HJAR Sep/Oct 2023

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  SEP / OCT 2023 49 Keith Metz Deputy Chief of Communications Office of Communications and Community Engagement Arkansas Department of Human Services consists of 10 easy-to-understand modules on what respite is, disability basics, client care, medication awareness, safety proce- dures, and much more. Each module takes between 30 minutes and an hour to com- plete. After finishing the course, trainees are then able to request being placed on our new Arkansas Lifespan Respite Worker Search Locator. Caregivers can then use the online locator to find and hire qualified staff. Free, online search locator to help family caregivers find a respite worker Caregivers often have difficulty in finding someone to provide respite care. The loca- tor service allows caregivers to search for licensed respite providers or independent respite workers who have completed our online training modules, all at the click of a button. The locator can help the caregiver find someone who best fits their needs, al- lowing them to search by county, ages the provider/worker would like to care for, and payment type. To learn more about any of these pro- grams, please visit our website by using the QR code. n We offer three respite care help options: (1) respite vouchers to pay for respite care, (2) free online respite caregiver training, and (3) free online respite caregiver locator. Respite vouchers Our respite voucher program helps family caregivers pay out-of-pocket expenses for respite care. The vouchers are for $300 and can be received up to four times a year; that’s the potential of $1,200 a year! Free, online respite training available to anyone looking to become a respite provider For anyone who is interested in being a respite worker for a family or looking for ex- tra income or part-time work, our free on- line respite provider training can open new opportunities for them. Registering for the training course is quick and easy. The course