24 MAC Pt. 2, R. 40.1
Service Design
Cite as 24 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, R. 40.1
Service Design
A. Respite is short-term planned relief care in the home or community for children/youth with
serious emotional/behavioral disturbances or mental health challenges. This service offers
respite for caregivers and children/youth, helping family members to cope with their
responsibilities, to rest and regroup, facilitate stability, and feel less isolated from the
community, family, and friends. The provision of services is community-based, culturally
competent, and child-centered with the family participating in all decision-making.
B. A person with, at a minimum, a master’s degree in a mental health or closely related field,
must be designated to plan and supervise respite services. The supervisor can also have
administrative or other supervisory responsibility for other services or service locations.
C. Agency providers of Respite Services must maintain documentation of linkages with other
health and social service agencies, particularly those that serve children/youth.
D. Respite Services must be available a minimum of once per month for up to the number of
hours per month determined necessary, based on individual needs of the child/youth and
their family.
E. The service must implement behavior management approaches that utilize positive
reinforcement of appropriate behaviors. Documentation must be maintained that personnel
employed
by
the
respite
service
agency
as
well
as
the
respite
providers/workers/mentors/volunteers have received all required training for new and/or
existing employees/volunteers specified in Chapter 12.
F. Employee records must meet all requirements specified in Rule 11.2. Personnel records
for respite providers/workers/mentors/volunteers must include documentation specified in