When family tensions build to the boiling point, it's important to find relief before something blows. That family needs a break from each other, a respite.

Among the many cottage family units at The Crossnore School, sometimes a member feels out of control, feels he or she desperately needs a break from cottage life. That anxiety upsets other residents and can place the child's continued placement in that cottage at risk.

To preserve placements, promote stability and give the child a respite from himself and others, Crossnore School established a Respite Cottage. In that cottage a child can spend several days.

Crossnore School established a respite cottage for several reasons:

• To help the child regain self control

• To give such tensions time and guidance to work themselves out.

• To preserve the placement so the child can return to the cottage, rather than having to be discharged to a different environment.

• To protect cottage harmony.

Similar tensions could potentially disrupt a foster home or adoptive families as well. So The Crossnore School is making available its Respite Cottage to such families.

If foster parents have access to a couple days off, it could preserve the placement with them of the child who is having trouble. Rather than having no relief and saying, "I give up," foster parents and adoptive parents who have access to respite care and separation for a day or two, can come back refreshed and ready to do their best with the child again.

"We provide a place where foster parents and adoptive parents can leave their kids in a safe, secure environment for a night or two while they go get recharged," said Crossnore Executive Director Phyllis Crain.

To reserve space, or to call in an emergency, call (828) 733-4305 and ask for our intake specialist, Jeff Lee.