POMPANO BEACH FL (9.15.08) – As Director of Respite at Broward Children's Center, Linda Sachs has learned that supporting a child with a disability means focusing on the family as much as the child.

Since joining the Center’s team in 1997 Sachs has headed its efforts to provide relief to caregivers of children with special needs. Respite is “what makes care giving manageable,” says Sachs. The most common response she hears from caregivers is that Respite has kept their family together.

“The best way I can summarize this program is to say that is helps families go from surviving to thriving,” says Sachs.  

Sachs is originally from New York and received her BSW from SUNY Buffalo State and her MSW with a specialization in Healthcare Systems and Group Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1981 Sachs moved to Florida to work in private practice. After deciding to pursue a new challenge with a different population, Sachs became the Director of Respite at Broward Children’s Center where she has been instrumental in the development of the program as it is today.

Linda is also sharing her experience as an Adjunct Professor at Florida Atlantic University and a Field Instructor for Barry University, Florida International University, and Florida Atlantic University.

Under Linda’s direction the Center’s Respite Program has grown to provide in-home and facility- based care for caregivers of children age birth to 17 with cognitive and/or physical disabilities, or with an autism spectrum disorder. Services are available up to 21 if the child is currently enrolled in an educational program. Respite is partially funded by the Children’s Services Administration Division and there is a small fee for clients based on a sliding scale. In order to receive services, families must be Broward County residents.

Sach’s goal has always been to make the intake process as easy and streamlined as possible for families. She finds that the biggest challenge families face is that they don’t have the time or the energy to ask for help. Linda takes a personal interest in every family that walks through her door, and is committed to making sure families get the help they need every step of the process.

“All of the different families that we serve become one big family. We form a special relationship that often lasts a lifetime,” says Sachs. Providing services for the entire family is very important to Sachs. Educational programming and short term counseling is also available to families.

For more information on the Respite Program at Broward Children’s Center, please contact Linda Sachs at 954.783.8347 or email her.

For more than 37 years, Broward Children’s Center has been providing medical, educational, and advocacy services to infants, children, and young adults with special needs.

Contact: Thor Barraclough
954.410.4410 thorb@bcckids.org