Respite Services

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Overview
Respite services provide temporary care and supervision for children with disabilities or special health care needs, allowing parents and caregivers to take a short break from their caregiving responsibilities. Respite care helps reduce caregiver stress, supports family well-being, and enables children to remain safely at home whenever possible.

Who May Be Eligible?

Respite services may be available to families of children who:

Have a developmental disability or qualifying special health care need.
Are eligible for services through a California Regional Center.
Require ongoing supervision or assistance beyond what is typically needed for their age.
Have caregiving needs that place significant physical, emotional, or medical demands on family members.

Eligibility, the number of approved respite hours, and the type of respite services provided are determined based on the child's individual needs and family circumstances.

Types of Respite Services

Depending on a family's needs and Regional Center authorization, respite services may include:

In-Home Respite	A trained respite provider comes to the family's home to provide temporary supervision and care, allowing caregivers time to rest, attend appointments, or manage other responsibilities.
Behavioral Respite	Behavioral respite provides temporary supervision and support for children with behavioral needs. Caregivers may receive assistance from providers trained to implement existing behavioral support plans and reinforce daily living skills.
Crisis Respite	Short-term, out-of-home respite services may be available during emergencies or crisis situations when temporary placement is needed to ensure the safety and well-being of the child and family.

How Respite Services Are Determined

Regional Centers evaluate each family's unique circumstances when determining respite services. Factors considered may include:

The child's level of supervision and care needs
Medical or behavioral complexity
Caregiver availability and support system
Overall family circumstances
The goal of helping the child remain safely in the family home

Relationship Between Respite Services and IHSS

Respite services and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) serve different purposes and may both be available to eligible families.

IHSS provides assistance with personal care and daily living activities for eligible individuals with disabilities.
Respite services provide temporary relief for caregivers by offering short-term supervision and care.

Regional Centers generally cannot authorize respite services that duplicate services already provided through IHSS. However, respite services may supplement IHSS when additional caregiver relief is needed and services do not overlap.

How to Access Respite Services

Families interested in respite services should:

Contact their Regional Center Service Coordinator.
Discuss their child's care needs and the impact on the family.
Participate in the Individual Program Plan (IPP) process to determine whether respite services are appropriate.
Work with their Regional Center to identify an approved respite provider or agency if services are authorized.

📚 References

This content was adapted from:

Reviewed by ME, Behavioral Health Committee, JW MD, Patient Education Committee.