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Types of Childcare: Respite/Crisis Care

Respite care provides a continuum of services from planned temporary relief for the primary caregiver of children with disabilities or chronic illness to emergency respite or crisis care for children at risk for abuse or neglect. Emergency respite provides a temporary safe haven for the child while the parent or guardian seeks assistance with a developing problem.

Crisis nursery programs serve children from birth to 18 years old. Most crisis nursery programs, regardless of their funding source, provide support services within their own service delivery system.

ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center
Devoted to issues related to respite for caregivers; includes discussion of Federal legislation.

Benefits of Planned and Crisis Respite Care (PDF - 66 KB)
FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention Programs (2004)
Discusses the benefits of using planned and crisis respite care.

Fact Sheets on Respite and Family Support
ARCH National Respite Network
Links to 56 factsheets on respite care.

United Way 2-1-1
While services offered through 2-1-1 vary from community to community, 2-1-1 provides callers with information about, and referrals to, human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. The 2-1-1 website also offers an online search function to locate resources in specific communities.

	Related Information Gateway Topics Supporting & preserving families: Family support services — Childcare & respite care services Preventing child abuse & neglect: Respite and crisis care programs

Updated on November 19, 2008