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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2009
Contact:  Joy Fox
(401) 732-9400 

Langevin's Respite Care Bill Put Families First 

(Warwick, R.I.) - Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today announced $2.5 million in funding for the Lifespan Respite Care program at the Parent Support Network of Rhode Island in Johnston. The Lifespan Respite Care Act, which was originally signed into law in December 2006, was finally funded in January as part of H.R. 1105 – the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

With this funding, states will be able to establish programs to assist family caregivers in accessing affordable and high-quality respite care services. Program funding will also be used to create a National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care to better coordinate and monitor respite services.

“Many families are struggling to care for loved ones while balancing jobs and household duties because adequate home and community based programs remain difficult to find,” said Langevin, who has advocated for respite care resources since coming to Congress in 2001. “By funding respite care programs, we are taking a proactive step toward providing quality at-home care for millions of Americans with special needs, while preventing caregiver burnout.”

As the state begins to implement its new global Medicaid waiver, the Parent Support Network of Rhode Island is poised to begin work on respite care programming in the state.

“The Parent Support Network recently joined the ARCH National Respite Coalition and is currently recruiting members for the RI Lifespan Respite Coalition.  We will all work in partnership to make quality respite available and accessible to family caregivers regardless of age or disability,” said Cathy Ciano, Executive Director of the Parent Support Network of Rhode Island.

Congress also recently passed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, which seeks to avert redundancies and encourage collaborative research in paralysis and improve the quality of life for people living with paralysis and mobility impairments from any cause -- stroke, ALS, spinal cord injuries, and others.

“These two pieces of legislation are about providing better care for individuals with chronic diseases and disabilities,” continued Langevin. “I will continue to advocate for both programs and make sure they receive appropriate funding and support.”