Respite

If you have been thinking about fostering but are nervous about it, providing respite foster care is a great way to test the waters! Respite care usually takes place over a weekend, and it rarely lasts more than two weeks. You can choose when you're available to take children so the schedule can be very flexible - it's up to you.

Respite care requires licensing and training, just as becoming a 'regular' foster parent does, but you will learn what types of behaviors you can handle. When you provide temporary care for another family's foster child, it gives the family a bit of a break - a respite. The foster parents may need to get away for a bit for some much needed restorative personal time, or maybe they have other obligations that may take them away from home for a period of time.