Respite Care
Resources for the Community
The Respite Resources listed here are provided for informational purposes only. They do not reflect recommendations or endorsements by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) or The FCPS Family Resource Center. Please contact the locations directly for fees, availability, and whether they meet your needs.
Information about Respite Care
- How to choose a respite program or provider.
- How to choose an Adult Day Services program.
- How to find and pay for respite.
ARCH National Respite Locator Service:
ARCH does not provide respite care but may be able to help you find it in your local community.
Office for Aging Services
804-662-9333
Virginia Caregiver Coalition is a group of people including family caregivers, disability and aging community agency staff, state agency employees, and university and independent researchers that will work passionately to improve the experience of caregiving through education, advocacy, and access to resources.
Programs for Children with Special Needs
Coordinates and funds bed and breakfast respite retreats for parents and caregivers of children and adults with special needs. Programs are located throughout various states.
At Home Personal Care
703-330-2323
Trained professionals provide in-home pediatric care and can provide comprehensive case management and support for children with disabilities and special needs including mobility impairments, a serious medical conditions in need of ongoing care, developmental delays, sensory integration impairments, metabolic disorders, nervous system disorders, etc.
Pediatric Respite Care Services. Depending on your child’s needs, a nurse or home health aide can provide care for your child while you’re away. They work with you to determine if respite services are covered by a waiver program or alternate funding.
Chimes of Virginia
703-267-6558
Offers respite care and in-home services to families of children with disabilities. Program participants in the residential, in-home support, and day services also have access to adjunctive support to address their physical, mental, and behavioral health needs to help maximize their potential and opportunities for independence. The program coordinates with a variety of licensed professionals in community practice such as physicians, behavioral and mental health specialists, nutritionists, and specialty therapists.
Respite care services include supervision and assistance with daily living activities due to absence or need for relief for family members and guardians who usually care for the child or young adult.
Developmental Support Associates
301-661-6304
Licensed in-home and community service provider for children, adolescents, and adults. Services include in-home respite, community respite, and supported vacations.
Easter Seals-Robert S. Wilson Community Respite
301-920-9718
Offers support for families who care for children with disabilities and special needs. Monthly, themed activities take place in Silver Spring, MD with carefully selected volunteers to ensure a successful pairing between the child and volunteer.
Hartwood Foundation
703-273-0939
Hartwood administers Fairfax County’s Respite Subsidy Program which gives local families a break on the cost of private respite services for their loved one with special needs. Support includes group home services, residential services, emergency respite care, group home-based respite care, in-home support, drop-in services, respite subsidy programs, and enrichment programs.
A Christian non-profit that provides short-term, overnight respite care for families with kids ages 6-17 with intellectual disabilities in the DC metro area, and around the country. Parents regularly receive 24-48 hours to rest and recharge, while their kids are engaged in activities, tailored to their interests and abilities.
McLean Bible Church
703-639-2000
Offers a Friday night respite care program for children with special needs and their siblings, ages 2-15.
Northern Virginia Family Service
703-219-2126
Provides therapeutic respite care to biological, foster, and adoptive families. The program serves children from birth to 17 years old.
NOVA Home Health Care
703-831-1111
Respite Care services for short-term relief are provided day or night with thoroughly trained Nova HHC care providers in your desired environment.
Pathways Behavioral Health
443-690-5857
Provides in-home babysitting and respite support for general education and special education students. BCBAs train babysitters to handle a wide variety of common childhood behavior problems. Additionally, they can implement a BIP that is unique to your child and his or her problem behaviors.
Programs for Adults
Respite care for seniors in their own homes while engaging them in intellectual, physical, and emotional interactions. Hours range from a few hours a week to a few hours a day. Respite care can also be used for longer periods of time to accommodate an extended break or vacation. Customized services and flexible scheduling. Can be scheduled as needed or as part of a weekly routine.
Developmental Support Associates
301-661-6304
Licensed in-home and community service provider for children, adolescents, and adults. Services include in-home respite, community respite, and supported vacations.
Fairfax County Department of Family Services
703-324-7948
Provides support and referrals for respite care for anyone caring for an older adult with a disability.
Right at Home: In-Home Care and Assistance
703-538-4584
Professionally trained and bonded/insured caregivers can step in and temporarily take over the care of your loved one in your home for short-term respite care.
NOVA Home Health Care
703-831-1111
Respite Care services for short-term relief are provided day or night with thoroughly trained Nova HHC care providers in your desired environment.
Dulles Health and Rehab Center
703-934-5000
During Respite Care, your loved one will receive professional care in a safe environment, looked after by trained staff for a short term. Respite care can be used for work travel, vacations, or relief from caregiver stress.
Eldercare Locator
800-677-1116">1-800-677-1116
A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connects you to services for older adults and their families.
Programs for Foster and Adoptive Families
Coordinates and funds bed and breakfast respite retreats for adoptive and foster families. Programs are located throughout various states.
Offers local foster, adoptive, and kinship families 3-hour Respite Nights which include fun activities, time outside, dinner, and a movie in a safe, trauma-informed space.
Northern Virginia Family Service
703-219-2126
Provides therapeutic respite care to biological, foster, and adoptive families. The program serves children from birth to 17 years old.
Programs for Military Connected Families
Coordinates and funds bed and breakfast respite retreats for military-connected families. Programs are located throughout various states.
Easter Seals-Navy EFM
301-920-9718
This program assists active-duty Navy families with children with disabilities. Families can receive up to 40 hours per month of in-home respite care and will be able to interview thoroughly vetted respite care providers.
Easter Seals-Robert S. Wilson Community Respite
301-920-9718
Offers support for families who care for children with disabilities and special needs. Monthly, themed activities take place in Silver Spring, MD with volunteers who are carefully selected to ensure a successful pairing between the child and volunteer.
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
1-800-342-9647
Families enrolled in EFMP can request respite care through their branch of services’ EFMP respite care program if they meet eligibility requirements.
Additional Resources
The Arc of Northern Virginia
703-208-1119
Information and referral resources for families and professionals. Educational seminars and workshops are offered throughout the year to keep families up to date on advocacy issues and to provide information on disability issues.
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center
703-256-2084
Features include a National Respite Locator, a service to help families locate respite and crisis care services in their communities. Publishes several guides to funding sources and government programs for respite care.
Brain Injury Services
703-451-8881
Brain Injury Services (BIS) has free services to support survivors of brain injury wherever they are on their journey. BIS provides one-on-one support and connects survivors to learn from each other. Programs include Parents’ Night Out respite events and a support group for families.
Bright Care Center
703-330-5836
Provides Adult Day Care and Respite Services to adults with disabilities, ages 18+. Programs include recreational activities, a life skills program, a work skills program, and drop-in respite care.
An online service that allows families to search for caregivers by creating profiles describing their specific needs. Also offers access to background checks, references, and reviews.
Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board
703-383-8500
Provides Support Coordination Services, Day Support and Employment Services, and Residential Services for individuals with a developmental disability.
Family to Family Network of Virginia
804-827-8770
Supporting families of children and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs.
Financial Support
Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)
1-833-522-5582
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) administers the Medicaid and FAMIS/CHIP programs in Virginia, providing access to health care for the most vulnerable, including children of eligible families.
Kids' Waivers is a compilation of information about Medicaid waivers, Katie Beckett or TEFRA programs, and other programs for children with disabilities or medical needs.
National Multiple Sclerosis
1-800-344-4867
Provides limited funding for respite services not covered by insurance or other community programs that will provide relief to family caregivers of persons with Multiple Sclerosis.
Office for Aging Services: VA Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
1-800-552-3402
The Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program (VLRVP) provides reimbursement vouchers to Virginia caregivers living with anyone with a documented disability or special need.