Changes at " Family Wellness & Respite Support Program for Neurodiverse & Special Needs Youth"
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- +{"en"=>" Family Wellness & Respite Support Program for Neurodiverse & Special Needs Youth"}
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- +["<xml><dl class=\"decidim_awesome-custom_fields\" data-generator=\"decidim_awesome\" data-version=\"0.12.0\">\n<dt name=\"textarea-1756922998878-0\">Idea Submission for The People's Money:</dt>\n<dd id=\"textarea-1756922998878-0\" name=\"textarea\"><div>The Pura Vida Foundation proposes the Family Wellness & Respite Support Program, a healing-centered initiative supporting caregivers of neurodiverse and special-needs youth. Many families raising autistic or developmentally delayed children face chronic exhaustion, isolation, limited services, and overwhelming caregiving demands. This program fills a critical gap by offering weekly structured respite sessions for children and wellness, emotional support, and cultural healing spaces for caregivers.\n\nChildren participate in sensory-sensitive, supervised activities led by trained staff and behavioral-support specialists, creating safe opportunities for social engagement and emotional regulation. At the same time, caregivers join monthly wellness circles, mental-health workshops, mindfulness practices, and cultural-healing sessions that strengthen resilience and reduce burnout.\n\nFamilies receive resource navigation, including IEP support, benefits guidance, therapy referrals, and advocacy assistance. The program also hosts family wellness events, cultural gatherings, and restorative community days that reinforce bonding, connection, and stability within the home.</div></dd>\n<dt name=\"textarea-1758648114412-0\">What is the problem your idea aims to address?</dt>\n<dd id=\"textarea-1758648114412-0\" name=\"textarea\"><div>Caregivers of special-needs youth often experience:\n\t•\tchronic exhaustion\n\t•\tisolation and emotional strain\n\t•\tlong waits for support services\n\t•\tculturally disconnected care\n\t•\tburnout from 24/7 responsibilities\n\t•\toverwhelming IEP, school, and medical demands\n\nMany report feeling unseen by support systems and unable to find rest.\nThis program fills a critical gap by giving caregivers respite, emotional support, resources, and community connection, while their children receive sensory-safe programming</div></dd>\n<dt name=\"checkbox-group-1756922140917-0\">Which groups does your idea focus on? Select all that apply</dt>\n<dd id=\"checkbox-group-1756922140917-0\" name=\"checkbox-group\">\n<div alt=\"youth\">Youth (under 24)</div>\n<div alt=\"disabilities\">People with Disabilities</div>\n<div alt=\"parents\">Parents</div>\n</dd>\n</dl></xml>"]
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