I am a concerned parent and oppose the plan to shift parents who are paid caregivers away from Consumer Directed to become an employee of an agency. It appears the State is just trying to go around Federal guidance by changing the definition of a care giver to one that is more advantageous to the State and unfair to the care giver.  If the State wants to reduce the number of hours a family care giver has to take care of an individual, it should be looking to solutions on how to find more non-family care givers and not by placing more of a burden on families. In this area, it’s hard to find care givers who are available for more than a few hours each week.  Most are high school or college students who are looking to make some part time money.

Respite hours should still be available as family caregivers, require time on and off the clock.  Caring for an individual is a 24-hour job. A break or respite is needed by anyone providing care for another individual.