FamilyHome Respite Volunteer - General Application

In-Home Respite Provider

FamilyHome Provider Position

(Note: Minor details may be subject to change)
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region (EAFWR)

Do you have a passion for people, relationships, inclusion and belonging? Do you want to work towards a community that welcomes and accepts everyone?

So do we!

Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region (EAFWR) was founded on the values of working with people with disabilities to grow their social relationships and be seen and valued as full contributing citizens in our community.

If this sounds exciting to you, come join our dynamic team to help bring these values to life in our community.

What is In-Home Respite Care?

The goal of FamilyHome Respite is to provide an opportunity for an adult with a disability to spend time away from home and have a break or change of pace from regular home and family life. Respite is an opportunity where you would host a person in your home within the Kitchener-Waterloo Region.

Respite opportunities can range anywhere from one day to a month or more, and the length of time is informed by your availability and the individual needs and interests of the person staying with you.

Respite is important because it allows our FamilyHome Providers and those we support some time apart to recharge and take a break/time for themselves, which allows all involved to strengthen their relationships.

Please note that this is an unpaid volunteer position that is eligible for bi-weekly cost recovery payments (described below) at a flat rate. This non-taxable payment is intended to offset expenses associated with supporting someone in your home, and it is not a salary for services.

What would this Look Like for You?

A Respite stay can look like a typical day or weekend at home.

Do you like relaxed weekends of movies and time at home? That's respite. Do you like seeing family and friends and having a meal, BBQ, campfire, or family gathering? That's respite. Do you like to explore the community, or run errands and shop? That's respite, too! Respite is whatever you and the person staying with you might enjoy doing together for the duration of their stay.

Providers must have a separate and private bedroom available for the person supported for the duration of the respite stay, and the home must be accessible based on the needs of the person you’re supporting. If you’re unsure about the level of accessibility in your home, Extend-A-Family will support you in the matching process to ensure that you're matched with individuals who will be able to access the necessary areas of your home.

How Will We Support You?

Extend-A-Family will provide you with a non-taxable cost recovery for expenses related to supporting someone in your home. The cost recovery rate for respite ranges between $75-$250 per day, paid bi-weekly.

A coordinator will match each Respite provider with a person to support and will be available to respite providers to help with problem-solving and relationship building at any time throughout the respite process. Additionally, Extend-A-Family will provide the opportunity for you to participate in specialized training to support the individual you’re matched with (if required) at no cost to you.

What You Bring:

• Secondary School diploma OR some Secondary School with related experience
• Experience working with people who have developmental and physical disabilities, and their families or other networks is an asset, but not always required
• Direct experience with mental health support (i.e. de-escalation, etc.) is an asset, but not always required
• Ability to plan activities and experiences
• Ability to work throughout the Waterloo Region (Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, surrounding Townships) based on plans you create for your stay together

Best serving our community requires greater diversity of background and personal experiences. Potential Volunteers with lived experiences with mental health, disability, or who identify as BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+ are encouraged to apply. We also encourage applicants to seek accommodations as required to support their candidacy.

What You Will Do:

The Respite Provider will oversee and facilitate the Respite time together, and report to the person being supported, provider family and the FamilyHome/Supported Independent Living Coordinator.

This will include:

• Providing food and preparing all meals for your stay (input and assistance from the person supported is encouraged as they are able)
• Supervising the person whom you’re supporting as much as needed during their stay
• Organizing and planning the activities of the respite stay together with the person supported
• Providing transportation, or accompaniment on public transit for any travel during the stay
• Providing opportunities to connect with and socialize with others in the community according to both your interests (i.e. Respite Providers are welcome to introduce the person to their own support networks, and vice versa)
• The Provider must maintain awareness of and adherence to relevant guidelines, policies and procedures, promote the growth of an organizational culture that is both inclusive and anti-oppressive, participate in training and development as requested/required, and provide documents relevant to the position as requested by EAFWR

About You:

The following questions will guide the work of every Respite Provider:

• Flexibility – How can I provide what the situation needs?
• Self-Control – How do I demonstrate poise under pressure?
• Self-Development – How do I continually improve my skills and knowledge?
• Service Orientation – How have I given the best service with the best options that I can?
• Values and Ethics – How am I an authentic ambassador of my organization’s values and principles?

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Jess Halma-Reed at [email protected]

If interested, please apply to this posting, and we look forward to working with you!