Respite

last updated: Sep 2026

What is Respite?

Respite is a service providing caregivers an opportunity for rest and relief from caregiving duties. Depending upon a variety of eligibility factors, individuals with special health care needs and their families may have different respite options.

Respite via Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)

Respite may be accessed as a waiver service through various HCBS programs, including:

Health and Wellness Waiver*
Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver*
Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver*
Family Supports Waiver*
Child Mental Health Wraparound Program (CMHW)* and Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI)*

Once the individual with special needs has been targeted for HCBS, respite may be available as a waiver service. The waiver case manager will provide a list of providers and information about the service. Typically, this type of respite cannot be used during a parent’s work or school hours.

Respite Funded by Medicaid

Individuals receiving Medicaid services and who have a need for skilled care may be able to access periodic respite via a nursing facility. This will require a doctor’s order and a screening process. This type of respite is also limited.

Local Respite Programs

Respite may be available from local providers, such as churches (especially those with disability ministries), and other service organizations.

The Indiana Disability Resource FINDER maintains a list of respite providers in Indiana: https://www.indianadisabilityresourcefinder.org/

Families with the ability to privately pay may advertise and search for providers at local colleges and universities and on web-based care databases, such as:

Child Care Resources and Referral Services, 800-299-1627, https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/files/LCC-RR-Services-Provider-Map.pdf
Care.com, which allow providers to list skills qualifying them to care for individuals with special health care needs.
Additionally, some Medicaid waiver providers will accept private pay and may be privately contracted. Families seeking financial assistance to pay for respite may wish to research and apply for grants offered by community organizations.

Long-Term Respite

There are facilities that offer longer-term respite, such as:

Agape Respite
- (260) 589-3351
- https://agaperespite.org/
A Rosie Place
- (574) 235-8899
- https://www.arosieplace.org/
Chiara Home
- (574) 287-5435
- https://www.logancenter.org/chiarahome
Majestic Care of Bedford- Michael’s House Pediatric Unit
- (812) 277-3730
- https://www.majesticcare.com/location/bedford/
Opportunity Enterprises
- (219) 548-0206
- https://www.oppent.org/
Paladin
- (219) 874-4288
- https://paladin.care/disabilities-services/

*Topical fact sheets discussing these programs are available on our website, at https://www.inf2f.org/fact-sheets.html. Please check back often as we continue to create and update resources.

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Programs and systems change often. It is important to ensure that you are using the most current information. Please check https://www.inf2f.org/fact-sheets.html for the most recent edition.

This fact sheet was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $96,750 with 89% financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of INF2F and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.