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• THE RESPITE CENTER AGENCY DESCRIPTION: The Respite Center, located at 906 Williamson St. is a non-profit community resource designed to provide skilled child care and counseling services to families in Dane County 24 hours a day, 7 days a week . The center operates under a dual license as a day care center and a foster home site, and is licensed as a child welfare agency for the purpose of licensing its own foster homes . The Respite Center maintains a centrally located house easily accessible by public transportation and family homes throughout the metropolitan area and near county areas . Agencies with which the Respite Center works closely are the Parental Stress Center, Dane County Advocates for Battered Women, Family Court Counseling, Project Rainbow, Dane County Social Services, ARC House, Family Services The Family Exchange Center and area hospitals and day care centers. The Respite Center serves approximately 260. families and 450 children a year . It is the only 24 hour child care service in Dane County. The philosophy of the Respite Center is that well timed and easily accessible assistance to families in crisis prevents escalation of the crisis and further deterioration of family relationships which can result in long term costl problems for all Tamil members . It is the intent of the Respite Center ,to maintain healthy family and to prevent the separation of parents and children. To achieve this goal, service delivery is organized into the following components : -1 . CHILD CARE: a) EMERGENCIES: When a child is in immediate danger because there is no one available or capable of providing care. Factors contributing to the need for emergency care can include: domestic violence incarceration of parent medical needs suicide attempts b) CRISIS : When a family's situation is disorganized, explosive, chaotic or stretched to the point that the parent recognizes the need for temporary alternative child care. Factors contributing to the need for crisis care can include: mental health crisis drug and alcohol abuse divorce c) RESPITE: When a parent needs a break to function well in the family unit. The child may have special needs which result in behavior the parents cannot contend with. Respite is a time for relief and distance; an evaluation of the situation. Factors contributing to the need for respite care can include: unemployment/underemployment social Isolation lack of child care resources marital discord single parenthood inadequate parenting knowledge and skills sudden changes due to illness, separation or death. d) SELF HELP/ TREATMENT PROGRAM: Lack of adequate child care is a major deterrent to arents seeking treatment . Child care is provided at the Center and at the family homes . Groups that Respite Center parents attend include : AA/AlAnon Parents Anonymous Oasis Dane County Mental Health