Message from the Board Chair

Welcome to the Iowa Respite and Crisis Care Coalition!  As President of the Board of Directors, I am proud to say this coalition was founded to assure all Iowa families have access to crisis child care and respite care (a short break) throughout their lifespan.

Caregiving is a demanding task, and it is easy to neglect your own health and well being when you are involved with your loved one's needs. Caregivers need time off from their caregiving responsibilities to relieve stress and prevent burnout.  Throughout Iowa, a family member or other individual who cares for someone with a disability or chronic illness may be eligible for respite services.  To learn more, click on my name or one of the names of any board member and send me an e-mail. 

Please join me and others to create an awareness of IRCCC throughout Iowa by telling others and making a donation. The more families who know there is somewhere to turn in time of need, the more we can help!  If you would like to make a donation, please contact me at the address listed below.

Valerie J. Owens is the biological mom to two children, and adoptive mom to 10 children with special needs.  Valerie has been active in providing foster care to 18 children, day care to over 200 children, and crisis care to 100 children during the last 12 years.  In 2003, Valerie moved from direct care to Executive Director of Healthy Connections, Inc., a Community Provider Agency serving consumers on Medicaid Waivers and through EPSDT Private Duty Nursing.  Valerie is a strong advocate for the importance of respite and for understanding the need for quality services for consumers with disabilities and special needs.

Healthy Connections
2517 Carver Road
Winterset, Iowa  50273

Regional Parent Services Coordinator
Orchard Place/Child Guidance Center
Child Care Resource & Referral
808 5th St
Des Moines, IA 50309-1315

Fax 515-246-3570
Toll Free 1-800-722-7619
 

7500 Benton Drive
Urbandale, Iowa  50322

ChildServe
5406 Merle Hay Road
Johnston, Iowa  50131

4261 Berwick Drive, Lot 182
Des Moines, Iowa  50320

3907 122nd Street
Urbandale, Iowa  50323

Glenwood Resource Center
711 South Vine Street
Glenwood, Iowa 

Iowa Respite and Crisis Care Coalition is important to me because it allows me to help others. I feel that taking care of the caregiver is important because they are the most forgotten and yet the most important people in the life of a disabled person.  Participating on the IRCCC Board is a way for me to be the voice for that disabled child and a way to say what they can't sometimes say..Thank You

Respite is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

6100 Trace Court
Johnston, Iowa  50131

Cherie has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2008 and is personally connected to the mission of the Iowa Respite Crisis Care Coalition.  Cherie has a 13 year old with multiple special needs diagnosis and as a single parent, knows all too well the need for "a break".  She says, "Raising a child with special needs is difficult at best and many times it's so overwhelming that the parent feels there is no time and nowhere to turn for help.  A weekend or even a night off to watch a movie, go to dinner with a friend, clean the house with no disruption, or to take that all important nap, can be just what it takes to recharge the batteries so the fight becomes a bit easier.  It's amazing that these services are provided at no cost to families as most struggle daily with skyrocketing medical costs and other extraordinary costs in caring for their child.  Most every day is lived in crisis-mode when caring for one with special needs and I cannot say enough good things about the relatively simple concept of giving a bit of rest so the world of crisis seems a bit smaller and a bit more manageable."

5500 Meredith Dr #15
Des Moines Iowa 50310

19 Sun Valley Road
Anita, Iowa  50020

Visiting Nurse Services
521 E. Locust Street, Suite 202
Des Moines, Iowa  50309

Past Board Members

Mid Iowa Family Therapy Clinic
P.O. Box 416
Perry, Iowa  50220

Special thanks to Lou Ann Gordon for her roles in serving on the Iowa Respite and Crisis Care Coalition Board.  Her dedication to individuals with disabilities and first hand knowledge of caregivers will continue on in support of the work of the coalition through her local community. 

Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors and Roberts Law Firm
2535 Patricia Drive
Urbandale, Iowa  50322

Special Thanks go out to Barb for her years of dedication to caregivers and the Iowa Respite and Crisis Care Coalition.  Barb was instrumental in organizing the National Lifespan Respite Conference, served as Board President in 2006/2007, Board Secretary and provided countless hours of volunteer work to aide the coalition in accomplishing its mission.

Edward Jones Investments
505 8th Street SE
Altoona, Iowa  50009

The efforts of Tammie to support the coalition are greatly appreciated.

Hawkeye Area Community Action Program
P.O. Box 490
Hiawatha, Iowa  52233

Special Thanks goes out to Ann for her years of service to the coalition.  Ann was a dedicated leader of the coalition Board of Directors in 2008 and will continue to support the coalition from her local community.

Ultimate Nursing
113 N. Warrior Lane
Waukee, Iowa 50263

Special Thanks to Jan Miller for her dedication and commitment to Iowa Respite and Crisis Care Coalition.  Jan has served the Board as Treasurer, Secretary and has sat on the IRCCC conference committee for the past two years.  We look forward to working with Jan for years to come. 

Family Advocate: A Mother's Helper
602 Evergreen Circle NW
Bondurant, Iowa  50035