What is “Respite”?

Respite is a service offered by the Yellowknife Association for Community Living to the residents of Yellowknife, Dettah and N’dilo.  It is funded by Yellowknife Health and Social Services.  Respite is planned, part time relief provided to families supporting people with disabilities.

The Respite Service is…

  • family directed
  • designed to meet the individual needs of each family
  • supportive of family unity and community inclusion
  • easy to access without a great deal of paperwork and assessment
  • offered  in and out of home

Goals of the Respite Service
The goal of Respite Service is to provide safe, individualized, and flexible respite support to Families/Primary Caregivers as well as offer individuals with disabilities opportunities for inclusion in their community.
Who will provide the Respite care?
Respite Workers who have been recruited and trained by the Association will provide respite support in family homes or in the community on a part-time and casual basis.  Respite workers and families are carefully matched according to the families needs.
How do I access the Respite Service?
Families can refer themselves to the Respite Service by contacting the Coordinator using the contact information listed below.  Alternatively, families can be referred by a community group, family doctor, school official or various other service organizations or agencies.
Who is eligible for Respite support?
In order to receive Respite Service support, the Care Recipient (the person with the disability) must:

  • Be living in the same home with their Family/Informal Caregiver.
  • Have a disability that requires on-going support that is associated with a permanent injury or condition in a person of any age.  This may include physical, cognitive, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or learning limitations that present challenges for activities of daily living but doesn’t generally require the specialized medical respite support of a health professional. 

Is there a fee for Respite support?
This is no charge for the Respite Service but those that wish to make a donation to the service may do so.
Respite Worker Training and Qualifications
All Respite Workers are required to have:

  • current CPR/First Aid certification
  • a successful Criminal Record Check
  • $1,000,000.00 liability insurance if using their own vehicle

All Respite Workers are required to complete the following YKACL Respite Worker training:

  • Background on Disabilities
  • Sensitivity Training
  • Complex Situations
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Communication
  • Personal Care
  • Health and Safety
  • FASD
  • Back Care
  • Child Health and Welfare
  • Medication
  • Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

Contact Information:
Marine Voskanyan, Coordinator
Respite Service
Yellowknife Association for Community Living
Phone: (867) 766-4295 Ext 202
Fax: (867) 669-7826
E-mail: respite2@ykacl.ca