How do I choose a respite provider or adult day care program?
For guidance in selecting a respite provider or program, read the ABCs of Respite before you get started. Use respite frequently and as early in your caregiving experience as possible.
Where can I find respite providers or programs for a child, adult or older person with a specific condition in my state?
To search for respite in your state, click here.
Where else can I find respite providers or answers to other questions about respite in my state (e.g., how to start up a respite program; licensing or regulatory issues; provider training opportunities)?
If your state has a State Lifespan Respite Program, it will be listed here:
James DavisMississippi Department of Human Servicesjames.davis@mdhs.ms.gov
For more information on State Lifespan Respite Programs, click here.
If your state has a State Respite Coalition, it will be listed here: Mississippi Family Caregiver CoalitionSpencer Blalock, DHA, LCSWcaregiverstaskforce@yahoo.com
For more information on State Respite Coalitions, click here.
How can I pay for respite services?
Respite is one of the supports offered through the State's Family Caregiver Support Program. Individuals eligible for respite care under this program are:
Family caregivers providing care for individuals age 60 or older;
Family caregivers providing care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, regardless of age; or
Grandparents and other relative caregivers (not parents) 55 years of age and older providing care to children under age 18; or
Grandparents, parents, and other relative caregivers 55 years of age and older providing care to adults ages 18-59, with disabilities, to whom they are related by blood, marriage, or adoption.
Tribal Organizations can set a lower age than 60 for members to be considered as elders eligible for services.
To find the Family Caregiver Support Program closest to you, visit the Eldercare Locator.
Medicaid waivers provide the largest federal source of funding assistance for respite. Each State develops their own waiver eligibility criteria and conditions for specific populations. Waivers are subject to federal approval. To see if your state has a Medicaid waiver that you or your family member may qualify for, click here.
Keep in mind that many states maintain waiting lists for Medicaid Waiver services. It is not an automatic entitlement, as is the regular Medicaid State Plan program, although some states may be converting their Medicaid waivers to state plan benefits.
Call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 or click here to visit the VA Caregiver Support website.
Other than respite, what other supports and services are available?
Services by State, hosted by the Family Caregiver Alliance, is a comprehensive state-by-state searchable data base that provides a list of government and private services and supports for family caregivers and care recipients. Click here.
State Self-Direction Programs: If a person with a disability or chronic condition is eligible for Medicaid, they may qualify for financial assistance that can be used to purchase necessary home and community-based services and supports, including payment to the family caregiver or to pay for respite. Such programs are sometimes known as cash & counseling, consumer or self-directed programs, or other names selected by the state. To find state Self-Direction Programs on the Applied Self-Direction (asd) website, click here.
Family to Family Health Information Center (F2F) and Family Voices: For assistance in finding services and supports for children with special health care needs from other parents and professionals, find your state's F2F center or Family Voices state chapter. Click here.
Easterseals: Many local affiliates of Easterseals provide respite, adult day services, and other supports for individuals of all ages and disabilities. To connect to an Easterseals affiliate in your area, click here.
Eldercare Locator: A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting you to services for older adults and their families. You can reach them at 1-800-677-1116 or click here.
Benefits.gov: The official benefits website of the U.S. government that informs citizens of benefits they may be eligible for and provides information on how to apply for assistance. Click here.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers: If you are looking for information or assistance with long term services and supports for yourself or for a friend or family member, you can locate the Aging and Disability Resource Center (sometimes also known as the No Wrong Door System) nearest you by contacting the Eldercare Locator.
Population in Search of Respite
AGING/DISABILITIES
INFANTS/TODDLERS
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
MENTAL HEALTH
CHILD WELFARE
State Agency
Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Aging
Department of Developmental Services
Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Health Care Services
Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Developmental Services
Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Mental Health
Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Social Services, Children and Family Services Division
What is the name of the program?
Respite Purchase of Service (RPOS)
California Part C Early Intervention Program: Early Start
None found
Respite (In-Home) Services
Respite
Kinship Support Services Program (KSSP)
Who is eligible for respite?
· Frail elderly adults
· Adults age 18+ with disabilities
· At risk of institutional placement
· Not eligible for assistance of Regional Centers serving persons with developmental disabilities
· Not receiving other respite services
· Broad; serves at risk children
·
· Individuals with a developmental disability
· Adults with a degenerative brain disease or impairment which occurred after age 18
· Frail adults age 60+
· Relatives caring for a children placed with them by the juvenile court
How are respite services accessed?
State funding has been eliminated, but statutory authority still exists. An Area Agency on Aging may continue operation if funding is available.
21 community-based regional centers www.dds.ca.gov/RC/Home.cfm
Family member pays for services and files a voucher for reimbursement. 21 Regional Centers help families access services
11 Caregiver Resource Centers: californiacrc.org/californiacrc/jsp/home.jsp
11 KSSP Sites for counties providing this program
What is the cost of respite services?
Unknown
Family Cost Participation (FCP) Program; families with income at or above 400% of FPL pay 10% - 100% of respite costs, depending on their income and the number of persons living in the home. Maximum annual FCP is $6,400.
There is a Family Cost Participation Program for children up to age 17 who are not eligible for Medi-Cal.
What limitations are there on the use of respite?
RPOS contractor determines the maximum amount spent per family.
Respite is a required early intervention service when it allows a parent to participate in another required early service, such as sign language class. Respite to allow a parent a break in caregiving is not a required service.
Where to go to receive information on how to apply?
1-800-510-2020
Early StartChildren and Family Services Branch Tel: (916) 654-2773 (800) 515-2229 Email: ringraha@dds.ca.gov
Parent Handbook: Available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese at:
www.dds.ca.gov/EarlyStart/ResourceMaterials.cfm
Tel: 1-800-515-BABY OR email: earlystart@dds.ca.gov OR Contact a regional center
Regional Centers: www.dds.ca.gov/RC/RCList.cfm
Caregiver Resource Centers: californiacrc.org/californiacrc/jsp/home.jsp
KSSP Sites: http://www.childsworld.ca.gov/res/pdf/KinShpList.pdf
Website
aging.ca.gov/programs/respite.asp
www.dds.ca.gov/
EarlyStart
www.dds.ca.gov/SupportSvcs/Respite.cfm
www.dmh.ca.gov/Services_and_Programs/Adults/Caregiver_Resource_Centers.asp#services
http://www.childsworld.ca.gov/PG1351.htm