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Respite Respite at True Friends provides a unique weekend away for participants and a short period of rest for caregivers.
We would like to extend an invitation for you to take part in the variety of programs offered through True Friends Respite. The information provided here will give you a better understanding of how our program works and where to acquire additional information that you may need. For over 60 years True Friends has been a leader in providing options for individuals with disabilities to participate in programs and activities that are specifically designed to meet their diverse needs. We look forward to serving you! Our Mission Provide life-changing experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem for children and adults with disabilities. Our Vision A world where experiences and adventures are open to individuals of all abilities. About True Friends We welcome individuals ages five and up with and without diagnosed disabilities, as well as health conditions. Programs we offer include, but are not limited to: • summer and winter camp • day camp, respite weekends • national and international travel • therapeutic horseback riding • team building • volunteer opportunities • and youth leadership development We also partner with disability and health organizations to host their camp sessions at our locations. True Friends collaborates with the local communities surrounding our camp locations to bring cultural awareness and to provide individuals with opportunity to understand the value of contributions of all people. Our Locations True Friends Respite serves individuals at camp locations in both Annandale and Eden Prairie, MN.
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True Friends Respite provides temporary relief for children and adults ages five and up with cognitive, physical and developmental disabilities. We give families and caregivers a much needed break while offering an exciting and safe environment for the participant to enjoy. True Friends Respite accepts participants in the following care ratios: High Care Support 1:1 • May have frequent verbal or physical outbursts that require staff intervention • May be unable to communicate needs • May have trouble participating in a group setting or display inappropriate behaviors • May need extensive support with medical care needs • Needs “eyes-on” supervision during awake hours. The True Friends staffing model does not offer overnight awake staff. Staff assist campers with typical needs during the night. • Uses manual wheelchair and needs staff to support to propel outside buildings • May need total support with activities of daily living Medium Care Support 1:3 • May have occasional verbal or physical outbursts that require staff intervention • May have trouble with large social environments, but does well in small groups • May need some support with medical care needs • May need verbal support with activities of daily living • Easily accepts support from staff Low Care Support 1:5 • Can respond well to new and unfamiliar situations • Can enjoy group settings • Are independent with activities of daily living • Easily communicates wants and needs • Easily accepts support from staff Supporting Participants for a Successful Experience True Friends partners with families and guardians to make each participant's experience successful. In order for us to do this we need guardians and families to provide extensive information about each participant. True Friends also acknowledges not all participants are appropriate for the “camp-type” setting in which respite is provided. True Friends is a licensed home and community based service; we are not a crisis service organization. Therefore, True Friends reserves the right to deny services to individuals who we believe pose a safety threat to themselves, other participants and/or our employees. 3
True Friends Respite staff provide support, encouragement, guidance and supervision to ensure respite participants have a safe and meaningful experience. Many of our staff are human service professionals or individuals studying toward earning their degree. We work to match our participants to staff to enhance each person’s experience. The ratio of staff to participants ranges between 1:1 and 1:5, depending on each participant’s needs. Staff are trained in medication administration, assistance with medical equipment for meals and numerous medical devices. True Friends is dedicated to maintaining the best possible health care and safety standards for the individuals we serve. Our staff will: • provide health care, • administer prescribed and comfort/first aid medications, • and if needed, seek emergency medical treatment. Our staff attend trainings per True Friends 245D Service License in order to uphold the health and safety standards per DHS. They are trained to perform care only after successfully completing the curriculum developed by a registered nurse or appropriate licensed health professional. Required Staff Education • Our program staff complete a competency-based comprehensive training program including innovative activities, communication techniques, teaching and redirection strategies. Staff also receive training in medical and behavioral interventions. • All staff and volunteers must pass a background check and a careful interview process.
Change in 2017-2018 Extend Your Stay Weekends Following feedback from our participants and guardians, True Friends Respite’s Extend Your Stay program will be facilitated solely by the summer camp team moving forward. More information about this transition in service will be provided in the summer camp catalog coming out this winter.
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Online registration for 2018 opens Wednesday, November 1, 2017. To register for a True Friends Respite stay participants and/or the guardians must complete the following tasks: 1. Identify interested respite weekends. 2. Complete and submit the necessary application. 3. Submit required forms and payment for application to be processed. 4. Look for the confirmation packet to arrive via mail or email. The following information provides specific details regarding payment, paperwork and confirmation of the participant’s respite stay. There are capacity limits for each care ratio for each weekend, so early registration is imperative. To ensure True Friends is meeting the needs of all interested families registration confirmation will occur on a semi-annual basis. This allows the team to better understand staffing availability while reducing cancellations. Participants are able to register for the entire year, however True Friends will be confirming respite registration in: December 2017 – confirm registrations for January 2018 through end of June 2018 May 2018 – confirm registrations for July 2018 through end of December 2018 True Friends cannot guarantee to serve the same participants during every respite session. Participants will receive a registration packet once your application has been confirmed.
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How Do I Register? Participants can register for a True Friends Respite stay via online or paper application.
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Email Paper Application 1. Visit www.truefriends.org/register-pay – print and complete the paper application.
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2. Scan and email all paperwork to registration@truefriends.org. 3. Call 952.852.0101 ext. 360 to complete payment of the respite session. Online 1. Visit www.truefriends.org/respite and fill out the online application.
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As a 501©3 non-profit organization, True Friends is devoted to providing high quality services at an affordable cost. Beginning January 1, 2018 True Friends will implement a service fee increase for respite services. A service fee increase allows True Friends to continue to grow and increase the number of participants served, improve programming, recruit and retain quality, direct care employees and provide a competitive wage for True Friends Respite employees. Payment Options & Required Paperwork True Friends Respite can be paid through a variety of options. Depending on the option available, paperwork may be required for the participant. Please see the details below for more information. Waivers If you will be using any of the following federally approved waiver plans to pay for an individual to participant in True Friends Respite: • Brain Injury (BI) • Community Alternative Care (CAC) • Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) or; • Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver Then the following forms must be sent to registration@truefriends.org: 1. Coordinated Services & Supports Plan (CSSP); 2. Service Agreement including daily rate (SA) AND; 3. All About Me form (truefriends.org/forms) (optional) The All About Me form helps True Friends to understand how best to work with a participant and provide the best support possible during his or her visit to True Friends. Once completed, please send the form to registration@truefriends.org. The CSSP and SA are requirements of the 245D Service License through the Department of Human Services. Please work with your current case manager/social worker to have the required information emailed to registration@truefriends.org.
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Other True Friends also accepts the following payment options: • Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS), • Adoption Assistance or; • Private Pay or any other form of funding Cancellations – NEW in 2017 Cancellations are rare at True Friends Respite. However, in the event True Friends Respite must cancel a session the following will occur: If True Friends Cancels True Friends reserves the right to cancel a respite session due to circumstances beyond our control, including severe weather, or to a lack of staff and/or participants. If this occurs staff will notify you within a timely manner. Participants will be rescheduled for another respite weekend or could be refunded entirely. If Participant/Group Cancels True Friends understands that occasionally conflicts arise. In the event a participants needs to cancel their respite stay the following may occur: • All fees paid will be refunded in full if notice is received at True Friends 14 days or more prior to the participant’s session. • If notice is received at True Friends 13 days or less to the participant’s session, participants will be charged a $50 processing fee.
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True Friends Respite provides life-changing experiences for all who attend. Throughout the weekend, respite consistently focuses on three core competencies: recreation, leisure and education. Programs in each of these areas will be provided during the weekend. Respite staff promote participation through motivational support, fostering team work and empowering others. Participants will always have a choice in the activity they would like to participate in and will be encouraged by counselors to try new and exciting activities. Recreation Taking part in recreational activities, particularly outdoors, can improve physical wellness. In fact, people who frequently take advantage of outdoor activities may have fewer doctor visits, lower body mass indexes and lower systolic blood pressures than those who don’t. All of these health benefits explain why recreation is an essential part of the True Friends Respite program. Respite programming involves using various adaptive recreation activities to enhance or promote wellness. Recreation programs may consist of the following, but are not limited to: Let’s Dance! – Get together with peers and have fun dancing to a variety of music on Just Dance! for the Wii. Learn new moves and get some exercise while having a great time! Snowshoeing – Snowshoeing is a recreational activity enjoyed all winter long. All participants need are a pair of snowshoes (available at camp) warm clothes, boots and a sense of adventure. True Friends offers trails of varying difficulty for snowshoers of all levels. Individuals unable to use snowshoes can still participate using one of True Friends pull behind pulk sleds. Pulks are one-person sleds, powered by another individual, used for transportation. Treasure Hunt – Treasure Hunt combines respect for the environment with a sense of adventure. This activity involves placing or looking for a cache.
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Recreation continued Hay Rides – Participants will be able to enjoy a ride in a wagon pulled by a tractor. They will explore the trails behind Camp Friendship seeing different types of nature. This ranges from trees and plants to woodland animals like rabbits, birds, squirrels and deer. Snowmobile Rides – Participants will be able to enjoy a ride on sled pulled by a snowmobile. They ride around in the trails behind Camp Friendship enjoying seeing the white snow covering the woods. It’s a safe, fun and thrilling ride for participants which always ends with a big smile on their face. Leisure Mental wellness is an important part of participants overall health and can impact their physical well-being. Participating in leisure activities may help participants better manage stress and reduce depression. Leisure provides participants the chance to find balance in their experience with True Friends Respite; it also puts them in control of how they are spending their time. Taking part in leisure activities as a group is also beneficial for respite participants because they’re modeling healthy ways to handle stress and emotions. Leisure programs may consist of the following, but are not limited to: Popcorn Palooza – Participants will be able to relax and enjoy a movie and popcorn (or preferred snack) during their visit. Bingo – Everyone loves Bingo! Participants will gather together for a rousing game of Bingo for a chance to win a fun prize. Tie Dye T-Shirt Making – Participants will enjoy a camp classic where they can take a white t-shirt (provided by True Friends), dye it, and turn it into an amazing design. Using the colors that they want they can make something that is very unique to them and shows off their creativity. Music Jam – Participants can explore a variety of different instruments to express themselves. Music may enhance each individual’s quality of life. Karaoke – Participants are invited to sing their hearts out during Karaoke. Individuals may bring their favorite CD to sing along to or staff can find sing-on-long music to get everyone singing. 9
Education True Friends Respite focuses on what participants learn and not on the time spent learning. In this approach, participants work at their own pace with the assistance of counselors and peers. The education programming provides individuals flexibility, a self-paced learning environment and the opportunity to engage with peers and counselors. Education programs may consist of the following, but are not limited to: Flour Power Cooking Classes True Friends Chefs will learn basic skills including the following: • following recipes • cooking safety • the proper way to handle food • preparing foods through teamwork • cooking techniques • creativity & imagination • developing simple recipes in themed cooking competitions • food and table etiquette • what ingredients work well together • much, much more! 3D Printer Fun Participants will use the newest 3D printers from MakerBot. Individuals will learn about different ways 3D objects can be designed, scanned or downloaded for printing. Learn how 3D printers turn a digital image into a solid object. Participants will learn about some of the fascinating things that are being done with 3D printers today and what’s coming in the future. Picture Perfect Individuals who are interested in photography will learn all about cameras and photography. Participants will also be assigned different photography “projects” to enhance their photography knowledge.
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January 12-14 January 26-28 February 2-4 February 23-25 March 9-11 March 23-25 April 13-15 April 20-22 May 18-20 June 1-3 June 8-10 June 22-24 June 29-July 1 July 13-15 July 27-29 August 3-5 August 10-12 September 7-9 September 21-23 October 5-7 October 19-21 November 2-4 November 16-18 December 7-9
401.18 402.18 403.18 404.18 405.18 406.18 407.18 408.18 409.18 410.18 411.18 412.18 413.18 414.18 415.18 416.18 417.18 418.18 419.18 420.18 421.18 422.18 423.18 424.18
January 5-8 January 19-21 February 9-11 February 16-18 March 2-4 March 16-18 April 27-29 May 4-6 June 1-3 June 29-July 1 July 13-15 July 20-22 August 3-5 August 10-12 September 14-16 September 28-30 October 12-14 October 26-28 November 9-11 November 30December 2 December 14-16
601.18 602.18 603.18 604.18 605.18 606.18 607.18 608.18 609.18 610.18 611.18 612.18 613.18 614.18 615.18 616.18 617.18 618.18 619.18 620.18 621.18
Please note, all respite activities are subject to change based on attendance, interest and location. Choices are always offered to participants.
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True Friends Respite understands it takes time to prepare for a weekend away. The following are a few pieces of valuable information to help prepare for the weekend, as well as an idea of what to expect and what is available during the respite stay. Before Arrival In preparation for each participant’s weekend respite stay there are a handful of tasks True Friends recommends individuals complete. 1. Packing List. True Friends Respite provides a suggested packing list for all participants. The list helps individuals and their caregivers plan for their stay. The packing list is sent out in the confirmation packet and can also be downloaded from the website at www.truefriends.org/forms. Scroll down to respite forms. 2. Pre-Set Medications. To enhance the safety and well-being of participants, as well as to ease the check-in process, True Friends Respite recommends participants use pre-set medications for their respite stay. To learn about pre-set medication options visit the website at www.truefriends.org/forms and scroll down to respite forms. Information regarding pre-set medications is also provided once the respite stay has been confirmed via confirmation packet.
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Arrival – Check-In Time: Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Saturday only: 9 a.m.) Staff are ready to greet caregivers and their loved ones as they arrive for the weekend. Caregivers will check in with True Friends staff to review all required paperwork to ensure accuracy and review any concerns. Once this process is complete caregivers will checkin with our healthcare staff to review all medications and medical concerns. During the healthcare review family members can say goodbye and True Friends staff will escort participants to their assigned cabins or assigned activity for the night. Departure – Check-Out Time: Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. (Saturday only: 5 p.m.) Caregivers should arrive at approximately 12:00 p.m. to pick up their participant. Caregivers will have an opportunity to meet with True Friends staff at check-out to review the weekend. Please use this time to ensure that all items that arrived with the participant are present and accounted for. Make sure all medications that were checked-in are also accounted for and checked-out. Meals Participants will receive four meals during their weekend getaway. Meals and beverages will be enjoyed in dining rooms as follows, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday followed by breakfast on Sunday. Snacks and beverages will be provided throughout the day as needed. Qualified food service professionals can prepare meals and work to match special diet needs. Please make note with staff prior to arrival of any special diet needs. Participants are encouraged to bring their preferred snack and/or meal to enjoy.
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• Respite is offered at camps in Annandale and Eden Prairie, MN. • True Friends holds a 245D license from the Department of Human Services. • Our facilities are licensed by the Department of Health. • Our camps are accredited by the American Camp Association.
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NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE POSTAL PAID ST CLOUD, MN PERMIT NO. 2382 INDICIA
10509 108th Street NW Annandale MN 55302
Interested in working with inspirational participants and a great team? Learn more about our respite openings, other opportunities and more at www.truefriends.org/jobs.
truefriends.org
800.450.8376