed available for when youth require respite care. Providers must be both First Aid and CPR certified, though these are now requirements for all foster parents as well.

In addition to being a licensed foster parent, SED Respite Care providers must go through the following training:

• Safe Crisis Management Program: A 12-hour training covering basic, minimally restrictive holds and focusing primarily on de-escalation.
• Eight modules with the Kansas Department of Aging and Disabilities (KDADs) to learn about mental health centers, community-based service programs and confidentiality.
• Six additional hours of crisis management training each year to renew and recertify eligibility.

Providing parents a night or two off every couple of weeks may seem small, but it can make a huge difference for children and families in need of support within your own community. Learn more about how you can become a respite care provider or a foster parent with KVC Kansas!