Easter Seals Disability Services

Joey’s Gift: Respite Care Inspired by Joey Minotti
“Taking a Healthy Break”

Respite Care is an opportunity for parents or caregivers of special needs children to take a healthy break. You work very hard taking care of your family and your loved one with special needs, and you do it gladly and with immeasurable love.  Respite care gives you time to re-energize, take a deep breath and relax to focus on other aspects of life beside work and caregiving.  Respite care is not a “guilty pleasure”, but a necessity to help you feel your very best.

This is Joey’s Gift to you —the opportunity to take a healthy break for four hours on designated Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. 

While you get some rest and relaxation our trained staff and volunteers will be caring for your children in the safe and fun environment of Easter Seals Child Development Center.  Siblings are welcome too, or you can spend some extra time focused on them if you choose.  It’s your time, spend it anyway you like! 

Click here to view a photo album of Santa's visit during the December respite program!

Click here to download a respite care enrollment form, click here.

Click here to download an application to volunteer for the respite care program.

Schedule of upcoming respite dates: 

Easter Seals Center, Daytona Beach:
November 13, 2009*, December 12, 2009
January 16, 2010, February 19, 2010*, March 13, 2010, April 17, 2010
May 21, 2010* and August 7, 2010

Additional dates are available at the following locations:

First Assembly Church, DeLand: 
November 20, and December 11, 2009 

 Our free respite care program is designed to care for your child with special needs between the ages of 1-18 and their siblings.  Special arrangements can be made if your child is younger or older than the listed ages.  Simply call and ask to speak with our respite coordinator to discuss. 

The program activities give your child a chance to socialize, make new friends, and learn new things.  They will be engaged through all the games, arts and crafts, music, special projects, special guests, and time on Easter Seals state-of-the-art playground. 

The children gain a tremendous amount by being with us, so you can really relax and get the most out of the time because you don’t have to worry about what the children are doing.  They are having the time of their lives! 

Reservations are required—simply click on the link above or call Easter Seals at 386-255-4568 at least four days before the scheduled program. 

WHAT TO BRING
Pack lunch/snacks/drinks for all your children attending.
Completed Enrollment form (for first time participants)
Personal Hygiene Supplies if needed
Medications or other supplies if applicable

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
 “The respite care program was a fantastic experience from the very first night. It gives my husband and I a few hours a month to relax, enjoy a little freedom, and get a much needed break. The break allows us to refocus and reenergize. Respite care provides a safe place for our child and gives us a few precious hours each month when we don’t have to worry about her. The program and the volunteers are a blessing and we are so thankful for them.” - Carol Keefer, daughter of Krista, age 10. 

Additional Information:
To learn more about Joey's Gift
What is Respite Care?