• Overview
• The Unmet Need
• Time line of our pursuits
• Message from the founders

The Unmet Need

Access to care providers who are equipped to serve special needs:

As stated on the overview of TLC’s ‘history’, “Families of children with disabilities are fortunate to have many resources in comparison to just three decades ago”.  Not only have advances been made in the areas of inclusion and education but local, state and federal funds have been earmarked to assist families of children with disabilities.

Many parents reading this site can, likely, hear themselves saying “Well, it’s helpful that we’re getting some money to pay for respite, but who do we pay it to?  Where do we find the care providers?”

For decades, in Marin County, California, families have been kindly directed to and from helpful agencies such as; Easter Seals Society, Matrix, Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC), California Children’s Services (CCS), Marin Co. Office of Education (MCOE), etc. Some of these resources resulted in funding for needs such as respite (oh, we forgot SSI).

As for the care provider search itself, for years GGRC has referred folks to Matrix who would refer folks to Marin Child Care Council (MCCC), who had little or no referrals for special needs providers and, often, would refer the family back to GGRC, leaving parents feeling desperate!  I’m sure in other counties and states the story is similar, just a different ‘alphabet soup’ of local acronyms!

Over the years agencies and individuals have attempted to remedy this dead end cycle with wonderful programs such as “co-ops”, board postings and very successful afternoon programs.  However, these often failed or did not meet the variety of families’ respite care needs.  One of The LaChris Connection’s first moves was to bring these folks together in order to review what has been tried and true or tried and failed. Please read more about MRCC ’s meetings, accomplishments & goals.

Certainly, many parents are resourceful and capable of conducting their own searching, interviewing, trials, etc.  As all parents know, finding and keeping dependable child care for typical children has its challenges.  The greater challenge of finding someone comfortable with special needs and feeling confident that they’re equipped to tend to your child’s disabilities can be overwhelming.  Finding respite can be as trying as the relentless needs of your child.  When parents, as a result, choose to “do it all themselves” this is not in the best interest of the child with special needs or the rest of the family. 

Regardless of how many times these needs are reviewed, analyzed or redefined, the fact remains that parents of children with disabilities need respite and the care providers who provide that service. Care providers need to be recruited, supported, trained and to have their careers recognized professionally.  Furthermore, these providers need to be made easily accessible to families with special needs.

These are the unmet needs that The LaChris Connection is addressing!