Good morning everyone!
I just read a newspaper article about a woman in a nearby town who had a mother living in our town. 'Mother's' house is empty now, and the daughter wants to donate it to our city for an Adult Day Care facility! Because she's been through it, she knows that caregivers need a break, too, and our nearest Day Care place is 35 miles out of the way for everyone in my city. So, this is great news. But first, as they say, comes the fundraising. Now, I would like to be involved in this project somehow, but I have questions. I'm bringing them to you to have a greater 'base of concern' when I contact the powers that be. I want to know if any of you have any other questions I should ask.
1. Would the facility be open 24/7 in case of an emergency?
2. If something came up during the day, would a caregiver be able to drop their LO off for a few hours, or would there be room for only a set number who have 'permanent arrangements' and no more? If a caregiver just needed a break, would the LO be taken in?
3. Staff to LO ratio? Food? Supplies, clothing?
4. Cost?
5. Oversight? (Who is in charge?) Authority to act in an emergency until caregiver can be located?
I know I have left a bunch of things out. But if you as an in home caregiver knew of a place that would watch your LO, what else would you like to know about it?
I know there are plenty of folks right here who have tons of experience with fund raising, but if any of you also have an idea that would be appropriate for the cause (stuff like the pink ribbon idea), I'd be interested in that, too.
Thank you all so much for your time.
You know I love you all.

I just thought of another thing: be certain to check zoning restrictions on the property. If some kind of zoning change is required, that can add to your expense and the projected time period for starting the work. And if the neighbors object ...

There's a house around the corner from me that is similar to a group home, but for young handicapped children. I wouldn't have known it was there except that the city maintains the property so I often see their maintenance trucks there, and the special bus for our district's school for the severely handicapped stops there. I learned by speaking to a neighbor that there was all out war on that block when the city bought the property for that purpose. I know that home is a better neighbor than the nutty couple across the street who fights all the time: several times after an argument the wife has tossed every one of his belongings into the front yard and left it there for a week or more. That couple has more drama than General Hospital.

Absolutely, Grants, trusts,

I would contact the area's Agency On Aging. Since they set things up in other locations, they know how it is done and what is involved. My understanding is that most are M-F/ 8-5 sorts of things, not designed to take over during personal emergencies.

The number of elders who can be there at a given time will be a matter for the fire marshall as well.

Big question, Is renovation costs. Proper roomy bathrooms accessable for the elders and a CG. Wheel chair ramps, door width.

In truth, some times the house itself is more valuable sold as is and the proceeds going to a new facility.

I suspect that most of these areas will be governed by state law, so I'd start there.

Supposedly medicare is supposed to now pay a certain number of days of "respite" so the requirements to be a service provider under this may well be something you will want to look into. If you can get insurance money for a few paid clients, it will help stretch the budget for those who don't qualify.

There may even be private or public grants available for this type of program, so start researching the grant application process. I've rarely, if ever, been involved in a charitable organization that didn't apply for every bit of government funding available. Corporations and foundations, as well, often give grants to charitable projects.