MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — News 19’s Ellie Byrd sat down with Tracy Cieniewicz, the Director of Alabama Lifespan Respite, who is a proud partner of The United Way of Madison County.
Its goal is to increase access to and availability of high-quality respite resources for all caregivers in Alabama.
Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network, or Alabama Respite, is a statewide program of United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville and Tennessee Valley, Inc. Its statewide programs and services include the following:
- Respite reimbursement services (planned and emergency);
- Free online/onsite caregiver education opportunities, including quarterly respite clinics, co-hosted events with caregiver agency partners, and virtual reality experiences;
- Caregiver respite awareness, including presentations and exhibits at conferences and community events, as well as lunch and learns with groups, organizations, churches, and agencies that serve family caregivers;
- Caregiving Wellness Initiative supports, including free mental health counseling stipends, monthly caregiver support meetings, one-on-one Care Chats, and more.
- Free Care Academy respite provider online training (8 hours with certificates of completion)
The month of November is National Family Caregivers Month, and the Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network is highlighting this month with various caregiver appreciation events and educational opportunities across the state…