Respite Solutions 2010 Establishing & Operating a Respite Voucher Program Within Your Faith Community WC Hoecke “heck-uh” Family Connection of SC

Making Respite Work Making Respite Work in the Faith in the Faith

Community 2010Community 2010AndAnd

Establishing & Operating a Establishing & Operating a Respite Voucher Program Respite Voucher Program

Within Your Faith CommunityWithin Your Faith Community

Jackie Richards, Jackie Richards, LMSWLMSW & WC Hoecke & WC Hoecke “heck-uh” “heck-uh” MEdMEd

Family Connection of SCFamily Connection of SC

RESPITE ISRESPITE IS

Temporary, intermittent, Temporary, intermittent, flexible, relief; a break from flexible, relief; a break from caregiving responsibilities. caregiving responsibilities.

an English word for “relief.”an English word for “relief.”

Lifespan respite isLifespan respite is

For family caregivers of all ages, For family caregivers of all ages, regardless for whom they care:regardless for whom they care:

children with developmental disabilitieschildren with developmental disabilities

children and adults with mental illnesschildren and adults with mental illness

adults with midlife degenerative diseases adults with midlife degenerative diseases and head & spinal cord injuriesand head & spinal cord injuries

older adults and those with dementiasolder adults and those with dementias

Family caregivers know the members Family caregivers know the members that may offer helpthat may offer help

Investment in spiritual well being of Investment in spiritual well being of members, even those absentmembers, even those absent

Faith community members learn Faith community members learn about disabilities, aging, and care about disabilities, aging, and care giving.giving.

Why Respite?Why Respite?

1 in 5 SC households cares for someone 50 1 in 5 SC households cares for someone 50 years of age or olderyears of age or older

(SC Olmstead report, 2001)(SC Olmstead report, 2001)

52 million52 million informal and family caregivers informal and family caregivers provide care to someone aged 20+ who is provide care to someone aged 20+ who is ill or disabledill or disabled..

(Health and Human Services, June, 1998)(Health and Human Services, June, 1998)

SC Budget and Control Board reports SC Budget and Control Board reports 387,000 children with one or more special 387,000 children with one or more special health care needs in SC (1 in 4) with 1+ health care needs in SC (1 in 4) with 1+ diagnosed special needsdiagnosed special needs

(2007)(2007)

SC spent $35 million to remove children SC spent $35 million to remove children with severe emotional disturbances from with severe emotional disturbances from their homes, but families have no respite.their homes, but families have no respite.

(Continuum of Care, 2004)(Continuum of Care, 2004)

Caregiving goes on longer.Caregiving goes on longer.Families have changed.Families have changed.

Life expectancy longer in ALL Life expectancy longer in ALL populationspopulations

Medical science prolonging life, Medical science prolonging life, saving babiessaving babies

Smaller familiesSmaller families

Families living farther apartFamilies living farther apart

Women employedWomen employed

Caregiving affects faith Caregiving affects faith community memberscommunity members

Older spousal caregivers typically Older spousal caregivers typically drop out of activities and become drop out of activities and become increasingly isolated.increasingly isolated.

75% of family caregivers are female75% of family caregivers are female..

Congregations mustCongregations mustpro-activelypro-actively offer help offer help

Caregivers do not ask for help because:Caregivers do not ask for help because: of guiltof guilt of fear of leaving their loved one with of fear of leaving their loved one with

another personanother person they don’t realize their loved one would they don’t realize their loved one would

benefit from a break from them!benefit from a break from them! they have no idea how long and hard it they have no idea how long and hard it

might bemight be of reluctance to ask for helpof reluctance to ask for help of no extra money to pay for respiteof no extra money to pay for respite

Teach family caregivers Teach family caregivers early in the journeyearly in the journey

Help prepare a list of ways to helpHelp prepare a list of ways to help

Get involved (and get the caregiver Get involved (and get the caregiver out) out) beforebefore they need it they need it

Teach it will be a long journeyTeach it will be a long journey

Circle them with support Circle them with support beforebefore a a crisis (takes a village!)crisis (takes a village!)

Be insistent….Be insistent….

If necessary use the whammy:If necessary use the whammy:

“ “If not for yourself, use the help If not for yourself, use the help for the sake of your loved one…for the sake of your loved one…WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM IF WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM IF YOU FALL OUTYOU FALL OUT?”?”

Why the faith Why the faith community?community?

CompassionCompassion Wealth of volunteersWealth of volunteers Community-basedCommunity-based StabilityStability Existing non-profit statusExisting non-profit status

Creative faith-based Creative faith-based modelsmodels

•• Inclusion Inclusion

• • Financial SupportFinancial Support

• • Respite VoucherRespite Voucher

• • Respite Site (Brookdale = 1)Respite Site (Brookdale = 1)

• • Support Group RespiteSupport Group Respite

• • Adopt-a-Family ProgramAdopt-a-Family Program

More modelsMore models

• • Family CooperativeFamily Cooperative

• • Caregivers morning/time outCaregivers morning/time out

• • Care TeamsCare Teams

• • Trained Respite ProvidersTrained Respite Providers

• • Collaborative Respite, Faith & Collaborative Respite, Faith & Community Programs Community Programs

Respite Benevolence Respite Benevolence PolicyPolicy

Respite Voucher ProgramRespite Voucher Program congregation provides no direct services congregation provides no direct services helps pay for the hiring of a provider helps pay for the hiring of a provider

that the family choosesthat the family chooses payment does not need to be counted payment does not need to be counted

as income in their taxes as income in their taxes contributors to the fund receive a tax contributors to the fund receive a tax

deductiondeduction

Benevolence DefinedBenevolence Defined

an act of kindness or generosity an act of kindness or generosity purpose of the funds must be to provide for purpose of the funds must be to provide for

the basic necessities of life the basic necessities of life The faith community must agree that respite The faith community must agree that respite

is necessary for a family’s healthis necessary for a family’s health This is important because benevolence is This is important because benevolence is

not taxable to the recipient not taxable to the recipient Those who “control” a tax-exempt Those who “control” a tax-exempt

organization should never take tax-free organization should never take tax-free moneymoney

Respite Benevolence PolicyRespite Benevolence Policy

We recommend that each faith We recommend that each faith community establish its own written community establish its own written “Respite Benevolence Policy”. “Respite Benevolence Policy”.

An appropriate policy should include An appropriate policy should include the followingthe following::


1.1. The purpose of respite benevolence The purpose of respite benevolence program.program.

Example:Example: The purpose of the respite The purpose of the respite benevolence program is to provide the benevolence program is to provide the neededneeded service of respite to service of respite to members of members of the local congregationthe local congregation or or those living in those living in our local community.our local community.


2.2. Criteria to be used to determine Criteria to be used to determine whether a person qualifies to receive whether a person qualifies to receive a respite voucher.a respite voucher.

Example:Example: The eligibility criteria to qualify for respite services are: The eligibility criteria to qualify for respite services are:

any family who requests a respite voucherany family who requests a respite voucher Applies for a voucher using the appropriate application Applies for a voucher using the appropriate application

form form Who is responsible for the ongoing care-giving Who is responsible for the ongoing care-giving

responsibilities of a loved one, responsibilities of a loved one, child, and/or adultchild, and/or adult withwith:: special needs, mental health challenges, aged, dementia, special needs, mental health challenges, aged, dementia, Alzheimer’s, chronic illness etcAlzheimer’s, chronic illness etc..


33..Liability of services provided.Liability of services provided.

Example:Example: Respite benevolence gifts are given to the family Respite benevolence gifts are given to the family

as a voucher/reimbursement. as a voucher/reimbursement. The faith community is not responsible for hiring The faith community is not responsible for hiring

and trainingand training The faith community provides the financial The faith community provides the financial

resources in the form of a respite voucher to resources in the form of a respite voucher to assist in the payment of such services.assist in the payment of such services.


4. Identify employee, or volunteer of faith 4. Identify employee, or volunteer of faith community, who is responsible for community, who is responsible for approving benevolent vouchers.approving benevolent vouchers.

Example:Example: Pastor SmithPastor Smith is responsible for approving all is responsible for approving all

respite benevolence vouchers. If respite benevolence vouchers. If Pastor SmithPastor Smith is is not available not available two boardtwo board members may approve a members may approve a respite voucher. respite voucher.

A regular accounting of all voucher distributions A regular accounting of all voucher distributions to the financial manager for faith community’s to the financial manager for faith community’s regular financial statements.regular financial statements.


5.5. Develop a process of writing checks and Develop a process of writing checks and dispersing respite payments.dispersing respite payments.

Example:Example: Upon the receipt of a signed respite voucher the Upon the receipt of a signed respite voucher the financial manager will distribute a check for the financial manager will distribute a check for the approved amount to the family caregiver. approved amount to the family caregiver. This can be developed as a:This can be developed as a:-voucher -voucher prior to respiteprior to respite (simplest for families) (simplest for families) -reimbursement -reimbursement after services have been after services have been delivereddelivered and exact hours and agreed-upon and exact hours and agreed-upon amount of payment has been determined amount of payment has been determined


5.5. Develop a process of writing checks and Develop a process of writing checks and dispersing respite payments.dispersing respite payments.

Those who control a tax-exempt organization are propitiated from receiving tax-free money from the organization. All payments to employees, pastors, board members and members of their families should be treated as some type of taxable compensation.


6.6. Identify amounts and frequency of gifts.Identify amounts and frequency of gifts.

Example:Example: Respite vouchers cannot exceedRespite vouchers cannot exceed $50$50 in anyin any given given

monthmonth without written approval fromwithout written approval from the Board of the Board of the faith communitythe faith community. .

It is the responsibility of the family care giver to It is the responsibility of the family care giver to provide a IRS form 1099 MISC to anyone individual provide a IRS form 1099 MISC to anyone individual respite care provider who receives payment of respite care provider who receives payment of over $600 in a given tax year. over $600 in a given tax year.

(Use multiple respite care providers).(Use multiple respite care providers).


7.7. Use of donations to respite benevolence Use of donations to respite benevolence fund.fund.

Example: Example:

One hundred percent (100%) of gifts given to the One hundred percent (100%) of gifts given to the respite benevolence fund will go directly to respite benevolence fund will go directly to supporting families needing respite servicessupporting families needing respite services or the or the support of their familiessupport of their families..

Benevolence Policy FormBenevolence Policy Form

First and last name and address of individual receiving First and last name and address of individual receiving respite benevolent voucher.respite benevolent voucher.

The reason and amount for the payment.The reason and amount for the payment.

Statement (and signature line) that the recipient is not a Statement (and signature line) that the recipient is not a member who has control or related to one who has control member who has control or related to one who has control in faith community affairs.in faith community affairs.

Approval by person or persons responsible for benevolence Approval by person or persons responsible for benevolence voucher program (plus signature line).voucher program (plus signature line).

Statement that the recipient has read and understands Statement that the recipient has read and understands (and signs to the same) the Respite Benevolence Policy. (and signs to the same) the Respite Benevolence Policy.

(See example of Respite Voucher form)(See example of Respite Voucher form)

Contributions Designated Contributions Designated for Individualsfor Individuals

Since faith communities are granted Since faith communities are granted nonprofit status because of their nonprofit status because of their charitable religious purpose, no charitable religious purpose, no individuals are allowed to personally individuals are allowed to personally benefit from the nonprofit status. benefit from the nonprofit status. Such personal benefit is referred to Such personal benefit is referred to as “personal inurement” and is as “personal inurement” and is illegal.illegal.

Contributions Designated Contributions Designated for Individualsfor Individuals

An example is: An example is:

A grandfather of an autistic child giving a A grandfather of an autistic child giving a tax-exempt gift must be given to the faith tax-exempt gift must be given to the faith community’s respite benevolence program community’s respite benevolence program with no guarantee that it be used for his with no guarantee that it be used for his grandson’s parents who may attend that grandson’s parents who may attend that faith community. Faith communities then faith community. Faith communities then have the opportunity to disperse these have the opportunity to disperse these funds as they see fit.funds as they see fit.


Much of this paper is taken directly or in part from Tony Cooke Ministries of Broken Arrow, OK.

Policy paper on “Benevolence Policy”:

http://www.tonycooke.org/free_resources/articles_others/church_benevolence.html

For I was hungry and you gave me For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed drink, a stranger and you welcomed me. me. Matthew 25:35 Matthew 25:35

ReferencesReferences

1 & 3. National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP (June, 1 & 3. National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP (June, 1997). 1997). Family Caregiving in the U.S.: Findings From a Family Caregiving in the U.S.: Findings From a National Survey, National Survey, National Alliance for Caregiving, National Alliance for Caregiving, Bethesda, MD and AARP, Washington, D.C. Bethesda, MD and AARP, Washington, D.C.

2. Health and Human Services (June, 1998). 2. Health and Human Services (June, 1998). Informal Informal Caregiving: Compassion in Action.Caregiving: Compassion in Action. Department of Health Department of Health Human Services, Washington D.C. Based on data from Human Services, Washington D.C. Based on data from National Survey of Families and Households.National Survey of Families and Households.

Credit to W.C. Hoecke, Family Connection of South Carolina, Credit to W.C. Hoecke, Family Connection of South Carolina, Inc., 2712 Middleburg Dr. Suite 103-B, Inc., 2712 Middleburg Dr. Suite 103-B,

Columbia, SC 29204 phone (803) 252-0914Columbia, SC 29204 phone (803) 252-0914

Jackie RichardsJackie RichardsWC HoeckeWC Hoecke (“Heck-uh”)(“Heck-uh”)

FamilyFamilyConnectConnectionion of South Carolina, of South Carolina, IncInc

2712 Middleburg Dr. Suite 103-B2712 Middleburg Dr. Suite 103-BColumbia, SC 29204Columbia, SC 29204803-252-0914803-252-0914800-578-8750800-578-8750email: email: [email protected]@familyconnectionsc.orgWeb: Web: www.familyconnectionsc.orgwww.familyconnectionsc.orgorgorg

Susan R. Robinson, Executive DirectorSusan R. Robinson, Executive Director

P.O. Box 493, Columbia, S.C. 29202P.O. Box 493, Columbia, S.C. 29202

Phone: (803) 935-5027 or Phone: (803) 935-5027 or

(866) 345-6786 toll free(866) 345-6786 toll free

E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

Documents

Respite Solutions 2010 Establishing & Operating a Respite Voucher Program Within Your Faith Community WC Hoecke “heck-uh” Family Connection of SC