Respite

Resource Parent Respite Program Overview

A respite program in foster care provides short-term, temporary care for children in foster placements, giving resource parents a planned break to rest, manage personal responsibilities, or handle emergencies.

Purpose

  • Prevent foster parent burnout and placement disruption.

  • Support placement stability for children in foster care.

  • Provide safe, quality care during times when resource parents need to tend to obligations or self-care.

  • Build a network of support around resource families.

Key Program Components

  1. Eligibility & Access

    • Resource families caring for youth in Los Angeles County Probation. (*Current program)

  2. Types of Respite

    • Planned respite (scheduled breaks, vacations, training days).

    • Emergency respite (unexpected illness, crisis, or emergencies).

  3. Respite Providers

    • Must be approved/licensed according to state regulations.

    • Often other foster parents or trained respite caregivers.

    • Background checks, training (trauma-informed, behavioral support), and home assessments required.

  4. Duration

    • Typically from a few hours to a weekend, with flexibility for longer support.

  5. Training & Support

    • Respite caregivers receive the same or similar training as resource parents.

    • Ongoing support and supervision.

Benefits

  • For Children:

    • Exposure to new positive adult role models.

    • Chance to engage in different recreational or cultural activities.

  • For Resource Parents:

    • Reduces stress and prevents burnout.

    • Supports work-life balance.

    • Encourages long-term caregiving commitments.

  • For Agencies:

    • Improves placement stability.

    • Enhances caregiver retention and recruitment.

Process

  • Application & Matching: Families request respite, and a program coordinator matches them with an available respite provider or helps them select a provider that is a friend or family member.

  • Documentation: Tracking of respite usage, outcomes, and satisfaction surveys.

  • Supportive Wraparound: Incorporating peer support groups and crisis intervention alongside respite.

*To begin the intake process, email: respite@cacaregivers.org.