Relax. Take a Break:
A Family Guide to Respite for Children in Michigan
This document was developed with funding from a Real Choice System Change Grant for Community Living-Respite for Children. While it specifically addresses respite for families of children 0-18 years of age, respite is also available to families of adult consumers.
Download the Family Guide to Respite for Children in Michigan.
What is respite?
Respite is a type of support that may be available to families of children with developmental disabilities (DD) or serious emotional disturbance (SED). The word respite means “break” or “relief.” Respite care services are designed to offer families the opportunity for a break from care giving responsibilities.
Respite allows parents time to engage in activities that they find relaxing, entertaining, or restful while a trained respite provider cares for your child.
A respite break can mean an hour to take a walk while a respite provider stays in your home to care for your child. It may be a weekend away while your child is cared for outside of your home. It can also mean time to take a nap or chat with a friend while the respite provider takes your child on a community outing.
Types of respite care
There are many different ways respite may be provided. Respite care programs vary in the following ways:
| Who provides care for your child: |
| • |
Provider trained by your family |
| • |
Provider trained by the respite program |
| • |
Provider trained by the program and by your family |
| Where respite takes place: |
| • |
In your home |
| • |
Outside of your home |
| |
• |
out in the community |
| |
• |
at a home, center or facility |
| What type of setting: |
| • |
Individual (your child + provider) |
| • |
Group (group of children + provider(s)) |
The following types of respite programs may be available in your community:
Family Friend
Respite is provided by an individual chosen by your family. Respite can take place in your home, at the home of the respite provider, or in the community.
One-to-One
Respite is provided by an individual trained by the respite program and takes place in your home or in the community.
Camps
Day and overnight camps offer respite opportunities for parents while providing fun and/or educational experiences for children.
Respite Home
Respite is provided by individuals trained by the respite program in a licensed home or facility in the community.
Group Settings
Program-trained staff provided care to a group of several children in a licensed facility such as a church, school, or community center.
Locating Respite Providers
To find out more about what programs and providers are available in your community, you may start by talking to your CMHSP supports coordinator. You may also try looking in your phone book or searching the Internet. The Arch National Respite Locator Service is a good online resource. It allows you to search for providers in your area according to your child’s age and type of disability.
To contact the State office for Respite, call: 517-372-6671
To obtain a copy of the booklet this information came from contact the MDCH and request "Relax. Take a Break:
A Family Guide to Respite for Children in Michigan." |
