PLANNED RESPITE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM  

    The Planned Respite for Families Program (PRFP) is a joint program offered by Tennessee Voices for Children (TVC) and Magellan Behavioral Health, Inc. (MBH). The purpose of this program is to offer respite services to families and children who are coping with mental illness. Respite is temporary, short-term relief aimed at providing the child’s parent or guardian with a break from the constant responsibility of care giving. Parents of a child with a disability can experience isolation, frustration, and depression when they cannot get an occasional break. Families who have children with special health care/emotional needs and disabilities need time away to refresh and refuel or take care of personal business. Respite can take place in the child’s home, the provider’s home, a therapeutic foster home/residential setting, or as an outing to a local park or recreation center.  

I. To participate in the Planned Respite for Families Program (PRFP):

1.) the child must be an eligible enrollee in the TennCare Partners Program AND
2.) the child must be diagnosed with an SED (Serious Emotional Disturbance)

II. TVC will verify eligibility (with the assistance of the BHO) of participants based on the criteria listed above.

III. TVC will determine at the time of screening if the child has a mental health case manager and will refer the family to the BHO if no case manager is assigned (The child is not required to have a case manager at the time of the request for respite, but the BHO will be notified of this situation for follow-up inquiry). A case manager is considered to be optimal to assist the family with developing a plan to maximize the use of their respite dollars and to aid in coordinating these dollars with other resources available.

IV. Once eligibility is determined, a voucher (authorization letter/number) is issued in the child’s name for a pre-determined amount of support. The amount of support will average $500/year, but may be reviewed and adjusted based on exceptional need. Voucher dollars will never exceed $1000 per twelve (12) month period.

V. Voucher dollars can only be used to reimburse respite providers who are trained or certified through/by TVC. Certification is defined as training equal too or greater than that provided by TVC in scope and number of training hours. (Exceptions may be made for individuals on the basis of educational background)

VI. Vouchers will not be issued for:
1.) Children in DCS custody
2.) Children whose families receive Adoption Assistance for the child
3.) Children eligible for Flexible Funding for Families due to involvement with the juvenile court.