Deb's House is a 24-hour respite program serving Lancaster County children infant through 6 years old.

Today's families must deal with many pressures. Sometimes they experience a crisis situation where the children could benefit from short-term placement outside the home. Deb's House can help during these stressful periods.

Crisis/Respite Care for Children is Safe - Supportive - Short-term - Child-focused!

The program offers

• up to 5 days of 24-hour care in a warm, Family Respite Home environment
• care provided by experienced respite parents
• daily parent-child telephone contacts
• counseling and support to assist the family in resolving the current crisis

To be eligible for the services of Deb's House, the family must be:

• residents of Lancaster County
• willing to work toward long-term stability

There is no cost to the family for the Deb's House program.

The major difference between Deb's House and foster care is that the children remain in the custody of the parent. Deb's House accepts requests for service from parents, as well as referrals from community agencies.

There is no specific limit to the number of times a family may utilize the program. However, after the first placement, subsequent admissions must be part of a comprehensive plan to provide long-term stability for the children.

Our History
Deb's House, a program of Family Service, was the result of a collaborative effort by the Junior League of Lancaster, Lancaster Health Alliance, and Family Service.

Our goals are to provide respite and supportive services to Lancaster County families; to prevent child abuse and neglect; and to provide long term stability to children while preserving the family.

We are indebted to Deborah Altman - past president of the Junior League of Lancaster County - for whom Deb's House is named. It was her vision that brought the idea of a respite program to Lancaster County.

Through the diligence and determination of the Junior League of Lancaster County, working in concert with the Lancaster Health Alliance and Family Service, Deb's House began serving the children and families of Lancaster County in May of 1997. The Deb's House Family Respite Homes are licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Contact Us
For information about using the services of Deb's House, phone 717-431-0515. Calls are accepted 24 hours a day. The staff will arrange to meet with the family as soon as possible. Deb's House is located at: 516 North Duke Street, Lancaster City, PA, across from Lancaster General Hospital.

For general information about Deb's House or for an application to volunteer, phone the Deb's House office at 431-0515 extension 221 or via e-mail: jmetzler@fslancaster.org.