Respite care reimbursement instructions

You may be eligible for reimbursement respite care through the adoption assistance program.

Respite care reimbursement is available for your child if your application has been pre-approved and adheres to program requirements. Respite care reimbursement will only occur upon approval; retroactive payments are not available prior to the approval date.

• You first apply through the county in which you reside for respite care and any other available resources.
• Your county of residence must submit, in writing the following:
• A statement that the family was informed of resources available to them to meet their child's needs.
• The age-appropriate daily foster care/difficulty of care per diem in the family's county of residence.
  • A statement that the family was informed of resources available to them to meet their child's needs.
  • The age-appropriate daily foster care/difficulty of care per diem in the family's county of residence.
• If you move to a different county, you must re-apply for respite care funding through that county.
• If you are not eligible for the respite care fund, and you meet Adoption Assistance Program requirements, the Adoption Assistance Program will reimburse you for the cost of respite care up to 504 hours or 21 days of care.
• Once all documentation is received you will receive an approval notification within 30 days of DHS receiving the completed documentation.