The Department of Health says work is underway to develop and implement an education strategy for those offering home support and respite care for seniors, and adults and children with disabilities.

The mother of a young autistic girl who ran into the woods on Random Island earlier this month and spent a night in the elements before she was found, recently raised the matter saying she struggles to find respite care.

The Autism Society meanwhile has been calling for the professionalization of the respite care sector for years – similar to the way in which Early Childhood Educators were professionalized.

The province says it is establishing a training curriculum and program standards to ensure consistency and quality service delivery, and it is looking at other ways in which to support home support and respite workers.

Government is also working on a new child and youth health care model which it says will streamline services and improve the way children and young people with complex needs and their families access services at home, in school and in the community.