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Healing Happens in Homes Like Yours.

Start your foster care journey today.

Respite Care

A Respite Care Provider offers short-term, temporary care for children in foster placements to give primary foster parents time to rest, attend appointments, travel, or manage personal needs. Respite providers play a vital role in preventing caregiver burnout and promoting placement stability.


Respite care may last a few hours, a weekend, or several days, depending on the need. Providers must meet licensing or approval requirements and ensure children remain in a safe, supportive, and structured environment during their stay.


Respite caregivers are an essential part of the foster care support system. Helping families stay strong so children can remain in stable homes.

Minimum Requirements

Age & Residency

  • You must be at least 21 years old

  • Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident

Home Environment

  • You may own or rent your home (house or apartment)

  • Home must be clean, safe, and have enough space for a child (each child must have their own bed)

  • Must pass a fire and safety inspection

  • Functional smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits are required

Income & Stability

  • Must demonstrate sufficient income to meet your family’s needs without relying on the foster care stipend

  • Financial records may be reviewed during the home study

Background Checks

  • All adults (18+) in the home must undergo:
    Criminal background checks (including fingerprinting)
    Child abuse and neglect registry checks

  • Certain criminal offenses (especially related to child abuse, violence, or sexual offenses) will disqualify applicants

Health Requirements

  • All household members must be in good physical and mental health

  • A physical exam or medical statement is required for each applicant

Core Training Options

You will complete one of the following approved training programs based your individual circumstances:

  • NTDC (National Training and Development Curriculum) –
    A 30-hour trauma-informed curriculum that covers parenting strategies, attachment, child development, grief and loss, and working within the child welfare system.

  • TIPS-MAPP (Trauma-Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence – Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting) –
    A traditional 30-hour training model designed to prepare families for foster and adoptive care through structured sessions and group participation.

  • Deciding Together –
    A flexible, one-on-one version of TIPS-MAPP, often used for kinship caregivers or families unable to attend group sessions. Typically completed over 7 weekly in-home or virtual visits.

Mandatory Trainings

  • Tailored sleep routines designed to suit your baby’s temperament and individual needs

  • Safe sleep environment setup aligned with the latest health and safety guidelines

  • Support during nighttime hours to reduce parental exhaustion and encourage restful sleep for your baby

Licensing Process

  • Complete a home study conducted by a licensing worker
    Includes interviews, home visits, reference checks, and documentation review

  • Submit required paperwork (application, background consent forms, pet records, floor plans, emergency plans, etc.)

  • Complete CPR and First Aid certification

Additional Considerations

  • You can be single, married, divorced, or partnered

  • Parenting experience is not required

  • Must be willing to work as part of a team with DSS, birth families, therapists, and schools

  • Must follow all state and agency policies related to discipline, visitation, supervision, and care

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