Carter Morrison only wants one thing for his 12th birthday — to spend the day with his friend John Stamper, riding the slides at Slick City Action Park.

As usual, John is up for whatever Carter wants to do.

“If it’s close enough, I try to take him wherever he wants to go,” he said.

For the past seven months, John and Carter have been together eight hours a week having a variety of adventures around Licking County.

John, 19, is an accounting major at Ohio State University and works as a certified independent provider. He was matched with Carter and his family last fall, through the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ Multi-system Youth (MSY) respite program.

Respite providers typically work for a scheduled amount of time to give parents, or other primary caregivers, a break.

The friendship between Carter and John is just one of many examples of how respite can open up possibilities for young people while also supporting their family units, said Shanay Nye, an LCBDD provider support coordinator who oversees the program.

“We are giving caregivers more (opportunities) to care for themselves,” Shanay said. “It’s huge to give that time to families.”

Specialized support

LCBDD’s MSY respite program was started in 2022, specifically to address the needs of families with children between the ages of 7 and 22. 

Many families were looking for support after school or on weekends but they wanted a provider who had experience working with children and teens with more complex needs, Shanay said. 

Participating respite providers are DODD-certified independent provider who completed additional hours of online training from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), specifically focused on multi-system youth. 

They support each child for eight hours a week. The schedule is flexible, and set between the family and the provider,  to best meet their needs. Some choose to support only one child, while others work with several families.

To compensate for their additional expertise, LCBDD offers them a higher rate of pay, which for the past three years was funded through a Keeping Families Together grant from DODD.

Currently LCBDD has 18 kids matched with 16 providers and Shanay is always looking for more.

Over the years, she’s received messages and emails from grateful family members. One couple was able to have a date night for the first time in nine years. Another family was thrilled to see their shy child open up and develop a relationship with his provider. 

Not only does a break help caregivers stay physically and mentally healthy, but as their child gets older, they may want more independence. Working with a respite provider is a great opportunity to try new things, Shanay said.   

‘He lights up’

When Carter’s parents, Cara and Chris, first heard about the MSY respite program, they couldn’t wait to sign up.

“We wanted to see Carter get out and have a lot of adventures,” Cara said. “And eight hours to myself sounded heavenly.”

The Morrisons waited six months for a match, when Shanay called and told them about John. He and Carter met in October and clicked from the very beginning. 

“John was who we had prayed for,” Cara said. “We are very blessed.”

John had recently moved to Licking County and was looking for a job that was flexible around his school schedule. A family member who worked at the Coshocton County Board of DD recommended that he contact Shanay and go through the process of becoming a respite provider.

“I had never done anything like this before,” John said. “But I’ve enjoyed seeing how much he lights up with me just showing up and getting so excited to go anywhere and everywhere.”

During their hours together, John and Carter can often be found at the YMCA pool, the trampoline park or arcade at the Indian Mound Mall or local parks and playgrounds. 

When they aren’t together, Carter will often tell people about “Mr. John” and always wants to know the next time they will spend time together. Sometimes he’ll wait by the window for him to arrive. 

“There’s a lot Carter can do and discover and I love that it’s getting him out in the community with someone who’s like a big brother to him,” Cara said.

Carter often picks where they go, but John also encourages him to try new activities.

One night, John took Carter to the circus. Although Carter typically hates having anything on his face, with John’s support he decided to try having his face painted. 

When he came home, with his face completely painted with tiger stripes, Cara couldn’t help but get emotional. 

She made sure to share the story, and pictures, with Shanay by email.

“Another life goal met thanks to an angel on Earth who Carter thinks hung the moon,” she wrote.

‘He’s the happiest he’s been’

Now that it’s summertime, John and Carter have big plans — including kayaking and lots of time in the swimming pool.

But they are also making time to support each other’s interests. 

Carter attended John’s choir concert to cheer him on and John has been to Carter’s Miracle League baseball games. They are also making plans to spend time together this year at the Hartford Independent Fair.

“He’s the happiest he’s been these past seven months,” Cara said. “Just when I thought he couldn’t live his best life any more, John showed up.”

Even with so many successful matches around Licking County, there is still a need for more respite providers, Shanay said. LCBDD currently has a waiting list of 26 families waiting for a provider so Shanay is always recruiting.

“It takes someone with patience, flexibility, and I’d say the desire to want to help these families,” Shanay said. “I can help them walk through the whole process.”

John said that the process of working in Licking County has been simple and the rewards he’s gotten from the job have been incredible.

Cara and Chris said they are grateful to have some time to spend exercising, gardening or visiting friends. But they are most excited about how the experience has impacted Carter.

They’ve watched him talk more and become more outgoing.

“He’s been advocating for himself, he’s more confident,” Cara said. “And he’s so excited about everything they do.”

For more information about LCBDD’s MSY respite provider program, contact Shanay Nye at Shanay.Nye@lcountydd.org.