Needs Assessments, Caregiver and Provider Surveys, and Additional Resources
Alabama
Alabama Lifespan Respite Network (ALRN) provided sample letters, family caregiver and provider surveys, and the results. The survey was designed and conducted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham in collaboration with ALRN:
For PPT presentation by Dr. Brian Geiger and Dr. Marcia O'Neal on needs assessment, see "Resources" below.
Arizona
Mohler MJ, Brown V (2008). Arizona Respite Care Throughout the Lifespan: Characterizing Unmet Needs. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Arizona Center on Aging, College of Medicine. This needs assessment was carried out to determine the unmet need for respite among the underserved in the state. Better understanding of caregiver needs- who is adequately served, who is underserved, and who is unserved - is important so as to appropriately plan and target state respite services. What was learned has been used for two purposes: 1) to inform allocation and targeted outreach for State of Arizona Lifespan Respite Care Program resource use, and 2) to inform statewide Lifespan Respite Care Program information and referral, coordination, reimbursement and training policies, and future research. http://www.azcaregiver.org/PDF/Az_RespiteCare_Lifespan.pdf
Delaware
Becker, Lisa; Tracy Mann, MA, and Tim Brooks, EdD. (2007) Respite Care in Delaware: The Delaware Lifespan Respite Information Network, Report to the Governor's Commission on Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities. The University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies in partnership with the Delaware Caregivers Support Coalition. Several organizations in Delaware, including the Delaware Caregivers Support Coalition, the Delaware chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), and the Center for Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware, examined the issue of respite care services over a three-year period. Each of these organizations conducted policy analysis and surveys of families. All organizations found that, while there are some good sources of respite support in the state, there was a need for expanded respite services, a centralized database, and a way to link respite providers to caregivers in need of services. The report summarizes these findings. Click here.
Caregiver Survey (2004)
Provider Survey (2004)
Colorado
Colorado Respite Provider Survey, 2012
District of Columbia
Respite Provider Survey, 2011
Kansas
2009 Kansas Lifespan Respite Survey
2009 Kansas State Lifespan Respite Survey, Statement
Massachusetts
Family Caregiver Respite Service Needs Questionnaire
Minnesota
Final Report: Caregiver Support Service Assessment (metro area)
Caregiver Support Assessment Survey (metro area)
2013 Statewide Survey of Providers that offer Caregiver Support Services (pdf)
2013 Announcement of Statewide Survey
Montana
Caregiver Survey Results Summary
Provider Survey
Caregiver Survey
Nevada
Nevada Lifespan Respite Care Program Data on Caregivers 2012, Final Report
New Hampshire
PPT Slides of Results of New Hampshire Lifespan Respite Program
2011 Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers
Family Caregiver_Survey
Results of Lifespan Respite Caregiver Survey
Additional Resources
Designing and Implementing a Needs Assessment. Brian F. Geiger, EdD, FAAHE & Marcia R. O'Neal, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Education, College of Arts and Sciences and Center for Educational Accountability.
Both of the following resources apply more directly to an individual respite program, but many of the same principles can be applied to a statewide needs assessment:
ARCH Fact Sheet #27. Sticky Figures: Using a Needs Assessment (Sept. 1993)
A thorough examination of the process of developing, implementing, and documenting a needs assessment. Various data collecting methods are examined in detail. Written by David B. Langmeyer, evaluation consultant. http://www.archrespite.org/images/docs/Factsheets/fs_27-needs_assessment.pdf
Bringing Respite to Your Community: A Start-up Manual. ARCH. This manual gives step-by-step instructions on how to begin a respite care program. The 332-page book includes chapters on needs assessment, the planning process, program models, budget, collaboration, marketing, funding, administrative policies and procedures, staffing, daily operations, and evaluation. Included are sample forms, policies, job descriptions, and other resources that can help existing programs reevaluate the design of their current services. http://www.archrespite.org/productspublications/products-and-publications
