Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) Waiver Respite Program

Beginning in 2020, KVC Kansas began offering respite services to birth families who have a child on the SED (Serious Emotional Disturbance) waiver through Kansas Medicaid.  These children (ages 4-18) have a diagnosed mental health condition which impacts their ability to function socially, academically and/or emotionally and are connected to intensive services through community mental health centers. These youth are not in State’s custody and families providing respite are licensed foster homes. Oftentimes birth families need additional support to maintain the child in the home and the SED Waiver Respite Program can provide an opportunity for KVC foster families to engage in preventative efforts to help support and partner with birth families and ensure children remain in a least restrictive environment.

About the SED Waiver Respite Program

• This program allows for KVC Kansas to advocate for the prevention of child abuse and neglect in our community by providing additional supports to families who have children with social, emotional and mental health needs.
• Current and prospective foster parents are eligible to become SED Waiver respite providers when they complete crisis intervention (de-escalation) training provided by their local Community Mental Health Center or KVC. The training has both online and in-person elements, with a total training time of 12-15 hours. Most of the training requires hands-on learning and at least ten hours of the training will be in-person hours.
• Each child on the SED Waiver has approved respite hours available for a birth family to use. The number of hours is determined by the Wraparound Team and will be different for each family based on need.
• This program provides an opportunity for respite providers to come alongside birth families who need additional support and assistance and who are a safe and knowledgeable caregiver while maintaining the child in a home environment.
• The SED Waiver Respite Program is an additional opportunity for people who are wanting to help a child in their community. The SED Waiver Respite Program oftentimes offers more flexibility than traditional foster care since placements are short term (but often reoccurring) and could be overnight and/or hourly.

SED Waiver Respite Program Q&A

Q: What additional training is required for foster families that want to provide SED Waiver respite?

A: There are a number of additional trainings required for the SED Respite Program outside of traditional foster licensure requirements including: de-escalation and safety hold training (Ex. Safe Crisis Management, SCM), CPR, First Aid, and KS Train required by the State (consists of 9 online trainings).

Q: What support will I receive when completing additional training?

A: Your Family Service Coordinator and CPA supervisor will help walk you through the necessary trainings needed to become an SED respite home.

Q: Where can I access the training for the SED Waiver Respite Program?

A: Your Family Service Coordinator and CPA Supervisor can help you coordinate where each training is offered. Some trainings may be offered through KVC and others may be offered by the local community mental health center or outside agencies like the Red Cross (for CPR).

Q: What is the reimbursement rate for foster families providing SED respite?  When will I receive payment for providing SED respite?

A: The reimbursement rate is $9/hour.  Foster Homes complete Respite log/note when the child is in their care.  The respite log is given to your Family Service Coordinator for review and is then sent to KVC Accounting and the CMHC. Accounting bills the CMHC for the service and once the payment is received by KVC from the CMHC, the reimbursement is deposited into the foster parents account.   This payment process is different than traditional foster home payments so please contact your FSC with questions and/or if it has been more than 30 days since you submitted the documentation.

Q: What kinds of behaviors will children on the SED waiver have?

A: If you’re a current licensed foster parent, a large majority of the children you may have had in your home or had interactions with meet requirements for the SED waiver. Children on the SED waiver have similar behaviors to children in custody that have experienced trauma and may have behaviors such as: verbal aggression, physical aggression, a mental health diagnosis, lying, stealing, running away, etc.

Q: Will I be working with the biological family for the children?

A: Yes, a big difference with SED waiver respites is that the children are NOT in DCF custody and parental rights are still intact. Providing respite is a huge preventative service to the community as children often enter care when families do not get the needed support from respite they need to stay intact. Coming alongside biological parents will be different but will help ease communication to learn about the child.  This partnership also provides a great opportunity for shared learning and support.  Our goal is for families to be a consistent source of respite for the same child, creating consistency for the child and both families.

Q: Who do I contact if I have an emergency?

A: CPA on call is still available 24/7 to families in time of a crisis. Often times, also reaching out to the biological family may help offer support to the child in times of crisis or for a medical emergency. Additionally, the local CMHC will be available for crisis support.

Q: Who do I contact if I’m interested in providing SED Respite to families?

A: Please reach out to the Child Placing Agency Director in your area.

Metro: Jessica Elliott jeelliott@kvc.org 913-956-5294

South: Lisa Milford lmilford@kvc.org 620-670-5864

East: Anastasia Ramirez aramirez@kvc.org 913-575-4585