Services

Step 1: Contact us

Contact Mrs. Émilie Couillard, Family Services Coordinator, at 450-371-6825 ext. 202 to make a request for services. During this initial contact, you will be asked to specify your needs:

• What are your child’s individual characteristics (diagnosis, particular problems)
• An estimate of the frequency of caregiving needs
• A meeting with a representative of Répit le Zéphyr with be organized (allow approximately 1.5 hours). This meeting may take place at the organisation’s offices or at the family’s home.

Step 2: Meeting with a representative

During the meeting with a representative of Répit le Zéphyr:

• Information will be provided concerning the characteristics of the individual to be cared for as well as the family’s needs with regard to respite care.
• The organization’s service agreement will be explained and signed.

Step 3: Matching

A caregiver, with availabilities that correspond with the family’s needs, will be assigned to the family. The family will receive contact information for the caregiver in question and vice versa. It should be noted that the time frame for finding a match may vary depending on the needs of the family as well as the availability of caregivers at any given time.

Once a match is made, the caregiver will contact the family within 48 hours to schedule an initial meeting at the family’s home. At least one parent must be present at this meeting, as well as the individual with special needs and ideally if necessary, any siblings who will also require care.

Step 4: First meeting

This meeting lasts a maximum of 1.5 hours and takes place at the expense of the organisation.

The meeting allows the caregiver to:

• learn from the parents about the type of care to be provided, the characteristics of the individual with special needs, and any household rules;
• confirm the parents’ expectations of the caregiver and their work;
• create a bond with the entire family before the start of caregiving services.

It allows parents to:

• learn from the caregiver about their previous knowledge and experience;
• clarify their expectations;
• inform the caregiver about the characteristics of their children and household rules;
• plan caregiving services.

Step 5: First caregiving experience

Parents and caregivers communicate with each other as needed. In the event that the designated caregiver is not available, the family must contact Répit le Zéphyr and another match will be proposed according to availabilities at that time.

• Parents are not allowed to enter the Maison Zéphyr and Jean-Reid while guests are being welcomed.
• Reception will take place in the front hall.
• The number of guests during a high number of cases of COVID-19 period is limited to four instead of seven.
• At the Maison Zéphyr and Jean-Reid, all caregivers wear a mask, glasses or visor.
• Guests are not required to wear a mask.
• A distance of 2 metres between guests will be maintained in common areas.
• All guests will have a private room.
• There is a separate bathroom for caregivers and for guests.
• Common areas are disinfected on a regular basis.
• Hand washing will be encouraged as often as possible.

• Caregivers must wear masks, glasses or a visor as soon as they are within two meters of the individual receiving care.
• Hand washing will take place upon arrival and departure, as well as frequently throughout the duration of the service.
• The family must disinfect all surfaces that the caregiver will be touching (before arrival and after departure).
• If the caregiver, or family member who will be receiving services, exhibits any symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell without nasal congestion) the service will be cancelled.

Our services are offered and are limited to people living in the territory of the following three MRCs:

• MRC de Beauharnois-Salaberry
• MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent
• MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges.

We primarily hire students studying in special education or a related field (orderlies, nursing, early childhood education, social work, teaching). We also hire individuals already working in similar fields on a part-time or full-time basis who wish to volunteer more of their time. We also hire individuals with experience in caring for those with special needs.

Our matches are made between one or sometimes two caregivers and a family. We prefer to work on a long-term basis as we know it can be challenging to create a meaningful connection with an individual with special needs and their family.

Based on your schedule and the needs of your child in terms of care, we will match your family with a caregiver who is available and comfortable providing the type of care your child requires.

This depends on many factors. The required schedule or need, the child’s profile, the availability of caregivers at the time the request is posted, the flexibility of the request and the location of services. Requests are usually met within a delay that varies between 24 hours and up to a few weeks or months. It is recommended that your request for services be posted as soon as there is a need.

The role of the caregiver is to:

• See to the well-being and safety of the individual with special needs as well as that of any siblings entrusted to them.
• Entertain and monitor
• Provide the necessary hygiene care
• Prepare and serve meals or snacks as required
• Ensure instructions provided by parents are respected
• Be attentive to the needs of children
• Intervene adequately in the event a problem should occur

It is very important that the parent clearly state his or her expectations of the caregiver so that they are able to meet them. Some families prefer their children be offered activities, while others only want supervision. The caregivers are there to meet the expectations parents set out.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Tel: 450 371-6825 ext. 202
Email: coordo@repitlezephyr.com