Respite Care in Minnesota: How Families of Autistic Children Find and Pay for a Break

What is respite care?

Respite care is short-term care for a child with a disability, provided by trained staff, so the family can rest, run errands, spend time with siblings or simply recharge. It might be a few hours a week, a regular Saturday, an overnight or an occasional weekend.

Respite is not therapy, and it isn't meant to teach skills — though good respite staff will follow your child's routines and strategies. Parents of autistic children often describe it as what keeps the whole family going over the long haul.

Using respite isn't a sign that you can't cope. Caring for a child with high support needs is demanding, and regular breaks help parents stay healthy, patient and present. Planning respite before you're exhausted usually works better than waiting for a crisis.

In-home vs. out-of-home respite: which is right for us?

Minnesota families generally choose between two settings, and many use both at different times.

• In-home respite: a staff person comes to your home. Your child stays in a familiar place with their own routines and sensory setup — often easiest for kids who struggle with transitions.
• Out-of-home respite: your child spends time at a licensed respite home, a family foster home or a program site. Parents get a true break from the house, and some settings offer overnights or weekends.
• Community-based respite: staff take your child to parks, libraries or activities, which can double as a chance to practice community skills.
• Crisis respite: short-term care during a family emergency or when a child's needs escalate. Ask your county how to access it before you need it.

How do Minnesota families pay for respite care?

Regular Medical Assistance doesn't typically cover respite on its own, but several Minnesota programs do. Your child may qualify for more than one.

• Disability waivers: the Developmental Disabilities (DD) and Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals (CADI) waivers can fund in-home and out-of-home respite. Waivers require Medical Assistance, which many families get through MA-TEFRA.
• CDCS: Consumer-Directed Community Supports lets you manage a waiver budget yourself — including hiring your own respite staff, sometimes people your child already knows.
• County family support and respite programs: many counties offer respite funding or services for families not on a waiver. What's available varies by county.
• Family Support Grant: a state program providing cash grants to eligible families of children with disabilities, which can be used toward respite and other disability-related costs.
• Private pay: agencies and independent providers charge hourly or per-night rates. Ask about sliding scales.

How to get respite care funded

1. Call your county human services intake line and say you'd like an assessment for children's disability services (often a MnCHOICES assessment).
2. Apply for Medical Assistance or MA-TEFRA if your child isn't already enrolled — it's the gateway to waivers.
3. At the assessment, ask about every option: waivers, CDCS, county respite programs and the Family Support Grant.
4. If waiver funding isn't available right away, ask what short-term county respite or grant funding can bridge the gap.
5. Work with your case manager to add respite to your child's support plan and choose a provider.
6. Schedule early — popular respite times like weekends and school breaks fill quickly.

Finding respite care in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester and Duluth

The Twin Cities have the most respite agencies, but staffing shortages mean even Minneapolis and St. Paul families may wait for a good match. Families in Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud and rural greater Minnesota often have fewer agencies to choose from — CDCS can be especially useful there because it lets you hire trusted people from your own community.

Good places to start include your county case manager's provider list, the respite category in this directory, and Disability Hub MN, which explains programs in plain language. Other parents in local autism groups are often the best source of honest recommendations.

Contact a few providers at once. Ask about current openings for your child's age and needs, and whether they serve your specific county — some agencies cover only part of the metro or a few rural counties.

Questions to ask a respite provider

• Is respite provided in our home, at your location, or both?
• How are staff screened — background studies, references, experience with autistic children?
• What training do staff have in communication differences, sensory needs and behavior support?
• Can we meet the staff person before the first session, and will we usually get the same person?
• How do you handle medications, meltdowns, elopement risk and emergencies?
• Which funding sources do you accept — waivers, CDCS, county programs, private pay?
• How far ahead do we need to schedule, and what happens if staff cancel?

How to prepare your child for respite

A little preparation makes respite go better for everyone — and makes it easier for you to actually relax.

• Start with short visits while you're nearby, then build up to longer stretches.
• Write a one-page profile: communication style, likes, triggers, calming strategies, food and sleep routines.
• Use a visual schedule or social story that shows who is coming and when you'll be back.
• Pack comfort items, preferred snacks and any AAC device your child uses.
• Share safety details in writing: allergies, medications, seizure plans, wandering risk and emergency contacts.
• Check in afterward with both the provider and your child, and adjust as needed.

Keep in mind

This article is general information, not medical, legal or benefits advice. Program names, eligibility and funding availability change and vary by county. Confirm details with your county, your case manager, your provider or the Minnesota Department of Human Services.