Respite Foster Care

Respite Foster Care

What Is Respite Foster Care?

Respite foster care is a short-term caregiving arrangement, provided in your home. It is designed to support foster families by giving them a temporary break.

Respite care is a meaningful way to support foster families and make a difference without committing to a long-term placement.

  • Respite providers have the flexibility to provide care only when they are available.
  • The children already have full-time foster homes.
  • Respite care is not a child’s first placement into foster care. 

How Does Respite Work?

Foster parents will arrange for respite care in advance, in most situations.

  • The respite coordinator will contact respite providers to make arrangements.
  • You will receive a description of the child and dates of respite needed.
  • You can accept or decline the respite opportunity. You only need to accept respite that works for your schedule and if you can meet the needs of the child.
  • At times, respite is needed during emergency or unplanned situations.
  • You will never be forced to accept respite.
  • Cancellations sometimes occur. Flexibility is key and your understanding is appreciated.

Interested in learning more?

Or download this form and apply today!

Each child will have different circumstances but overall, there are some basics that are expected of respite providers.

  • Transportation arrangements to and from respite homes are made case by case. You may be asked to participate in transportation.
  • Children should arrive to respite with clothing, medications, diapers, formula and other personal items. It may help to have some backup essentials on hand.
  • Respite providers should have food and age-appropriate toys and entertainment.
  • It is recommended that you purchase car seats according to the ages of children that you typically care for. 
  • You can include the children in your activities and family outings. To make it enjoyable for all, always consider the child’s age, typical schedule, level of needs and their endurance, tolerance for changing situations and comfort level with the activities.
  • You should never have others care for the children you agreed to care for.
  • You should only accept respite plans from the Children’s Wisconsin respite coordinator or Children’s Wisconsin staff members.
  • The program provides 24/7 support, allowing you to contact a staff member in the event of an emergency.  
     

Children in foster care come from different backgrounds. They range in age from birth to 18 years old.

  • Respite is needed for children of all ages. A licensing specialist will work with you to determine the ages you are licensed for.
  • Most children in foster care have experienced some level of trauma and neglect. Each child is uniquely different in terms of their lived experiences, needs and emotional and behavioral patterns.
  • Some children may:
    • Not trust adults
    • Resist rules
    • Wet the bed
    • Have medical needs
    • Display aggression or anger
    • Be shy and quiet
    • Have developmental delays
    • Have trouble with self-care
    • Have extra energy
    • Have a hard time concentrating
    • Need special feedings
  • We will tell you about the children to determine if you can meet their needs and feel comfortable providing care. Treatment level children will have higher needs than the average child

A variety of licensed respite homes is ideal. This allows us to meet the needs of all children in care.

Most common respite request: Weekends. But there are a lot of other requests, that can range from one day to even one week. Very long respite stays are rare and would be related to unusual circumstances.

Most common ages for respite: 4-12 years old. But we need respite providers for all ages. It is helpful to be open to caring for a wider age range, especially children over 4 years old.

Current needs in respite: Daytime respite for medically needy children. Daytime respite for children with behavioral treatment needs. Respite for children over age 10.

Type of homes needed to meet demands:

  • Stay-at-home parents
  • Providers who are open to caring for children 10 and older
  • Providers who are comfortable with children who have experienced trauma and have resulting behavioral needs
  • Providers open to caring for children who have higher care needs, which include behaviors that are outside of the scope of the average child
     
  • You must be at least 21 years of age.
  • You will need to agree to a series of background checks for all adults residing in the home.
  • You must possess sound judgment and positive parenting skills.
  • You can be single, partnered or married. If it is a two-parent household, both individuals must be on the foster home license — meeting all licensing and training requirements.
  • You will need stable and sufficient income to meet family/ household expenses without relying on the foster care stipend. You must be above the federal poverty guideline for size of household.
  • At least one applicant will need a high school diploma or GED. Or you must take a literacy test to verify that you are at or above an 8th grade reading level.
  • Provide verification of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
  • Provide verification of vehicle liability insurance (if you own an automobile).
  • Complete health examination for all members of the household.
  • Four favorable references — three nonrelatives and one adult relative.
  • Employment verification/reference.
  • Physical environment of the home must meet licensing requirements.
  • Complete interview process.
  • Complete Nurturing Connections training (formerly Foundations Training) prior to licensure.
  • You will need more than a one-bedroom house/apartment.
  • You cannot have a daycare in your home.

Interested in taking the next step or learning more? Contact us!