Child & Family Services RESPECT Program
Responsive Effective Service Promoting Each Child's Tomorrow
Child & Family Services recognizes that each family, even those with the most
challenging problems, has strengths, assets and coping skills. That's why we offer
Child & Family Services RESPECT Program to families whose children may be at
risk of out-of-home placement.
What Does the Program Do?
Child & Family Services RESPECT (Responsive Effective Service Promoting Each
Child's Tomorrow) Program helps children with serious emotional disturbances remain
at home by providing community-based alternatives to inpatient or residential care
settings.
Through an individualized care model, we work in collaboration with the child, his
or her family and other child-serving systems to develop a treatment plan specifically
for each family. Service plans are designed to address the unique needs and strengths
of each family, and are provided within the least restrictive, most normal environment
possible.
While similar to the Child & Family Services Home and Community Based Services
Waiver Program, the RESPECT Program reaches out to a broader population by serving
children as they transition from adolescent to adult services. The RESPECT program
serves families involved in several service and intervention systems including the
courts, juvenile justice system and probation programs.
What are the Program Goals?
To best meet the needs of families, our program works to:
- Prevent out-of-home placement of at-risk children
- Provide earlier return for children already out of their homes
- Facilitate the movement of children to less restrictive levels of care
- Enable parents return to the workplace by removing behavioral and mental health
barriers, and stabilizing and supporting children and families.
What Services are Offered?
There are six core services provided to children through the RESPECT Program. They
include:
- Individualized care coordination;
- Respite;
- Family support;
- Crisis response services;
- Skill building; and
- Intensive in-home services
In addition, the RESPECT program offers special, optional services designed for
children with conduct disorders. These services include:
- Pre-vocational services
- Mentorship
- Therapeutic recreation
- Expanded respite services including out-of-home respite
- Challenged-based camp and outward bound experiences
Who is Eligible?
Child & Family Services RESPECT Program helps families whose child:
- Requires, or is at imminent risk of psychiatric hospitalization or resident treatment
facility placement, or needs continued hospitalization;
- Is between the ages of 5 to 17 years
or
- Is between the ages of 18 - 21 and is transitioning from residential treatment facilities
to outpatient services;
- Meets the definition of serious emotional disturbance;
or
- Has been defined as having a conduct disorder, but may not meet the definition of
serious emotional disturbance
- Has complex mental health needs;
- Has service and support needs that cannot be met by only one agency and/or system;
- Is capable of being cared for in the home and/or community if he or she is provided
access to services offered by the RESPECT Program.
- Has a viable and consistent living environment with parents and/or guardians who
are able and willing to participate in the RESPECT Program and support the child
in the home and the community.
- Is not eligible for Medicaid
For More Information
To access services of learn more about Child & Family Services RESPECT Program,
please call:
Child & Family Services RESPECT Program
923 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
(716) 881-2591