Respite care can be a good option when parents need a break from the daily stresses of parenting or have obligations that may prevent them from including their child. The following resources provide information about respite services for resource families.

9 Steps to Respite Care for Grandfamilies (PDF - 3,011 KB)
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center (2018)
Presents information for grandfamilies on respite care and how respite services can provide a break away from caregiving responsibilities. By taking a break, grandparents can become less stressed, better rested, and renewed. Grandparents are encouraged to use respite care on a regular basis to avoid feelings of guilt, exhaustion, isolation, and burnout.

Don’t Be Scared by Respite Care
Foster and Adoptive Family Services Blog (2017)
Explains respite care and how foster families can take advantage of this service. Respite care can be beneficial for children and families as it allows caregivers to step away from caregiving responsibilities and take a break. Even a short break can help contribute to a long lasting, healthy foster experience.

Respite for Families Caring for Children Who Are Medically Fragile (PDF - 256 KB)
Kagan & Edgar (2014)
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center
Provides a basic overview of useful information for respite providers who work with individuals and families with children who are medically fragile. The fact sheet provides information on the incidence of medically fragile children, the challenges faced by families with medically fragile children, barriers to respite facing family caregivers of children who are medically fragile, help for families to find, select, and pay for respite, and highlights successful respite programs. 

Understanding Respite Care
Leidner (2017)
Discusses respite care as a much-needed service for foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Scheduling time for respite allows caregivers an opportunity to take a break to prevent them from becoming overwhelmed by their many ongoing responsibilities. Respite is just as important for children in foster care because they have the chance to build healthy relationships with others, build their self-esteem and social skills, and learn to trust others.

What is Respite Foster Care?
Very Well Family (2018)
Explains the concept of respite foster care, when one family temporarily cares for another family's foster children. This gives the children's original foster family a break so the parents can get away for some restorative time.