YWCA seeking service-learners

We are requesting funds to help support our YWCA Lincoln’s Take a Break Program. Take A Break (TAB) is a respite and child abuse prevention program that meets on Friday evenings 1-2 times a month from 6:00-8:30 p.m. TAB serves families in stressful situations by providing relief from the ongoing responsibilities of caring for loved ones in the home. Respite services are offered to parents, other relatives, foster parents, adoptive parents, or guardians of children ages 6 months to 10 years who:

• are experiencing some sort of crisis

• are at risk of abuse and neglect

• have experienced abuse and neglect

• have disabilities, special needs, or chronic/terminal illnesses

Too many families in Southeast Nebraska have no one to turn to for help with their children when the going gets tough. There is even less support available for high-need children with physical or behavioral disorders. There are a growing number of children who are kicked out of various levels of behavioral health treatment or childcare due to behavioral issues, and parents have nowhere to turn for relief and guidance.

The high stress created by these situations has the potential to lead to child abuse or neglect at the worst or at the very least, to hamper family unity and development. While there is no single cause of child abuse and neglect, multiple risk factors are commonly found in most cases.

Each Friday of programming, TAB serves up to 28 children and their families in Lancaster County. The program is located at Grace Lutheran Church, 2225 Washington in Lincoln. These children range from ages six weeks to 10 years of age, including children with special needs and behavioral challenges. We had 94 children and 44 parents/guardians that we have served through July 2012 and June 2013. Priority is given to children of families in crisis or families who have been identified as “at risk” of abuse or neglect. The majority of the family incomes fall at 150% or below the federal poverty level. We provide the care on a sliding fee scale based on the families’ income or family size so that it is affordable for all families.

Of the 78 children that are registered for TAB, 33 have the following special needs and disabilities: autism, Asperger syndrome, Down’s Syndrome, PTSD, developmentally delayed, ADHD, ODD, hearing impaired, asthma, language delayed, mental illness, OCD, seizure disorder, bipolar disorder, behavioral challenges, and medical needs.

TAB helps caregivers cope with the additional needs of their children with a physical or behavioral diagnosis. Parents and guardians have parenting education opportunities through a monthly TAB newsletter, parenting workshops and informal feedback with TAB staff.

More details at: http://www.ywcalincoln.org/programs_services/tab/take_a_break.html