The respite care program, in partnership with local businesses, will provide families with gift cards and a list of pre-planned activities they can enjoy.
The initiative will be held every first and third Friday night from 6 to10 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. at Cochran Chapel United Methodist Church.
鈥淔or those folks that are not receiving other services, the most commonly requested support services are respite services for families,鈥� Ability Connection President and CEO Jim Hanophy said. 鈥淛ust to have an opportunity to get a break and recharge and take care of other things while their family member is somewhere safe.鈥�
Hanophy said staff are trained to provide adequate care while the primary caregivers are participating in the program.
The nonprofit has also launched a school holiday program to provide respite care during Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break and over the summer. Oftentimes, parents have to choose between going to work or staying at home to take care of their children during the holiday seasons is also an extended respite, Hanophy said.
Hanophy said these new programs highlight the Ability Connect鈥檚 goal of not taking a 鈥渙ne size fits all approach.鈥�
鈥淭he one-person focus is on finding out what the individual needs,鈥� Hanophy said. 鈥淲hat kind of support they need 鈥nd also what the family wants, and meeting that families鈥� expectations the best we can.
There are 46,000 special education students in the Dallas Independent School District, according to the nonprofit.
Register for the program or find more about any of the organization鈥檚 initiatives on
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