Specialized Family Care

specialized family care program

The SFCP is a statewide placement and family support system designed to serve the needs of children and adults with developmental disabilities. It is a residential option for any person with developmental disabilities.

In 1981, as a result of the class action lawsuit, Medley versus Ginsberg, the West Virginia Department of Health, Education, and Human Resources (DHHR), and Shawnee Hills Health/Mental Retardation Center, began working together to develop a statewide program of community based services to make it possible for persons with developmental disabilities to move from state facilities into community settings. The Specialized Family Care Program (SFCP) is one of these services.

A Specialized Family Care home is a specially recruited and trained family that provides training, nurturing, and a family atmosphere for anyone with a developmental disability. A host family provides special services under a contract with the placement agency. The home is a place where the individual can grow and develop to his/her maximum potential mentally, physical, emotionally, and socially. In many instances, the Specialized Family Care home becomes the permanent home for the person.

The Special Family Care consumer is:

The Specialized Family Care Provider Family:

The Family Care Specialist:

For more information about becoming a Specialized Family Care Provider or to make a referral, please contact us.

ELISSA ROBINETTE

We all complain about being too busy. Right?? But, there are some people who have busy lives and too much to do, but find time to do even more. This is Elissa Robinette. Mrs. Robinette has four children under the age of 10 years with two of the children in ballet and guitar and other activities, and a fledgling business. She also finds time to volunteer at the school, be a mentor for a child in treatment, and has recently painted her house.

That should be enough for this 33 year old mother. Two years ago, Mrs. Robinette applied to the Specialized Family Care program to provide respite care services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mrs. Robinette completed the training including CPR and First Aid, complied with the fire safety and sanitation requirements, completed the self studies for herself and family, secured medical reports and references, and signed the legal documents for approval of her home. Within a short amount of time, her home was approved to provide Specialized Family Care services, offering respite only for one person at a time.

During the process to have her home and family approved for Specialized Family Care, Mrs. Robinette revealed that during her first pregnancy, her son was diagnosed with a genetic condition. She prepared herself for her son's birth and life and his potential differences. However, he was not born with the genetic condition and has developed typically since his birth. Her acceptance and peace with her child's faulty diagnosis prepared her to embrace individuals with developmental conditions from that time forward. She knew she would want to help.

Mrs. Robinette provides respite care services in her home for four ladies with autism, and other developmental conditions. She provides 1:1 (one person at a time) respite care, therapeutic treatment, social and recreational activities. If the individuals were asked, they would say they have fun going out to eat, swimming, visiting friends, and playing with the children.

This program is an interagency collaboration between the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, and the Center for Excellence in Disabilities. The SFCP program is funded under an agreement with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau of Children and Families.