Community Programs, Take a Break Program

--Anne Arundel County Parents –
Watch this website, The Center’s newsletter, and your mail for information about this year’s program –

A project funded by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Genetics and Children with Special Health Care Needs, Take A Break is is a joint effort between The Center and the Anne Arundel Infants and Toddlers Program.  Designed to provide a way for parents of children with special needs to get a much needed break, this creative project pays for small periods of respite care.  This program is very family directed and child oriented.  Families have the opportunity to define respite – it can be for parents to get away with each other or with other family members.  Or parents can choose for their children with special needs to go to camp or participate in enrichment activities that wouldn’t otherwise be within the family’s means.  And families also have the chance to name their own providers.  Providers can be family members who don’t reside with the child, friends, professionals – anyone the parents know to be trained in the child’s care and able to care for the child for a short period of time. 

The Coordinating Center has been pleased to work with Anne Arundel ITP to implement Take A Break in our headquarters county.  The program’s scope is contingent on funding availability and only applies to Anne Arundel county children with special needs.  Take A Break has been able to use the funds to serve between 40 and 50 children and parents annually.  Applications are distributed by the ITP, through the school nurses, and by The Coordinating Center.   The start date is also contingent on funding availability and it varies. 

For more information call Laurie Barrow at The Coordinating Center or email her at lbarrow@coordinatingcenter.org.