Respite care is temporary relief care designed for families of children or adults with special needs. Respite care can range from a few hours of care provided on a one-time basis to overnight or extended care sessions. Respite care can be utilized on a regular or irregular basis and can be provided by family members, friends, skilled care providers or professionals. Providers, chosen by the family, care for children or adults with special needs while families take a class, go to a movie, go on a vacation, or enjoy any activity.

Respite care is designed to help families. Caretakers of children or adults with special needs often face serious problems and stress as a result of balancing the needs of their child or adult with special needs with the needs of other family members. These breaks, that respite care provides, allow families time to tend to the needs of their children, spouses, and themselves.

Air Force Aid Society Respite Care

The Respite Care Program provides a “break” of a few hours a week or month to active duty Air Force families who have the responsibility of 24 hour-a-day care for an ill or disabled family member.

• Assistance is given in the form of a grant and is based on need – the need for respite time, as well as financial need.
• Families are referred to AFAS through the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) office, Special Needs Identification Program (SNIP) office or Family Advocacy.
• Assistance is provided for medical expenses and special therapeutic, educational, communication and transportation equipment for the special needs family member.

Servicemembers requesting Respite Care must be enrolled in EFMP.

To apply for Respite Care, contact the Airman & Family Readiness Center and speak with the EFMP Coordinator.

South Dakota
Department of Human Services
Respite Care Program

How does Respite Care Work?
For an eligible child or adult, a family may receive authorization to receive up to $550.00 of Respite Care services; with $200.00 for each additional eligible child or adult, up to a maximum of $950.00 per family, per year (June 1-May 31). The family selects a provider and uses the Request For Payment form to purchase Respite Care Services. The provider receives reimbursement by submitting the Request For Payment form to the Department of Human Services Respite Care Program.

Who is eligible for Respite Care?
Any family having a child or adult family member who has a developmental disability, a developmental delay (children only), a serious emotional disturbance, a severe and persistent mental illness, a chronic medical condition (children only), a traumatic brain injury, or a child they have adopted may be considered for respite care services.

• Respite care is available to eligible families regardless of income.
• There is no age limit, however, the child or adult must live with a parent or family member.
• The child or adult’s diagnosis and source of the diagnosis must be noted on the application form. Documentation of the diagnosis must accompany the application form.

A copy of any document containing the diagnosis and name of the physician or psychologist issuing the diagnosis should be sufficient for children or adults with a developmental disability, developmental delay, or chronic medical condition. The Department does not need a complete copy of these reports – just the portion containing the diagnosis.

If the child has a serious emotional disturbance or the adult has a severe and persistent mental illness a summary evaluation form available from the Department of Human Services should be completed and returned with the application.

The Department of Human Services will endeavor to ensure that all eligible families can participate in the respite program.

Appeal Process:
Any family who is denied respite care from the Department of Human Services may appeal by writing the Secretary of the Department of Human Services.