The needs of children with developmental disabilities are as diverse as the families who care for them. JFCS strives to provide a wide range of options to help parents and caregivers meet their children’s needs while maintaining the stability and wellbeing of the entire family. The JFCS Self-Hired Respite Care service gives families short-term relief from their daily care responsibilities, enabling them to care for other family members, run errands, or take a much-needed break. Through the program, families are able to hire and compensate the caregiver of their choice—perhaps a neighbor, relative, or family friend—for these natural supports, which are critical on the journey of caring for a family member with developmental disabilities.
One grateful parent who partakes in the service recently shared, “We are so grateful for you and this organization. It has helped our family by giving us the breaks we needed to refresh our minds and bodies, to spend time with and meet the needs of our other children, to be with friends, and especially these last few months for me to be able to visit my husband in the hospital and rehab. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!” JFCS provides this service to New Jersey families living in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren counties To learn more or to find out if your family is eligible, click HERE.