Most respite care programs offer services to families on a sliding fee scale with hourly and/or daily rates.

Most respite care programs offer services to families on a sliding fee scale with hourly and/or daily rates.

Respite care can be provided at both in-home and out-of-home settings.  Many families prefer in-home respite care because the family member is most comfortable there and the home is equipped for any special needs the family member may have.  However, out-of-home respite care provides an opportunity for family members with disabilities to be outside the home, interacting with other children or adults.

Respite care can be provided at both in-home and out-of-home settings.  Many families prefer in-home respite care because the family member is most comfortable there and the home is equipped for any special needs the family member may have.  However, out-of-home respite care provides an opportunity for family members with disabilities to be outside the home, interacting with other children or adults.

Families considering whether or not they would benefit from respite care should ask themselves the following questions:

• Is finding temporary care for an exceptional family member difficult?
• Does caring for the family member sometimes interfere with scheduling appointments for the rest of the family?
• Is the family concerned that in the event of an emergency there is no one to care for the family member?
• Does the family avoid going out because they do not want to impose on family and friends who care for the family member?
• Would the family be comfortable going to a trained and reputable respite provider to arrange for care for the family member?

Families who answered "yes" to these questions could benefit from respite care and should investigate the resources on their installation and in the civilian community.

Families considering whether or not they would benefit from respite care should ask themselves the following questions:

• Is finding temporary care for an exceptional family member difficult?
• Does caring for the family member sometimes interfere with scheduling appointments for the rest of the family?
• Is the family concerned that in the event of an emergency there is no one to care for the family member?
• Does the family avoid going out because they do not want to impose on family and friends who care for the family member?
• Would the family be comfortable going to a trained and reputable respite provider to arrange for care for the family member?

Families who answered "yes" to these questions could benefit from respite care and should investigate the resources on their installation and in the civilian community.

Families should ask themselves the following questions when seeking respite care:

• What kind of respite care is needed (short-term, long-term, or both)?
• Does your family prefer in-home or out-of-home care?
• Does the respite care agency provide the type of service your family needs?
• Is there a cost for the service? Who is responsible for payment to the provider?
• How are respite care providers selected? Are they trained?
• For out-of-home facilities, does anyone monitor the facility for safety and health measures?
• Can the family provide written instructions for the providers?
• Will the family have to carry additional home insurance coverage while the provider is in the home?
• Is there a policy for filing grievances or complaints?
• Will the provider care for your child's siblings too?

Families should ask themselves the following questions when seeking respite care:

• What kind of respite care is needed (short-term, long-term, or both)?
• Does your family prefer in-home or out-of-home care?
• Does the respite care agency provide the type of service your family needs?
• Is there a cost for the service? Who is responsible for payment to the provider?
• How are respite care providers selected? Are they trained?
• For out-of-home facilities, does anyone monitor the facility for safety and health measures?
• Can the family provide written instructions for the providers?
• Will the family have to carry additional home insurance coverage while the provider is in the home?
• Is there a policy for filing grievances or complaints?
• Will the provider care for your child's siblings too?

Army Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Respite Care Program

Eligibility for the Army's Respite Care Program is based on EFMP enrollment status, the exceptional family member's medical or educational condition, and deployment needs. Families can receive up to forty hours of respite care per month for each certified exceptional family member. For more information on the Respite Care Program or to apply for assistance, interested families should visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS to locate and contact their local EFMP Manager.

Marine Corps EFMP Respite Care Program

The Marine Corps EFMP Respite Care Program provides temporary rest periods for family members responsible for the regular care of persons with disabilities. Eligible families enrolled in EFMP can receive up to forty hours of respite care per month.  For more information on the Respite Care Program or to apply for assistance, interested families should visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS to locate and contact their local EFMP Manager.

Navy EFMP Respite Care Program

Navy families who are enrolled in EFMP and have children birth to eighteen years of age labeled as Category IV or V may receive up to forty hours of respite care per month near certain Navy locations. For more information on the Respite Care Program or to apply for assistance, interested families should visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS to locate and contact their local EFMP Manager.

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) Respite Care Program

The Air Force Aid Society's Program provides a break to families who care for an ill or disabled family member living in the household.  AFAS assistance for respite care is based on both the need for respite and financial need. For more information on the Respite Care Program or to apply for assistance, interested families should visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS to locate and contact their local Airman and Family Readiness Center.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) Respite Care Program

This program provides a break for a few hours a week or month to eligible Coast Guard clients who have twenty-four hour responsibility to care for an ill or disabled family member living in the household.  Assistance for respite care is based on both the need for respite and financial need. For more information on the Respite Care Program or to apply for assistance, interested families should contact CGMA.

TRICARE's Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) Respite Care

Through TRICARE ECHO, families may receive short-term care for a patient for a maximum of sixteen hours per month for any month a family member is receiving ECHO benefits. Unused hours may not be banked for future use. In home respite care services are meant to be a relief for parents to be deployed, be employed, seek employment, or pursue education. ECHO respite care services are provided by TRICARE-authorized home health agencies and include:

• ECHO respite care:  16 hours per month when receiving other authorized ECHO benefits 
• EHHC respite care:  up to 40 hours per week (eight hours per day, five days per week) for those who qualify
• Only one can be used in the same calendar month, they cannot be used together. 
• Only available in the 50 United States, The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Military Child Development Programs

Although the military child development programs are not required to provide respite care for military families with special needs, families can register with the Children and Youth office for assistance in locating an appropriate source of care. The cost varies based on the hourly care rate at each installation and parents are responsible for paying for care.

Army Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Respite Care Program

Eligibility for the Army's Respite Care Program is based on EFMP enrollment status, the exceptional family member's medical or educational condition, and deployment needs. Families can receive up to forty hours of respite care per month for each certified exceptional family member. For more information on the Respite Care Program or to apply for assistance, interested families should visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS to locate and contact their local EFMP Manager.

Marine Corps EFMP Respite Care Program

The Marine Corps EFMP Respite Care Program provides temporary rest periods for family members responsible for the regular care of persons with disabilities. Eligible families enrolled in EFMP can receive up to forty hours of respite care per month.  For more information on the Respite Care Program or to apply for assistance, interested families should visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS to locate and contact their local EFMP Manager.

Navy EFMP Respite Care Program

Navy families who are enrolled in EFMP and have children birth to eighteen years of age labeled as Category IV or V may receive up to forty hours of respite care per month near certain Navy locations. For more information on the Respite Care Program or to apply for assistance, interested families should visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS to locate and contact their local EFMP Manager.

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) Respite Care Program

The Air Force Aid Society's Program provides a break to families who care for an ill or disabled family member living in the household.  AFAS assistance for respite care is based on both the need for respite and financial need. For more information on the Respite Care Program or to apply for assistance, interested families should visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS to locate and contact their local Airman and Family Readiness Center.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) Respite Care Program

This program provides a break for a few hours a week or month to eligible Coast Guard clients who have twenty-four hour responsibility to care for an ill or disabled family member living in the household.  Assistance for respite care is based on both the need for respite and financial need. For more information on the Respite Care Program or to apply for assistance, interested families should contact CGMA.

TRICARE's Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) Respite Care

Through TRICARE ECHO, families may receive short-term care for a patient for a maximum of sixteen hours per month for any month a family member is receiving ECHO benefits. Unused hours may not be banked for future use. In home respite care services are meant to be a relief for parents to be deployed, be employed, seek employment, or pursue education. ECHO respite care services are provided by TRICARE-authorized home health agencies and include:

• ECHO respite care:  16 hours per month when receiving other authorized ECHO benefits 
• EHHC respite care:  up to 40 hours per week (eight hours per day, five days per week) for those who qualify
• Only one can be used in the same calendar month, they cannot be used together. 
• Only available in the 50 United States, The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Military Child Development Programs

Although the military child development programs are not required to provide respite care for military families with special needs, families can register with the Children and Youth office for assistance in locating an appropriate source of care. The cost varies based on the hourly care rate at each installation and parents are responsible for paying for care.

Many agencies and organizations have information on respite care services. For more information regarding respite care options for an exceptional family member, contact Military OneSource.

Many agencies and organizations have information on respite care services. For more information regarding respite care options for an exceptional family member, contact Military OneSource.