Mary Jo Alimena-Caruso, coordinator of Watson’s CareBreak program, received the National Innovative Respite Design Award for excellence in the innovative delivery of respite services at the 12th Annual National Respite Conference Awards Dinner on September 24, 2009 in Hollywood, CA.

According to Jill Kagan, Chairperson of the National Respite Coalition, “such recognition is long overdue, especially for a model program such as CareBreak.  CareBreak has become a national model often highlighted at our national conferences and recognized by other national efforts such as Easter Seals and former President George Bush.”  

Mary Jo has been a national leader through her chairmanship of the PA Respite Coalition and her leadership work for more than a decade with the National Respite Coalition.  In 2006, CareBreak volunteer Edith Hope received the Presidential Volunteer of the Year Award from President George W. Bush.  Last year, Mary Jo assisted the National Easter Seals Association with developing a volunteer training curriculum for children with autism based on her pioneering work in the field.  When Mary Jo began serving as CareBreak coordinator in 1998 the program served two families.  Last year CareBreak volunteers helped 52 families with a special needs child.


CareBreak at The Watson Institute is a gift of time and energy given for a few hours a week by a committed volunteer to a family caring for a child with special needs.  CareBreak provides an opportunity for children and volunteers to become close through fulfilling, one-on-one experiences, while allowing the family to regroup.