The Tennessee Respite Coalition (TRC) supports and advocates for family caregivers (including parents with special needs children).  It was established as a grassroots advocacy group early in the 90s, and evolved into a 501c3 service focused organization in March 2003.  The four main areas of service include: a toll free helpline, advocacy, volunteer respite, and Family Directed Respite.  The mission is to ensure the quality of life for family caregivers through Respite.  This grant will fund respite vouchers for vulnerable family caregivers of loved ones with Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's, Paralysis (or related disorder), and parents of special needs children that have little other support.  After receiving Respite for a 6 month period,  85% of 25 family caregivers will report: lower stress (reducing the likelihood of abuse), feeling they can better care for their loved ones, being able to engage in self-care (proven to extend the length of caregiving, and the desire to have Respite again.  The TRC has found that caregivers that use the FDR system are more likely to spend time engaging in self care vs. just maintain household tasks and running errands due to the increased Respite.