Senate Bill 2472

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE POSITION OF RESPITE CARE COORDINATOR WITHIN THE DIVISION OF AGING AND ADULT SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT A LIFESPAN RESPITE NETWORK FOR THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; TO DEFINE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE RESPITE CARE COORDINATOR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) For purposes of this section, the term "respite care" means planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with special needs in order to provide temporary relief to families who are caring for a child or adult. This provides temporary relief to those who are caring for family members.

(2) There is established in the Division of Aging and Adult Services of the Mississippi Department of Human Services the position of Respite Care Coordinator. This position is responsible for the following services:

(a) Intake and assessment of individual carer needs for respite care, provision of information on the full range of respite care and other services available in the State of Mississippi, including residential respite;

(b) Implementation of appropriate short-term and emergency respite services for carers;

(c) Liaison and negotiation with service providers to coordinate cost-effective respite care services to meet carer needs;

(d) Maintenance of accurate client and service provider records;

(e) Work individually and collaboratively to maintain a high quality professional service for all carers and other callers to the Division of Aging Adult Services;

(f) Serving as first point of contract for the State Lifespan Respite and Carelink Network responsible for providing high quality professional support to carers and other callers contacting the network;

(g) Coordinate and arrange respite services appropriate to carers assessed needs and in line with program guidelines;

(h) Assist in the development and maintenance of effective networks with all carers, service providers and community agencies relevant to the work in the program;

(i) Maintain accurate records of all contact for Respite and Carelink services on Carers Act databases within Carers Act policies and guidelines and program guidelines; and

(j) Identify polices, resources and programs available for family caregivers and encourage additional innovations and creative means to support family caregivers to continue to provide needed in-home support for older adults.

It is the intent of the Legislature to successfully address the surging population of older adults in Mississippi who have significant needs for long-term services and supports, and develop methods to both encourage and support families to assist their aging relatives and develop ways to recruit and retain a qualified, responsive in-home care workforce.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.