Central Region Respite Society (CRRS)

Independent Respite Care Providers

Respite care providers are considered self-employed, independent contract workers. They are not employees of the Central Region Respite Society, nor are they employees of the families. They essentially own and operate their own respite business. For more information on the difference between being an Employee or Self-Employed please review the Canada Revenue Agency’s document.

Through a facilitated negotiation, CRRS assists both the families and the respite care providers in settling the terms of their Respite Support Agreement. The objective of this process is to support the families as they become more “educated consumers” when purchasing respite services. The process also assists the respite care providers in becoming more “conscientious service providers” when they develop their respite business. Both the families and the respite care providers should have, as complete an understanding as possible, of the general expectations of most families in need of respite support and the “going rates” and different services of most respite care providers offering respite support.

After the agreement has been signed the families then purchase respite services from these respite care providers and pay them directly for their services. This can be after every visit or once a month or some other payment arrangement suitable to both the family and the respite care provider. CRRS recommends that the respite care providers use an Invoice/Receipt form when billing the families for their respite hours.

Expenses, such as mileage, meals and activity or admission costs should be discussed at the family and respite care provider interview. The procedure for booking and canceling respite shifts should also be clarified at this time. Each of these arrangements are unique to the particular family and the respite care provider, but there are some common practices that CRRS recommends at the family visit and at the respite care provider interview/ orientation.