Respite Care

Respite services are direct services that are provided to supervise and support participants living in private homes on a short-term basis for planned or emergency situations, giving the person(s) normally providing care a period of relief that may be scheduled or due to an emergency.

An emergency circumstance is defined as a situation where:

• A participant’s health and welfare is at immediate risk.

• A participant experiences the sudden loss of his or her home (due to, for example, a fire or natural disasters). This is not intended to replace a residential provider’s responsibility to secure an alternative if there is a need for an emergency location.

• A participant loses the care of a relative or unrelated caregiver, without advance warning or planning.

• There is an imminent risk of institutionalization. To the degree possible, the respite provider must maintain the participant’s schedule of activities including activities that allow participation in the community. This service also includes implementation of a participant’s Behavioral Support Plan or Crisis Intervention Plan as applicable.