Welcome to the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center

Asking for help is a sign of strength

Respite and Caregiving Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Learn More

To find respite in your community, please click here.

Are you a state agency or coalition responding to a Lifespan Respite Funding Announcement? click here.

What is Respite?

Respite is planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with special needs in order to provide temporary relief to family caregivers who are caring for that child or adult. For more information on how to find and choose respite care, click here for the ABCs of Respite.

For a one-minute video overview, please click here.

According to the Lifespan Respite Care Act (PL 109-442), Lifespan Respite is defined as 'coordinated systems of community-based respite for family caregivers of children or adults regardless of special need.' For more information, see the Administration for Community Living's Lifespan Respite Care Program.

The mission of the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center is to assist and promote the development of quality respite and crisis care programs; to help families locate respite and crisis care services in their communities; and to serve as a strong voice for respite in all forums.

The ARCH National Respite Network includes the National Respite Locator, a service to help caregivers and professionals locate respite services in their community, the National Respite Coalition, a service that advocates for preserving and promoting respite in policy and programs at the national, state, and local levels, and the Lifespan Respite Technical Assistance Center which is funded by the Administration for Community Living in the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Publications

Volunteer Respite Manual: Creating Valuable Options for Family Caregivers
Federal Funding and Supports for Respite: Building Blocks for Lifespan Respite Systems National Respite Guidelines Participant-Directed Respite Guidebook
See more Products and Publications

Federal Lifespan Respite Funding Opportunity Announcements

Responding to a federal Lifespan Respite Grant Announcement?

You may find the following ARCH resources helpful as you respond to a Lifespan Respite Funding Announcement from the Administration for Community Living:

Introduction to Lifespan Respite "101": includes ideas to help you collect information for required elements of the application; provides ideas for other federal sources of respite funding so you know which state agencies to reach out to for support and partnerships; presents summaries of activities of current Lifespan Respite grantees, including Integration and Sustainability activities, and the roles of State Respite Coalitions and ADRC partners; and background on the Lifespan Respite program. Click here.

State Developed Lifespan Respite Tools: Includes tools for needs assessments and environmental scans, performance measurement, service delivery, caregiver assessment for respite, respite voucher guidance, respite registry examples, job descriptions, public awareness materials, and more. Click here.

Archived Past Lifespan Respite Funding Opportunity Announcements from ACL, click here.

Sustainability Toolkit for Lifespan Respite Programs, click here.

Performance Measurement for Lifespan Respite Programs, click here.

Lifespan Respite Grantee Updates

"Lifespan Respite Panel: Best Practices at Mile Post 7"

For 2016 National Lifespan Respite presentations featuring Kevin Foley, ACL and three state Lifespan Respite grantees, click here.

"Hitting the High Notes with Lifespan Respite: Progress at the Five-Year Point”

For 2014 National Lifespan Respite presentations and video of plenary panel session featuring Greg Link, ACL and three state Lifespan Respite grantees, click here.

Useful Data for Problem Statements

Fact Sheets and Talking Points

More information can be found at the Lifespan Respite Technical Assistance Center, click here.

ARCH Video: Respite - A World of Relief

ARCH Minute from CHTOP, Inc. on Vimeo.

ARCH is Access to Respite Care and Help
The ARCH-NRN is a division of the Chapel Hill Training-Outreach Project, Inc.

International Respite Conference POSTPONED

Given the tremendous uncertainty in the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is with deep regret that the International Short Break Association (ISBA) and its cohosts have decided to postpone the 2020 International Short Break (Respite) Association Conference scheduled for June 16-18, in Madison, WI. We are currently exploring the possibility of rescheduling for next spring or early summer. We will reach out to you shortly with more information, including information about next steps related to your registration fees.

ARCH Respite Research Summit will be rescheduled as a Virtual Meeting.

Check here often for updates.

Respite Grantee and Partner Learning Symposium has gone Virtual.

The Lifespan Respite Grantee and Partner Learning Symposium (by invitation only) will be held virtually on June 16, 2020 at

Respite -- Fuel for the Caregiving Journey!

TV Billboards (5-sec, 10-sec, and 15-sec) to adapt for use in your own state!

See the ARCH version here.

High resolution versions are available that you can adapt for local TV with your state or local program contact information.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

From the ARCH Messaging Workgroup and the generosity of the Kansas Lifespan Respite Coalition

Legislative Action Center for Lifespan Respite

Listen to eCareDiary Blog Radio

Featuring ARCH

How to Find Respite for Caregivers

Click here

LIFESPAN RESPITE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER