Respite Handbook
Description of Respite Service

The Department of Public Health is utilizing the funding in Appropriation # 4513-1021 for the purpose of establishing Family Support and Respite Services for the families of Early Intervention participants. Under this program, families of Early Intervention children may request respite services if their children have complex care requirements, multiple disabilities, and/or extensive medical/health needs. Family Support and Respite Services will provide a mechanism for these families to receive temporary relief. All services will be tailored to meet the unique needs of each family to support them in the care of their child. Accordingly, families will retain full control of the type of respite services they receive and determine by whom those services are provided.

Family Support and Respite Services will be administered and monitored by the RCP’s, with oversight by DPH. Administration by the RCP’s will promote effective integration of services with the Early Intervention system and provide access to all regions of the Commonwealth.

The Department of Public Health will offer families a maximum annual benefit of $750 per family for respite services. Families may choose to pro-rate these funds on a monthly basis or may choose to reserve funds for a single extended period of respite. Criteria for a waiver of the $750 cap is outlined the forms section of this document. In addition to general respite, funding will be made available for emergency respite such as extreme cases where immediate service is needed (i.e. auto accident, death of a parent, etc.).

Funding for respite services is subject to annual appropriation. RCP’s should only approve requests for funding if respite services will be provided prior to the end of the fiscal year or June 30th of any given year.