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2 . PARENT CARE: Paralleling the child care services are supportive and counseling services for parents. A parent will often need the same assurance, attention and chance to talk that the child coming into the program does . Our experience has shown that parents in stress have self-doubt, low self-esteem and a hesitancy to make decisions. As an intervention agency we need to be available until the crisis passes or until another permanent support is identified and accepted. A non-threatening non judgemental approach is emphasized in establishing rapport with the parent. The Family Service Worker (FSW) provides short term counseling. If a parent is in need of long term counseling the FSW assists with that linkage. They are also responsible for follow-up on all families and to assist parents to identify, develop and use other on-going resources such as family, friends, neighbors, churches and community organizations . 3. EDUCATION AND TRAINING: The risk of child abuse and neglect can be reduced through increasing community awareness . The Respite Center provides speakers to community and church groups, and inservice training to related professional groups and volunteers . An ongoing outreach pro ram is maintained through direct mailings, media exposure and advertising. CLIENTELE: This service is available u on request for any family in Dane County with children ( including foster children) from birth to age fourteen in an emergency, crisis or stressful situation. Families using the Respite Center are characteristically: financially stressed 98% single parents 85% divorced/separated 54% family violence 30% Medical Health 10% DD/special needs child 5% LENGTH OF SERVICE: Service varies from 1 visit to 45 visits per year. The median usage is 1-2 visits per week for 4-8 weeks and then 1 visit per month for 3-4 months. This pattern conforms to effective crisis intervention strategies . Single visit usage connotes an unusual emergency while families with special need children use the Center once a month (average) on an on-going basis. Length of child care provided at each visit varies from two hours up to 72 hours depending upon the need. Counseling services range from 1/2 hour to 20 hours per family with a median average of five hours.