Have you thought about getting more involved with foster care without taking on the commitment of becoming a full-time foster parent? Consider becoming a licensed respite care provider!
Respite care provides a short-term break for foster parents, as respite providers provide temporary care for children in foster care or adoptive children. This can take place for a few hours and can last up to a few days.
Respite care allows foster parents to take time to attend to their own needs. They can utilize respite to take a break, relax and reduce stress, or deal with a personal emergency.
This helps prevent foster parent burnout, increases foster parent retention, and helps sustain more safe homes for children in foster care. It also helps children in foster care build trust with safe adults while developing self-confidence and social skills.
To become a respite provider, you need to attend one two-hour training, CPR and AED training, and complete home visits with a licensing worker. We are currently hosting virtual respite care provider trainings each quarter. You can learn more about upcoming trainings at the link listed below!
One of our respite parents has previously shared, “I think people should just do it. I think a lot of hesitation is time, but you’re able to make it work. That’s the great thing about respite: you can say no, and it can be really flexible.”
If you do not want to be a licensed respite provider, you can also volunteer at one of our respite events, which happen quarterly in each of our areas. Learn more here.
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