Family Respite Services

Step One: Take the 4-8 hour On-Line Respite Worker Training Course- This on line course offers the chance to learn about the role of the respite provider, present information that will assist you in the role and give you examples of situations you might encounter.  After successfully completing the course you will get a certificate.

• Visit http://www.Safeguards-Training.net to register for the on-line respite services training course.
• Click on the course heading-CHECK OUT THE NEW RESPITE LEARNING PORTAL
• Cost is $28.25 Visa, MC, AMEX on-line or you can pay cash or cheque at FRS, no refunds
• The registration fee goes directly to Safeguards, this course is offered across Ontario, and health agencies are aware that FRS has implemented this course. You can request $28.25 back from FRS upon completion.
• When filling out the registration: Position-Respite Worker       Program Type-Residential       

Agency is a member of-The Ontario Association of Child and Youth Centers

• Once you have registered Safeguards will e-mail you your password to begin the course and will email your certificate to you after completion, this may take up to 3 days. Please check your “junk” mail in case the e-mail from Safeguards ends up in that section. You have 6 months to complete the course from the time you registered. Ensure that you complete each module with journal entries, there is a brief quiz at the end.
• Please e-mail respite@safeguards-training.net or call 705-774-1087 if you have any questions regarding the course.

Step Two: Apply by fax 519-972-8902 with your certificate and resume to Family Respite Services- Family Respite Services will call you within 2 weeks regarding a phone interview to talk about your education, experience, interests, availability and location of where you live.  Based on your criteria we look at families/children that would be a good fit.

Step Three: Screening process- As a Ministry funded agency, Family Respite Services must complete a thorough screening before any candidate is considered to support a child.  This includes;

• Police clearance (FRS will accept a police clearance that has been done within the last 30 days, from your local police station, this is an in depth police cheque. Please wait to fill out this form at the in office interview)
• Interview (Prepare for a couple of hours, as FRS wants to learn all about you!)
• References (3 professional references that are related to this field, if this is not applicable a reference that can answer questions regarding your work history)

Step Four: Register with www.respiteservices.com (Windsor-Essex) -This is a tool that FRS uses to match respite providers who are screened and available with families who have registered who are searching for a respite provider. 

Step Five: Matching respite providers with a child depends on the fit between the child and family’s needs and the respite providers education, experience, interests, comfort level, availability and location of where you live.

• FRS will work with the approved respite providers to determine the best fit for them.  The family always chooses who they wish to work with their child. This process can take anywhere from 4-12 weeks.
• If you have passed this process and have been supporting a child 4 weeks or longer, FRS will reimburse you the $28.25 you paid Safeguards for the course when you request this.