1.Program Definition and Services
Respite care in Kansas is defined as temporary care provided to children in foster care or individuals with disabilities, offering relief to primary caregivers. Services include:
- Short-term respite care (less than 24 hours per week)
- Long-term respite care (24 hours or more per week)
- In-home respite care
- Facility-based respite care
2. Regulations
The primary regulations governing respite care services in Kansas are:
- Kansas Administrative Regulations (KAR) 28-4-812
- Kansas Statutes Annotated (KSA) 65-508
3. Licensing or Certification
A license is required to operate as a respite care provider in Kansas. There is no specific certification for respite care providers, but they must meet the same requirements as foster care providers.
4. Responsible State Agency
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is responsible for issuing licenses for respite care providers, with approval from the Department for Children and Families (DCF).
5. Application Process
The application process is primarily conducted by mail. Applicants must submit required documents to:
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Bureau of Family Health
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 200
Topeka, KS 66612
6. Required Documentation
The following documents are required for the application
- Completed Application to Provide Respite Care (CS-RC-1)
- Respite Care Provider Approval (CS-RC-3)
- Cooperative Agreement for the Purchase of Respite Care Services (CM-10)
- Resource Parent Discipline Agreement (CD-119)
- Background check results
- Home safety inspection report (for in-home providers)
- Proof of completion of required training
7. Timeline for Approval
The approval process typically takes 60-90 days from the submission of a complete application, depending on the complexity of the application and the current workload of the licensing agency.
8. Pre-Application Process
There is no formal pre-application process. However, prospective providers are encouraged to review all regulations and requirements before beginning the application process.
9. Pre-Application Training
Prospective respite care providers must complete the same training as foster care providers. This includes:
- 30 hours of initial training
- First aid and CPR certification
- Medication administration training
- Training is provided by the Kansas Department for Children and Families or its designated contractors.
10. Additional Notes
- Respite care providers must be at least 21 years old
- Providers must comply with all regulations governing family foster homes
- The number of children allowed in respite care depends on the provider's license capacity
- Long-term respite care providers may need additional approvals from the sponsoring child-placing agency
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