Childrens Respite Care Center

What type of children does CRCC serve?

CRCC serves children with medically fragile conditions, developmental delays, and other physical challenges. Some common medical needs include: Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, feeding disorders (tube feedings), seizure disorders, and brain injuries. Children with behavioral disorders and mental health concerns are also served in specially designed programs.

What age ranges of children do you serve?

Our clientele range in age from 6 weeks to 21 years old.

Can my child’s sibling also attend?

CRCC accepts siblings of children with special needs, up to about 15% of our total enrollment. These children are role models for their special needs peers. We accept siblings from 6 weeks of age until they begin kindergarten. At that time, other arrangements for before and after school care must be made.

Can my child attend only on breaks and holidays?

Yes! CRCC has many children who need care only on days that schools are not in session. We welcome breaks and holidays clients, but they do need to be currently enrolled and reservations made in advance.

Does CRCC provide drop-in care?

CRCC is able to provide intermittent respite to families with some advance notice. However, all children must be currently enrolled before respite care can be scheduled.

Do you take sick children?

CRCC is not a “sick” childcare center. Children with contagious illnesses are not allowed to attend until their symptoms have improved, or until he/she has physician approval to return to childcare.

Is your program appropriate for my child with behavior issues and mental health needs?

Children’s Respite Care Center offers a Behavioral Health Program for children with mental health and behavioral needs and developmental disabilities. We have an intensive therapeutic day program for preschool children ages 3–5 and an after school program for children ages 6–18.

Our preschool program is for children that have a behavioral diagnosis and/or a developmental disability. Children who do not have a developmental disability may qualify for the program with only a behavioral diagnosis. The program is a structured, therapeutic day program designed to teach children coping skills and pro-social behaviors, while decreasing their inappropriate, non-compliant and aggressive behaviors. Each child has an individual treatment plan that incorporates their behavioral goals and interventions. The program is designed to be an intensive, short-term program with a focus on teaching the child the appropriate skills they need to learn, and transitioning them back into an appropriate setting.

Our after-school program is for children who have a dual diagnosis, that is, a behavioral diagnosis as well as a developmental disability. The after school program is a structured, therapeutic program that works with children based on their individual behavioral goals and interventions. The goal is to teach the children appropriate peer interactions, how to follow rules and expectations, increase pro-social interactions, increase positive coping skills, and decrease aggression and acting out behaviors.

We also provide a summer program for our school-age behavioral health clients. Children qualify based on the same criteria for the behavioral health after-school program. Children participate in an all-day summer program designed to teach them pro-social behaviors while addressing their problematic behaviors.

In addition, CRCC offers outpatient therapy services to assist the family with their child’s behavioral health concerns.

How do I enroll my child?

Director of Nursing at (402) 895-4000 for information about enrollment in CRCC’s programs for medically fragile and/or developmentally delayed children. Call Behavioral Health Director at (402) 496-1000 about CRCC’s behavioral health services.

Do you have a waiting list to get in to your programs?

From time to time, certain classrooms may reach capacity, but every effort is made to assist families who need CRCC’s services. With some flexibility and an occasional short wait, most families are able to access our services when they need them.

What are CRCC’s hours?

Our Northwest location is open from 6:30am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday, and our Weekend Respite Program runs from Friday at 6:00pm to Sunday at 11:00am.
Our Southwest location is open 7:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.

What curriculum do you use?

Our curriculum is based off the Creative Curriculum model with adaptation to meet the unique needs of the children we serve. Within the curriculum, the preschool classrooms are able to focus on kindergarten readiness skills in preparation for school. In addition to Creative Curriculum, we offer a life skills program for our school age children to promote independence and social skills.

How are classrooms arranged?

Classrooms are divided into age groups which include infants, toddlers, preschool and school age. Following the Creative Curriculum model, the classroom is arranged with centers that give children an opportunity to explore individually and as a group. Each classroom is also supplied with materials that are developmentally appropriate for that age group and foster continued growth and learning.

What are CRCC’s staff qualifications?

Nurses are required to hold an active RN or LPN license in the state of Nebraska. Our teaching staff meet Nebraska child care licensing requirements, with most of our Lead Teachers having the equivalent of a CDA, or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in special education, early childhood education, or another equivalent educational field. Our behavioral staff exceeds the minimum qualifications for the positions. All of our staff is required to complete an intensive on-the-job training program, specifically tailored to the services that CRCC provides.

Are staff backgrounds thoroughly investigated before they are allowed to work with children?

Absolutely. This is a State requirement and we strive to be very thorough in performing such background checks. Each applicant is screened through the State of Nebraska’s Child Abuse/Neglect Registry and Sex Offender Registry. We also check the State of Nebraska’s Nurses’ Aide Registry for action against one’s certification. For nurses, the RN and LPN licenses are checked for disciplinary action. Additionally, police reports are obtained on each employee upon hire. Each applicant also has at least two references checked before hire.

What does “respite” mean?

To CRCC, the term “respite” means “relief.” Therefore, most of the services CRCC offers provide the caregiver relief from the responsibilities of caring for individuals with chronic physical or mental disabilities. This can be a few hours during the weekday program, every day or during the Overnight, Weekend program.

“Respite” care is also a formal term describing intermittent care paid for by some Nebraska state programs. There is a distinction, in this case, between respite care and child care. Respite is a break away from caregiver duties, while child care is what the family members needs when at work or attending school. Many clients are eligible for a certain amount of “respite care” hours that CRCC can provide, depending on the family situation and funding program.

Do you provide respite to foster children?

If a foster child qualifies to be enrolled in a CRCC program based on their special needs, then they would be eligible for respite through CRCC with appropriate authorization.

How can I schedule overnight respite for my child?

All weekend respite care must be scheduled in advance. Children must be currently enrolled, or we will need to complete an intake prior to reservations being accepted. To reserve care, parents/guardians need to call the Director of Nursing at (402) 895-4000, by Tuesday of the week that care is needed.

What are your rates and what type of funding is available?

CRCC offers many services and the rates vary depending on the program utilized. Our Director of Nursing meets with each family to assess their child’s programs needs, and provides specific information about the rates that apply.

Children’s Respite Care Center has contracts with the Nebraska Health and Human Services in order to provide a variety of funding options for families. Options for funding include: Nebraska Medicaid; Waiver programs; Title XX; Insurance; CRCC’s Subsidy Program; and Private Pay.

Does CRCC offer payment plans?

Yes, CRCC strives to be fair and flexible in working out payment plans. Our Director of Nursing and Billing Administrators work with families seeking different payment options. Automatic bank withdrawals, credit cards or pre-payment are the preferred methods of payment for those clients who utilize our Subsidy Program.

How do I set up transportation?

Contact the Assistant Site Director at (402) 496-1000 to arrange transportation accommodations for your child. Funding authorization is required before service can begin. Transportation requests are filled on a first come, first serve basis, though we strive to meet each client’s needs.

Can I arrange a tour of the center?

We encourage you to do so! Simply contact the Site Director at the location you are interested in touring. For Southwest, call (402)895-4000, for Northwest, call (402)496-1000.

Who do I talk to if I want more information?

Call the Director of Nursing at (402) 895-4000 for information about enrollment in CRCC’s programs for medically fragile and/or developmentally delayed children. Call the Behavioral Health Director at (402) 496-1000 about CRCC’s behavioral health services.