Anniston, AL  -  Linda Johns, Executive Director for East Central Alabama United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) announced the receipt of a $25,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse Prevention – The Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama, to assist Congressional District 3 families that have a child with a disability or chronic illness.

“There are more than 25,000 individuals in Congressional District 3 with a disability, Ms. Johns said.  Their direct caregivers are providing the daily living requirements for their loved ones in order to keep them at home.   Although caregiving at home can be rewarding, it can also be extremely stressful on a family – mentally, physically, emotionally and financially.  This funding from the Department of Child Abuse Prevention will provide respite funds to allow a family, that has a child with a disability, to take a break from their daily caregiving duties.”  Respite is short-term and allows a caregiver time away from their loved ones to be with other family members or just take some time for themselves.  Without a break, caregivers can experience “burnout”, which could lead to unintended abuse or neglect of their child.  A child with a disability is 3.75 times more likely to be abused or neglected, than a child without a disability.”

East Central Alabama United Cerebral Palsy works with the Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network to provide this and other respite services to families in Congressional District 3.  Linda Lamberth, Project Manager for the statewide Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network,  reports that there are an estimated 400,000 full time caregivers in Alabama who are providing 425 million hours a  year  of unpaid daily care to their loved ones at home, at a market rate of about $4billion dollars.   “These families are saving the State of Alabama a huge amount by taking care of a loved one at home,” says Ms. Lamberth. “However, they need some time away to recharge or regenerate their energy to continue their caregiving duties.  Respite is the key component of family support and child abuse prevention, is the service most requested by a caregiving family, yet remains in extremely short supply.”

The Department of Child Abuse Prevention has funding for respite in all 7 Alabama Congressional Districts.  To find out more about this grant or other funding for respite services, contact Wanda Currie at UCP in Anniston at  256 237 8203 or Linda Lamberth at Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network 256 237 3683.
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