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Central MA Respite Project


The Central Massachusetts Respite Project (CMRP) is an internship opportunity for college students who are majoring in the field of human services. The CMRP is a collaboration among families who have a child or adult with special needs, higher education, and a community agency. The Seven Hills Foundation is the lead agency and participating colleges have included, but are not limited to, Quinsigamond Community College, Becker College, Worcester State University, Fitchburg State University and Clark University. The objective of this project is to provide much needed respite services to eligible families while expanding the opportunities for “hands on” training for college students enrolled in corresponding fields of study. CMRP has been funded through generous grants from the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, The Stoddard Charitable Trust, Boston Scientific, the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, the Ruth H. & Warren A. Ellsworth Foundation, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts and the Greater Lowell Community Foundation.
Internship/Practicum

  • Students must be enrolled in a college program and complete the internship/practicum as part of a course syllabus or independent study option approved by the student’s college. The interns are required to complete 120 hours of service.
  • Students must complete an interview and screening (including a CORI check) with Seven Hills Foundation Family Services staff before being accepted to participate in the project.
  • Students are paired with a family who has a child/adult with special health care needs. Participating families agree to train and initially supervise the student in the home setting.
  • Over forty hours of training is provided by CMRP staff and includes the Seven Hills two-day orientation (CPR/First Aid) and weekly individual and group supervision. In addition, the interns will provide 70-80 hours of direct respite care to the family.
  • To date, January 2012, 34 students have completed the CMRP internship from the five area colleges.
For more information on CMRP, please contact Program Co-Directors , Joan Rafferty or Barbara Donati at 508.796.1801 or visit the Seven Hills Foundation website.

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Download the new 2011 CMRP brochure (PDF)