FOCUS offers Extra Special Saturday Respite (ESS) in six locations around metro Atlanta. Caregivers at each location of ESS are knowledgeable and experienced in caring for children with special needs; a nurse is at each location to manage G-tube feedings, seizure management, and other medical care. Ratio of caregiver to child is 1:4, but community volunteers are often on hand to help and play. ESS is free to parents, although small donations are accepted.
ESS serves children ages 1 – 12 and is a wonderful time for the children to enjoy free play, music, and extra attention from FOCUS caregivers and volunteers. Oh, and the parents enjoy the break!!
EXTRA SPECIAL SATURDAY RESPITE LOCATIONS
- Acworth at Summit Baptist Church, 4310 Moon Station Lane in Acworth – You may register for three months, choose wait list for two months.
- Alpharetta at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy Street in Alpharetta – You may register for three months, choose wait list for two months.
- Chamblee at Embry Hills UnitedMethodistChurch, 3304 Henderson Mill Road in Chamblee – You may register for three months, choose wait list for two months.
- Cumming at Christ the King Lutheran, 1125 Bettis-Tribble Gap Road in Cumming – You may register for all dates.
- Marietta at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Daycare,615 Woodlawn Road in Marietta – You may register for three months, choose wait list for two months.
- Newnan at Cornerstone United Methodist, 2956 Sharpsburg-McCullum Road in Newnan – You may register for all dates.
EXTRA SPECIAL SATURDAY INSTRUCTIONS – See calendar for specific dates!
To register your child, email karen@focus-ga.org OR call FOCUS with your child’s name and age and the location for which you wish to register. Please note the registration restrictions of each location. If you are registering your child for the first time and would like to talk with someone, indicate that on your message.
Not to insult anyone’s intelligence, but here’s an example of how to register, using the FOCUS voicemail. Call 770-234-9111, select extension 4. “I would like to register Betty and Jack Smith for respite in Acworth in February xx, April xx, and May x. I would like to be on the wait list for January xx and March x. Betty is 5 years old and has cerebral palsy; Jack is 3 years old and has no extra needs. I can be reached at 770-000-0000 if you need to call me about this reservation.”
Parents will receive a reminder email from Karen Greenfieldthe Monday or Tuesday before each respite date, requesting that you confirm your plans to attend. Important: If you do not receive that email, you might not be on the respite list so call or email Karen to find out. Do not come to respite and hope for the best; we carefully plan our staff and volunteers based on the number of children we expect and do not want to disappoint anyone!! If your child is sick on the day of respite, please call FOCUS and let us know; we might be able to add a child from the waiting list!!
Please bring lunch, extra clothes & diapers, and any medication (must be in prescription bottle, with correct dosage on label). We look forward to sharing an Extra Special Saturday with your child – enjoy your time off!! Register soon since locations fill up quickly!!