Many families can benefit from a brief respite from caregiving. This is especially true for families experiencing challenges parenting children with special needs, as well as new parents, young parents, or parents without a reliable support system. The following resources explain how respite care services support and strengthen families at risk for child abuse and neglect and how they can help families experiencing family disruptions, such as parental separation or divorce, that may have a negative impact on children. Resources include State and local examples.
Emergency Respite: Help for Family Caregivers in Critical Times of Need (PDF - 273 KB)
Edgar & Abdullah (2013)
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center
Highlights a variety of situations where respite may be needed in the event of a family or personal emergency and is designed to help State agencies, community and faith-based respite providers, and Lifespan Respite grantees and their collaborators understand the unique needs of this population of caregivers.
Engaging Lifespan Respite System to Enhance Protective Factors [PowerPoint]
FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (2013)
Offers continuing education and professional development opportunities for community-based child abuse prevention programs. The Learning Center's topic list includes logic models, data management, as well as maximizing financial resources for managers, frontline workers, and other child welfare professionals.
Respite for Families Caring for Children Who Are Medically Fragile: Fact Sheet Number 11 (PDF – 256 KB)
Kagan & Edgar (2014)
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center
Discusses the challenges faced by families caring for medically fragile children to enable respite providers to better work with these individuals and families.
Respite Services to Support Grandfamilies (PDF - 235 KB)
Beltran, Lent, & Peterson (2010)
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center, & Generations United
Discusses many of the challenges facing grandfamilies who have become the primary caregivers for relative children, covers these unique considerations and offers suggestions for support, funding opportunities, and examples of respite programs that provide appropriate options for grandfamilies.
State and local examples
Respite Care for Children with Mental Illnesses (PDF - 30 KB)
National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota (2011)
Describes what respite care is, how it is funded in Minnesota, who uses it, and why it is important.
State Respite Coalitions
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center (2016)
Provides background information, contacts, and fact sheets about State respite coalitions and State Lifespan Respite programs.