Respite is short-term care for children and youth in foster care so their caregivers can take a break.
Respite gives you time to step away or get support during emergencies. It helps keep kids stable in your home and supports everyone’s health and well-being. Taking breaks prevents burnout, even during challenging times.
Some of the reasons caregivers use respite:
- To attend trainings and special events
- Job obligations
- Medical appointments
- Self-care activities
Where does the child or youth stay during respite?
Children and youth usually stay with another licensed caregiver during respite, but sometimes you can arrange for a certified caregiver to come to your home instead. Kids in respite can go on outings, even overnight, if the caregiver is licensed. Fun activities are encouraged!
Who can provide this care?
Respite outside of your home must be provided by:
- A foster home that is fully licensed by DCYF or certified by a Child Placing Agency (CPA).
- A Licensed Child Care Provider.
Respite in your home must be provided by:
- A licensed foster parent.
- An adult certified through DCYF or a Child Placing Agency (CPA) to provide in-home respite for a licensed caregiver. For this respite to be paid by DCYF, the care provider cannot live with you.
- Someone who is approved and cleared by the child’s DCYF caseworker.
Certified Kinship Respite is a special kind of respite available to all kinship caregivers. A provider can offer respite in your home or the home of the kinship caregiver if their certification allows. Reach out to your licensor or the assigned caseworker for the child or youth for more information.
Can kinship caregivers and foster parents request respite?
This support is available for all caregivers caring for children and youth in foster care.
If you are caring for a child who is part of a dependency court action or “in-home dependency,” you can ask the child or youth’s caseworker for respite.
If a child or youth you were caring for returns home and you are willing to provide respite for the family, let your licensor and the assigned caseworker know. This is a wonderful way to support families who are reunifying.
When can I make a request?
Any time. If your request is going to be during a busy time such as school holidays or breaks, make sure you submit as soon as possible.
How do I make a request?
Email your request to all relevant staff (see below). Send the request as soon as you are aware of the need, ideally 14 days in advance.
- Email the request to:
- The child or youth’s caseworker,
- Regional placement desk,
- CPA placement support manager (if you’re licensed by a CPA), and
- Caregiver support manager (if applicable).
- Include this information in the request:
- Your name and contact information.
- The dates you are requesting.
- Any special needs.
- Any appointments for the child or youth scheduled during respite.
- If you have someone lined up to provide respite, include their name and contact information.
- If you are using, or plan to use, a certified respite provider or certified kinship respite provider, include that information. For certified kinship respite requests, DCYF must confirm that the provider is certified for the child or young person participating and that the requested location has been approved.
- If you plan to trade respite with another caregiver, share your plan in your email request. This makes sure everyone knows that the support requested will not be paid.
- Send reminders or confirmation emails to the people you included on your request. This can help with planning and communication between those offering the support.
If I use respite, do all the children and youth placed in my home need to participate?
No! This break can create space for one-on-one time with a child or several children. It can give you time for yourself, too.
What if I want to include the child or youth in our family plans and do not want to use respite when we leave town?
Try to include the children in your care in family plans and activities whenever you can. Going on vacations or joining in family events gives them positive experiences and helps them grow socially. If any services or appointments are missed because of family plans, work with the child’s caseworker to reschedule them.
What about taxes on respite care payments?
- These payments are taxable income. You can ask that taxes be deducted from respite payments.
- All caregivers who provide respite must complete a W-9 tax form before being paid. Because everyone’s tax status is different, the amount of tax removed or withheld will vary.
How do I request payment once the respite is completed?
- We encourage all caregivers to sign up for direct deposit, but it is not required. Direct deposit is a streamlined way to get payments, often more quickly.
- Once respite is complete, email the child or youth’s caseworker or the regional placement desk that made or confirmed the respite arrangements.
- Provide the exact dates and times the respite support was provided, the respite provider’s name, or send a copy of the respite provider’s billing that includes this information. Always keep a copy for your records.
Payments are usually processed within four weeks, but it can take up to six. Timing depends on when the bill is submitted and whether it’s part of the main or supplemental payment cycle. Helping your respite provider fill out the bill or invoice and sending any needed documents can help DCYF pay you faster.
It’s been six weeks, and I have not received payment. What do I need to do?
E-mail or call the child or youth’s caseworker or the placement desk that arranged your respite. Tell them the respite has not been paid. If you call, leave a message if the caseworker isn’t available. You can also follow up with an email, including your name and contact information. If you cannot reach the caseworker, email the supervisor or call the caseworker’s office and ask to speak with their supervisor. You can use the employee directory to find the caseworker’s supervisor’s contact information or you can look up the office phone number.
