Project Special Care is being developed to provide respite care and personal care to special needs children in St.Johns County, Florida. This is a "center based" service offering the gift of time for children, their parents and their caregivers.
Respite care offers parents and families a chance to rest and recuperate from the often strenous and constant tasks invovled in caring for a child with multiple impairments.
Given the chance to recharge their energy, parents can return to the role of care giver with renewed vigor.
A "special needs" child is an individual that requires certain and specific interventions, care and maintenance to accomplish the tasks of everyday living. Frequently, special needs children have medical complications in addition to their their impairments. Qualified caregivers must be able to address the daily needs of the child. Should complications arise, they know when it is time to call for medical intervention.
An "impairment" is an inability to function in ways that
are expected of most children within the same age group. Impairments can be physical, mental, social or developmental in nature. When an impairment prevents a child from performing a physical task or socially interacting with other children, then the impairment results in a "disability". An impairment does nto always result in a disability.
Caring for a child with multiple impairments requires specialized training if the child is reach their full potential.
PROJECT SPECIAL CARE provides training to persons who want to become caregivers and matches those trained people with the appropriate child. Formal classes are supplemented in with in-service training. This results in proper care for the child and peace of mind for their parents.
