What is Respite Care?
If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, respite care can be a great way to begin. Respite care providers offer temporary support for children in foster care, giving foster parents time for rest, personal needs, or emergencies. This role also provides a meaningful opportunity to connect with children in care by offering quality time and activities that support their well-being and growth.
How does respite care work?
Once you’re approved as a respite care provider, foster families can contact you when they need support. Respite care can be offered daily, overnight, or on a weekly basis, and typically involves caring for a foster child for at least six hours.
Respite care is different from traditional babysitting. It may be scheduled in advance or used during unexpected situations, and its purpose is to help maintain stability and well being for both foster families and the children in their care.
Getting Started
If you would like to become a respite care provider in Missouri, you will need to:
1
Contact Us
- Access the Missouri Foster Parent Portal or call 800-554-2222 to get started.
- We will discuss what respite care is, other types of care, and answer any questions you may have.
2
Apply
- To become an approved respite care provider, you must submit a respite care application on the Missouri Foster Parent Portal.
3
Approved
- Once we get your application, a team member will come to your house to make sure it meets requirements (unless you plan to provide care at the foster home) and to complete paperwork
- You will also need to complete background screenings (at no cost to you) and the following trainings:
Renewal Process
After you are an approved respite care provider, you will need to go through a renewal process every 2 years.