Description:
Respite care is temporary relief care designed for families of children or adults with special needs. Respite care can range from a few hours of care provided on a one-time basis to overnight or extended care sessions. Respite care can be utilized on a regular or irregular basis and can be provided by family members, friends, skilled care providers or professionals. Providers, chosen by the family, care for children or adults with special needs while families take a class, go to a movie, go on a vacation, or enjoy any activity.
Respite care is designed to help families. Caretakers of children or adults with special needs often face serious problems and stress as a result of balancing the needs of their child or adult with special needs with the needs of other family members. These breaks, that respite care provides, allow families time to tend to the needs of their children, spouses, and themselves.
Any family having a child or adult family member who has a developmental disability, a developmental delay (children only), a serious emotional disturbance, a severe and persistent mental illness, a chronic medical condition (children only), a traumatic brain injury, or a child they have adopted may be considered for respite care services.
Respite care is available to eligible families regardless of income.
There is no age limit, however, the child or adult must live with a parent or family member.
The child or adult's diagnosis and source of the diagnosis must be noted on the application form. Documentation of the diagnosis must accompany the application form.
A copy of any document containing the diagnosis and name of the physician or psychologist issuing the diagnosis should be sufficient for children or adults with a developmental disability, developmental delay, or chronic medical condition. The Department does not need a complete copy of these reports - just the portion containing the diagnosis.