What Is Respite?
Parents of children with developmental disabilities are expected to provide the same level of care for them as they would for a child without disabilities. However, when a child has special needs parents often face challenges beyond those they might encounter with a typical child. In order to provide caregivers with the occasional relief they need to keep the child in the family home, regional centers may provide respite care when medical, physical or behavioral needs cannot be met by other family members or a regular babysitter.

Respite care is sometimes provided by a trusted individual who is selected by the parents, but who has also met specific criteria. Sometimes care is provided through professional respite agencies – these agencies are staffed by nurses and others with medical training, as well as workers with special training that equips them to deal with children or adults with challenging behaviors. Respite care is provided in the family home. For more information about respite services, please speak with your Service Coordinator.

Respite is a tool that allows parents:
• Temporary relief from care giving
• Time for self-care
• Time for errands and appointments
• Take care of other family needs

The regional center supports families living together. Respite services may be available to assist families and help people remain in their family homes. The planning team will determine the desired family support outcomes, identify and access all private and generic resources available to meet the need for services, and will determine which, if any, regional center funded family support services are to be used to meet any remaining need for family support services.

Enhanced Respite

Enhanced respite care is provided by staff who have advanced training in behavioral management. Enhanced respite allows caregivers a chance to take a break from caregiving, knowing that the respite worker will implement a pre-existing behavior plan for children who have an extreme level of severe, maladaptive behaviors.

Learn more about Behavioral Services.