Respite Care
Renew Family Energy Through Respite Care

RESPITE CARE is temporary care that relieves families of the day to day caring of a family member with a disability. Respite care allows families to take care of personal business, spend time with a spouse or other family members, friends or just to spend time alone. Families find respite care to be the most flexible service available and it can be used in many different ways to meet a variety of family needs. Respite care is relief for the WHOLE family.

Benefits of respite care include:

• Renewing family energy and spirits through relaxation and enjoyable activities
• Easing pressure that can lead to divorce, child abuse and neglect and other negative effects
• Reducing family isolation because family members have time to be involved with community
• Allowing individual family members time for enrichment
• Creating time for siblings to strengthen relationships with parents and do special activities inside and outside the home
• Encouraging the opportunity for children with disabilities to make new relationships and increase independent living skills

Are there provision restrictions? Families are granted respite hours/vouchers based upon the Regional Center's budget appropriations.

Respite care is provided by independent contractors who are selected by the families. It is very important that the families feel comfortable with their respite care contractor so that they may be able to relax and enjoy their time away.

What's the difference between respite care and child care? Child Care provides ongoing care on a regular basis while parents work or attend school. The key words for respite care are temporary relief. (See Child Care).

Kansas City Regional Center
821 East Admiral Blvd.
Kansas City, Missouri
816.889.3400 or 1.800.454.2331

Contact the Regional Center to request an eligibility determination, a habilitation assessment and to inquire about the respite care provision restrictions. (See Understanding Missouri's Service Delivery System)