Certified Respite Care

Connect

Be a safe, caring adult 
in a child’s life, creating positive experiences and lasting memories!

Become Certified

Certified Respite Providers Offer
Meaningful Support to:

Children and Youth

by providing nurturing and safe short-term care that can have a lasting impact on a child’s life

Caregivers

by providing parents and resource (foster) parents with the critical opportunity to recharge, reducing burnout and strengthening their ability to provide the best care for the children in their home

The process of becoming a Certified Respite Provider begins when a prospective applicant inquires with Every Child or ODHS Child Welfare.

  • Submit an inquiry
  • Talk to an ODHS
Champion
  • Complete an application
  • Pass a background checks
  • Complete home visit & interview
  • Complete respite training
  • Become approved! 
  • Begin supporting children & youth in care
  • Receive compensation for your time
  • Participate in a home visit every 180 days
  • Renewal at 2 years

Respite Care
FAQS

Respite Care gives primary caregivers a much-needed break by having another trusted adult step in temporarily. It’s a way to help families recharge and stay strong, offering resource (foster) families, relative caregivers, and parents the chance to rest, renew, and prevent feeling overwhelmed. 

In 2023, ODHS Child Welfare implemented a statewide Respite Care Program. This program recruits, trains, and certifies respite providers who, once certified, are connected with families in need of support. The program also helps parents whose children are still in their care. 

The certified Respite program main goals are: 

  1. To increase the availability and accessibility of respite to support certified resource families and families of origin (parents) being served by child welfare and their children and young adults  
  1. To offer children and youth a safe, nurturing short-term environment with the opportunity for enrichment experience while receiving the care and support they need. 
  2. To give caregivers a well-deserved break from caring for children and youth. 

Planned respite care works best when it meets the needs of both the children and their caregivers. Families, whether they’re resource (foster) families or families of origin, who find creative ways to regularly schedule respite tend to manage the stress of caring for children and young adults with complex needs more easily. It helps them keep their relationships strong and healthy. 

By planning respite care ahead of time, families can avoid burnout and even prevent a potential family crisis. 

 
Research has demonstrated that respite services can achieve the following*: 

  • Reduced reported stress levels of caregivers and improvements in the quality of their relationships, 
  • Improved support for caregivers to meet their children’s special needs, 
  • Improved relationships between parents and children, and 
  • Prevention of placement disruptions. 

 
 
*Source: AdoptUSKids-Taking a break-Creating Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Respite Care in Your Community-Oct 2008 updated June 2013 

As a respite provider, your role is to offer care that’s both supportive and nurturing. You’ll need to be patient, kind, and open to learning, while also providing structure and clear boundaries. The goal is to create a safe and caring space where everyone—both children and adults—feels respected and understood. 

Certified Respite Providers can care for children and youth for just a few hours or even a few days. It’s also a chance to create meaningful memories together. You might take children or youth on fun outings like to the zoo, movies, farmer’s market, a hike, or the local library. You could teach them something new, like baking or building a birdhouse, or simply enjoy playing video games or tossing a football together. 

ODHS partners with Every Child Oregon to help recruit and support Certified Respite Providers. It’s easy to get started! Just fill out the Every Child Oregon Connect Form or give them a call at 800.331.0503. Their team will reach out to you and, if you’re interested in moving forward, they’ll connect you with ODHS.

You’ll get to talk with an ODHS Champion (someone who helps with recruitment and support in your community) and join the Certified Respite Provider Orientation to have all your questions answered. 

From there, the certification process includes: 

  • A background check 
  • A home visit and interview 
  • Completing the necessary training and certification 

Once everything is completed, you’ll be approved and ready to start providing respite care! 

The children you care for as a certified respite provider may range in age from infants, toddlers, preschoolers, grade-school age, teens, or young adults. They come from many backgrounds, cultures, and families. They have their own unique personalities, abilities, interests, cultures, and potential. 

Many children experiencing foster care have been hurt by child abuse or neglect, may have higher needs related to these experiences, including the grief and loss of being removed from their families. 

Training will include social media guidelines, confidentiality, trauma informed parenting, mandatory reporting, logistics and emergency policies, etc.  

Once you’re approved, there are a few ongoing steps to maintain your certification: 

  • Home Visits (Every 6 Months): A home visit will take place every 180 days, and it must include face-to-face contact with all certified individuals. 
  • 2-Year Renewal: Every two years, you’ll need to renew your certification. This includes background checks and completing the Certified Respite Provider Training to make sure you’re up to date on the latest rules, policies, and best practices. 

The time you commit depends on your schedule and availability. During the interview process, you’ll be asked about when you’re available—whether that’s just weekends, specific days of the week, or something else. You get to set the times that work best for you! 

Please contact your ODHS Champion or Certifier to learn more. 

Start Today!
Respite Care Infographic

Every Child mobilizes community to uplift children & families impacted by foster care in Oregon.