Respite — temporary relief from caregiving — is not a luxury. For caregivers of children with behavioral challenges, it is a clinical necessity.
What is respite care?
Respite care provides short-term relief for primary caregivers. It can take many forms: a few hours with a trusted family member, a certified respite worker, a day program, or an overnight stay in a host home.
The research is clear.
Caregivers who access regular respite have lower rates of burnout, depression, and health problems. Their children also benefit — a recharged caregiver is more responsive, more patient, and better able to implement behavior strategies consistently.
For Wisconsin families.
The Children's Long Term Support (CLTS) Waiver program may fund respite care for families of children with significant support needs. Talk to your support and service coordinator about your options.
Accessing respite:
- Ask your child's care coordinator about waiver-funded options
- Contact your local Family Care organization
- Reach out to the Arc of your county
- Connect with other families for informal respite swaps
- Contact IBC — we can often help with referrals
Letting go of guilt.
Taking a break does not make you a bad parent. It makes you a sustainable one. Your child needs you for the long haul — protecting your capacity to show up fully is one of the most important things you can do.