UTICA — The House of the Good Shepherd has launched a new respite program in collaboration with the Oneida County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). This program will provide families and foster parents with short–term, out-of-home services that offer temporary relief while improving family cohesiveness and long-term stability.

“Through this program, we can assist families by providing a safe environment where a crisis can be resolved, and challenges are addressed, so families remain intact,” said The House of the Good Shepherd CEO and president Brian McKee. “We all agree that youth shouldn’t spend more time in out-of-home placement than is necessary. This program preserves family bonds while stabilizing the crisis, which helps to avoid future disruptions or deeper penetration into the foster care system.”

According to officials, the program is voluntary and will serve children between the ages of 8 and 17 who are referred by the Oneida County DCFS. Respite care and services can be provided to families and foster parents for up to 21 consecutive days.

While in the program, children will continue receiving all scheduled community-based clinical and medical services and can continue participating in their current education program.

Officials say respite care is a key prevention effort aimed at reducing the number of youths placed in foster care and residential care while maintaining the youth’s security in community homes, including foster care homes and kinship care homes.

“Respite care provides short-term childcare services to parents and foster parents and provides them an opportunity to rest and reset,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente. “This program will enhance family functioning, reduce out-of-home placements and decrease the risk of neglect and abuse. Bringing this much-needed service to Oneida County is a long time coming, and I would like to thank our Department of Children and Family Services Commissioner Colleen Fahy-Box for her determination and The House of the Good Shepherd for its partnership in this important endeavor.”

This collaboration between the House and the Oneida County DCFS began a couple of years ago and was delayed due to the COVID pandemic, officials report. Both agencies are confident that adding this resource to Oneida County will ensure that families and foster parents have access to much-needed services to maintain or restore family functioning.

“Respite services are a recognized need in the child welfare continuum of care,” said Oneida County Department of Children and Family Services Commissioner Colleen Fahy-Box. This short-term childcare opportunity can help families regroup during difficult or challenging circumstances, Fahy-Box added. “This promotes better planning and allows time to put necessary services in place to support the family and youth. I am certain many families will benefit from the program.”

For more information on the program, call 315-235-7773.